Thang House is a home with a “green lung” which provides filtered air, diffused light and the aroma of grass and flowers throughout the house. The client’s brief asked for a house which provided fresh air, surrounded by grassland and tropical greenery that reminded him of his rural childhood, on a site located in the heart of the rapidly developing city of Danang in Vietnam. Sounds easy, right?
The architects, VTN Architects, solved this brief by designing the home around a verdant courtyard which provides views of greenery from most rooms. Additionally, any green space lost during construction has been replaced with a rooftop orchard, which also acts as thermal insulation for the home.
The home is largely self-sufficient with an automatic water recycling system circulating water between the fish pond, rooftop orchard and the planted areas, solar heated water and PV solar system providing for the home’s energy requirements.
Sustainability specs:
– Rooftop orchard providing fruit and vegetables
– Significant use of plants to help cool the home and filter the air
– Solar heated water
– PV solar system
– Water recycling system for irrigation
– Locally sourced and robust, low maintenance building materials such as stone and brick
– Biophilic design utilising views of greenery, sky and the pond
Vietnam is known for being an agricultural country, and being able to produce food in the city center sets the founding concept of this project.
We believe that “Thang House” will be covered with tropical green throughout year, creating a quiet and peaceful space for the family, and becoming one of the “green lungs” in this rapidly developing city.
Nadine is the founder and editor of Eco Edition and founder of the Eco Edition Design School. She’s an experienced interior designer, sustainable materials consultant, speaker and serial home renovator.