NA House by Dom Architect Studio: A Contemporary Home Rooted in Vietnamese Tradition

The NA House, designed by Dom Architect Studio, offers a graceful blend of modern Vietnamese architecture and countryside simplicity. Located in the rural heart of Hà Tĩnh, Vietnam, this 250-square-meter family home reimagines the familiar charm of a traditional countryside house, infusing it with thoughtful contemporary design.

Designed for a young family with deep ties to their rural roots, the project prioritizes simplicity, openness, and the connection between indoor and outdoor spaces. The architects sought to recreate the essence of the homes where the owners were born and raised, making use of humble materials, traditional elements, and community-centered layouts to establish a warm, welcoming atmosphere.

Embracing the Vietnamese Row House Style with a Twist

While Vietnamese row houses are typically characterized by narrow plots and limited space, Dom Architect Studio approached the design differently. Rather than maximizing built area, the architects strategically reduced the construction footprint to carve out more outdoor space. This design move allowed for the creation of intimate gardens, lush green courtyards, and airy pockets that weave seamlessly into the living spaces.

The result is a home that feels spacious, open, and dynamic—a stark contrast to the often-congested feel of typical row houses. Large verandas extend from the living room and bedrooms, their overhangs protected by terracotta tile roofs reminiscent of rural Vietnamese houses. These traditional clay tiles not only honor local craftsmanship but also provide essential shade and weather protection in the tropical climate.

Materiality and Interior Warmth

Inside, the material palette leans into natural textures: exposed wood beams, warm terrazzo floors, handmade furniture, and generously sized windows that invite light deep into the home. The spatial layout ensures that each room enjoys an open connection to the outdoors, whether through garden-facing windows, sliding doors, or verandas.

The interiors are carefully curated to reflect the family's love for minimalism and connection. The open dining area, framed by wooden beams and bathed in natural light, becomes the heart of the house, where family members gather and reconnect daily.

Designing for Family Connection and Flexibility

At its core, the NA House is about bringing people together. The open-plan design blurs the boundaries between communal spaces and private rooms, encouraging interaction among family members throughout the day. Flexible sightlines ensure that whether someone is in the kitchen, the living area, or the garden, they remain connected to the household’s social life.

This approach transforms what might have been a constrained urban layout into a dynamic, breathable family home that nurtures bonds and supports a laid-back lifestyle deeply rooted in place and memory.

All Photographs are works of Hoang Le