Living Under a Common Roof. Adaptive Tube Houses for Social Housing

Vietnam's shift to a market economy under Doi Moi (1986) fueled rapid urbanization. The exponential growth of urban centers, along with their growing populations, has resulted in depleted land resources and rising property prices, making decent, affordable housing nearly impossible for low-income earners. In recent years, the government has made efforts to expand social housing, with moderate success. Social units, mostly located in high-rise complexes, often remain vacant due to persistent financial inaccessibility and the fact that the typology does not align with the Vietnamese lifestyle.

Vietnam’s urbanization has led to unaffordable housing, making it crucial to use overlooked urban spaces. The Phu My Bridge in HCMC spans 750 meters and offers significant unused space beneath it, serving as a resource for an adaptable housing concept. Tube houses, the most common urban typology in Vietnam, are characterized by narrow widths, great lengths, and a sequence of courtyards. However, as they evolved, vital outdoor spaces for climate control and community interaction have diminished due to increasing housing space. The proposed design restores these qualities, providing affordable housing, public spaces, and local amenities near industrial zones. The low-rise, high-density concept integrates transition zones that blend indoor, outdoor, private, and shared spaces, reflecting Vietnamese cultural values. Each unit consists of two tube houses connected by an “inbetweener” space, serving as vertical circulation and communal hub. The ground floor hosts playgrounds, shops, childcare and flexible spaces. A shared roof terrace unites all houses, featuring sports facilities, green areas and urban gardens. The tube house is divided into three zones: shared spaces at the front, elevated private sleeping areas at the rear, and an intermediate buffer with split levels for circulation and visual connections. The bridge’s sheltering effect protects materials while enhancing resilience to extreme heat and rain. Locally sourced clay and steel minimize transport distances. A serving wall, double facade, chimney effect and greenery support cross-ventilation and natural cooling. The adaptable design prioritizes communal over private spaces, allowing flexible living arrangements based on financial and spatial needs. The project remains an evolving process, shaped by its residents.