Typology of “Tu Dai Dong Duong” Traditional Vietnamese House Style

Vietnam has the “Tu Dai Dong Duong” house (four generations under one roof). Traditional households with multigenerational patterns live in one house, such as parents, their children, grandchildren, and unmarried siblings for generations. At the same time, the changing mindset of land ownership in Vietnam created the “tube house” style as one solution. The tube house is a variation of the traditional “shop house” concept, adapting to society's social and economic changes. The tube house style is tall and elongated, which saves land by “accommodating” more buildings.

“Tu Dai Dong Duong” House by Lequang-Architects (cr: Hoang Le)

“Ultimately, it is more than just a house; it is a space for people to live together, wake up and cook together, talk and care for children together, and strengthen relationships within the house as a typical Vietnamese family system,” said Lequang-Architects (via Archdaily).

“Tu Dai Dong Duong” House by Lequang-Architects (cr: Hoang Le)

“More than just a house” was the architects' main goal in designing this house. The house uses a spiral pattern so that each part is integrated into the other and surrounds the garden. The combination is divided into four blocks for living together; a grandmother + aunt block, a parent block, and two families of boys. The house is a space where people live together, do activities, cook, talk, take care of children, and strengthen the family relationships characteristic of the Vietnamese people. 

“Tu Dai Dong Duong” House by Lequang-Architects (cr: Hoang Le)

The house is divided into three with different purposes but still prioritizes togetherness. The house has a common room facing the central garden, so you can watch the activities of other family members in the kitchen, laundry area, and farmland. The central garden also serves as a gathering space for neighbors to chat under the trees while drinking tea together.  The low block in the South and gradually rising to the North helps air circulation and contributes natural light into the house. 

“Tu Dai Dong Duong” House by Lequang-Architects (cr: Hoang Le)

“Tu Dai Dong Duong” House by Lequang-Architects (cr: Hoang Le)

Life is like a cycle and exchange, as there will be births of more children and older people will be born. Birth and death are part of life in the house. There will be a change in demographics Lequang-Architects wants to ensure events such as birth ceremonies, death anniversaries, and even funerals are conducted under one roof. More than a house, Le Quang House also wants to be a space to record the history of its inhabitants. Keeping them connected to all layers of generations through the memories left behind.

“Tu Dai Dong Duong” House by Lequang-Architects (cr: Hoang Le)

The building uses only one material, ceramic brick. It is a traditional material of Quang Nam. It creates coolness for the building, releases heat, and keeps the surface clean & dry. Chose to use bricks from old houses that were still fit to building this house. The rubble was reused for landscaping around the building for water absorption areas. 

“Tu Dai Dong Duong” House by Lequang-Architects (cr: Hoang Le)

“Tu Dai Dong Duong” House by Lequang-Architects (cr: Hoang Le)

Lequang-Architects has conducted an in-depth study to find a house design solution that can cope with climate change. The “Tu Dai Dong Duong” house design could be a solution for Vietnamese people. It allows four generations of families to live under one roof while still having private blocks and utilizing environmentally friendly old materials. A house with this typology would be sustainable without abandoning Vietnamese culture. 

“Tu Dai Dong Duong” House by Lequang-Architects (cr: Hoang Le)