When one thinks of the streets of Hanoi, invariably, images of crowded and colourful facades and streets teeming with hawkers, tourists and daily commuters spring to mind. The many houses, shops, cafes and restaurants, packed like a tin of sardines in the alleys of the city, while instantly recognisable, developed from particular socio-economic conditions in Vietnam following economic reform in the 1990s. Many of these houses on narrow sites with narrow frontages were also self-built, adapted to the users' needs within crammed plots. Often, such private residences are located along small alleys or 'Ngõs'. Inevitably, these streets have become spaces of gathering and community, with little space to spare within the confines of the home.

For a recent project, the Hanoi-based architecture studio, t+m design office, conceived Loli House as an open series of stacked residential spaces. Featuring a broad staircase design that occupies almost 30 per cent of the private residence, the house is constructed on a narrow plot of 35 sqm with a 3.6-metre frontage. The generous space and landings provided to the staircase double as breakout spaces for the residents, with functions of the residential design stacked on top of each other. The entrance for the home opens out to the alley, becoming an extension of the street. As the architects describe in a concept note, “The entrance on the ground floor is set back to create more space for the ‘Ngõ’ and [as a way to] connect with neighbours.”

The ‘Ngõ’ or alley that connects each of these small yet expansive houses is more than just a road; it is a place of gathering and congregation for the residents. The street level is also where the house’s circulation expands into more than just a staircase. From the kitchen and dining space just off the foyer, one climbs up from the shared space onto the next level. Making use of the spacious tread provided by the jammed-in rectangular helical staircase as an additional terrace, family life spills out.

As shown in the images, kids play, parents lounge and sometimes the family watches a movie or two. Bookshelves, plants and a subtle wooden finish for the landing area liven up the space. Beyond the first landing—between the kid’s room on the lower and the main bedroom on the upper level— one enters another communal space on the second level. This is a rather clever stacking of functions by the architects, where public spaces and more intimate areas are alternated, allowing for both a sense of privacy and a sense of kinship among residents.

Apart from the elaborate spiral staircase, the residential architecture is minimal, bordering on simplistic. This minimalism—despite the tight site conditions—along with the ample openings and use of wooden louvres for landing spaces, makes the residence feel light and airy. Similarly, the terrace level is clad with polycarbonate sheets, lending the facade design a translucent mien that negotiates between exterior and interior. This also ensures that natural light can enter the garden space within.

Apart from the greenhouse-esque top level, verandahs and balconies arranged in staggered form are incorporated on subsequent levels, allowing greenery to fill the residential interiors. As the designers elaborate in the concept note, “The project challenges the limitations of a small house in a small ‘Ngõ’ [by allowing] users to create their own space while still having the opportunity to interact with family members.” The minimal design of the residence, with the openness of the staircase, not only allows for a sense of privacy but ensures that the shared moments for the family feel private. Shielded from the chaotic context, the house not only feels tranquil but a sanctuary. The gestures towards community become a way to reflect Hanoi’s particular spirit of place in the design.