Architects: CTA | Creative Architects
Area: 75 m²
Year: 2020
Photographs: Hiroyuki Oki
Manufacturers: Bạch Mã, Daikin, INAX, Panasonic, Philips, Tay Ninh, Viet Nhat Glass, Xingfa
Lead Architect: Bui The Long
Construction: Hong Phuc Company Limited
Doors and Windows: Huynh Anh Limited
City: Tây Ninh
Country: Vietnam

2Hien House, designed by CTA | Creative Architects in Tay Ninh, Vietnam, reimagines the traditional Vietnamese veranda, blending nostalgic elements with contemporary functionality. This two-story home is designed for a family of four across two generations, integrating both interior and exterior verandas that repurpose old fish-scale tiles from a previous family home, imbuing the space with a sense of history and intimacy. Half of the property is reserved for garden spaces, providing natural ventilation and light in a densely urbanizing area. The home’s design balances open connectivity with privacy, using lowered eaves and thoughtful layouts that offer warmth and a sense of safety, particularly for the children. Constructed from natural materials like raw red brick and recycled tiles, the house emphasizes simplicity, sustainability, and cost-effective maintenance, all while preserving family memories in a rustic yet inviting environment.

For many, the veranda is more than just a transitional space between indoors and outdoors or a shelter from sunlight and rain—it’s a cherished gathering spot. It’s where children wait for their grandmother to return with market treats, where mothers sort vegetables, and where families come together to prepare cakes for Tet in Vietnam. In this Tay Ninh home, two verandas are positioned at the front and back of the house, along with two additional verandas inside. These spaces, bordered by repurposed fish-scale tiles from the family’s former home, evoke a strong sense of nostalgia and connection.

This house is designed for two generations. The owners—a couple who share a deep appreciation for nature and a love of simplicity and rustic charm—include an artistic, romantic husband. They have two young daughters who are afraid of ghosts and enjoy staying close to their parents. The family also preserved numerous fish-scale tiles from their previous home, which was dismantled. The owners expressed concerns about the long, narrow layout of the house potentially leading to a sense of separation among family members.

The house was designed as a two-story structure occupying less than half of the land, leaving the remainder for gardens at the front and back. These garden spaces serve as both landscaping and gathering areas, where friends can visit, the husband tends to trees, the wife grows vegetables, and the children play. The garden enhances natural airflow and lighting within the home, a valuable feature in an increasingly built-up urban environment.

The separation of the building blocks enhances ventilation and maximizes natural light throughout the home, reducing the need for artificial lighting and cooling. Inside, the two internal verandas serve as communal areas where family members can easily connect and see one another. These spaces are used for family meals, children’s studies, hammock relaxation for the father, and reading or cooking for the mother. The lowered eaves surrounding the children’s study area create a cozy, secure atmosphere that remains open and adaptable.

The house was primarily constructed with common red bricks and reclaimed fish-scale tiles, materials that harmonize with nature and align with the building’s rustic spirit. The untreated bricks, left without cement plaster, are treated to evoke warmth and simplicity, adding a tactile quality that balances aesthetics with practicality and ensures hygiene in daily use.

Beyond meeting construction needs, the use of raw brick walls minimizes costs associated with wall finishing and yearly maintenance for cracks, repainting, and repairs. The recycled fish-scale tiles, rich with the patina of age, add a rustic intimacy that new materials cannot replicate. These tiles frame the four verandas, both inside and outside, harmoniously integrating function with form. Together, they create an “equanimous veranda”—a serene space that preserves and reflects cherished family memories.