Lemon Cottage

Hue City, Vietnam

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Lemon Cottage

Hue City, Vietnam

Firm

cac.architects

Type

Residential › Private House

STATUS

Built

YEAR

2025

SIZE

0 sqft - 1000 sqft

BUDGET

$100K - 500K

An Iconic Homestay Exemplifying Sustainable Architecture and Hue’s Cultural Identity

Located on the outskirts of Hue, Vietnam, Lemon Cottage is a homestay project that harmoniously integrates with the region’s tranquil landscape and authentic local lifestyle. Positioned alongside a small canal branching from the Perfume River, the design offers a serene retreat, distinct from the bustling tourist hubs of Kim Long or Vy Da. This project leverages the site’s inherent cultural and contextual assets, transforming seemingly rustic and disparate elements into a cohesive and functional architectural narrative.

Design Process and Preservation of Traditional Values

The design of Lemon Cottage prioritizes the preservation and creative reinterpretation of traditional elements—drawing from vernacular houses, vintage artifacts, and the surrounding landscape—to craft diverse experiential spaces. Each guest room possesses a unique character, enhanced by gardens or balconies framed under red-tiled roofs, an evocative nod to the intimate and warm aesthetic of Hue’s architectural heritage. This approach not only honors the region’s built legacy but also fosters a profound emotional connection between the structure and its inhabitants.

Material Selection and Sustainability

The material palette of Lemon Cottage reflects a sustainable ethos deeply rooted in the local context:
- Polished cement floors treated with oil: A simple yet effective solution, balancing aesthetics with environmental sensitivity.
- Reclaimed antique wooden doors and vintage objects: These reduce ecological impact while embedding the project with historical narratives of the region.
- Repurposed railway sleeper timber and second-hand furnishings: A creative recycling effort that adds cultural depth and individuality to the interiors.
- “Gan ga” stone fences: A signature feature of Hue’s architecture, handcrafted by local artisans, reinforcing the bond between the building and its landscape.

This thoughtful selection minimizes the project’s ecological footprint while serving as a medium to convey the area’s historical and cultural significance.

Architectural Ethos and Spatial Experience

Lemon Cottage embodies the unpretentious, natural, and rustic spirit of rural Hue. The project underscores the value of preserving and regenerating traditional principles through meticulous design and meaningful material choices. Despite its modest scale, it delivers a culturally rich environment where architects and visitors alike혊can experience tranquility and engage deeply with the local identity through every detail of the structure.

Lemon Cottage transcends its function as a homestay to stand as a testament to sustainable, creative, and pragmatic architectural practice. It celebrates Hue’s unique identity by seamlessly blending modern design with traditional values, resulting in a space that is both functional and culturally resonant. For architects, this project serves as a compelling case study in how architecture can transcend its physical form to become a living narrative of history, humanity, and the environment.