Many owners of property in densely populated urban areas are familiar with the problem: a narrow property usually does not offer enough space to design a city villa with a garden. But a new project in Vietnam proves that with a little creativity the problem can be solved. The architects from TAA Design have created a kitchen garden on the roof of a single-family home. We will take you on a virtual tour and explain how to plant a roof terrace and what advantages it brings.
Plant a roof terrace: A small single-family home in Vietnam has a vegetable garden on the roof
The clients, a 50-year-old couple, commissioned the architects from TAA with the task of demolishing their old single-family home and building a modern building on the narrow plot of land. The terrain is located in a village. When the couple moved into their former home many years ago, the village was some distance from the nearby town. However, increasing development caused the border between town and villages to merge and a metropolis emerged. This left no free land for kitchen gardens, which were originally created at the end of the village. The builders who unite throughout their livesHad vegetable garden, but didn't want to give up on it.
The architects therefore came up with a clever and space-saving solution and designed the city villa so that the couple does not have to forego living space in favor of garden space. The U-shaped house has a courtyard where the builders can raise chicks, a small oneBackyard as a retreat, where a tree provides privacy and sun protection and a spacious terrace for outdoor relaxation. But the absolute highlight is the roof terrace. It consists of several levels, is tiled and has several raised beds where vegetables, herbs and other crops can be planted.
The garden is not only an outdoor oasis, but also extremely functional and practical. A staircase leads from the first floor to the roof terrace and allows quick access. The multiple levels create niches and corners in shade and partial shade. This means the residents can plant both sun- and shade-loving vegetables on the roof. The planted roof terrace offers another decisive advantage: it serves as additional natural insulation. On hot, sunny summer days, the temperatures in the house are several degrees lower compared to the neighboring houses.
City villa on a narrow plot: inner courtyard as a connecting element
The inner courtyard not only visually connects the rooms, but also allows plenty of sunlight into the living area. It is shielded from the street by a high wall and is partially covered. A balcony on the second floor casts a cooling shadow over the courtyard. At the same time, many openings allow for sufficient air exchange and thus create a pleasant indoor climate in the rooms, which open to the inner courtyard through large sliding glass doors.
The room layout is very practical: on the ground floor there is a living area with kitchen and dining area that looks out onto the inner courtyard. A guest room for the grandchildren and a bathroom complete the living program on the first floor. A stairwell leads to the second floor, where there is the grandparents' sleeping area, another bathroom and wood storage space. It is a sophisticated living concept with functional interior design.
View from the ground floor into the sleeping area on the second floor. The high ceiling makes the living area appear larger
The small inner courtyard is an oasis of peace
The kitchen garden provides privacy for the balcony on the second floor
Multiple levels maximize the usable space of the roof terrace
City villa on a narrow plot in a densely built-up area
Fresh herbs and vegetables
The planted roof terrace provides additional insulation
Roof terrace on several levels
Not only are there enough raised beds, but there is also plenty of space to set up flower pots
Numerous corners and niches offer sun and wind protection
Create a roof terrace with a kitchen garden – a practical solution for a city villa without a garden
Rooftop garden
The city villa – view from above
Single-family house with inner courtyard – floor plan
Single-family house with inner courtyard: side view
The room distribution: living area with kitchen and dining area, guest room and bathroom
On the second floor there is a bedroom, another bathroom and a dressing room
The residential area at a glance
From a village to a suburb of a big city
The house is on the main street
The city map at a glance
Project byTAA Design