SKB House
This house has a total area of 200m2 and consists of three main functional areas: an office block, a room block, and a residential block.
The living room configuration connects to a small bar area, which can be flexibly transformed into a training space for restaurant or bar staff when needed. The residential area on the first floor opens up to the garden and features an auxiliary kitchen for outdoor BBQs.
From above, 30% of the building’s footprint is covered by thatch made from reed (a type of wild grass abundant along ponds and rivers in Central Vietnam) on roofs. The other 70% of the total area is filled with all kinds of greens: vegetables, tropical fruit trees, flowers, and Japanese grass carpets.
Chong Chóng Architecture tried to return most of which was taken from nature. During the rainy season, water is partially retained in the soil layer on the roof, while the rest naturally permeates down to the soil beneath, replenishing the groundwater. In the summer, the plants will help regulate the air, just as they have always done.
Location:
Cam An, Hoi An
Area:
200 m2
Design:
Chong Chong Architecture
Leader:
Nguyen Van Chuong
Team design:
Nguyen Van Chuong, Nguyen Hoang Son,Le Thi Thanh Hien, Duong Van Mau
Partner
Structure Ho Sy Nam, NCC, SpaceHouse,
Anh Thanh, Khanh Hung Window, HoiAn Media
Year:
2020
Investor:
Ms. Tram
Materials:
Raw concrete, polished concrete, Terrazzo, natural oak wood, An Cuong wood, Lotus leaf roof, INAX, Panasonic , Daikin , Megasun.
In recent years, there has been much discussion about flooding in major urban areas such as Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, and Da Nang, prompting various solutions. However, the simplest and most effective solution is to retain water in the planting soil on the rooftops and allow it to naturally seep into the underlying soil.
Not only can these rooftops retain water, but the gardens on the roofs also provide insulation for the house and reduce reliance on electricity - specifically, air conditioning.
This enhances their durability and creates a better atmosphere. As we anticipate more rainfall in the future due to climate change, the more green roofs we have, the better balanced the temperatures in urban areas will be, improving our environment.
The design inspiration comes from traditional three-room houses, combined with lotus reed roofing—a familiar material in the rural areas of Central Vietnam known for its environmental friendliness, excellent heat resistance, simple construction, reasonable cost, and rustic feeling.
However, the major drawback of lotus reed roofing is its lifespan of about 8-10 years and its inability to withstand strong winds. Another consideration is storms, so in addition to heat resistance, the house must also ensure windstorm protection. The solution of using concrete roofs with lotus reed thatch is the safest option, providing protection from the summer heat and winter storms.
Green roofs are vital for urban areas to cope with climate change. The more green roofs we have, the better the urban environment will become!
