Design Solutions for Urban Densification

HOUSE FOR TREES VO TRONG NGHIA ARCHITECTS LOCATION: TAN BINH DISTRICT, HO CHI MINH CITY, VIETNAM | COMPLETION: 2014 | CLIENT: PRIVATE | PHOTOGRAPHER: HIROYUKI OKI Due to rapid urbanization, cities in Vietnam have trees on their tops. With thick soil layers, these diverged far away from their origins as rampant “pots” also function as storm-water basins for tropical forests. In Ho Chi Minh City, as an exam- detention and retention, therefore contributing ple, only 0.25 % area of the entire city is covered to reduce the risk of flooding in the city when the by greenery. Over-abundance of motorbikes idea is multiplied in the future to include a large causes daily traffic congestion as well as serious number of houses. air pollution. As a result, new generations in urban areas are losing their connections with na- ture. House for Trees, a prototypical house with a tight budget of 155,000 USD, is an effort to change this situation. Five concrete boxes, each housing a different program, were designed as “pots” to plant [ 44 ]





COOKING SCHOOL IN A FORMER SLAUGHTERHOUSE SOL89 LOCATION: MEDINA SIDONIA, CÁDIZ, SPAIN | COMPLETION: 2011 | CLIENT: FUNDACIÓN XXI | PHOTOGRAPHER: FERNANDO ALDA The new roof covers the didactic areas, while the were added to the original fabric through the public areas are situated in the original building years, were demolished while some elements with around the restored courtyard. It was possible to patrimonial value, as the existing Phoenician col- release the original building of strict functional umns, were consolidated. The new construction of requirements, with ancillary uses arranged around sloping tile roofs accentuates the different spaces; it, separating the new uses from the original alternating flat and low roofs allow cooking rooms building through circulation spaces that involve and classrooms to benefit from the light at the top. the entire ancient perimeter. These circulation All ceilings are finished with white surfaces that spaces are covered by a free-standing structure, unify the space and provide an abstract setting with a slit of light creating the contact between for the new uses. In the original building, ancient the original building and the new intervention. floors were replaced by slabs of concrete with The profiles of the new roofs are folded to intro- wooden formwork that recognizes the traditional duce light, while little courtyards are inserted in building forms, while walls were covered in white the kitchen to illuminate it. Additions with limited and rough lime mortar as a material memory of its constructive value in the old building, which industrial past. [ 117 ]