Cover NAQI & Partners’ Nha Trang Pool Villa is an open, fluid space that effortlessly harmonises people with their surroundings.
NAQI & Partners’ Nha Trang Pool Villa is an open, fluid space that effortlessly harmonises people with their surroundings.
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Perched on a central Nha Trang slope, the Nha Trang Pool Villa by NAQI & Partners embraces the natural terrain, inviting sunlight, breeze, and greenery for a seamless connection with nature.
Deep in the centre of the city, the Nha Trang Pool Villa is designed to embrace nature at every turn. Owned by a local business couple, it serves as a tranquil retreat for their family of six—including their son, daughter, and two cousins. It is a natural extension of the garden they carefully tended during the pandemic, thoughtfully reimagined by NAQI & Partners to welcome light, fresh air, and greenery into every space, creating a harmonious environment that evolves with time.
The site originally housed a modest rental property with a sprawling garden, where the owners cultivated vegetables throughout the pandemic. With a gentle slope descending towards the rear, architect Nhut Nguyen and his team at NAQI & Partners took advantage of the terrain, crafting a design that enhances natural light and ventilation.
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Above The architectural design features soft, curved volumes that optimise space while drawing in cool breezes and natural light.
The architectural design features soft, curved volumes that optimise space while drawing in cool breezes and natural light.
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The brief called for a residence that fosters openness, allowing the family to connect with one another and their environment. The design integrates a living room that flows seamlessly into the kitchen, a poolside view for easy supervision of the children, four bedrooms, a communal area, a yoga space near the garden, and ample greenery, including a fish pond.
Above The living room and kitchen are distinguished by a subtle shift in elevation yet remain cohesive within the overall design.
The living room and kitchen are distinguished by a subtle shift in elevation yet remain cohesive within the overall design.
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According to the architects, soft, curved forms enhance spatial efficiency while ensuring a constant play of wind and light. A series of tree-lined steps extends from the front yard, leading into the pool villa through a natural, organic pathway. The interiors embrace an open-plan concept, with the living room and kitchen visually connected, overlooking the pool beneath a dramatic skylight where shimmering reflections link the home to the sky. Expansive glass doors flood the space with natural light, seamlessly dissolving the boundary between indoors and out.
The concept of “separate yet connected” defines the interior layout. The living and kitchen areas, though set at different levels, maintain a visual and spatial continuity. Floor-to-ceiling glass walls amplify the views, allowing sunlight, sea breezes, and moisture from surrounding greenery to permeate every corner. At the heart of the property, the pool mirrors the sky, creating a striking illusion of nature extending into the home.
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Above The living room and kitchen merge effortlessly, opening onto the pool beneath the skylight.
Above Capsule windows, inspired by the “Dynamic Island” concept, lend visual intrigue while maximising natural light and ventilation.
The living room and kitchen merge effortlessly, opening onto the pool beneath the skylight.
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From the outset, the homeowner was deeply involved in shaping Nha Trang Pool Villa, from the initial sketches to the finest finishing touches. It was never just about completing the house, but more appreciating the journey of its gradual evolution, a natural progression rather than a fixed outcome.
“The homeowner was engaged in every stage, from concept to completion, much like witnessing the growth of a child—deriving more joy from the process than the final result,” shares architect Nhut Nguyen, co-founder of NAQI & Partners. “The house continues to evolve every day through the flourishing greenery, an essential element of the design. Even now, the homeowner nurtures this transformation.”
With this philosophy, Nha Trang Pool Villa is not a static creation. The shifting light throughout the day, the gradual growth of the trees, and even the marks left by daily life all become integral to the architecture. More than simply meeting the owner’s needs at a particular moment, the home is designed to adapt and grow in harmony with the passage of time.
Above Not only the kitchen but other areas of the villa open onto lush greenery.
Not only the kitchen but other areas of the villa open onto lush greenery.
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A defining feature of Nha Trang Pool Villa is its expansive three-metre-wide canopy, considerably larger than the standard 1.2 to 1.5 metres. This generous overhang not only offers effective sun protection but also forms a verdant balcony, helping to reduce heat while enhancing the home’s connection to nature. NAQI & Partners employed a subtly sloped triangular beam structure, balancing durability with striking visual appeal.
Above A key feature of Nha Trang Pool Villa’s design is its three-metre-wide canopy.
Above View from the rear of Nha Trang Pool Villa.
A key feature of Nha Trang Pool Villa’s design is its three-metre-wide canopy.
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Another striking element is the series of capsule-shaped roof openings, inspired by Apple’s “Dynamic Island” concept, a design detail particularly favoured by the homeowner. These sculptural apertures not only create a distinctive visual rhythm but also optimise natural light and ventilation.
Above Wood, stone, raw brick and glass are masterfully combined to create a space that feels both warm and airy.
Wood, stone, raw brick and glass are masterfully combined to create a space that feels both warm and airy.
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Rather than showcasing opulent materials, Nha Trang Pool Villa embraces simplicity, celebrating the raw beauty of natural elements. Wood, stone, raw brick and glass are carefully balanced, crafting a space that feels warm yet effortlessly light. Lush green buffers help regulate the microclimate, keeping the interiors refreshingly cool, even in the height of summer.
Unlike most contemporary homes, which remain unchanged after completion, Nha Trang Pool Villa continues to evolve with its owners. Trees grow, pool water reflects shifting hues of sunlight, and each passing moment is woven into the ever-changing rhythm of the space.
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