In Vietnam, H&P Architects take traditional expectations of the use of tile and twist them to create something altogether original. The Tile Next house is built on the site of a former cemetery, a fact which meant excavating a certain amount of topsoil before building began to enable the site to be checked for remnants. The advantage of this necessity was the chance to bury part of the house into the ground, which offers the home geothermal benefits and a greater depth to build into. Appearing like a corrugated shell, the home is in fact covered in waves of tiles, individually spaced apart from one another and placed on its side to appear like they are flying. The result allows plentiful dappled sunlight into the home and creates a cocoon-like space protected from the elements. Sliding windows are installed behind the tile shell and left open to foster the connection between inside and out.
In between the tile shell and the open interior space, a layer of green balconies feature at different heights, their presence offering captivating views and help in regulating the microclimate of the home. The Tile Nest is a home designed to ‘capture’ the weather, its porous shell able to allow the scent of exterior plants, the feel of the breeze, and the warmth of the sun to fill its interior. Follow the Vietnam studio here.
Photography © Le Minh Hoang