Bat Trang House By VTN Architects in Pottery Village, Vietnam!  

Have you ever seen such a house? Your answer will probably be NO. Because this is the only Bat Trang House in the world that is wrapped by a porous ceramic facade. Let’s know more about this interesting building. 

Bat Trang House

• Architects: VTN Architects
• Location: Bat Trang, Hanoi, Vietnam
• Area: 740 m²
• Year: 2020  

We’re talking about the Bat Trang House. Designed by Vietnamese architecture studio VTN Architects, this building is situated in a unique place known as Bat Trang, Hanoi, Vietnam. This place is also known as a “pottery village” that has been around for more than ten decades. 

It is specifically designed like this on the demand of the client, who was a ceramic specialist. So the studio decided to benefit from the material and create an expressive facade that is inspired by the village’s history. Isn’t that great?       

The principal architect of this project was Vo Trong Nghia, and the main design team had brilliant people, including Ngo Thuy Duong, Nguyen Van An, Do Huu Tam, Pham Phuong Thao.  

This project was exclusively designed as the permanent residence for a seven-member family. Here they can invite their relatives and guests and live peacefully. 

However, Bat Trang House also works as a shop along with being a residential building. In this shop, you can find the most traditional ceramic products of the pottery town.  

As we all know about all the great properties of ceramic. And because of its own rough aesthetic and high durability, architects have chosen ceramic to create the exterior skin of the building. 

If you look closely at the structure, you’ll see that there are many gaps in the exteriors. These gaps are filled with greenery. Adding plants and marking the house with natural elements is one of the key design elements of VTN Architects. 

The architects have beautifully blended the local materials of the village in a modern way. They have used the richness of the cultural context of this village in a graceful manner. 

Do you know that each brick has been individually made for the facade? Yes, for the entire facade, bricks were used, and they’re specifically individually made to size to create the alternating rhythm. 

“The façade of the building represents the community’s unique culture of ceramic pottery making,” said VTN Architects. “While the exterior was inspired by the traditional beauty of the town, the interior ensured the convenience and comfort of today’s modern life.” 

As the architects explained, “Ceramic has its own rough aesthetic and high durability, which was suitable for the exterior skin of the building.” 

As per the current house owner’s demands, the architects have designed the entire facade purely out of ceramic bricks. Isn’t it incredible? This type of construction is very rare to see. 

Designers have carefully designed the building structure and keep various sizes. They have created a balance by playing with sizes and arrangements of individual bricks. 

“ This creates an alternating rhythm, which means some spaces are open while some spaces are closing in others.”

Architects said, “Vast windows, alternating ceramic openings connected by the indoor forest create a multi-layer living picture frame that would be ever-changing for the occupants.” 

Just with the bricks, they have constructed various small gaps in the building. These gaps are actually vents, which allow air to circulate throughout the building. 

At the same time, big openings were also created on the outer part of the structure, and they’re especially used for plants. They’ll also keep the building cool and allow filtered light the flow through, which looks really amazing.  

Interiors are also as fascinating as exteriors. Architects wanted to create a peaceful and serene environment; that’s why they have precisely followed a minimalist style or approach. 

The studio explains, “The spatial arrangement of the house was also based on the owner’s ideal home, where nature intertwines with other functions of the house.”

They have used huge glass panels in the interiors at various parts of the building. I know you might be thinking that wouldn’t the house will overheat because of them. 

But the answer is NO! Because as we already told you that there is no direct sunlight coming in the building. It got filtered by the two layers of ceramic façade and greenery façade. Brilliant concept, right? 

“The gaps of the ceramic walls function particularly well in terms of effectively getting the right amount of solar gain for the interior, especially in the summer,” added the studio.

Architects know the fact that “the intimate connection of people with nature was a key aspect of design.” That’s why you can see the connection of nature with the modern elements in every project of VTN Architects. 

VTN Architects said, “The uses of artificial air conditioning were unnecessary as the three-layer ventilation system “exterior ceramic façade,” “alternating green spaces” and “door” guarantee that the house is “absolutely cool.” 

“They ensure that natural and sustainable living quality in every residential project.”

Similarly, the Bat Trang House is designed in such a way that occupants could always feel the freshness of greeneries. And while doing their regular chores and activities, they can feel and get the ambient skylight. 

Not only the materials used in this project were eco-friendly, but the architects also have included modern technology. They have also added solar panels on the terrace and rainwater collector systems to create a sustainable design. 

The Bottom Line

You may have seen many mind-boggling structures around the world; however, it’s not common to see structures like The bat Trang House. Even though it is located in the packed, vibrant streets of Vietnam’s bustling towns, yet you can easily identify and spot it. It is so uncommon to see an impeccably designed ‘block’ amidst ‘plots’ in the town.

Many remarkable constructions can be seen throughout the world. You can take inspiration from them and create something unique. All you need is to keep looking and digging around and see how architecture is evolving on the planet. 

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