TERMITARY HOUSE BY TROPICAL SPACE

A brick home in Vietnam that is inspired by local termite nests

The Termitary House is the renovation of a two-storey home located in the coastal town of Da Nang, Vietnam. Influenced by local red brick towers which date back to the 4th century, the architects at Vietnamese firm Tropical Space encased the original cement structure in a web of latticed brickwork.

A local material, baked brick was logical choice for the home’s exterior. Da Nang is known for its extreme climate, which varies from sweltering sunshine to torrential rains and tropical storms, and the open brickwork responds to such changes. It keeps the house cool, absorbs humidity and encourages the circulation of air, while a layer of glazing protects the home from wind and rain. The glazing acts as a second skin, also leaving space for a small gravel courtyard behind the exterior walls.

Light seeps through the latticed bricks, illuminating the interior with different shades yellow and red. Glimpses of sky are visible through the openings, and between the light is a play of shadows that adds depth.