AnNam Village House by H2: A Tropical Retreat Crafted with Recycled Steel and Local Materials in Vũng Tàu

A Modern Vernacular Home Rooted in Sustainability and Sensory Restoration

Located just 100 meters from the coastline of Vũng Tàu, Vietnam, the AnNam Village House, designed by H2 Architects, is a tranquil residential retreat that blurs the boundary between architecture and its lush tropical environment. Completed in 2023 with a built area of 160 square meters, the house is conceived as a small-scale resort—an intimate space for renewal and reconnection with nature after long days of work.

Rooted in environmental responsibility, the project emphasizes sustainable construction and regional craftsmanship, utilizing recycled steel structures and reclaimed wooden slats sourced from nearby sawmills. These materials not only reduce the project's carbon footprint but also imbue the home with a warm, tactile sense of place.

A Façade Inspired by the Rhythm of the Sea

The house’s standout design element is its façade—a dynamic wooden screen made of locally reclaimed slats, which evokes the rhythmic motion of ocean waves. This slatted system acts as a veil between interior and exterior spaces, ensuring privacy while allowing filtered light and breeze to enter. The texture, rhythm, and grain of the wooden façade echo the surrounding seascape, enhancing the coastal vernacular identity of the home.

This thoughtful skin also brings a sense of lightness and movement to the architecture, animating the structure throughout the day as light shifts across the surfaces. The visual effect subtly mimics the tropical breeze and shimmering tides, immersing the occupants in a multi-sensory seaside experience.

Material Strategy: Durable, Local, and Low-Impact

At its core, AnNam Village House is an exploration of sustainable materiality. The architects strategically selected steel for the structural frame—not only for its longevity and resilience in the humid, salty coastal environment, but also for its minimalist aesthetic and reduced waste during construction. Combined with locally harvested timber and natural stone for floors and walls, the house offers a harmonious blend of modern architectural expression and regional material tradition.

Every material used contributes to a low-carbon construction process, while creating a warm, textured, and organic living environment. Wood, in particular, defines the soul of the interior—from exposed beams to flooring and furniture—imparting a rustic charm and tactile comfort.

Spatial Layout: Open, Airy, and Biophilic

The house is organized across two floors. The first floor features a seamless open-plan configuration designed to foster both communal and contemplative experiences. Upon entry, a garage and swimming pool open to the front, while the living room and kitchen are set further back for a sense of calm and privacy. Here, a palette of wooden floors, local natural stone, and indoor plants extends the boundaries between interior and exterior, evoking a natural, lived-in ambiance akin to a second home.

The second floor hosts four symmetrical bedrooms, placed strategically at each corner of the structure to maximize privacy and connection with the outdoors. A central atrium and bridge-like corridor connect these rooms, facilitating cross-ventilation and natural light while creating vertical dialogue between public and private realms. This setup not only enhances indoor air quality but provides an immersive retreat that soothes the senses.

Lighting and Atmosphere

To further enhance the home’s ambiance, H2 collaborated with HAGI Architecture Lighting, incorporating subtle, low-intensity fixtures that complement the natural light filtered through the wooden screen and tile roof. The result is a soft, tranquil atmosphere that shifts fluidly between day and night, reinforcing the project's identity as a sensory refuge.

A Holistic Coastal Lifestyle

AnNam Village House is not just a building—it’s an architectural interpretation of lifestyle, rooted in biophilia, regional identity, and conscious living. By embracing recycled materials, natural ventilation, and open spatial planning, H2 has created a home that is both aesthetically refined and environmentally responsive. It stands as a quiet manifesto for the future of tropical residential design—where architecture does not dominate, but delicately supports a life lived in harmony with nature.

All photographs are works of Quang Dam