In the district of Diên Khánh in Vietnam, situated 10km from the bustling city of Nha Trang, time passes slowly amidst abundant vegetation, mountains and the Suoi Dau River. Surrounded by sparse, low-lying residential buildings and perennial orchards, an ancestral home is revived by Vietnamese architecture studio SAL, retaining the architectural, spatial and sensorial memories of its original footprint. "The original house, constructed many years ago, had served multiple generations and undergone numerous repairs and renovations," Nguyen Hoang Xuan, founder of the practice, tells STIR. The DB Horizon house retains several elements from the old structure, including the stairs, front porch, pond, wall paint, wooden doors and private collectibles. "All of these—the cool breeze through the window, the birds singing in the garden, the smell of grass and flowers through the seasons, the view of the fields and the mountains in the distance at sunset—have been thoughtfully integrated into the DB Horizon, allowing it to recall the memory of the old house while offering residents a fresh yet intimately familiar experience," Hoang Xuan continues, underlining the intangible aspects of the residential design.

Based in Khánh Hòa, SAL operates at the intersection of vernacular architecture, ecological consciousness and contemporary approach. A firm believer in the ‘spirit’ of a place, Hoang Xuan draws deep inspiration from the critical oeuvre of Sri Lankan architect Geoffrey Bawa—particularly his projects 33rd Lane House and Lunuganga, which thoughtfully integrate nature and context into everyday life. The Vietnamese architect often works with stone, timber and concrete, employing passive cooling strategies and creating porous envelopes, as seen in the spatial scheme of the DB Horizon house.

The private residence fuses contemporary design with contextual architecture typical to the region, following a bespoke spatial hierarchy that caters to its residents and local lifestyle. “The local residents often extend their houses using lightweight structural systems combined with metal roofs, mainly to create shaded, naturally ventilated spaces that help keep the interiors cool,” relays Hoang Xuan. “These semi-outdoor spaces”, he adds, “are used very flexibly, and can be used as a place to enjoy tea, a common living space for the family, a dining area or even to organise small parties.”

As one approaches the site, layers of vegetation screen the private areas on the ground level, while the upper floor is permeable and inviting. Upon entering the compound, one notices the wooden shutters that characterise the facade design, highlighting the authenticity of the materials from the original structure and simplicity of the residential architecture. With a narrow corridor in the front, solid walls and a series of closed doors, the ground level discourages visitors from entering, turning their attention towards the garage and the staircase on the southwest that leads to the upper floor.

Contemporary Vietnamese dwellings often use staircases to weave together the communal and private spaces—examples of which can be found in the designs of the Loli House and the CH House in Hanoi—that allow a natural flow of movement and activities. A similar approach is seen in the DB Horizon house, where the terrace above the garage acts as a transitional space between the outdoors and the indoors, becoming an ideal gathering place to enjoy sunsets and the surrounding landscape. Organised under an expansive, gently sloping metal roof, the upper level features a utilitarian core—accommodating a kitchen, a worship space, a storage and a compact toilet—on either side of which lies the living room and the dining area. An internal staircase connects the levels from within for ease of circulation and security, creating a cosy corner space for the family room, which offers panoramic views of the natural landscape.

By enveloping the wooden interiors on the upper level with openable windows, the scheme ensures the house receives abundant natural light and ventilation. As per the design team, "Every element, such as natural ventilation, elevated terraces, open common spaces, local materials, wind-catching pitched roofs and transitional spaces, is a thoughtful response to the climate and cultural context of the site." Along with providing protection from the weather, the metal roof acts as a passive design device, bringing in cool winds from the Suoi Dau River and regulating thermal comfort within the spaces in all seasons.

Retaining the tangible and intangible aspects of its past, the residence underlines the part architecture plays in our lives, fostering relationships and shaping memories that become inseparable from the built forms and objects around us. The house rejects superficial ornamentation to embrace simplicity and to honour the regional ways of living, where everyday life is grounded and deeply connected to nature.

Project Details

Name: DB Horizon
Location: Khanh Hoa, Vietnam
Architect: SAL
Floor Area: 200 sq m
Year of Completion: 2024