Cage House
Sonmeo Nguyen Art Studio

Cage House

ROOM+ Design & Build as Architects & Builders

According to an official statistic in 2020, urban townhouses accounted for more than 88% of the total of 1.92 million homes in Ho Chi Minh City. However, many outdated and degraded townhouses do not meet with the modern lifestyle and higher living standards of the next generation anymore. Understandably, renovating old townhouses in order to well accommodate contemporary living needs has become a very challenging yet inspiring type of work for many local architects.

photo_credit Sonmeo Nguyen Art Studio
Sonmeo Nguyen Art Studio
photo_credit Sonmeo Nguyen Art Studio
Sonmeo Nguyen Art Studio

A 15-year-old typical small townhouse located in a small alleyway within a very high-density neighborhood has been recently renovated to match with the new living needs while most of its main structure has been carefully preserved due to the tight budget. The old house was musty and degraded with a bulky concrete staircase at the center; dark and poorly-ventilated kitchen and bedroom at the back; as well as a dusty and abandoned rooftop terrace. Besides, the 3-meter-wide alleyway is frequently stuffed with busy and noisy traffic as it is a shortcut route connecting to two main roads.

photo_credit Sonmeo Nguyen Art Studio
Sonmeo Nguyen Art Studio
photo_credit Sonmeo Nguyen Art Studio
Sonmeo Nguyen Art Studio

The design brief asked for a contemporary and artistic refurbishment which would hopefully improve the comfortability, ensure sufficient day-lighting and natural ventilation, reduce the impact of traffic noise, and also enhance the privacy and security of the interior space. The architectural and interior design concept was based on a dual approach: rearranging and renovating all the internal spaces at all levels; and attaching a unique cage-like structure with integrated gardens onto the external façade.

photo_credit Sonmeo Nguyen Art Studio
Sonmeo Nguyen Art Studio
photo_credit Sonmeo Nguyen Art Studio
Sonmeo Nguyen Art Studio
photo_credit Sonmeo Nguyen Art Studio
Sonmeo Nguyen Art Studio

Firstly, the central concrete staircase was replaced by a light-weight one made of custom-made iron-frame and timber treads under a glazed void; another small void was carved out at the rear corner to provide daylight to the kitchen and dining area at the back of the ground level while the front space is dedicated to a spacious living area combined with the main lobby and a landscaped courtyard. The master bedroom and bathroom were relocated at the front area of the second floor and finished with large glazing, laminated timber floor and black tiles. A study / home library is positioned at the rear end and well-lit with soft daylight via the sky-well. The third floor has a 2-meter setback and is still spacious enough to neatly accommodate the second bedroom, a shared bathroom and a cozy worship area.

photo_credit Sonmeo Nguyen Art Studio
Sonmeo Nguyen Art Studio
photo_credit Sonmeo Nguyen Art Studio
Sonmeo Nguyen Art Studio
photo_credit Sonmeo Nguyen Art Studio
Sonmeo Nguyen Art Studio

Secondly, the entire old and outdated façade was carefully “cut and carved” piece by piece then structurally attached with a 2-level stepping iron “cage”, which is consisted of fairly thin iron bars placed at random distances in combination with two wire-mesh trellises above. Two sizeable terraces with many leafy plantings and lively flowers are partly-hidden right behind the metal façade. These landscaping areas have effectively reduced the noise from the busy traffic below, and greatly enhanced the privacy and security of the interior spaces. Moreover, they are also considered as important green buffer-zones which draw the young owners closer to the refreshing nature every day, and positively contribute to the urban streetscape at the same time.

photo_credit Sonmeo Nguyen Art Studio
Sonmeo Nguyen Art Studio
photo_credit Sonmeo Nguyen Art Studio
Sonmeo Nguyen Art Studio
photo_credit ROOM+ Design & Build
ROOM+ Design & Build
photo_credit ROOM+ Design & Build
ROOM+ Design & Build
Products Behind Projects
Product Spotlight
News
UNStudio’s new Chongqing development balances demand for high-rise living with health and well-being of residents
10 Feb 2025 News
UNStudio’s new Chongqing development balances demand for high-rise living with health and well-being of residents

International architecture and design practice UNStudio has completed 18T Mansion, a high-rise resid... More

Archello houses of the month - January 2025
5 Feb 2025 News
Archello houses of the month - January 2025

Archello has selected its houses of the month for January 2025. This list showcases 20 of the m... More

Polish Embassy in Berlin by JEMS Architekci is a “testament to architectural diplomacy”
4 Feb 2025 News
Polish Embassy in Berlin by JEMS Architekci is a “testament to architectural diplomacy”

A project that was thirteen years in the making, the new Polish Embassy in Berlin officially opened... More

Ika.architekti builds fun and functional DIY sauna in Brno
31 Jan 2025 News
Ika.architekti builds fun and functional DIY sauna in Brno

Brno-based ika.architekti has built an upcycled sauna using an array of old materials. The project i... More

Francine Houben, Isabel Van Haute, Stephan Chevalier and DaeWha Kang named as Archello Awards 2025 jurors
27 Jan 2025 Archello Awards
Francine Houben, Isabel Van Haute, Stephan Chevalier and DaeWha Kang named as Archello Awards 2025 jurors

Archello is pleased to announce the first group of its esteemed jurors for the newly launched Archel... More

HGAA expands restaurant in Bãi Cháy with a building that embraces nature
27 Jan 2025 News
HGAA expands restaurant in Bãi Cháy with a building that embraces nature

Vietnamese architectural studio HGAA was included in Archello’s list of the 25 best architectu... More

Mole Architects elevates “mundane” 1960s English bungalow with new extension
27 Jan 2025 News
Mole Architects elevates “mundane” 1960s English bungalow with new extension

Cambridge-based architectural studio Mole Architects has completed the upgrade and extension of an e... More

New Samuel Paty School in Béziers plays with materiality
21 Jan 2025 News
New Samuel Paty School in Béziers plays with materiality

Paris-based ateliers O-S architectes (Vincent Baur, Guillaume Colboc, and Gaël Le Nouëne)... More