Live Out Studio, a Vietnamese architecture practice, has completed an innovative multi-generational residence called Terracotta Breath in Da Nang, Vietnam. The home, tucked away in a narrow laneway, stands out for its distinctive porous brick facade that allows natural airflow while maintaining privacy. Designed to house two separate households on a compact 7 by 22-meter urban lot, the project successfully balances the need for family intimacy with individual independence.
The centerpiece of the home is a planted courtyard that serves as a shared space for both families. This green oasis brings natural sunlight into the interior while providing opportunities for residents to gather and connect. The courtyard design reflects the architects' understanding of how outdoor spaces can enhance family relationships in dense urban environments.
Live Out Studio's design philosophy incorporates traditional Vietnamese feng shui principles while working within a modest construction budget. The result is a home that feels both deeply rooted in local tradition and refreshingly innovative. The architects prioritized passive climate control strategies, ensuring that the building naturally ventilates and provides shade without relying heavily on mechanical systems.
The material palette chosen for Terracotta Breath reflects Vietnam's natural resources and architectural heritage. Brick, bamboo, timber, clay-toned render, and corrugated roofing create a cohesive earthly language that extends from the building's facade to the garden pathways. This careful selection of materials helps the structure integrate seamlessly into its dense urban surroundings while creating a thermally responsive envelope that adapts to local climate conditions.
Every architectural detail showcases local craftsmanship and practical design solutions. The operable brick screens serve a dual purpose, filtering both light and airflow to create comfortable interior conditions. Handwoven rope balustrades add softness to circulation spaces while reflecting traditional Vietnamese craft techniques. The carefully patterned brickwork creates visual texture and rhythm across the facade, making the building both functional and aesthetically pleasing.
These design elements demonstrate how practical considerations can be transformed into poetic architectural features. The building's various screens and openings provide multiple layers of privacy and openness, allowing residents to control their interaction with neighbors and the street. This flexibility is particularly important in Vietnam's tropical climate, where managing heat, humidity, and monsoon rains requires thoughtful design.
The project exemplifies how contemporary Vietnamese architecture can honor traditional principles while addressing modern urban challenges. By accommodating two households within a single structure, Terracotta Breath offers a model for multi-generational living that respects both shared family values and individual household needs. The building's integration of passive climate strategies and local materials provides a sustainable approach to urban housing that could be replicated throughout Vietnam's growing cities.
