cloud-shaped openings pierce urban co-living unit in vietnam

Cloud House Reimagines Urban Co-Living in Ho Chi Minh City

Cloud House is a boutique co-living structure by ROOM+ Design & Build situated within a dense urban context in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. Developed on a 70-square-meter site located in a 4-meter-wide alley, the building is surrounded by townhouses differing in height and scale. The design responds to rising urban housing costs by combining spatial efficiency with improved living quality, specifically targeting average-income singles and couples.

The project is structured around three primary design strategies: loft-style private suites, multifunctional communal spaces, and the integration of natural elements within the built environment. The building accommodates six loft-style suites and two standard studios. Each loft unit includes a raised platform positioned above the entry and bathroom areas, optimizing the 3.5-meter floor-to-ceiling height to enhance usable space. Neutral materials and color palettes are applied throughout, alongside multifunctional furniture integrated with structural components such as wooden staircases and lightweight mezzanines built from steel frames and cement boards.

all images by Sonmeo Nguyen Art Studio

ROOM+ Design & Build composes an interplay of solids and voids

The design team at ROOM+ Design & Build arranges communal areas to support both functionality and spatial efficiency. Cloud House’s ground floor and a central courtyard are designated for bicycle and motorbike parking. A spiral staircase positioned at the building’s core serves as a primary circulation route and supports informal interaction among residents. Shared amenities include a mezzanine-level seating area and a rooftop terrace.

To enhance environmental performance, the design incorporates a variety of circular and cloud-shaped openings across the facades and roof. These openings support natural ventilation, daylight access, and passive privacy control. The contrast between solid surfaces and voids, as well as the resulting patterns of light and shadow, contributes to a dynamic spatial experience. The geometry and fenestration approach aims to introduce moments of visual and atmospheric variation, providing a contrast to the surrounding high-density urban fabric.

Cloud House is a compact co-living structure in the heart of Ho Chi Minh City

the building occupies a narrow 70-square-meter site in a 4-meter-wide alley

surrounding townhouses vary in height and scale, framing the site’s dense context

the design combines affordability with spatial quality for young urban residents