T3 Architects - Bioclimatic Tropical Villa

T3 ARCHITECTS and partners designed this weekend villa with a true sustainable approach, tailor-made for tropical conditions: hot weather, heavy rains, insects and wildlife, wind (as we are close to the sea). The existing site being partially covered by a forest, the T3 team decided to site the villa under the trees (to get shadow and thermal comfort), but having the main facade on the forest’s line to get a very nice view on the tropical garden and pool.

Guests have their own buildings to get privacy. It also creates a buffer area from the small road (to block the potential noise and keep a high degree of privacy). The architecture follows bioclimatic principles, with a large insulated roof to cover the different functions of the house. Common areas are naturally ventilated (no AC, just efficient ceiling fans) to save energy and preserve the tropical feeling. The two bedrooms are properly insulated (rice husk for the roof, light concrete blocks for walls, double-glazing) to keep the cold from the AC.

The main wall of the east facade is made by local earth sourced locally. It brings inertia to the house and makes it unique with a frugal approach (low carbon footprint + geo-sourced materials). In terms of Interiors, the design is voluntarily minimalist (to limit maintenance and make operation easy), custom-made cement tiles, loose furniture in solid wood, plywood false ceiling bring both Vietnamese touch and coziness of the Villa. Lighting designed by Kobi Studio will be contrasted to preserve the darkness of the sky (and respect the rhythm of nature around) and only focus the light where it is necessary (reading corner, dining and kitchen areas, bathroom and bedrooms).

The Landscape approach is also frugal, promoting local trees and plants which doesn’t require a lot of water and maintenance. This is also the best way to get a landscape which looks natural and very well integrated into the large environment. The pool system will be with salt (no chlorine) and the poll level will be around 120cm deep (to reduce the cost for equipment and save water).

This villa is the perfect place for relaxing during week-end and holidays, at 2h30 driving from the busy Saigon city, and is a kind of Manifesto of the Contemporary tropical Architecture proposing low-tech solution but very meaningful.