Calm Haven House

Two doctors preparing for their first child wanted a home where they could recover from the demands of their work in Can Tho, Vietnam. ADA Design & Build completed Calm Haven House in 2025, arranging shared spaces around an internal courtyard and a skylit staircase. Recessed balconies and greenery screen the street-facing rooms while allowing large openings towards the sky.

The ground floor runs from the garage through the living area and courtyard to the kitchen and dining space at the rear. Changes in floor level and ceiling height mark the different uses without enclosing them with partitions. A tree rises beside the stair, making the courtyard visible from both the ground-floor rooms and the landings above.

The raised kitchen and dining area recalls the rear kitchens and verandas of rural Vietnamese houses. Red floor tiles and a lower slatted ceiling distinguish it from the pale surfaces around the courtyard. Large openings face the rear garden, where foliage filters the sunlight. A separate, ventilated cooking area in the backyard accommodates dishes with stronger aromas.

White stairs climb along a tall pale brick wall beneath the rooflight. Slender metal balustrades with timber handrails preserve views across the void, while green tiles line parts of the stairwell and appear again on the balconies. Timber cabinetry runs through the living room and kitchen, with exposed concrete visible in the quiet room behind a perforated screen.

The main bedroom opens onto a recessed balcony, with greenery between the glazing and the street. Built-in wardrobes and timber flooring define the sleeping area. Elsewhere upstairs, a study provides a separate place to work, and a concealed passage leads to a room for quiet reflection. The roof terrace gives the family outdoor space for tending greenery and sitting in the evening.