Nu Village (Lang Nu), Vietnam
The new Nu Village resettlement area is situated on the “Sim” (myrtle) hills, 2km from the original one. Spanning 10 hectares, the new settlement comprises 40 stilt houses, a community hall, and a combined kindergarten-primary school branch.
The master plan respects the natural topography, with minimal grading. Valuable vegetation is zoned for protection, specifically preserving existing myrtle hills and positioning green zones outside excavation boundaries.
Revitalization of Nu Village by 1+1>2 International Architecture Construction, won an 2026 International Architecture Award from The Chicago Athenaeum: Museum of Architecture and Design.
The overall layout establishes the cultural house, community courtyard, and school as the central nucleus. Residential zones are distributed into small clusters, reflecting traditional Tay settlement patterns.
Circulation routes adapt to the terrain; traffic terminals form small courtyards serving as communal scenic viewpoints. Houses are arranged at varying elevations, creating natural diversity while optimizing grading and minimizing contextual impact.
Residential units and the community hall adopt the indigenous Tay stilt house typology. Employing an adaptive, cost-effective “tree root” foundation, the design utilizes prefabricated beams, columns, floors, and ALC wall panels.
This pre-engineered approach facilitates rapid construction while ensuring quality and aesthetics.
Living spaces consist of a main house and auxiliary block (kitchen, restroom) connected by front and rear gardens, totaling 850-1000m2. The architecture inherits traditional Tay features: expansive overhanging roofs, a three-bay layout (odd numbers), and surrounding corridors.
Main staircases are positioned on both sides, adhering to spiritual beliefs. Interiors feature four circular main columns and square perimeter columns.
The steel truss system simulates traditional timber framing. Heat-insulated corrugated metal roofs are 3D-stamped to evoke traditional tiles. Beam ends and column shoulders exploit timber joinery characteristics, creating prefabricated components that subtly inherit the ancestral wooden stilt vernacular.
Structural elements are finished in wood-brown paint. The overall spatial quality and materiality evoke a cozy, friendly atmosphere.
The community house features small side stairs and a grand central staircase serving as event seating. The ground floor houses auxiliary functions: kitchen, restrooms, and storage. The second floor serves as a multi-purpose space and stage.
The roof is raised to capture natural light and ventilation, with steel trusses incorporating decorative Tay patterns.
The school includes two primary and two kindergarten classrooms with en-suite restrooms and teacher housing, arranging separate, age-appropriate playgrounds. Colorful classrooms feature undulating window systems to engage children.
Roof monitors ensure natural ventilation and lighting. The school and community house orbit a shared courtyard, fostering a warm and dynamic environment.
Projects: Revitalization of Nu Village
Architects: 1+1>2 International Architecture Construction .jsc
Lead Architects: Hoang Thuc Hao, Nguyen Xuan Ngoc
Design Team: Vu Xuan Son, Do Minh Duc, Do Duc Thang, Nguyen Duy Thanh, Le Dinh Hung, Hoang Linh, Truong Ngoc Lan, Tran Hong Nam, Nguyen Nam Duong, and Le Cong Tiem
General Contractor: Corps 12–Truong Son Construction Corporation (Ministry of National Defense, Vietnam)
Client: Lao Cai Provincial People’s Committee
Photographers: Trieu Chien
