Summary:
- Perforated terracotta brick facade addresses ventilation needs in Da Nang's tropical climate
- Internal courtyards and central void bring greenery and airflow through narrow floor plan
- Raw concrete, wood, and terracotta bricks form the primary material palette
Live Out Studio completed a residential project in Da Nang, Vietnam that addresses the challenges of building in a dense urban setting. The house sits on a narrow plot typical of the tube house format common throughout Vietnamese cities. The architects focused on ventilation and natural light while maintaining separation from the adjacent street.
The facade uses terracotta bricks arranged in a perforated pattern. This system filters direct sunlight before it enters the interior spaces. The gaps between bricks allow air to move through the facade, reducing heat buildup and creating cross-ventilation paths. The brick pattern produces shifting shadows inside as the sun moves across the sky.
The floor plan centers on a vertical void that extends from the ground level to the roof. This void connects the floors visually and allows air to rise through the building. Internal courtyards at different levels contain planted areas. These courtyards bring greenery into the middle of the house and ensure that rooms deep within the narrow plan receive fresh air and daylight.
The architects selected materials based on local availability and construction methods. Terracotta bricks dominate the exterior and appear in select interior zones. Raw concrete forms structural elements and remains exposed in walls and ceilings. Wood surfaces add warmth to floors and built-in furniture. The combination creates a restrained palette that highlights texture over color.
The interior layout distributes living spaces across multiple floors. Ground floor areas open to the street through the perforated facade but maintain visual privacy. Upper levels contain private rooms with views to the internal courtyards. Each floor receives natural light from multiple sources, either through the facade, the central void, or the planted courtyards.
The courtyards serve multiple functions beyond ventilation. Plants in these spaces soften the hard materials used elsewhere in the house. The greenery changes with seasons and growth patterns, adding variation to the interior atmosphere. The courtyards also provide private outdoor space without requiring a traditional yard.
The perforated brick facade changes appearance based on viewing distance and lighting conditions. From the street, the pattern reads as a textured screen. Inside, individual brick elements become visible, and the gaps frame small views outward. At night, interior lighting transforms the facade into a glowing surface visible from the street.
The design responds to Da Nang's climate through passive strategies. The brick screen reduces solar heat gain during the day. The courtyards and central void create pressure differences that pull air through the house. These features reduce reliance on mechanical cooling systems.
The narrow site dimensions influenced the vertical organization. Stacking functions across multiple floors makes efficient use of limited ground area. The central void and courtyards prevent the narrow plan from feeling enclosed. Natural light reaches all levels through these openings.
The project demonstrates how traditional materials and construction techniques apply to contemporary residential design. The terracotta brick facade references regional building traditions while addressing current environmental concerns. The tube house typology adapts to include more generous ventilation and light than older examples of this format.
Live Out Studio designed the house for a family seeking connection to natural elements within an urban setting. The internal courtyards and planted areas provide this connection without requiring a suburban location. The perforated facade balances openness with privacy, allowing inhabitants to engage with their surroundings on their own terms.
Andrea Darren
Born in Manchester, from a young age, she was passionate about art and design. She studied at the University of the Arts in London, where she developed her skills in these fields. Today, Andrea works as an editor for a renowned publishing house, combining her love for art and design with her editorial expertise.