A Verdant Home in Hanoi Offers Respite From the Bustle of City Life

Local firm ODDO Architects prioritized access to light and natural ventilation when designing this narrow, plant-filled house in Vietnam’s densely populated capital city.

Text by

Daisy Zuckerman

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Project Details:

Location: Hanoi, Vietnam

Architect: ODDO Architects

Footprint: 1,335 square feet

From the Architect: "TH house is located on a narrow plot of land in a very dense area of the capital city of Hanoi. The local district is characterized by an informal arrangement of slender houses on small plots connected by narrow streets. Today, Hanoi is a dynamic city with eight million inhabitants, facing huge population density, a lack of public space, and the gradual loss of cultural identity due to accelerated economic growth. With such complex entry conditions, the architects were challenged to design a contemporary house reflecting the local cultural identity and needs of a Hanoi family.

"We wanted to maximize access to daylight and natural ventilation, planting greenery and prioritizing spatial interconnection of all floors so that members of the family could communicate visually between floors. Traditional family ties in Vietnam are extremely important, which is reflected in the design of the house. We created open living spaces and decided on a glass facade—which the family can close for privacy—to simplify socialization among the family members as well as with the neighbors.

"With the current difficult conditions of the land, the house has only one narrow front facade, which is very close to the opposite neighboring house. Since this north street facade is all-glass, the transmission of natural light into the house creates an impression of a more breathable, larger space. The different ceiling heights also helps to increase the feeling of enlargement of the house.

"The city of Hanoi is facing a significant lack of greenery in public space. Plant life within the local subtropical climate serves as a functional element that can provide street shading and reduce the temperature in the city. As for the interior greenery, aside from improving the microclimate of the house itself, these plants also provide a mental and physical rest from the hectic life in the big city."