Vườn Ao Chuồng Library by Farming Architects

Hanoi, Vietnam

Photo courtesy Farming Architects

Architects & Firms

In Vietnam, you don’t need to travel to the countryside to experience the nation’s agrarian roots. In the dense capital of Hanoi, the self-sufficient Vườn-Ao-Chuồng (VAC) farming system, which incorporates hydroponics, aquaponics, and animal husbandry, is still an integral part of many households. To create a flexible prototype that could be implemented in various urban settings, local firm Farming Architects has devised a modular wood-lattice frame with an adjacent pond. Home to roosters, koi, plants, and even books, the model also provides a place for children to learn and play.

Photo courtesy Farming Architects

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Alex was an associate editor at Architectural Record. Prior to joining the magazine, she worked in marketing and communications for New York–based architecture firms. Her writing has appeared in the Architect’s Newspaper and CityLab. Alex holds a master’s degree in design criticism from the School of Visual Arts and a bachelor’s degree from Cornell University.