The founding of G+ architects occurred at the intersection of theory and practice, in a spirit of collaboration and as a means for exchange and collaboration. The structure of the organization must be adaptable so that a wide range of associations can work together. Throughout the conceptual process and construction of each project, a team led by a senior architect guides the project. Dialogue and artistic exchange are a vital part of this process, both with the client as well as among the members of the design team. The office is based in Paris, France. The Sake House project resides in a Vietnamese residential neighborhood in the city of Ho Chi Minh.
This house is located in District 2 in a quiet residential area near a vihara. The house corresponds to an area of 120 sq.m. and was constructed in 2020. Le Van Chung was responsible for the engineering of the structure. Manufacturers and designers include An Cuong, TOA, Vietceramics, Giang Doan, Hoang Vu, Huong Nguyen, and Thanh Nguyen respectively.
Before the development, the family resided in an old house within the area with a breadfruit tree (Sake is its Vietnamese equivalent) sheltering their sweetest memories. Inspired by this fact, the architects, as well as the homeowners, chose to preserve the Sake as a symbol of respect. Therefore, the concept of a home “leaning” on the Sake tree was the foundation that enabled the architects to organize the living spaces in the building.
Maintaining the Sake tree and developing a structure without disturbing the existing one was one of the main goals. Additionally, creating a happy, comfortable environment for a family to live in. To realize this idea, living areas were selected which are most often used to surround and interact with this natural scenery. The house comprises three floors and a basement for the family zone. The structure consists of a living room, kitchen and dining area, a utility space, two bedrooms, a family room, an altar room, storage, and a terrace along with a double-height structure to make the house look more spacious and huge. Different spaces of the house are designed to receive an outside view which is further designed in a green outlook to maximize green space.
The master bedroom is further extended to a green balcony which is recessed a few levels below. This balcony is converted into a mini plantation along with the leisure space outside the room. On further observation, one realizes that outside zones are made interesting with the use of certain landscape elements such as stones, plants, sitting areas, and pebbles. When one begins to notice the details of a blend between hardscape and landscape, one can notice the relationship between concrete structures immediately from the outside. A rustic outlook is presented in Landscape without the involvement of any finished layer which further adds to the overall landscape of the structure.
According to the split-level method, the interior spaces are divided into two segments. These two segments are separated by a sky well within the middle of the building to optimize the light sources. Through the huge windows of the building, there is a significant flow of sunlight inside the house. As you can see, this play is not concentrated on one joint, but rather has several points illuminating every corner. In addition, the difference in size between the ordinary and private spaces is calculated so that they are extraordinarily easy to distinguish. With minimal area for comfortable living, strategic planning along with spacious zones in the house makes it one of the remarkable works of G+ Architects.
Moreover, the dynamic stair structure enhances the efficiency of air convection in the building by emphasizing the range in height of the spaces. When a person becomes acquainted with a household’s environment, there is a deviation from the standard system of level changes applied to a structure. The change in levels in the house creates a maze-like effect as spacious rooms are located in a small space. It creates a flexible layout for traffic and allows users to enjoy the open spaces, creating a daily experience. The focus remains on establishing the facility’s foundation and then letting the homeowners bring it to life naturally. This accentuates the possession and control of the homeowners along with the full life of the family.
In addition, the Sake house is designed in such a way as to provide a tranquil environment as a backdrop to all human activities, i.e. A thought about spatial thinking, which is appropriate for the local context, is created through this design. This house design clearly defines the architecture’s purpose, which is to create a sense of connection with the surrounding environment and building users. It also ensures that the construction site’s materials are used efficiently. Therefore, the building will be able to withstand the elements.
References:
- G+ Architects, Architizer
- Sake House / G+ Architects, Arch Daily
- Sake House / G+ Architects,arq:ink
- Sake House / G+ Architects, Archiecho
