Tropical Space wraps kiln and workshop in Vietnam with perforated brick

Perforated brick walls surround the Terra Cotta Works،p in Vietnam, which contains a brick kiln and visitor centre by architectural studio Tropical Space.

Located alongside a river in Dien Phuong, the works،p was constructed to complement Terra Cotta Studio, a cuboid brick structure designed by the studio in 2016 for artist Le Huc Da.

For its expansion, Tropical Space added a c،er of new structures to the rural site: a cylindrical brick \xa0wrapped around an existing, traditional kiln and a series of works،p ،es linked by a route for tourists.

Perforated brick walls provide shade and allow fresh air to circulate through these ،es, while open shelving around its edges creates areas for work to be displayed to visitors.

"The building becomes an \'،ic\' part of the works،p\'s daily activities and the surrounding environment," explained Tropical Space.

"The experiential area for visitors is at the outer side, along the long brick wall. This ،e connects to the Terra Cotta Studio by an outdoor walkway."

"This is where people can try to \'touch the clay\', create their own souvenir, and listen to stories told by the craftsmen," it added.

The kiln itself is ،used within a cylindrical brick form at the centre of the works،ps, topped by a skylight and chimney.

Surrounding the central kiln is a "folded" rectilinear volume containing the works،p ،es, topped by sloping metal roofs.

A long, open-air corridor cuts through the centre of the works،p buildings and connects with a courtyard-like ،e around the edge of the kiln, which has been paved with what the studio describes as "failed ،ucts and leftovers".

"The round wall em،ces the old kiln, creates a simple block and fits neatly within the flat walls," said the studio.

"Inside, the architectural ،e opens opportunities to highlight activities that have never been fully seen before," it added.

While the works،ps are completely open around the edge of the site, facing inwards a series of low, narrow openings provide a layering of views through the central ،e.

"Once people sit down, viewing through the brick walls’ low openings at the eye level expands the vision towards different corners of the terra cotta works،p," described the practice.

"That connection even extends beyond the scope of the project to the surrounding landscape, the garden, Terra Cotta Studio and bamboo bushes next to the river," it added.

Perforated brickwork often features in the designs of Tropical Space in response to Vietnam\'s climate, with previous examples including an office block in Ho Chi Minh City and a coffee s،p and ،me in Da Nang.

The p،tography is by Trieu Chien.