Torn Paper House – An Office and a Residence on a Plot of Just 290 Square Feet

Titled the Torn Paper House thanks to its slender appearance, this property can be found in the residential district of Gò Vấp in Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam.

The project was taken on by Nature Arch Studio, a local firm with plenty of experience in designed homes for Ho Chi Minh’s small and frequently awkward sites.

The client, who is an investor, laid out a basic but challenging brief: to be able to accommodate at least two generations of a family, as well as including a separate section of the home to be leased out. This is no small feat given that the house is set on a site that measures just 290.63-square-feet (27-square-meters).

The house itself has a complicated shape – there are no less than 9 corners and zigzagging edge. The reason behind this is unclear, but it’s definitely more interesting that a plain box. Introducing plenty of viewpoints, natural light and ventilation across the various levels of the home was a priority.

They’ve made use of large operable windows and balconies when possible. These features, combined with the plain white interior finish, help the space feel larger than it is. The ground floor can be leased out as an office space. It contains a single room, with a mezzanine and a small bathroom.

The upper portions are designed as a residence. The first floor features a spacious bedroom, complete with an en-suite and a built-in closet, as well as a balcony to the front. The second floor contains the main living spaces. Given it’s size, they’ve opted for an open plan living room dining area and kitchen.

There’s also a second toilet on the second floor, and a very small balcony. Perhaps the best feature of this floor is that the glass roof can be rolled back, opening the room up to the sky above. From the architect: “This small town house plays a plus point, contributing to a lively corner of a densely populated district like Go Vap District, Ho Chi Minh City.”

For more small houses check out House H, an old studio that gets transformed into a bright contemporary home in Taiwan. Or, this property by Yu Ya Ching that’s just 13 feet wide. See all small houses.

Via ArchDaily
Photos: Quang Tran