The Stacking Green House designed by architect Vo Trong Nghia in Ho Chi Minh City has won over the jury of the World Architecture Festival held early this month in Singapore, with not only its creative structure but its aim of a greener planet.

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The house, which has won the highest prize for the House category at the festival, is a typical tube house constructed on a 4m wide and 20m deep plot. Located in District 2, the structure has been judged by the jury as “a holistic piece of architecture with great clarity of vision and strength and memorable iconography; and a simple yet elegant solution to a common problem in developing cities and offers an easily repeatable typology.” “It deals elegantly with issues of security, privacy, climate and light in a poetic yet economical way," the jury added.

One of the most impressive parts of the house is that the front and back facades are entirely composed of layers of concrete planters cantilevered from two side walls.

“The house’s owner can change some kinds of plants in the planters as well as grow some flowers to renew their house and change its look on special occasions,” the architect said.

Moreover, the green facade and roof top garden protect its inhabitants from direct sunlight, street noise and pollution, as well as providing natural ventilation through the facades and two sky-lights that allow this house to save big on energy in the harsh climate of Saigon, Nghia explained.“No one can charge you for using sunlight and wind,” Nghia expressed. “The point is how to use them to create light for the house as well as to make people feel cool, like they’re in a forest.”

Stacking Green’s creator also revealed his hope that this type of house will become popular and help make the city more green.

“Stacking Green is just one small house, but it is generated from the context of Saigon. We hope that “Stacking Green” makes Saigon become more distinguished and fascinating with much more tropical greenery in the future.”

Below are some photos featuring the house taken by photographer Oki Hiroyuki:

Stacking Green’s facade is covered with green plants.  

The owner can change the house’s look by changing the types of plants.

The house is designed to take advantage of natural sunlight and wind. 

Stacking Green at night.