This playful family house in Saigon preserves the memory of one of Vietnam's respected architects and provides a space where the family can get together and appreciate the city's cultural heritage of community and family. The owner commissioned a21 studio to renovate the Saigon House as a place of remembrance, with salvaged furniture and decorative pieces collected from demolished residences in the city.
The architects were inspired by the story about Van Duong Phu, a masterpiece of architecture, built by Mr Vuong Hong Sen, a culturist, academic, and famous collector of antiques. Vuong’s legacy has been lost for a long time and the house abandoned. The owner, who loves the traditional architecture and lifestyle of Saigon wanted to revive the house and make it a gathering place for the entire extended family.
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In order for the kids to learn to appreciate their roots, the owner wanted to create a space which would reflect the strong spirit of old Saigon. Steel frames covered with plants, sloping roofs, floating common areas, flowering balconies and intimate views of the alley all convey the image of the city that boosts communication and social richness which is slowly disappearing due to globalization.
The original architect and new owner collected second hand objects and furniture from demolished houses in Saigon, placing them in a space where their stories can be retold and appreciated.
Via v2com
Photos by Quang Tran
