Spatial ease in light through the intersecting spaces
X House is a home for a young couple and their two children. It is located in the southern part of Vy Da Ward, Hue City, Vietnam—an urban area characterized by high density and active commercial activity. Within this dynamic context of constant movement and human presence, the house seeks to step back from the surrounding bustle and create a calm, balanced living environment connected to abundant natural light, generous spatial openness, and greenery. In a high-density city that allows little room to breathe, the house—as the most fundamental and intimate space of daily life—was conceived with careful design strategies to secure a sense of spatial ease.
Accordingly, the project prioritizes spatial quality, cost efficiency, and long-term sustainability over expressive form. The design concept is simply articulated through the relationship between solid and void. On a rectangular site, two triangular masses are arranged symmetrically; as they overlap and shift along an X-shaped axis, spaces alternately open and close. This X-axis defines the identity of the house and serves as the core device organizing its spatial logic. More than a geometric gesture, it generates spatial flow, guiding circulation and visual connections. The void areas—comprising the living room, dining area, courtyard, gallery, and study—are open and flexible spaces devoted to daily life, interaction, and contemplation, extending continuously from the ground floor to the upper levels. Private functions such as bedrooms, additional studies, and service rooms are contained within the solid zones.
The concrete box enclosing the house acts as a protective envelope against intense western sunlight and the hot, humid tropical climate. The exposed concrete surfaces reveal the passage of time through shifting light and shadow throughout the day, functioning as a “living material.” Rather than relying on decorative elements, the interior atmosphere is shaped through the materiality of concrete and its interaction with light, creating a quiet and contemplative spatial experience.
To secure meaningful void spaces, X House deliberately reduces enclosed areas. By minimizing form-driven architectural expression and the floor area that accompanies it, the project enhances spatial value. This strategy of restraint optimizes construction costs, reduces operational energy demand, and contributes to extending the building’s lifespan. Together with a sustainable architectural attitude, the house proposes a rich residential experience grounded in balance, simplicity, and long-term resilience.
Project: X House / Location: Vy Da ward, Hue city, Viet Nam / Architect: Cote Architects (Hoang Viet Hung) / Project team: Nguyen Ba Vuong, Vo Thanh Thuy, Le Van Hoang Hai, Vo Doan Hung / Structural engineer: Nguyen Minh Hoang / General contractor: Cote Arch / Use: house / Gross floor area: 300m² / Completion: 2025 / Photograph: ©HungHoa (courtesy of the architect)
