By merging typical Saigon architectural and stylistic details, architect Toan Nghiem of a21 Studio created a space that brings family together. Stacking roof layers, open flowering balconies, and an alleyway that serves as a living room, dining room, and outdoor playground are all filled with colorful, rich materials. Inside Saigon House, reclaimed and second-hand furniture lend history and spirit to the home. With so many small interior rooms and divisions between spaces, the addition of a net ceiling brings openness to the back alleyway, where the family often gathers to eat dinner. Not only does the net allow for ventilation and light, but it offers a place to play for the children, who love to climb and lounge above their parents. Photo 12 of 23 in 23 Unconventional Homes Built Around Trees from A Narrow Courtyard Joins a Unique Two-Family Home in Saigon

23 Unconventional Homes Built Around Trees

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Architect Toan Nghiem of a21 Studio designed the Saigon House to merge Ho Chi Minh City’s typical architectural and stylistic details. Native trees are planted on the ground floor as well as on balconies and in the steel frames, covering the home with plants and bringing a piece of the natural world inside. A rear alleyway in the joint family home serves as a living and dining room, while an overhead netted area offers a playground for the children.