Sophie Tremblay
Design mission: Renovate the existing worship house and build a new house for three generations on the remaining land, so as not to affect the location of ancestral graves.. Linh Trung house aims to transform a space that is inherently solemn and spiritual into a warm, intimate, and livable home.
Design Solutions:
1. The building is like a “miniature park”. The tomb at the center of the site is reinterpreted as a green core for the project, surrounded by multiple layers of greenery. This open space becomes a shared outdoor area where adults can enjoy tea, exercise, or relax, while children have room to run, play, and explore.
2. Above the garden is a wide, wrap-around veranda – this is the “territory” of the two children. Like a large “playground”, the space flows seamlessly from the interior to the veranda, forming a continuous loop beneath the trees
3. Strengthening family connection: The common living space and the grandparents’ room are located on the ground floor for convenient access to the worship space, the tomb, and the garden. Through the opening of the large porch in the garden, grandparents can always observe and talk to their grandchildren as they play. The homeowner’s space is located on the top floor to ensure privacy. Vertical circulation is intentionally designed so that family members naturally go through shared spaces, fostering interaction in daily routines
4. Optimizing limited dimensions: The land has limited depth, each floor area is approximately 40m2, but the planning setback is large – this increases the challenge of usable area. To avoid the cramped feeling and increase the ventilation, solid walls are minimized. Instead, wooden blocks define private space while large glass panels are used to open views toward the garden and bring in natural daylight during the day. The roughness of the materials (volcanic stone, grinding stone, polished cement, etc.), combined with the dominant muted color tone, creates coolness and at the same time increases the dignity of the project.
A new house on an old land – filled with sun, wind, children’s laughter, the scent of home-cooked meals, and the whispering of grandparents,… in every corner of the house and garden. In this place, the tomb, the incense smoke, and the passing of the deceased are no longer something so scary and taboo, but instead become a gentle, familiar part of everyday life.
Project info:
Architects: H.a
Country: Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam
Area: 120 m²
Year: 2023
Photographs: Quangdam
Lead Architects: Vuong Trung Huu
structure: Minh Lam Co. Ltd
Wood Construction: Luu’s Atelier
Steel Construction: Tai Loi Co. Ltd
Lighting Consultant: Megaman
Design Team: Huu Vuong Trung, Long Ngo Thien, Huy Tran Quoc
Structure And Construction Supervision: Minh Lam Co. Ltd
Tags: 2023H.AHo Chi MinhLinh TrungQuangdamVietnam
Sophie Tremblay
Sophie Tremblay is a Montreal-based architectural editor and designer with a focus on sustainable urban development. A McGill University architecture graduate, she began her career in adaptive reuse, blending modern design with historical structures. As a Project Editor at Arch2O, she curates stories that connect traditional practice with forward-thinking design. Her writing highlights architecture’s role in community engagement and social impact. Sophie has contributed to Canadian Architect and continues to collaborate with local studios on community-driven projects throughout Quebec, maintaining a hands-on approach that informs both her design sensibility and editorial perspective.
