As housing prices in Vietnam’s major cities soar, young professionals and couples find themselves squeezed into cramped, poorly designed rentals with little comfort or character. Addressing this challenge, ROOM+ Design & Build has crafted Cloud House, a boutique co-living space in Ho Chi Minh City that redefines urban living through innovative loft-style suites, multifunctional shared spaces, and a poetic connection to nature.
Nestled in a narrow 4-meter-wide alley, the 70-square-meter site is a masterclass in small-space optimization. The architects arranged six loft-style suites and two standard studios within the compact footprint, utilizing the 3.5-meter ceiling height to create spacious yet cozy interiors.
Cleverly positioned above entryways and bathrooms, the minimal loft spaces maximize vertical living, while multi-functional furniture—such as integrated seating, storage, and staircases—ensures every inch serves a purpose. A neutral material palette of wood, steel, and cement boards adds warmth and simplicity, reinforcing the project’s contemporary loft aesthetic.
Beyond private units, Cloud House fosters community through thoughtful semi-public spaces. A spiral staircase anchors the building, doubling as both a dynamic circulation route and an informal social hub. The ground floor accommodates bike parking, while a mezzanine lounge and rooftop terrace offer residents spaces to unwind and connect. These shared areas cultivate a sense of belonging—a rarity in dense urban environments where isolation often prevails.
The design’s most striking feature is its playful yet purposeful facade. Circular and cloud-shaped openings punctuate the front and rear elevations, framing glimpses of the sky while ensuring privacy and natural ventilation. Inside, these apertures cast ever-shifting patterns of light and shadow, evoking the ethereal quality of drifting clouds. The rooftop skylight further enhances this connection to nature, bathing interiors in sunlight and reinforcing the project’s dreamlike, imaginative appeal.
In a city where affordable housing often sacrifices quality, Cloud House proves that smart design can elevate even the most constrained spaces. By blending loft-inspired living, communal flexibility, and organic inspiration, ROOM+ Design & Build delivers a sustainable, socially conscious solution for urban dwellers—one that feels both modern and magical.