The Nala House in Huế was finished in 2023 by Nguyen Khai Architects & Associates. It was built for a painter who wanted his living space to also serve as his studio and personal gallery.

Instead of the usual tube‑house layout, the architects carved a tiered green space into the centre of the rectangular plot, turning the courtyard into a layered garden that separates the public and private zones.

A flight of stairs runs through the garden, its sides made of floor‑to‑ceiling glass. The glass staircase is framed by planters and five “floating” planters that punctuate the ascent and give visitors brief pauses.

On the upper floor, the walls that face the glass stairs are fitted with a network of lights designed to highlight large paintings. The interior palette is deliberately neutral – white walls and a grey floor finish – so the artwork stands out.

By merging these architectural moves, the house blurs the line between home and exhibition space, showing how layout, lighting and colour can turn everyday living areas into a personal museum.