This project reinterprets the traditional Vietnamese home, where the courtyard always plays a central role in connecting people with nature and fostering family bonds. For urban dwellers, especially a full-time mother like this homeowner, the image of a courtyard is not just a nostalgic memory, but a deeply felt need. The common constraints and enclosed nature of urban townhouses became the driving force behind envisioning a "countryside home within the city" – a place with its own courtyard, a patch of sky, and abundant open space.
This desire led us to ask a fundamental question in our townhouse projects: how can an "atrium" transcend its mere technical function for light and ventilation to become a true "courtyard" – a space for experiencing nature, slowing down, and fostering human connection?
Architects : AD+studio
Area : 92㎡
Year : 2024
Photographs : Dung Huynh
FROM : https://www.adplus-studio.com/
AD+studio
www.adplus-studio.com
Recreating Rural Spatiality: Layered Courtyards and Open Connections
This design is an ambitious attempt to recreate the spirit of rural spatiality within the confines of an urban townhouse. Each individual "house" unit within the complex features its own private courtyard, which acts as both a microclimate buffer and an open living space. These courtyards are vertically stacked and intricately connected through an open void at the rear. Rather than being confined indoors, shared functions are strategically organized externally to maximize natural ventilation and enhance interaction among family members.
The Nostalgia of the Rural Roof: A Thread of Kinship Across Generations
The primary inspiration for the project's form comes from the nostalgic image of a rural roof, a symbol of preserved memories of grandmothers and mothers. The consistent application of a slanted design language evokes the familiar silhouette of traditional roofs, softening the often-rigid layering found in urban townhouses. The interwoven rooflines surrounding the shared courtyard gently tap into the subconscious, offering a sense of familiarity to those who have left their hometowns behind. Like an invisible thread of kinship, these architectural elements are designed to pass on warmth and connection across generations.
