philippe starck arrives in vietnam with a beachfront enclave
Nhà Estate is a residential project in Ho Tram, Vietnam, marking the first housing development in the country by Philippe Starck. Conceived as a collection of 38 private villas, the project sits on a peninsula between the Ray River and the sea, where the terrain holds a quiet continuity between forest, shoreline, and open water.
Set a few hours from Ho Chi Minh City, the site carries a sense of distance without isolation. The masterplan follows this condition closely, arranging homes as part of a loose village rather than a fixed grid. Paths move gently through the landscape, with shared spaces for gathering placed between clusters of villas. The approach keeps the ground porous, allowing vegetation, air, and light to circulate through the development.
38 villas are set to rise along a peninsula between river and sea. images courtesy Philippe Starck
lightweight structures atop a stone base
Each Philippe Starck-designed villa begins with a grounded base formed in stone to give weight to the lower levels and establish a tactile connection to the earth. Above, the architect designs lighter structures, where glass and slender framing open the interiors toward the horizon. This transition from mass to openness shapes how each home meets its surroundings and draws in sea breezes and shifting sunlight throughout the day.
The interiors extend outward through terraces and shaded outdoor rooms, where the boundary between inside and outside softens. Views are oriented toward water wherever possible, with framed sightlines that move between river and ocean. The design places emphasis on how space is experienced over time, from the first light of morning to the slower rhythms of evening along the coast.
the masterplan follows a village layout, while expansive glazing frames continuous views
A design philosophy taking shape
For Philippe Starck, the project reflects a long-standing interest in environments that respond to human presence as much as to physical context. His vision for Nhà Estate centers on spaces that encourage attention, creativity, and connection. As he describes it, the development is imagined as a place where ‘everything is imagined to awaken intelligence, inspire creativity,‘ positioning architecture as an active participant in everyday experience.
That outlook shapes both the scale and the tone of the project. Rather than pursuing density, the design keeps the number of homes limited, allowing each residence to maintain a direct relationship with the landscape. Communal areas, including a beach club and dining spaces, are integrated into the site with the same restraint, supporting shared use while maintaining a sense of calm continuity.
project info:
name: Nhà Estate
architect: Philippe Starck | @starck
location: Ho Tram, Vietnam
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