“Tradition can, to be sure, participate in a creation, but it can no longer be creative itself.” – Kenzo Tange
Penthouse 1102, located near Hoan Kiem Lake, is a modern exploration through a luxury-fused New York style industrial apartment design, with deep rooted traditional design elements. The goal of design intend is to pay homage to traditions with the combination of color, texture, and material, while at the same time, taking a minimalist design approach, as per the client’s requirements.
Size limits prevented the full transition into a New York style apartment, therefore inspired elements such as naturally rusted staircase, an atrium with glass panels façade give the apartment a new urban presence. Windows provide ample natural lighting, but patterned timber louvres ensure adequate passive shading from glare, or undesirable sun angles. An automated curtain system functions as another solar protection device, also a playful canvas that interacts with the imprinted shadows of the louvre.
The penthouse saw a liberal use and combination of concrete and cement, from polished concrete floors that extends to the cement-finished feature wall in the living room, the intentions of an industrial, yet modern oriented design is made clear. This design approach is softened during the transition from the living room to the kitchen, as the noise seemingly tones down with the use of a pastel-like grey mint paint scheme that marks the first of many in a reoccurring theme throughout the apartment. The minimalist kitchen is highlighted by the cupboards, which appear a single corrugated panel, with no clear distinction from one another. This is in line with the architect’s vision of material and form over details. The concealment of familiar kitchen tools and facilities is proof of such vision. The use of rough, untreated timber for the dining table texturally contrasts with the polished granite countertop, avoiding the monotony of uniformity.
The colors are harmoniously carried throughout the penthouse, under varying shades. The guest bedroom saw a lighter usage of pastel green, whereas the master bedroom is decorated with a darker shade of olive green on timber – another dominant material circulated throughout. With respect to the traditions of Vietnamese craft, a layer of matte lacquer finish decorated the closet panels. An electrochromic window connects the ensuite and the master bedroom as a focal point, and opens up the space while retaining privacy, should it be required.
Inside, the smooth, marbled finish concrete wash basin works in tandem with the timber shelving to highlight the curved nature of the green tiled wall, which creates a gentler space as opposed to traditional edges, while at the same time alluding to the elements of continuity found in the concrete steps located on the first floor.
These design choices distort the simple geometry of the penthouse, creating a more playful, yet relaxing modern space, with intertwining traditional design elements, through the use of color, material, and texture.
Our deepest appreciation to our clients, for their perfectionism and aesthetic taste have given us the freedom to propose and execute a successful project with so many materials and details that are complex and difficult to complete.
Team:
Interior Architects: VietDECOR
Photographer: Nguyen Thai Thach
Materials Used:
Gyprock - Gypsum Ceiling
Vinh Tuong - Gavanize steel frame
Dulux/Akzonobel - Painting for wall and ceiling
Conpa - Cement concrete painting effect
Hafele Viet Nam - Hardware for bathroom & door
Hawa APAC - Hardware for hidden cabinet door
VFG - Tempered Glass
Vicostone (Quartz Stone) - Kitchen counter top and back flash
VietDECOR - Built in furniture, Sofa and door, solid oak wooden floor, grind concrete floor & steel staircase
282 design - Dining Chair
Alis - Lighting
Kohler Viet Nam - Shower and water tap and sanitary ware
Florim Ceramic - Tiles
Daikin - Air Conditioner
Stonelife - Island natural marble
Rubio Monocoat - Wooden floor coating, solid wood coating
Schuco - Façade window
Schindler - Socket & Switch
Panasonic - Ventilation heater ceiling fans
