KIENTRUC O OFFICE: Quietude amid perpetual spaces. 

Intermediate zones continually wraps around KIENTRUC O office’s two main areas, the void and the working area. The walls function as the unbound partition follow the binary principle of Open and Close, split the office into smaller spaces, and allow movement to flow freely across the floor. The spatial arrangement polarizes the character of spaces to Stillness and Movement, yielding out diverse spatial quality that fluctuates along the spectrum. 

Spaces recollect its form and shape by receiving light, giving way to shadow, and delineates its depth through the floating walls, successively create intimate spaces and render the atmospheres into silence and serene. 

Employs three criteria in passive cooling methods to cope with tropical weather in Vietnam: heat preventing, heat modulation and heat dissipation.  The office design is focused on protecting the indoor microclimate from sunlight and choosing building orientation. Vegetation helps to reduce the impact of the sun on the exterior fabric. The ventilation strategy for the office is a counter approach to the common scheme found in modern tropical buildings. It is entirely naturally ventilated. Both traditional and mechanical methods are used to quickly release the indoor heat and maximise air circulation. Controlling entrance of wind and solar access contributes to creating a comfortable indoor environment. Muli-layered roof system helps air to ventilate while protecting the main workspace from being overheated. The long and thin floor plan introduces multiple buffer zones shaded by a suitable wall and veranda ratio. Air flows freely through the openings on walls and roof to facilitate a natural form of comfort. Phenomenally, it draws up a multitude state of perception, provoking a humanistic sense of space, and gives shape to the spiritual locality of place. 

Monochromatic manipulation of material renders the architecture in a spatiotemporal state, acting as a background to highlight the natural phenomenon happening among the spaces. The autoclaved aerated concrete (AAC) block has low thermal conductivity and is nonabsorbent in nature, which is very suitable for both interior and exterior use and contributes significantly to heat modulation. Its monochromatic finishes blurs the perception of the inside and outside, delegating space as a myriad subject, constantly adapting its spatial characteristic according to its  purpose of use and the activity taking place.

Architects: KIENTRUC O

Principal Architect: Dam Vu

Project team: Anni Le, Phuong Doan, Viet Nguyen

Constructor: Dinh Duc Anh Vu

Project Year: 2019

Location: District 2, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

Floor area: 221.85m2

Site area: 207m2

Photograph : Hiroyuki Oki, Hoang Le, Anni