Dien Khanh House in Vietnam by 6717 Studio

Project: Dien Khanh House
Architects: 6717 Studio
Location: Vietnam
Area: 1399 sq ft
Year: 2020
Photos by: Hiroyuki Oki

Dien Khanh House by 6717 Studio

The Dien Khanh House by 6717 Studio is an impressive residence located in Vietnam that combines traditional rural design with modern living. The house maintains the familiarity of traditional Vietnamese homes while satisfying contemporary needs, creating a fresh, nature-oriented living environment. The backyard features a generous overhang for an interior courtyard with familiar rows of palm trees and greenery planted on both sides of the fence, creating a connection to the roof tiles and reminiscent of traditional Vietnamese home courtyards.

The approach to opening and closing spaces leads to an unexpected view for the viewer. As one enters the house, the space gradually unfolds vertically, with the living room connecting to the first floor through a spacious atrium that slowly closes in as one passes through the connecting corridor toward the back of the house. Natural light and air flow into the building, creating illumination, ventilation, and coolness. The use of white paint and light wood creates a spacious and bright interior space while integrating traditional elements into the design. Curved stairs integrated with the atrium create a sense of order and break up the angularity of the building, making it a standout feature.

Urbanization is rapidly developing from cities to rural areas in Vietnam. Urban-style houses have begun appearing more frequently in the countryside, disrupting the peaceful and poetic image of villages. The Dien Khanh House attempts to preserve traditional familiarity that is gradually disappearing from rural homes, creating a fresh living environment close to nature and the surrounding environment, but also meeting modern lifestyle needs and societal development.

The backyard overhang is sufficient for the front part, with both sides of the fence adorned with familiar rows of palms and complemented by green trees. The courtyard is paved with Chinese bricks, creating a connection to the roof tiles and reminiscent of traditional Vietnamese home courtyards.

The approach to opening and closing spaces leads to an unexpected view for the viewer. The view opens gradually as we enter the house: space unfolds vertically, the living room connects to the first floor through a spacious atrium, and the space begins to close in as ceiling height decreases in the dining area, then narrows further when passing through the connecting corridor to the back of the house. From this corridor, space opens up and connects the kitchen, through-roof, and parents' bedroom.

Animal areas and relaxing spaces are separated by the atrium and through-roof. Through these spaces, natural light and air flow into the building naturally, creating lighting, ventilation, and coolness. The parents' bedroom is separated from the living space and kitchen by an atrium with a small garden in the middle of the house. Bedrooms for two adults, rarely used, are located on the first floor and also connected via this atrium. Bedrooms are situated separately but remain linked and connect with nature.

The staircase is the main element of the house. Curved stairs integrated with an atrium at the corner plot create a sense of order and break up the angularity of the building. The materials used for the staircase and house were also considered. Terracotta is used as a familiar material, one our ancestors used in the past and also helps mitigate site limitations, creating familiarity and closeness. The interior design focuses on simplicity and modern conveniences of contemporary life. The use of white paint and light wood creates a spacious and bright interior space. Traditional elements are skillfully integrated into the interior, such as the wooden living room sofa and terrace seating often found in traditional Vietnamese residential spaces.

–6717 Studio