In the serene plains near the Annamese Cordillera in central Vietnam, the people of Hue hold family ties in high esteem. For one family, this meant designing a home where their aging parents could enjoy their golden years surrounded by their loved ones and hobbies like gardening. To bring this vision to life, Limdim House Studio was commissioned to create a cozy and minimalist 75 square metre home that would be easy for the elderly couple to live in. The design pays homage to the traditional and rustic elements of the countryside, creating a calming atmosphere reminiscent of childhood memories. An open plan layout allows for ample natural light and ventilation, making it a comfortable space to call home.
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Hue may be a bustling Vietnamese city, but its vibe is anything but chaotic. The traditional home exteriors in the area showcase this serene atmosphere, with charming stone walls surrounding inviting courtyards. To top off these exteriors, homes in Hue often use “Liแปt” tiles, a type of simple clay roof tile that harkens back to ancient times. These tiles add a touch of tradition to the homes, which are painted a warm sandy color and have modestly sized glass louvre windows.
The entrance of the front courtyard is framed by plant beds on both sides, creating a lush and inviting atmosphere. Upon entering the gates, visitors are greeted by a pair of outdoor chairs and a quaint coffee table, perfect for enjoying the sunny weather. The large window behind the seating area offers a seamless transition from the outdoors to the interior living space.
As you approach the house, you’ll notice the spacious double doors with a stepped concrete threshold. On one side of the entrance, there are delightful small planters that add a touch of greenery. Meanwhile, on the other side, there’s an amusing head-shaped planter that serves as a quirky decoration.
A simple and low-maintenance design was implemented inside the house to cater to the needs of an elderly couple. The sitting room includes a custom-made sofa with storage cleverly hidden underneath its concrete base. A low lounge chair and wooden coffee table complete the small sitting area, accented by a glass vase as a minimalist centerpiece.
The base of the stylish sofa also doubles as the foundation of a contemporary staircase that features eye-catching black metal balustrades. Despite having only 100 square meters of space, the house only occupies 50 square meters, leaving ample room for cultivating plants and admiring a peaceful way of living.
The small living space in this house is particularly suitable for the retired couple who primarily use it. The kitchen island serves as a versatile piece of furniture that can be used to cook, prepare food, and even dine. As a result, this frees up more space on the floor for other activities or items.
The home’s indoor space is filled with an abundance of natural light and has a charming rustic aesthetic that seamlessly blends with the outdoors. A striking wall made of stones spans the double-height living area, providing a visually captivating focal point that draws the eye upwards towards the soaring ceiling.
The concrete kitchen island boasts a minimalist charm with its complementing wooden bar stools. A stunning wood louvre cabinet stands out as a focal point in the open concept living room, adding a touch of elegance and warmth to the space. The guest room is conveniently located behind the kitchen, while the powder room is accessible through the other door.
A large expanse of louvre windows stretches across an entire wall in the open and spacious double-height area, allowing for excellent ventilation throughout the house. Additionally, a wooden ceiling fan assists with air circulation to keep the space cool and comfortable.
The contemporary design of the staircase leads to a slim platform, which gives way to the entrance of the main bedroom through a glass sliding door.
The shower room gets a bright and airy outdoor shower vibe with the presence of a glass roof. A charming stone feature wall surrounding the wet area is complemented by a rustic ladder shelf.
The first-floor guest room provides a picturesque view of the courtyard entrance. With a wooden dresser and a compact wall mirror, it can be utilized as an area for writing or a dressing station. The addition of a beautiful bouquet in a glass vase on top of the dresser adds a welcoming touch to the space.
In the mezzanine bedroom, there is a stunning stone headboard feature wall that extends into the ensuite bathroom. The bathroom is separated from the bedroom by a clear glass wall, which allows natural light to flood into the space and makes it appear larger. The terracotta block wall in the bathroom is particularly striking, with its intricate arch pattern adding a unique touch to the overall design.
The bedroom is simple yet efficient in meeting the needs of the homeowners.
On the mezzanine landing, there’s a little nook that’s not used much. But, it has been transformed into a cosy reading area with a comfortable lounge chair that’s perfect for unwinding with a good book.
The first level layout displays a cozy combined living, kitchen, and dining area, as well as two bedrooms and two bathrooms. The retired couple aimed for a nostalgic ambiance in the courtyard located behind the gate, reminiscent of their youth. Utilizing durable, repurposed clay tiles and baked bricks to construct walls evoked the look and feel of traditional rural homes, creating a calming earthy aesthetic.
At level 17, there is a mezzanine floor that comes with a landing area and convenient sliding glass wall for accessing the luxurious master bedroom and ensuite bathroom.
In this drawing, you can see how different materials like stone, wood, concrete, and clay roofing tiles were used to create a rustic contrast. The bricks that were taken from old houses were used to give the new house a traditional touch. This helped the elderly homeowners to feel more comfortable in their new surroundings. The drawing also shows how the positioning of windows was influenced by the path of the sun, and how proper ventilation was incorporated to ensure maximum comfort inside the home.
