International style and architecture are all about bringing together the best of different cultures, traditions and regional flavors where one combines with the other seamlessly. And while modern and contemporary styles often seem to have little room for local flair, this particular home in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam takes a completely different approach to design, as it places local design principles and the specific needs of the homeowner way ahead of the accepted modern style. The SaiGon House designed by a21studĩo aims to capture the spirit of the region while trying to cherish the past and pass it on to the next generation.

This ingenious home not only makes wonderful use of space, but is filled with antiques, locally sourced artwork, and sculptures, and its design is based on the classic vertical houses that are filled with private balconies, indoor gardens and relaxing courtyards. A multi-generational hub with a difference, this house features various rooms stacked on top of one another like blocks, with a central light tube bringing in ample ventilation and providing the space for a thriving green hub. A steel mesh is used to create a green feature of sorts indoors, even as the sweeping social zones aim to bring together the entire family.

The idea behind SaiGon House is not just to shun design stereotypes but to also preserve the charm of native architecture. And this is being carried to the kids throughout the stories, activities in the house that encourage them to know their house to cherish it even more.