a ring of rooms set into a vietnam lake
Lotus Clubhouse by MIA Design Studio sits within Eco Retreat Long An in Vietnam, arranged as a low, dispersed structure that follows the contours of a lakeside landscape. From above, its plan reads as a cluster of circular forms with landscaped rooftops, set within water, and connected by curved paths that trace a slow perimeter around the site.
The project spreads across roughly 2,000 square meters, with individual volumes positioned at varied heights and distances. This arrangement breaks the program into smaller parts, allowing each function to engage directly with its surroundings. Restaurant spaces open toward the lake, while quieter rooms draw closer to planted edges and shaded areas, creating a sequence that shifts between exposure and enclosure.
images © Hiroyuki Oki
bridges and footpaths guide movement
Movement through the Lotus Clubhouse in Vietnam feels guided by terrain rather than corridors. The architects at MIA Design Studio lays out a network of footpaths which slip between planted roofs and shallow pools, with bridges and edges framing changing views across the water. The route remains legible yet open, allowing visitors to choose slower or more direct paths depending on how they move through the site.
Water plays an active role in this sequence. Reflective surfaces extend the perceived footprint of the architecture, softening transitions between built and natural elements. From a distance, the clubhouse appears to sit lightly within the lake, its outline broken into fragments that blend with vegetation and shoreline.
the cluster of circular volumes is set within a lakeside landscape in Vietnam
Circular rooftops carry energy and plantings
The most defining element is the system of layered green roofs, organized as circular plates that rise and fall gently across the site. Each roof is planted with native species, forming a continuous surface that operates as both insulation and habitat. Solar panels are integrated within select discs, adding a technical layer without disrupting the overall composition.
These roofs regulate heat gain while supporting a microclimate that benefits both users and surrounding ecology. Rainwater is filtered through planted layers before returning to the lake, and the vegetation contributes to cooling through evapotranspiration. The geometry remains consistent, yet each roof responds slightly differently to orientation and program beneath.
curved pathways and bridges guide movement between rooms and across water
sculptural columns expand to become ceilings
Inside, the architecture relies on a series of large, tapered columns that rise into broad, curved ceilings. These elements distribute loads while shaping the interior space, creating wide spans that remain open toward the landscape. Glass enclosures sit lightly between structure and exterior, maintaining visual continuity across thresholds.
Material choices remain restrained. Stone flooring, muted timber finishes, and soft furnishings keep attention on proportion, light, and view. The interior reads as an extension of the exterior terrain, with seating areas arranged to face outward and align with the rhythm of the columns.
each program is separated into smaller pavilions
Light filtered through overhangs and greenery
Daylight enters through the gaps between roof plates and through full-height glazing, producing a consistent, diffuse brightness. Overhangs filter direct sun, allowing the interior to stay cool while maintaining connection to the lake. As the sun moves, shadows from columns and roof edges shift slowly across floors and walls.
At night, the Lotus Clubhouse in Vietnam takes on a different presence. Subtle lighting traces the edges of roofs and pathways, outlining the circular geometry against the dark surface of the water. The building remains low and horizontal, maintaining a calm relationship with the surrounding villas and landscape.
tapered structural columns expand into broad ceilings that shape open interior spaces
full height glazing maintains continuous views toward the lake
solar panels are integrated into select rooftops to support on-site energy generation
green roofs form layered discs planted with native species
project info:
name: Lotus Clubhouse
architect: MIA Design Studio | @mia_design_studio
location: Eco Retreat Long An, Vietnam
completion: 2025
photography: © Hiroyuki Oki | @oki.hiroyuki.47
principal architect: Nguyen Hoang Manh
architecture concept design: Nguyen Quoc Long, Nguyen Hong Quan, Phan Thi Xuan Hong
architectural schematic design: Bui Hoang Bao
technical design: Ecopark
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