Living Space: A Vertical Housing Design for Tropical Urban Density

Project by Fatma Akkaya

Shortlisted entry of Nano Nest 2020

In cities where every square meter counts, rethinking traditional residential layouts becomes a necessity. "Living Space" by Fatma Akkaya explores how vertical housing design can adapt to the social, environmental, and spatial challenges of dense urban environments, particularly in tropical climates.

Reimagining Vertical Living

This project redefines conventional living arrangements by merging essential functions with communal and green spaces within a compact vertical layout. The structure isn’t just stacked rooms—it’s a dynamic habitat that questions architectural norms: Must a wall merely divide? Should a staircase only connect floors? Instead, each element is given dual or multiple roles.

The staircase becomes a vertical garden path, integrating biophilic design into daily movement. Walls turn into frames for interaction, not just separation. Voids and cut-outs transform the building envelope into a living, breathing environment. The result is not just functional space, but experiential architecture.

Adapting to Climate and Context

Vietnam’s increasing urban population and challenging topography call for climate-resilient design strategies. The design utilizes local, accessible materials and passive techniques to address high humidity and salinity in the soil. Public concrete is paired with wooden joinery and perforated partitions, reinforcing durability without compromising airflow.

Daylight and ventilation drive the building’s form. Strategic zoning and mass separation create open volumes for light and wind to circulate freely. Fewer walls and more folding surfaces maximize usable space while cooling the interiors naturally. A rooftop garden insulates against tropical heat while offering space for food cultivation and leisure.

Family-Centric Spatial Logic

The project focuses on maintaining family connectivity across vertical planes. Though each floor has distinct zones for sleeping, working, or recreation, visual and spatial links promote interaction. The staircase, flanked by a vertical green wall, acts as a communal space rather than a mere conduit.

• Ground floor: Extends into a shaded terrace with a wall pond and green zone, encouraging outdoor interaction.
• First floor: The family hub where members spend quality time together.
• Upper floors: Private spaces for sleep, solitude, and hobbies.
• Children’s room: Includes an indoor play area with cinema projection onto the green wall.

Even in solitude, family members remain visually and emotionally connected through a shared architectural language.

Multipurpose Design for a Flexible Future

As urban needs evolve, static architecture becomes obsolete. "Living Space" integrates adaptability at its core:

• The staircase garden can be a yoga platform, reading retreat, or evening gathering space.
• Structural voids can transform into micro gardens or vertical cinema screens.
• The rooftop becomes a farm, cinema, or lounge depending on time and user.

This fluid use of space exemplifies how vertical housing design can enable multifunctionality without additional footprint.

Conclusion Fatma Akkaya’s shortlisted proposal for Nano Nest 2020 is a compelling example of how vertical housing design can be both intimate and interactive, compact yet expansive. It reclaims overlooked architectural elements and turns them into green, social, and adaptive zones, offering a vision of urban housing that is as emotionally intelligent as it is environmentally responsive.