Lantern House designed by atelier NgNg, When asked to design a house in a highly dense neighborhood of Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, we are faced with many challenges (a West-facing long and narrow building lot with three sides blocked by other houses), which simultaneously pose fascinating opportunities for economical and innovative design solutions. The attempt is to create refreshing and playful living spaces for the young couple with their two small children as well as interesting photography opportunities for their business.
Photography: Han Deo
Learning from Vietnam?s diminishing traditional shop-house topology, we apply one of its most prominent characteristics ?  the use of multiple courtyards sandwiched in between living spaces, allowing for natural light, wind, as well as big plants to reach every corner of the building. This spatial organization ultimately brings nature into this small urban dwelling. The courtyard in the middle also acts as a connecting device, both visually and physically, where the majority of circulation happens on a sculptural stair made from single-sheet iron with the light structure that activates the whole space. Shifted floor plates and glass walls/ floor sections also help enhance the idea of continuous space and make the house feel bigger. Photography: Han Deo
Bright colors, often time seen in Vietnamese traditional decorative arts and architecture are used for the glass windows facing the courtyard and the glass beams above the light we...