Modern Asian style residence in Vietnam

The basis of the project was the search for a balance between functionality, expressive silhouette and limited site parameters. A small patch of building required a non-standard approach to the organization of space.

Working with Proportions on a Compact Site

With a house area of 630 m², it was important to avoid a bulky appearance and maintain balanced proportions. To achieve this, the third floor was visually lightened and designed almost entirely with glazing.

In Vietnam, the ground floor is traditionally considered level zero, so the owners’ private spaces are located on the second and third floors. This planning solution provides a higher level of privacy and better views.

The architecture is built on the contrast between light and dark materials. Travertine-look porcelain stoneware is paired with black ceramic surfaces, architectural concrete, and natural cumaru wood. Perforated metal louvers add depth to the façades and create the characteristic interplay of light and shadow associated with Asian architecture.

Panoramic glazing visually dissolves the upper volume into the sky and surrounding landscape, allowing the residence to maintain a cohesive silhouette despite its height.

Grand Entrance as an Architectural Feature

The main entrance is positioned on the garden side of the plot and designed as a distinctive architectural element. A 4-meter-high front door serves as a true statement piece, creating a memorable first impression and emphasizing the residence’s status and scale.

A Home Designed Around the Family’s Lifestyle

The house was created for a family with two children, as well as for the cohabitation of the brother and sister of the owners.

The planning structure is built around daily life scenarios. Public spaces are concentrated on the lower level and combine the living room, dining room and main family social areas. At the same time, the private rooms are as far apart as possible, which provides acoustic comfort for all family members.

Special attention was paid to children's spaces. At the request of the customers, the location of the playroom made it possible to create a convenient connection between the interior and the landscape: at the exit of the room there is a lawn for outdoor children's games.

Private Master Suites for Every Family Member

For the homeowners, we designed a fully equipped master suite that includes a bedroom, walk-in wardrobe, bathroom, and private study.

One of the key planning decisions was to avoid shared walls between the parents’ master suite and the children’s bedrooms. This approach enhances acoustic comfort and provides an additional level of privacy for all family members.

On the upper floor, separate master suites were created for the brother and sister. Each includes a private bedroom, walk-in wardrobe, and en-suite bathroom, ensuring independence and personal comfort while remaining connected to the shared family home.

Selva Privata — A Private Tropical Retreat

The landscape design for the 760 m² site was named Selva Privata, meaning “private jungle.” The concept was inspired by the idea of creating a tropical garden where architecture gradually blends into the surrounding greenery. At the same time, the design avoids the overly dense planting often associated with tropical landscapes, which can reduce airflow and increase insect activity.

For this reason, the planting strategy was based on a layered composition while preserving open spaces between the residence and the site boundaries. This approach creates a lush, immersive atmosphere while maintaining comfort, natural ventilation, and visual balance throughout the property.

Landscape Strategy and Plant Selection

Due to the compact size of the site, landscaping became one of the key tools for visually enhancing the perception of space.

Trees, shrubs, and tropical plants were carefully arranged to soften the presence of the property boundaries and create a greater sense of depth throughout the garden. A dense green perimeter provides privacy and shields the residence from neighboring views, while the more open central areas preserve a feeling of light, openness, and natural airflow.

This approach visually extends the distance between the house and the site boundaries, making the entire property feel significantly larger and more spacious than its actual footprint.

A Tropical Garden Adapted to the Local Climate

The landscape is based on plant species that are native to the region and well suited to the local climate. Existing orange trees on the site were carefully preserved and complemented with plumerias, lemon ferns, palms, and layered planting compositions of varying heights.

The main focal point of the garden is the flowering plumeria — a plant that is widely associated with prosperity, harmony, and well-being in Asian culture. Its sculptural form and seasonal blooms add a distinctive character to the landscape while reinforcing the tropical atmosphere of the residence.

Entrance Experience and Cultural Context

The journey to the residence begins with a stepping-stone pathway that winds through the tropical garden and leads to an entrance courtyard centered around a fountain.

A key feature of this composition is the decorative black turtle sculpture. In Vietnamese culture, the turtle symbolizes longevity, protection, and resilience. Incorporating this element adds a layer of local identity to the landscape and strengthens the connection between the project and the cultural heritage of the region.

Family Leisure Areas

One of the clients’ key requests was to create a comfortable environment for children. As a result, a significant part of the site is dedicated to open lawn areas where children can play freely and spend time outdoors. Preserving these generous open spaces was a deliberate design decision that helps balance the denser tropical planting throughout the landscape.

For more relaxed moments, a separate lounge area with a swing sofa was introduced, positioned away from the active play zones to ensure a calmer and more private atmosphere for rest and contemplation.

Firepit Area: The Social Heart of the Evening Garden

The firepit zone has become one of the key gathering places for family interaction and entertaining guests. A rectangular platform with soft lounge seating accommodates a group of 10-12 people, creating a comfortable setting for outdoor evening relaxation.

Surrounded by dense tropical greenery, the area remains private and sheltered from outside views, enhancing the sense of intimacy within the landscape.

Lighting Strategy for the Site

The lighting system is integrated into the garden’s circulation routes and main functional zones. Pathways, feature trees, planting compositions, decorative stones, and seating areas are all subtly illuminated. Special attention is given to the stepping-stone paths, which become a expressive element of the night landscape.

Soft lighting preserves the tropical atmosphere after sunset while emphasizing the depth and expressive layering of the landscape design.

Despite the compact size of the site, the project successfully preserves all the qualities of a full-scale country residence: privacy, a variety of functional zones, a well-developed landscape, and a comfortable environment for a large family.