In Vietnam, where urban land is often limited, architects are regularly faced with the challenge of creating comfortable homes on narrow sites. One such project by 85 Design shows how creative thinking can transform a compact footprint into a spacious and inviting family residence.
Built on a site measuring just 5 metres by 20 metres, the modern home was designed for a family of five. The project responds to two common issues found in narrow urban houses: limited natural light and poor ventilation. Instead of accepting these constraints, the architects developed a five-level home that uses open spaces, greenery, and architectural features to bring fresh air and daylight deep into the interior.
The Arch That Defines the Home
The most recognizable feature of the house is its dramatic arched opening that stretches across multiple levels of the facade.
More than a visual statement, the oversized arch helps draw daylight into the home while creating a memorable street presence. The shape appears again throughout the design, establishing a strong architectural identity from the exterior to the upper levels.
As evening arrives and the interior lights begin to glow, the house takes on a completely different character. The illuminated opening transforms the facade into what resembles a lantern shining along the street, creating a warm and welcoming appearance.
A Welcoming Ground Floor
The journey into the home begins at a front fence featuring matching arch details. Beyond it sits the carport, separated from the living areas to help keep vehicle-related pollutants away from the main interior spaces.
An arched timber door set within a solid block wall marks the entrance. Stepping inside reveals an unexpectedly open ground floor that includes a casual sitting area, built-in planters, and a laundry space.
Natural light reaches this level through openings above, creating a brighter atmosphere than is typically found in narrow urban homes. The combination of greenery and open space immediately introduces visitors to the home’s nature-inspired design approach.
An Atrium Filled With Light and Greenery
One of the home’s most successful features is its central atrium.
Wood staircases with glass railings connect all five levels, while a series of bridges cross the open void and provide views throughout the house. Interior windows face toward this central space, allowing daylight to spread from floor to floor.
Large skylights above help pull sunlight down through the center of the building. Surrounding the atrium are built-in planters filled with trees and vegetation, making greenery a constant presence throughout the home.
At the lowest level, a koi pond and tree introduce another layer of nature. The pond also assists with cooling, while the movement of the fish adds visual interest when viewed from the levels above. A glass-bottom section above allows sunlight and views of the pond to reach lower areas of the house.
Warm Materials in the Shared Living Spaces
The first-floor living areas continue the home’s natural theme through the use of warm materials and indoor planting.
The living room features a wood accent wall that extends seamlessly into the kitchen, where matching cabinetry and an island create visual continuity. Positioned alongside greenery and views into the atrium, these spaces feel open and welcoming despite the compact site.
Bedrooms Connected Above the Garden
The upper levels contain the family’s bedrooms, arranged around the central atrium.
Larger rooms occupy the front of the house, while additional bedrooms are located toward the rear. Bridge corridors connect the spaces and create interesting views across the interior garden below.
One bedroom enjoys a sliding glass door that overlooks the street and frames a close-up view of the curved facade. Other rooms feature timber-framed windows that bring in natural light while maintaining privacy.
The design also ensures that bedrooms and bathrooms receive direct daylight, helping improve comfort and creating brighter interior spaces throughout the home.
A Bright Top Floor and Rooftop Escape
At the highest level of the house, a large curved window wraps from the wall to the ceiling, flooding the atrium below with sunlight.
The opening continues the arch motif introduced on the facade while strengthening the connection between the uppermost spaces and the sky above. Throughout the day, sunlight filters downward, changing the atmosphere of the interior as it moves across the home.
Adjacent to this level is a rooftop deck furnished with chairs and surrounded by plants. The architects also incorporated a small orchard garden, creating a pleasant outdoor space for family gatherings and meals.
Additional features include insulated glazing, automated roof ventilation, heat-resistant roof construction, and an automatic irrigation system for the planting throughout the property.
Architecture That Makes Every Square Metre Count
85 Design’s modern home shows how architectural ingenuity can overcome the limitations of a compact urban site. Through the use of a multi-level layout, a light-filled atrium, extensive greenery, and a striking arched facade, the project transforms a narrow plot into a spacious family home.
From the koi pond at the bottom of the house to the rooftop garden above, every level contributes to a brighter, more open living environment. It’s a compelling example of how design can address the challenges of dense city living while creating a home full of character.