Architecture has experienced a major shift towards green building in recent years with property designers taking more time to consider the environmental impacts of structures. This has helped promote the use of sustainable materials and systems to generate clean energy. The move has had a huge impact on both residential and commercial architecture.

In Hanoi, a local landscape architecture firm took it one step further by hiring architects Studio 102 to design a new multipurpose space complete with offices and showrooms. They had purchased a half finished semi-detached house in the Trung Hoa Nhan Chinh borough with the view to transform it into their new premises. They wanted it to have an open plan layout, include a multitude of greenery, and merge internal and external spaces.

During the project several brick partitions were removed from the property to improve sightlines and provide the right environment for the renovation. This makes the whole structure look a lot more open and ensures the interior is flooded with natural light.

The most unique aspect of the structure is that the plants have become an integral part of the fabric of the property. They are planted throughout, including in a garden, around a deck on the first floor, on roof terraces and in a number of places on the facade and walls. The plants add to the aesthetics and also help to transform the building into a more pleasant workspace.

This literal form of green architecture, also known as plant architecture, is popular in Southeast Asia and properties change all the time as the plants grow and alter in appearance. This design is another beautiful addition to the movement and shows how unfinished and unused properties can be transformed into something incredible. At Coffey Architects we love eco-friendly buildings and are intrigued to see how these designers have beautifully brought together nature and the built environment.