The Terra Cotta Studio, located next to Thu Bon River in Dien Ban district of Quang Nam Province has a particular architectural structure. Noted for being the working space of renowned artist Le Duc Ha the studio is a beautiful art structure to engage in.  The Thu Bon River holds a strong influence on the life of the local residents as a majority of people are dependent on agriculture along with a variety of traditional craft villages such as terra cotta, mat or silk.

This project is a cube-shaped building with 7m x 7m x 7m of space. Surrounding the studio is a bamboo frame platform used for drying out terra cotta products. It is further designed with two big benches for resting, relaxing and having tea. This raised platform also serves as a fence to separate the studio from the area of the workshop.

The outermost layer of the studio is made of clay solid brick, which reminds people of Vietnam's traditional furnace. The studio also carries the characteristics of Champa culture as the area was part of Tra Kieu, the Champa Kingdom capital from 4th to 7th Century.  

The bricks were built interleaved creating holes that help the wind ventilating and air conditioning. This layer is not the wall preventing the outside environment from inside the studio, so the artist can feel the wind, the cool from the river and the sound of nature in the surrounding area. Meanwhile, it also creates a certain privacy for the artist.

The interior of the studio is the three-floor wood frame system creating 60-centimeter-square modules that integrate shelves for displaying artwork, a staircase leading upstairs, hallways and seating benches. The height of the frame is 7 meters. Follow the hallways, people can observe the workshop, river banks and the whole garden through windows.

The centre of the studio consists of two floors. On the ground floor, there is a turning table where the artist works. The artist and his works can interact with the sunlight, from sunrise to twilight. Here, people can find the conversation of the artist and his works; and himself and his shadow in the silence.

At the same time, people can see and feel the time passing in terra cotta artworks through the movement of the sunlight.

On the mezzanine, people can see many different spaces inside and outside the studio, as well as observe the artist working by the round void in the centre.  

Flooding was also a consideration when designing the building. By encouraging the artist to put both finished and unfinished works on the upper shelves, they should remain safe if the river bursts its banks and flows into the building.

The design team desires the studio would be a place containing, contemplating and spreading the emotion of the artist with his both finished and unfinished artworks. The project is a destination for people who love terra cotta to share and have an experience with the clay.

Tropical Space is also honoured to be the winner of Best Residential Architecture for the Termitary House at AZ Award 2016

Data sheet

• Location: Dien Phuong, Dien Ban, Quang Nam Province
• Architecture: Tropical Space Co., Ltd
• Architects: Nguyen Hai Long, Tran Thi Ngu Ngon, Nguyen Anh Duc, Trinh Thanh Tu
• Website: http://khonggiannhietdoi.com
• Year: 2016
• Construction: Local workers
• Site area: 49 m.sq
• Building area: 98 m.sq
• Level: 02 (1 ground floor, 1 mezzanine)
• Material: Clay solid brick, solid wood, concrete, bamboo
• Client: Le Duc Ha Terra Cotta - http://www.datnungcuaha.com/
• Photographs: Oki Hiroyuki
• Text: Le Thi Hanh Nguyen