MK House by Atelier 12: Compact Living with Open, Connected Spaces in Hanoi

Architects: Atelier 12

In the bustling city of Hanoi, where streets are tight and urban density constantly increases, living spaces have gradually become enclosed and segmented. Typical Hanoi homes prioritize privacy and separation, often creating emotional and spatial distance between family members. Against this backdrop, MK House emerges as a thoughtful response, designed for a small family of three on a compact 4x11-meter plot. The guiding principle was simple: a home sufficient for living, working, and playing without barriers.

Embracing Openness in a Dense Urban Context

Atelier 12 approached MK House with the vision of breaking away from traditional spatial fragmentation. The design emphasizes open floor plans, minimal partitions, and strong connections with natural elements such as sunlight and ventilation. This approach nurtures an environment where family members remain connected despite the compact site, creating a living space that is both functional and emotionally resonant.

On the lower floor, the homeowner’s workspace occupies almost the entire area, providing an open and flexible environment. Family functions—living room, kitchen, dining area, and bedrooms—are situated on the upper floors. The 4-meter width demanded efficient spatial organization to maximize ventilation, internal circulation, and visual connectivity.

A transparent-floored corridor combined with a hollow steel staircase serves as a flexible vertical platform. This multifunctional element facilitates natural light penetration, airflow, and seamless visual connections across floors, enhancing interaction between family members.

A Facade Inspired by Tradition

The front setback area, restricted by planning regulations, presented an opportunity for a lighter, innovative structure. Atelier 12 designed a hollow steel floor system with a facade woven from thin steel strips, reminiscent of traditional “liếp tre” bamboo blinds. This facade functions as a balcony, seasonal buffer, vertical garden, and flowing steel curtain that gently mediates the transition between the house and the street. It symbolizes the subtle, adaptable relationship with nature found in Vietnamese architecture.

Fostering Cultural and Spiritual Connections

Beyond functional needs, MK House reflects the homeowner's cultural and spiritual values. Carefully curated over years, these elements contribute to the soul of the house, creating a living environment that preserves memories, identity, and aesthetics.

The home prioritizes sufficiency over extravagance, focusing on natural light, spatial clarity, and human connections. Features such as sunlight filtering through door cracks or glimpses of relatives in separate rooms foster a nurturing, healthy spiritual life.

Materials and Design Highlights

The home combines local and sustainable materials, including An Cuong wood, Thanh Hoa stone, and KINGLED lighting systems. Interior finishes emphasize warmth, texture, and tactile engagement, with wood prominently featured throughout the living spaces.

MK House: A Model for Compact Urban Living

MK House demonstrates how thoughtful design can transform small urban plots into vibrant, connected, and human-centered homes. By balancing openness, natural elements, and cultural identity, Atelier 12 redefines urban living in Hanoi while honoring tradition and modernity.

All photographs are works of Chimnon studio