Nha Binh Minh
Hung Yen, Vietnam
Nha Binh Minh is a private residence located in Hung Yen, Vietnam, on a narrow urban plot measuring 7 meters in width and 28 meters in depth. The house was designed for an elderly couple, while also serving as a place for their children and grandchildren to return to and gather as a family.
The main intention was to create a peaceful and comfortable retreat for the grandparents, where natural light, ventilation, greenery, and water could coexist within a simple and economical design.
The architecture incorporates familiar elements of Northern Vietnamese homes, including red clay tile roofs, breeze blocks, locally sourced materials, and pitched roof structures. These elements are reinterpreted in a contemporary way while providing effective shading and protection from heavy rainfall.
Facing east, the house is set back 13 meters from the road in accordance with the current planning requirements. From the street, the two-story house appears low and modest beneath a deeply overhanging tiled roof, quietly integrating into its surroundings.
An internal courtyard forms the center of the house, bringing daylight, greenery, and natural ventilation into the interior while connecting the two main volumes. On the ground floor, the living room, dining area, and kitchen are arranged around this courtyard and the front garden. A generous veranda runs alongside a fish pond, creating a transition between the house and the landscape.
The grandparents' two bedrooms are placed at the rear for greater privacy and quietness, while remaining connected to the courtyard and garden. The kitchen is positioned to take advantage of natural cross-ventilation.
On the second floor, a shared family space sits between two bedrooms and opens toward the courtyard. It becomes a place for conversations and gatherings, with visual connections extending between the upper and lower floors and toward the surrounding landscape.
With a restrained spatial language, soft tones, and a combination of traditional materials and contemporary details, NHA BINH MINH seeks to create a familiar yet modern home — a quiet place where family, nature, and everyday life can come together.
