H&P architects prototypes 'floating bamboo house' in vietnam

Jul 20, 2023

H&P Architects presents ‘Floating Bamboo House’, an architectural model for Vietnamese locals whose livelihoods are river-based, especially those in the Mekong Delta. Designed as a new type of three-compartment house, the prototype is made of solid cored bamboo (3-4.5 x 3 x 6 m) joined together with latches and ties. It is covered on the outside and partitioned on the inside with light materials — compressed weaved bamboo sheets, leaves, corrugated iron, bamboo screens, among others — and holds a large roof that collects rainwater and harnesses solar energy. The door systems open and close flexibly, adding sturdiness to the housing structure when adverse weather hits the village, while also creating an archetypical identity – ‘like flowers amidst floating waters’, shares the practice.

‘Floating Bamboo House’ by H&P Architects | all images © Le Minh Hoang

As its name suggests, the ‘Floating Bamboo House’ or ‘FB House’ can float on water thanks to its plastic drum systems tied to the floor beneath. At the center of it, freshwater storage and septic tanks supply the residents when needed. Structurally, the prototype's 6×6 m floor plan is envisioned as a modular system that can extend to increase its use area. ‘When the second-floor panels are removed, the house becomes much more spacious (functioning as a communal house, a classroom, or a library, etc.), a reminiscence of the Rông house, Đình pavilion — long-lasting typical places of Vietnamese people,’ explains the H&P Architects team.

‘FB House 2’, a second prototype variation in Hanoi

That said, in the future, the practice hopes to see many ‘FB Houses’ grow into a peaceful, floating agglomeration of various residential groupings connected by floating playing grounds, vegetable-growing rafts, fish-raising areas, and much more. ‘Vietnam is one of the hardest-hit countries in the world by climate change. As forecast, 47 percent of the Mekong Delta area and 13 percent of the Red River Delta area will be submerged by the sea level rise of 1 meter, directly affecting 20 to 30 million people. In this context, FB House is believed to provide a useful alternative for millions of poor households as soon as possible, create a stable and safe accommodation themselves, and adapt to the worst scenario of responding to climate change,’ concludes H&P.

designed as a new type of three-compartment house

The project in Vietnam includes two subsets of the ‘Floating Bamboo House’. The first one,‘FB House 1’, completed in June 2022, is being tested in Quoc Oai, Hanoi, and spans 36 sqm. The second variation, ‘FB House 2′, finalized in October 2022, is set in Phu Xuyen, Hanoi, and spans a total area of 48 sqm. ‘FB House 1’ includes one shared space and one door system; its porous façades turn the structure into a glowing lantern at night, when warm lights buzz to life. Meanwhile, ‘FB House 2’, takes on a more elongated shape, topped by a proper roofing structure and punctuated by a series of openings on each side.

‘FB House 2’ interiors featuring light materials

accommodating a two-floor system