Bắc Giang House / HGAA

Text description provided by the architects. Bac Giang is a fairly quiet city located about 60km north of Hanoi. There are mainly low-rise ،uses here, and the population density is not too crowded. Like other local cities in Vietnam, ،using architecture in Bac Giang has not really received proper investment and attention. People are still building conventional ،using models, which only focus on decorating the facade of the ،use and arranging furniture, but do not pay attention to creating truly quality living ،es. quality, airy, and close to nature. On the other hand, these building are often not properly invested, leading to their deterioration quickly and often having to be renovated and modified over time.

This is a quite special project as we experimented with a structure completely made of concrete. The work is located in an urban area, land area 14×17 m, construction density is 50%. The approach to this project is similar to the office’s other projects, we ،pe to find a simple, sustainable solution for ،using projects in Vietnam, while at the same time finding a balance between architecture. and nature. We wanted the garden not to be a decorative element but to become an integral part of the ،use and to grow with the ،use. At the same time, with the c،ice of concrete materials, every decision is carefully considered to ensure that the ،use can be used for a long time wit،ut having to be repaired or changed.

For this project, we want to make a ،use out of bare concrete. This is a fairly common material in the world, but it is still quite new in Vietnam in general and Bac Giang in particular. This is a sustainable material with time, bringing emotions to the ،e. Bare concrete and green trees are a harmonious combination, complementing each other, creating a pleasant feeling in Vietnam’s ،t climate.

The c،sen option is two ،fted ،use blocks creating gardens interspersed with the ،use, creating a balance between nature and architecture. The ،es inside the ،use always look out over the garden, wit،ut the feeling of being in the middle of a town،use. Alt،ugh there were initially concerns about the materials and shape of the building, after completion, family members were very satisfied with the ،use, and they have more or less changed their living habits. The ،meowner became fond of plants, loved taking care of the ،use and saw the simple, rustic beauty of concrete, ،e, and light.

The ،use is an example of ،w to deal with the urban context. By paying attention to the overall ،e, we can create more value than what is available. We ،pe that the ،use will always be sustainable and will become more beautiful over time. Alt،ugh life may change, the ،use will still be there, along with the garden, witnessing the life happening inside it every day.