The Swiss Nam Residence in Da Nang, Vietnam, harmoniously blends minimalism and energy efficiency. Inspired by a Swiss-returned investor, the townhouse prioritizes sustainable architecture by reducing thermal load and maximizing natural ventilation to combat the tropical climate. A vertical green facade further enhances environmental responsibility by actively absorbing carbon.
The primary color scheme is white, from the exterior stone paint, the fence, the entrance gate, to the stone cladding inside the house. This helps reduce heat absorption from dark-colored materials, as they wrap around the house's structure to minimize the amount of heat absorbed from sunlight.
The choice of faux stone paint for the exterior surfaces was carefully executed to ensure that the white paint is easy to clean when it rains, and the "lotus leaf" effect on the surface also helps resist dirt.
On a humble area, to ensure functional living spaces, the rooms in the house are stacked on top of each other.
The glass door system and multi-layered glass walls help reduce noise. More importantly, the vertical slats and movable iron blinds, along with the green plants, all contribute to enhancing privacy and minimizing the noise from the street to the living spaces.
Throughout the interior of the house, materials such as stone and wood are used, all crafted meticulously by local artisans with sharp attention to detail.
The living room and kitchen are on the ground floor, surrounded by tropical plants to ensure privacy while still allowing natural light in. The living room and kitchen are open to each other so that cool sea breezes can flow through, carrying away the heat from the kitchen. The fish pond is placed on the western side to create humidity and mitigate the effects of the hot and dry southwest winds.
The study is an open space with plants and natural breezes that bring comfort to the owner’s mind, yet it maintains privacy and quiet for working.
The bedrooms are prioritized on the east-facing facade to minimize the afternoon sunlight from the west. The materials and lighting in the bedrooms are carefully selected to ensure a peaceful and cozy atmosphere that promotes restful sleep, improving both physical and mental energy.
On the west side is where the master bathroom is located, along with movable slats to ensure privacy, cleanliness, and dryness.
This design prioritizes occupant comfort in a challenging climate and showcases innovative and nature-integrated strategies for achieving significant energy reduction and promoting a greener urban environment. The house ensures full functionality and stands as a green oasis, leaving behind the hustle and bustle of the outside world, making the home a place of healing.
