VTN architects move forward with their ongoing efforts to build architecture that integrates greenery in Urban Vietnam. Their latest work, the ‘Bat Trang House,’ is one such example.
Bat Trang House accommodates a family of seven; it provides them with a shelter to live in and the family’s workplace. It is an eye-catching residence, given its unique plant-filled look. A special kind of ceramic bricks was used to build the structure, which amazingly keeps it cool, meaning that the family doesn’t require air-conditioning even in the summer months.
The house is named after Bat Trang Town, its location. The town, in actuality, is a traditional pottery village and falls in the area of Hanoi. The house owner is a ceramic specialist, and to his knowledge, he used the best possible facade of ceramic bricks to construct his house. The house has a captivating design constructed in a way that makes it airy and cool. The plants and trees add to the cool effect and overall look of the house.
The idea to construct houses and buildings in such ways that leaves space for greenery is what most urban settings need. Having cities filled with buildings with plants and trees in abundance would surely aid for cleaner air and be an effective way to fight climate change. The family lives in interesting build houses. Their previous house, ‘Ha Long Villa,’ is filled with gaps that allow for better air circulation throughout its interior.
The plants in abundance in the Bat Trang House are purposed for shading, moreover, the structure has green roof too.
“The interior spaces were designed with a minimalistic approach,” explains VTN Architects. “Large glass panels were integrated without the fear of getting the house overheated, as direct sunlight was filtered by the two layers of the ceramic facade and greenery facade. The ceramic walls’ gaps particularly to effectively getting the right amount of solar gain for the interior, especially in the summer. Artificial air conditioning uses were unnecessary as the three-layer ventilation system exterior ceramic facade, alternating green spaces, and door guarantee that the house is absolutely cool.”
The Bat Trang House interior measures 720 sq m (7,750 sq ft) and has a total of five floors. The family uses the basement and the first floor to display their pottery work. The kitchen, bedrooms, living area, dining room, study are upstairs. Amazingly, the only cool feature is not the architecture with trees and plants. It also has a swimming pool on one of its terraces.
Moreover, the Bat Trang House has installed solar panels in abundance, providing enough energy for backup and regular use. Another cool feature is its rainwater collection system that provides water for the extensive plantation.