Nam Dam Homestay And Community House / 1+1>2 Architects

Architects: 1+1>2 Architects
Area: 300 m²
Year: 2015
Photographs: Vu Xuan Son
District: Quan Ba
Country: Vietnam

Nam Dam Homestay and Community House, designed by 1+1>2 Architects, is located in Nam Dam Village, Ha Giang, a remote community rich in cultural heritage but challenged by isolation and poor infrastructure. With limited agriculture and pollution from closely built homes and barns, the villagers, supported by architects and the Swiss NGO Caritas, relocated to the foot of the mountain to improve living conditions and promote tourism. The Swallow Community House and Homestay, the village’s new centerpiece, serves as a community space and tourist hub, featuring five bedrooms and a distinctive beveled roof inspired by the swallow’s wing for natural lighting. Built with rammed earth, timber, and stone foundations, the structure integrates traditional and modern techniques to enhance stability and insulation while preserving local identity and supporting sustainable development.

Nam dam homestay and community house / 1+1>2 architects

Nam Dam (Nậm Đăm) is a minority village in Quan Ba District, Ha Giang, Vietnam’s northernmost province. Situated atop a mountain and surrounded by pristine forests and picturesque terraced fields, the area is recognized for its rich cultural heritage, including traditional costumes, festivals, brocade weaving, cuisine, herbal baths, and rammed earth architecture. However, geographic isolation, limited infrastructure, and a lack of connectivity with other regions have led to low living standards and limited educational access for children.

The village relies on a single annual harvest due to limited agricultural land and harsh weather conditions. The close proximity of houses and cattle barns has contributed to environmental pollution and the spread of diseases. To address these challenges, the community decided to relocate to the foot of the mountain with support from architects and the Swiss NGO Caritas. This relocation has provided an opportunity to enhance living conditions, promote tourism, and preserve the region’s cultural identity.

The Swallow Community House and Homestay serves as the village’s iconic building, embodying innovation while preserving local identity. This two-story structure functions as a space for meetings, local and tourist activities, and includes a small museum and five bedrooms. Its design features verandas, open voids, and a beveled folding roof inspired by a swallow’s wing, a bird considered a symbol of luck, allowing natural light to fill the interior.

The construction methods combine traditional and modern techniques, utilizing local materials such as rammed earth walls and a timber structure. The foundation is built from locally sourced natural stone. The first floor features 80cm-thick rammed earth walls, directly compacted onto the stone foundation, which helps prevent erosion, resist wear, and regulate indoor temperatures, keeping the space warm in winter and cool in summer. To enhance durability, the interior wall surfaces are coated with a mixture of earth and additives, improving strength, preventing cracks, and maintaining cleanliness.

The second floor features a structural frame combining timber floor panels with reinforced concrete beams and columns. The walls, panels, and truss systems are constructed from natural wood, ensuring an environmentally friendly design. The roof structure, developed using traditional timber construction techniques, is reinforced with steel joints to maximize the span, resulting in a distinctive and innovative roof form.

This model has stimulated the village’s economy, preserved cultural heritage, and is expected to strengthen community bonds while adapting to future regional development.