Louis House
The home-building journey of Văn, Như & Louis 🏡
This is the journey of Văn, Như and our baby Louis as we build our family's first home — a warm and cozy nest, a place we long to come back to every day.
We love the rustic charm of natural materials, the greenery tucked into every little corner and the early sunlight streaming through the windows. A simple, welcoming home that carries our family's own touch.
This site keeps a record of our journey, from the first days of preparation, with MM++ Architects and the Butecco construction team alongside us, to the day the whole family officially moves into our new home.
The notes and questions are arranged in 3 ways: by topic, by construction sequence and by area. Pick whichever suits you; all three hold the same notes.
Slightly deep wood colour, not bright: if light engineered wood is 1 and dark red walnut is 10, the colour wanted is around 6-7. Prefer natural wood for bookshelves, stair steps, ladders and wherever wood is needed - including reclaimed wood (it carries the beauty of time, rough rather than glossy). Outdoor positions such as the gate, side door... can also be prioritised. For interior doors inside the house, should composite be used for safety?
Some walls with a slightly rough, cheap, easy-to-recolour texture - instead of stone cladding (interior walls, exterior walls, yard walls). Where should this be done? Is it OK to waterproof and then apply textured / rough paint directly on the wall - the owner heard that no skim coat is needed and paint can go straight onto concrete? What are the pros and cons?
Curtains must leave a pocket for recessed installation - avoid exposing the wooden / aluminium curtain rail, for a tidier look. At noon the room needs to be dark for resting while still having a breeze and staying cool. What solution (curtains?)
Wall adjoining the neighbouring house - current situation: 2 old houses built with a shared wall, one house already demolished; the old house next door is vacant. Goal: good waterproofing now, and if the neighbouring house is demolished later it can still be handled, without being caught off guard. The architect proposes a solution and notes legal points.
Convenient access to drinking water, no need to go far (no need to go into the kitchen each time): one water station per floor. Leave water lines in + out ready to install a drinking-water purifier later if needed. What else can the water station on each floor combine to become a utility corner (e.g. power and water for the robot, a tap, other equipment)?
A spot for a mosquito trap: a surface to put it on (table / shelf) + a ready power socket - the architect advises on the position. Are mosquito screens needed for doors and windows? If so, where and what type?
Future elevator: the house has no elevator yet but will later - so there should be a pre-built shaft. In the meantime, what can this shaft be used for?
What should the floor use: micro topping, liquid terrazzo or tiles? Compare pros and cons, prioritising cost and ease of maintenance. If tiles: the most important things are non-slip, not glossy or glaring (prefer rough), soft on the eyes, few grout lines. What kinds of Matt glaze exist (satin, smooth...), suppliers, prices...?
