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Architecture and Design

People Connection, A Lighting Ethos To Accentuate The Built Environments 

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A Consumer-centred Approach to Retail Lighting

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Bringing New Light to Olderfleet on Collins

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Universal Light #6

### Bringing the Local Essence into the Build

One of the most important elements when it comes to holiday homes is location. As a country with rich culture and history, each region of Vietnam has their own ways of expressing and representing the local culture and climate. When considering the site of their holiday home, many homeowners consider the culture surrounding them and how these essences can be incorporated into their estate. Architects work closely with clients to understand homeowners' visions to create a sense of authenticity and cultural connection while also optimising the use of local resources. 

One of the primary approaches to injecting culture into the building is through employing the architectural materials signature of the region. In northern Vietnam, for example, laterite stands as a traditional construction material with a rich heritage and historical significance. Its signature red colour and rough texture lend a rustic charm to the build. With the ability to be carved and sculpted into specific shapes, laterite has been a critical part of Vietnamese architecture, including the construction of historical structures, such as the Son Tay Old Fortress, which was originally built in 1822. 


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When working on Mian Cottage House, a project in Ba Vi, a region north of Vietnam, Idee Architects brought the architectural essence of Ba Vi into the house with a laterite wall accenting the interior design. The material not only brings a sense of peace and vintage aesthetics to the design but also offers practical benefits. Additionally, Ba Vi is a rural region far away from the city, so the construction process needed to be simplified, which means taking advantage of the local materials, such as laterite. To properly celebrate the material, the chosen lighting fixture is required to imitate the brick shape and maintain a visual coherence with the colour and texture of the laterite. At night the lighting casts gentle grazing light along the surface, revealing the texture and depth of the material.

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Similarly, in central Vietnam, yellow granite stone takes centre stage as the local material of choice. This famous material is celebrated for its unique colour and practical function. Its durability and adaptability make it suitable for interior and exterior spaces, withstanding the extreme heat of the central region. 

Located on the West of Dam Thuy Trieu, Cam Ranh – the South Central of Vietnam, Cam Hai House has a view from the top of a rock hill sloping down that opens up to a vivid landscape picture and the imposing earth and sky. Wrapping around the estate, the thick granite stone walls harmonise the surrounding landscape while also providing insulation to the building. Since the material makes up much of the design, the lighting was also aimed at enhancing the material. By employing warm-toned fixtures at 3000K, the natural hues, patterns and variations of the stone can be accentuated.


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### Holiday Homes and the Importance of "the View"

In Vietnam, when one builds a holiday home, they often look for a location and a region with a sweeping outlook of nature, whether that be Nha Trang, with beautiful beaches or Da Lat, a beautiful city surrounded by hills, pine forests, lakes and waterfalls. At the same time, homeowners look for an architectural layout that could not only preserve but celebrate the view in natural lighting conditions. 

For many of Idee's projects, to strategically frame the surrounding natural beauty, the house's architecture maximises the use of expansive windows and glass walls, seamlessly merging indoor and outdoor spaces. In many ways, glass is the signature architectural material of modern civilisation. By nature, glass is multifunctional as it offers applications as a wall that is windproof and rainproof while acting as a medium that delivers lighting to the interior. Simultaneously, it's a visual link that connects the interior to the invaluable views of the landscape. The strategic placement of these openings imbues the space with natural light. It allows for breathtaking vistas and a constant connection to nature, blurring the boundaries between the built environment and the landscape.

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On the one hand, by maximising the use of glass windows, architects can reduce the reliance on artificial lighting, minimising energy consumption and its environmental impact. This alignment with sustainability promotes eco-friendly practices and ensures a harmonious relationship between the built environment and the natural world. On the other hand, abundant sunlight might mean living inconveniences like overheating and glare, making parts of the home inhabitable at certain times of the day. When facing these issues, there are certain methods that Idee use to go around and limit the negative effects. First, as a crucial part of architectural planning, the light cycle must be meticulously calculated to create optimal lighting conditions. Based on this calculation, there are the decisions regarding the planimetric distribution of spaces, the size and placement of windows, and the overall shape of the building. There are also considerations of other sources to funnel in natural light, such as side lighting and skylights, that can better the illuminance distribution and the spectrum of light within the space. Moreover, interior design choices, including wall colours, furniture placement, and surface materials, can further influence the area's lighting experience.

The S-Hill Villa Tuan Chau is an exemplary project that showcases the integration of glass openings and natural light sources in vacation home design. This project offers a 360-degree view for occupants, requiring careful consideration of natural light distribution and mitigating any negative impacts. Large windows, skylights, and glass doors are utilised to maximise the entry of natural light. To optimise the benefits of natural lighting, interior design elements, such as neutral colour decorations and light-coloured blinds, are carefully considered. The carved stone walls cleverly establish a captivating connection between light and shadow, utilising a variety of voids with distinct shapes and sizes to create engaging and dynamic spaces. By casting shadows on walls, floors, and other surfaces, the architecture gains a heightened sense of depth, adding layers and dimensionality to the space.

At the end of the day, however, a holiday home is all about embracing and enjoying the breathtaking views. Therefore, while ensuring that the interior is flooded with ample natural light is desirable in some cases, it becomes crucial to maintain the integrity of the natural outlook and panoramic view.

The architecture and design of vacation homes in Vietnam are continuously evolving, reflecting the development of the country's design industry. By embracing the possibilities offered by natural and artificial lighting, architects and designers are shaping spaces that promote relaxation, enjoyment and a deep connection with nature. In holiday home projects, Idee Architects prioritises sustainability as a fundamental principle. To minimise the environmental impact of construction, the firm employs lightweight materials like glass and steel, along with local building materials, which reduce the need for extensive transportation to the site. Emphasising the importance of preserving nature, Idee Architects integrates environmentally-conscious practices throughout the entire building and design process, aiming to minimise harmful disruptions to the natural surroundings. This approach enables people to enjoy and connect with scenic beauty without compromising its integrity.

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