Adaptive Transitional Space, Case Study of Row House in Saigon Ho Chi Minh City

Transitional space plays an indispensable role in traditional architecture in many Asian countries such as Viet Nam, Japan, and China. Depending on different positions, either at front, back or in the central of the house, transitional spaces are to fulfill unique values such as climate controlling, multi-purpose functions including family gathering, fengshui solution/manipulation, business support space, preserved space for further development, and so on bringing environmental, social, economic and spiritual values. However, row house design and construction today in Saigon Ho Chi Minh City either those spaces due to limited used area. Some others struggle to sufficiently maximize those values/roles. The research reviewed and redefined distinctive roles and values of transitional spaces in row houses in Saigon HCMC; then, using modeling experiment methods to propose detailed design of transitional spaces for typical row houses to enhance those values. As row houses and/or private houses acquired more than 60% of the built fabric in Saigon HCMC, the wider application of those spaces consequently resulted in better impacts upon the city’s natural environment.