Tile Nest House by H&P Architects in Fu Lu, Vietnam

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Modern architectural building with a unique brick facade and vegetation, demonstrating innovative design and sustainable architecture in an urban setting

In Fu Lu, Vietnam, the nest house by H&P Architects reinterprets the relationship between architecture, material, and context. Rising on a site once associated with ancient cemeteries, the house is inspired by the excavation process itself, transforming what was unearthed into a generative design concept. The result is a house with a distinctive wavy shell made of suspended tiles, connecting cultural memory with modern innovations.

Concept Rooted in the Earth

The design started with the site's history. Located near a former cemetery, the plot required excavation before construction. H&P Architects used this necessity as inspiration, employing the concept of an 'ancient underground house' combined with a 'nest' — a structure with levels, shelters, and niches rising to ground level. This approach not only shaped the architectural language but also introduced potential for geothermal energy, utilizing the earth's natural stability to regulate the building's internal climate.

Wavy Shell of Suspended Tiles

The house's facade is defined by an innovative use of tiles — a material deeply familiar in Vietnamese culture. Instead of a roof, the tiles form a porous suspended shell that envelops the house, resembling the rhythm of stacked roofs and sun-shading elements of traditional housing. This perforated shell filters sunlight, creates shade for interior spaces, and allows air to flow through, forming dynamic patterns of light and shadow that animate the house throughout the day.

Green Balconies and Transitional Layers

Between the tile shell and interior, green balconies at different heights serve as buffers that regulate temperature and humidity, while also providing spaces for rest. These green terraces create views, purify the air, and weave nature directly into architecture. The layers of shell, balcony, and core form a living envelope that organically responds to its environment.

Architecture Immersed in Nature

The nest house is more than just a shelter; it's architecture with an experience. Its suspended tiles invite touch and visual interaction, while the interplay of sun, wind, and vegetation creates a constantly shifting sensory environment. The design embodies the philosophy of immersion in nature where architecture is not background but an active participant in daily life.

Tradition Reimagined

For generations, tiles have been a humble yet ubiquitous material in Vietnam. Reinterpreting their use in suspended and perforated forms, H&P Architects赋予 the material symbolic and functional significance. The house offers a new way of perceiving traditional elements — seeing through them, touching them, and feeling their presence in patterns of light, shadow, and air.

Sustainable House with Rich Memory

At 4843 square feet, the nest house is large yet cozy, bridging cultural familiarity with ecological responsibility. Thanks to its geothermal design, green balconies, and recyclable tile shell, the house minimizes environmental impact while offering comfort and sustainability. Most importantly, it carries memory — honoring the site's past and the eternal place of tiles in Vietnamese life.