Gather House: Modern Catholic Family Home by Story Architecture

Gather House, designed by Story Architecture, reimagines family living through spatial connectivity, light, and interaction. Inspired by the emotional ecosystem of extended Catholic families, the project emphasizes connection between parents and children, fostering communication and shared experiences. Located near a Catholic church in Trang Bom, Dong Nai, the home balances spirituality, daily life, and communal engagement in a modern Vietnamese context.

Ground Floor: Welcoming, Functional, and Ventilated

The ground floor features a car park with a lamellar roof, allowing natural ventilation and maintaining visual openness to the interior. Inside, residents enjoy a living room, dining area, kitchen, parents’ bedroom, and office. The open layout encourages interaction while providing functional zones for daily routines.

Upper Floors: Child-Centric Design and Shared Spaces

The second floor houses three children's bedrooms, all oriented towards a central lobby and corridor, promoting constant interaction and engagement. A generous stair landing doubles as a reading nook, while the wide corridor integrates a bar area for family relaxation.

Strategically positioned atriums and sightlines allow children to observe activities in the living room and kitchen, cultivating awareness and appreciation for shared family life, including the sensory experience of home-cooked meals.

Third Floor: Spiritual Retreat and Connection with Nature

The third floor accommodates a family prayer area with views of the nearby church, connecting the family’s spiritual life with daily routines. A terrace with planted greenery provides a private outdoor space for relaxation and reflection.

Roof and Light Strategy: Natural Illumination as a Design Focus

A central roof space combines concrete slats with glass panels, introducing natural light throughout the interior. Multiple doorways and atriums create dynamic light patterns on walls, celebrating light as a spiritual and aesthetic element. Roof windows and a pyramidal façade echo the church’s form, harmonizing with the surrounding context while keeping the interior simple and focused on natural illumination.

Additional Spaces: Gallery and Drying Area

Behind the main living areas, the design incorporates a gallery for family memorabilia and a functional space for drying, enhancing the home’s usability while maintaining a cohesive architectural language.

Design Philosophy

Gather House exemplifies a balance between simplicity and thoughtful spatial complexity. Natural light, family interaction, and spiritual connection guide the design, creating a home that nurtures relationships, mindfulness, and everyday joy.

All photographs are works of  Lonton Studio