How to bring Euro-American country style into townhouses

Instead of copying temperate-climate prototypes, country-style townhouses in Vietnam should prioritize open spaces, moisture resistance, and optimized finishing materials.

I currently own a 70-square-meter plot of land and want to design a house in the Euro-American country style. However, I am concerned about its suitability for tropical climate conditions and the characteristics of Vietnamese urban houses, such as narrow plots, limited facades, high heat, and high humidity.

This style is often associated with spacious, airy areas and the extensive use of natural materials. Meanwhile, Vietnamese townhouses need to address issues like sun shading, ventilation, moisture proofing, and space optimization. I would like to receive expert advice on how to adapt this design style to suit Vietnamese homes.

Additionally, is the finishing cost for a house designed in the Euro-American country spirit higher than other modern styles? Which alternative materials can maintain aesthetics while optimizing the budget?

Thank you.

Reader: Hai Anh (Hanoi)

Expert advice:

Homeowners can use the Euro-American country style for urban houses in Vietnam, but should avoid copying prototypes from temperate zones. The design needs to be adjusted according to the climate, area, and shape of the land plot. The core of this style is to create a warm, relaxing feeling and a connection with nature, rather than using cluttered decorative landscapes.

The 183-square-meter villa in Ho Chi Minh City features tall glass doors, arched ceilings, exposed wooden beams, along with stone, wood, and woven rattan surfaces to create a Euro-American country feel. Photo: 139Design

Prioritize proportions and transitional spaces

The country style needs to be built on spatial proportions before handling the interior layers. Ceilings should be high enough, openings should be appropriately sized, views should not be fragmented, and there should be transitional layers such as porches, courtyards, gardens, or buffer zones. These elements help natural light, breeze, and greenery become part of the living space, rather than just playing a decorative role.

Characteristic details such as sloped roofs, arched ceilings, exposed beams, or thick walls need to be moderated in proportion to the house’s area. When the layout is cramped or ceilings are low, using too many details can easily make the space feel heavy, reducing the airy and relaxing atmosphere inherent to this style.

For narrow townhouses, homeowners can organize the space vertically or in depth, combining courtyards, atriums, and clear sightlines. Green spaces should be layered throughout rather than being concentrated entirely in the front or backyard. A miniature landscape in the middle of the house can act as a slice of nature, bringing light and plants deep inside.

The country style in the kitchen of a house in Hung Yen is expressed through olive green kitchen cabinets and details that create a nostalgic look. Photo: Thu Trang

Enhance climate adaptation solutions

Urban homes in Vietnam need to improve sun shading, cross ventilation, and heat radiation reduction. The building can utilize roof eaves, sun louvers, wide porches, or buffer zones in front of the main living spaces.

Large door openings are still suitable for the country style, but they need to be combined with canopies, curtains, appropriate glass systems, and opening directions calculated according to sun and wind. High humidity also affects wood, fabric, paint, and finishing surfaces. Homeowners need to apply waterproofing and moisture-proofing from the foundation, walls, and roof to the door areas.

Functionality needs to be organized more compactly than in traditional country houses. Floors should clearly divide common and private spaces while maintaining connectivity through atriums, inner courtyards, or large door openings. This layout helps the building stay airy while ensuring privacy.

A three-story villa in Lam Dong, with the living room and kitchen-dining area arranged on the same floor, combined with large glass doors and an atrium to increase light, airiness, and expand views. Photo: 139Design

Costs depend on the level of finishing

The country style typically requires an interior finishing budget about 10-20% higher than minimalist modern design for the same area, functionality, and equipment level. The difference can increase to 20-30% if the project uses a lot of wood, natural stone, handmade tiles, and details like ceiling beams, paneled doors, or arches.

Natural materials like wood, stone, and handmade tiles require high costs and meticulous craftsmanship. However, the building does not need to use entirely authentic materials to capture the country spirit. With this style, homeowners should prioritize real materials in areas frequently touched or in the main line of sight, such as handrails, table tops, doors, parts of ceiling beams, and accent stone walls.

For large wall sections or areas, homeowners can replace them with moisture-resistant industrial wood, veneer, wood-grain laminate, or stone-look porcelain tiles. This solution helps reduce costs, limits warping, and facilitates maintenance under hot and humid climate conditions. When choosing alternative materials, homeowners should also pay attention to the grain ratio, glossiness, and color to avoid a fake or mismatched feel.

Architect group: Vo Xuan Canh, Tran Minh Khanh, Nguyen Hoang Chuong (139Design)