An Introvert in the City: PHI House by Vietnamese Architects UX Space

A home is an extension of oneself. And like everyone else affected by the pandemic, home design has also drastically changed. From the wallpapers one has known since childhood to the overall lighting that never made a room look so dim, home elements that were once minimal features have become home elements that could affect the way a person works and functions during their work hours in a work from home set up. Vietnamese architectural firm UX Space is one of the many architectural practices that have crafted homes with features and themes that go against the suffocating isolation produced by the pandemic. This 2021, it completed the PHI House.

A two-story residence in the middle of Ho Chi Minh city, PHI House was accordingly named for bringing its homeowners a design concept spun on steady pacing, hybrid spaces, and a theme of introversion. 

Steady Pacing 

In contrast to the city’s fast and tiring pace, PHI House has a simple minimalist design that reduces clutter and makes movement easier even for a small family. This minimalist design was also advantageous in reducing construction costs and lessening installation time thus making it a more affordable home. 

Hybrid Spaces

There were no specific boundaries between the spaces in the house. From the front entrance all the way to the rear garden, the house is a solid block with one continuous main corridor. This corridor also highlights the residence’s hybrid nature with a 14-meter long built-in line of shelving. These can be used as an endless storage space with its use separated by the invisible but defined line between the open rooms. With an orderly structure, diversity and flexibility are also highlighted. 

A Theme of Introversion 

PHI House is a very private residence that defies the noise and publicity attached to one of the most densely populated cities in Southeast Asia. unlike other townhomes, PHI House opens up to its owners kept inside. Its two simple facades are designed to have few openings. Despite the lack of these openings, however, daylight still manages to pour through the interior and proper ventilation is well-acknowledged. 

The enclosed design also allows more privacy and intimacy for the owners and centers on the inner courtyard where inner reflection is easily achieved.