[Photos] Floating Nest Home Re-Imagines the Traditional Vietnamese Tube House

Tube houses have long been a consistent presence in Saigon’s urban fabric - their rectangular designs matching the city’s traditionally narrow lots.

Though ubiquitous, such structures have increasingly been re-imagined based on the needs of residents and the creative whims of local architects. The Floating Nest house is a shining example of the many variations that tube houses may take.

Located on a lot that is four meters wide and 12 meters deep, like many buildings in the southern metropolis, the Floating Nest house is surrounded by other structures, with only a west-facing exterior. Given that the owner hired NgNg Architects to construct a home that harkens back to their countryside roots with gardens, and a plethora of natural light, this was seemingly no easy feat.

To accommodate these design requirements despite the obvious constraints, the architects did away with partitional walls and gave their duties over to plants. With the aid of a central atrium, gardens span all three floors and are even used in lieu of bathroom walls.

In addition to the nature-focused layout and construction practices, the architects also employed traditional building materials like bamboo, wood and iron. The bamboo screen that runs the length of the façade and the rattan walls shield the home from harsh sunlight, provide privacy, and facilitate natural ventilation.

When the sun sets, light from inside emanates from the gaps between bamboo stalks and cut-out leaf shapes in the iron walls, giving the house the appearance of a lantern-lit floating garden. Consider us impressed.

Have a look at this eco-conscious house below:

[Photos via archdaily]