Thao Ho Home Furnishings by MW archstudio

Located in Tan Binh District in Ho Chi Minh City, Thao Ho Home Furnishings is a showroom designed by the local practice MW archstudio. The building is situated close to a densely populated area, in a noisy environment replete with pollution from motor vehicle emissions – a typical environment existing in urban areas of Vietnam. Through research and careful consideration, the architects clarified the relevant meaning of a “green building” concept, that actualises the responsibility to protect the environment through architecture. As a result, the showroom design features a number of environmental initiatives.

The building does not use artificial lighting, but rather takes advantage of natural sunlight as the main lighting source during the day. Although the showroom is naturally ventilated, it manages to minimise the noise and the dust from surrounding atmosphere, thanks to the shutter system installed in the gables, and the sliding roof in the atriums. Some spaces utilise ceiling fans (which consume very little power) in order to provide additional support for the airflow when there is no natural air movement.

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The showroom is designed with flexible usage in mind. Hence, the space could be used for many different functions in the future – cafe, restaurant, bar, exhibition space, and even housing. The building is crafted from recycled materials generated from industrial waste such as the cladding systems, offering high durability. The steel frame structure combined with previously mentioned materials offer simple assembling details, thus reducing construction time and increasing affordability.

Several indoor trees act as a filter for air pollution, supporting a positive impact on the health of the building users. One could argue about the effectiveness of a handful of trees on such a highly polluted city, alas the important thing to takeaway here is that MW archstudio are championing sustainable practice in a country that is yet to largely wake up to sustainability. And for this they ought to be commended.

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