A House in Covid

A House in Covid 

DAT&A

A House in Covid
© Divodira

ARCHITECTS
Dat&a

LEAD ARCHITECT
Dao Anh Truong

STRUCTURE ENGINEER
Uni Company

ARCHITECT
Nguyen Cong Dung

HVAC, MEP
Uni Company

PHOTOGRAPHS
Divodira

AREA
102 M²

YEAR
2023

LOCATION
Haiphong, Vietnam

CATEGORY
Houses

A House in Covid
© Divodira

Text description provided by architect.

This project was conceived during frequent conversations with my family during the COVID-19 isolation period.

From there, I asked myself: if people were to spend a significant amount of time at home for various reasons (isolation, working from home, retirement, etc.), how should spaces be designed?

A House in Covid
© Divodira
A House in Covid
© Divodira

And more specifically, how should they be designed in the context of Vietnamese cities? Thus, the project is titled "A House in COVID."

CONTEXT OF THE PROJECT

In temperate countries, insulation and retaining heat are crucial priorities. In such regions, closely built houses are sometimes seen as an effective solution to minimize energy consumption for heating.

A House in Covid
© Divodira
A House in Covid
© Divodira

However, in tropical countries, especially in the humid tropical monsoon climate of Vietnam, the need is entirely the opposite.

Here, houses need to be cooled and ventilated continuously to reduce heat absorption and ensure comfortable living spaces under hot and humid conditions that last for many months of the year.

A House in Covid
© Divodira
A House in Covid
© Divodira

In addition, during Vietnam's urbanization process since the "Đổi mới" (Renovation period), the real estate market has developed toward "subdivision" – dividing land into smaller plots, typically 4–5 meters wide with varying depths depending on the area.

These densely packed blocks absorb enormous amounts of heat, and with the dominant use of concrete in construction, Vietnamese cities are becoming large heat islands. This situation not only increases urban temperatures but also makes natural ventilation increasingly difficult in these areas.

A House in Covid
© Divodira
A House in Covid
© Divodira

VENTILATION GAP – PASSIVE COOLING

In this project, situated on a typical subdivided plot measuring 4.2 meters in width and 23 meters in depth, we addressed ventilation issues by creating a ventilation gap along the side of the house.

This solution required sacrificing part of the usable area of other spaces, but the results brought a relatively satisfactory level of comfort for the residents.

A House in Covid
© Divodira
A House in Covid
© Divodira

A naturally cooled wall, which we term "passive cooling," is combined with the active regulation of airflow by opening and closing windows to direct airflow as desired – known as "active ventilation."

This wall is thin and only exposed to sunlight until 11 a.m., after which it functions as a heat-dissipating component of the house.

A House in Covid
© Divodira
A House in Covid
© Divodira

The "hardware" of the solution is the width of the ventilation gap, ensuring that even if neighboring structures are built higher, the house still receives natural light and air.

The "software" consists of temporary elements such as pergolas shading the garden space in front of the bedroom.

A House in Covid
© Divodira
A House in Covid
© Divodira

In the middle of the house, we have not installed additional pergolas yet, as they seem unnecessary.

HOUSE WITH ITS MAIN FACADE FACING WEST

Sound Pollution – The plot in this project has a main facade facing west-southwest, requiring the front of the house to be completely closed after 2 p.m. to avoid heat. Thanks to the ventilation gap, closing the front does not make the interior feel stuffy.

Around 3–4 p.m., the temperature difference between the inside and outside of the house is about 3–4°C, providing a sensation similar to stepping out of an air-conditioned room – a noticeable wave of heat hits as one steps outside.

A House in Covid
© Divodira
A House in Covid
Floor Plan

Additionally, the ventilation gap allows the homeowner to open or close the front gate without worrying about poor ventilation. They can close the gate entirely to avoid noise or open it to connect with neighbors in the alley.

NATURAL WALKWAYS WITHIN THE HOUSE

For those who spend significant time at home, having green spaces for movement and exercise is important. In this project, walking from the bedroom to the living room through a small garden within the narrow house creates a delightful experience, fostering a connection between humans and nature within their living space.

A House in Covid
Diagram