Nghệ An Home: Open Design Prioritizes Children's Play Areas

A house spanning 165 sqm has been completed in Vinh Phu ward, Nghệ An province, in Vietnam's central region. Built on a plot measuring 7.5 x 22 meters, the residence is owned by a young couple with two young daughters, who prioritized a quiet, private environment with ample shared living spaces. The house's facade is designed to be closed off from the street, with an iron gate, decorative breeze blocks, and solid wall sections enhancing privacy. A white-painted block on the second floor, combined with a small balcony and rooftop planters, adds a visual highlight. The decorative breeze block wall at the front not only increases privacy but also serves as a ventilation opening for wind and light. In contrast to its enclosed exterior, the interior opens up to a garden, a water feature, and open-plan areas. The main highlight of the house lies in the voids placed in the center. A light well brings natural light down to the common living area, complemented by a small garden and greenery to facilitate natural ventilation. A covered sân chơi (children's play area) is enclosed by walls, creating a safe space for children's activities. The two-story structure is organized along the building's length, allowing parents to cook and converse while supervising their children's daily activities. The ground floor features a living room, kitchen, and dining room that flow seamlessly into a koi pond, a garden, and the children's play area. The living room extends into the garden through large glass doors, with greenery placed close to the doors to reduce the sense of separation between indoors and outdoors. A grand piano, sofa, TV console, and coffee table are compactly arranged, maximizing floor space. The floating wooden staircase, with its slender iron railing and low stone base, is designed as an integral part of the living space. An open area beneath the stairs provides a play zone for young children and maintains ventilation throughout the ground floor. The kitchen and dining area feature warm wood tones combined with light-colored stone countertops. Tall, ceiling-height cabinets increase storage capacity and minimize visual clutter in the shared living space. Each bedroom opens onto a void or a small balcony, allowing natural light and ventilation to permeate the sleeping areas and reducing reliance on artificial lighting during the day. The primary materials used in the house include decorative breeze blocks, effect paint, dark stone, wood, and glass. The sloped roof gives the building its distinctive form and helps it blend into the surrounding residential neighborhood.