This is an experimental residence under construction in Hanoi, Vietnam. This is part of a university project for the “Research for the Future Program”, which investigates the extent of comfortable living possible in compact, high-density dwellings in a high-temperature, high-humidity environment. Initially the site was planned along 36 street in Hanoi’s Old Town, but an appropriate site for rebuilding was not found, so the site was changed to a corner of the University of Civil Engineering, Hanoi. Construction is heading towards completion in March 2003. The units were organized into cubes called “Basic Space Blocks (BSB)”, comprised of 3-5 linked apartments. With both exterior and interior, the apartments are wholly formed from the arrangement of these BSBs. In this case the ratio of exterior space is 50%. Nearly all rooms are linked via the device of an exterior terrace, a way of extending the courtyard-based traditional lifestyle of Hanoi into three dimensions. Each exterior BSB performs significant ventilation and lighting functions, and fluidly connects the whole.
		50% porous: space blocks Hanoi model (1999-) location: Hanoi, Viet Nam architects: Kazuhiro Kojima + Tokyo University of Science Kojima Laboratory + University of Tokyo Magaribuchi Laboratory design cooperator: Mika Ichijo / MAMBO structural engineers: University of Civil Engineering, Hanoi mechanical design advisers: Saburo Takama / Scientific Air-conditioning Institute, University of Tokyo, Kato Laboratory project reader: Syuzo Murakami general contractors: University of Civil Engineering, Hanoi site area: 272.27m2 building area: 246.6m2 total floor area: 466.71m2 1st floor area: 142.43m2 2nd floor area: 85.96m2 3rd floor area: 135.57m2 4th floor area: 102.75m2 dwelling unit area: 74.32 - 121.47m2 structure: reinforced concrete; 4 stories and 1-story penthouse maximum height: 11,500mm type of dwelling: experimental dwelling number of dwelling: 6 projected completion date: March, 2003 next back top