Compiled by
Team IAnD
Photography:
Courtesy V2com
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Van Duong Phu, a
masterpiece of architecture, built by Mr. Vuong Hong Sen, a culturist, an
academician, and a famous collector of antiques has been revived as a cultural
potboiler – a familial showcase of Vietnam’s close-knit mixed-family homes…
In Saigon’s Ho Chi
Minh City, there is a story about Mr. Vuong Hong Sen’s deep knowledge of
southern Vietnam and his many books about the region. When he died, he wished
to preserve his cultural bearings - a wish that has been realized by the new
owner of the place, who, inspired by the Van Duong Phu story, cherishes the
home as a nurturing pad.
Child-centric, the
home is characterized by sloping roofs, courtyards and flowering balconies, dotted
with alleys that are filled with blocks in various colours and materials – a place
for communication but also a playground for kids; chaotic but rooted in the local
cultural overtures!
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An interesting
juxtaposition of privacy and togetherness prevails as the vertical circulation
has several small spaces, intimately suited to one’s privacy; yet encouraging
familial mingling at the drop of a hat. The alleys act as social spaces, promoting
interaction.
Adding distinct charm
to the home is the collection of furniture that comes largely from several demolished
houses in Saigon. Besides their innate beauty, the old things come with their
own stories and reasons for reappearance, weaving warm memories for the new
generations.
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The architect and
owner laments the disuse of any such home that has lived a rich past and is now
in disarray. By reviving the ethos of the lost era, he not only makes for a
strong case of local pride for the next generation, but holds a mirror to simple
yesteryear practices that fostered familial bonding.
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