Admin

How they do things in Vietnam: A Townhouse project - before and after by Florida Custom Home Architect John Henry

By
Services for Real Estate Pros with John Henry Masterworks Design International, Inc. 13013

 

A Houston client with ties to Vietnam bought a shell building and asked for an interior and exterior design.

I was familiar with this type of construction when I lived in Izmir and Ankara Turkey.  And it is the typical concrete frame with brick infill that you see all around southern Europe as well.

The developers build a large subdivision of shell townhouses about 4-5 stories tall.  

Real estate agents market the shell to potential buyers who must then create the floor plans, run plumbing and electricity, etc.

The architects may choose any style but classicism is popular due to the French influence in past decades.

Not much of a different approach than condo and spec office construction but in Vietnam not even the exteriors are finished.

An idea for entrepreneurs here in the United States!

The townhouse is almost finished in the photo below.  The front gates (also which we designed) have not been painted yet.

+++++++

Since this is a featured post (thanks to whoever does this!) -- If enough readers request, I will post the floor plans too.  Here is the design for the entry gate:

 

Portfolio

by Florida Luxury Home Architect John Henry https://www.dreamhomedesignusa.com/

Comments(37)

PeterMark SEO
PeterMarkSEO - Holiday, FL
Real Estate Technology, SEO Web Development

Very nice design. I have seen this similar design in Europe as well as in Charleston, SC and Chicago markets. I have seen them side by side connected together as well. It looks like a mansion but you go in and it's like 12 units.

I would like to develop something like this :) would have to run feasability etc. I would imagine more sales would come in after the facade is complete though in the US market. Longer to build too. 

Aug 30, 2018 05:25 PM
John Henry, Florida Architect

Thanks Peter.  I think you could offer up suggested facades and layouts to pre-sell even.  A lot of options, as you outlined.

Sep 01, 2018 04:04 AM
Patricia Feager, ABR,CRS,GRI,MRP
DFW FINE PROPERTIES - Flower Mound, TX
Selling Homes Changing Lives

John Henry - Congratulations on your feature post! It's a good one! I was hoping it would get featured. Cheers to many, many more. You're a great writer with interesting ideas about good material for blog posts. 

Aug 30, 2018 05:56 PM
John Henry, Florida Architect

Hello Patricia, glad everyone gets a chance here!  I always like your comments.

Sep 01, 2018 04:40 AM
Dorie Dillard Austin TX
Coldwell Banker Realty ~ 512.750.6899 - Austin, TX
NW Austin ~ Canyon Creek and Spicewood/Balcones

Good evening John Henry ,

Wow!!! So glad to see this post featured..what a transformation..I love it. We have visited Turkey and were amazed at the spectacular architecture! Your finished product is amazing!

Aug 30, 2018 06:59 PM
John Henry, Florida Architect

Hi Dorie, great to hear from you.  Turkey is a land of wonders, so much ancient architecture.  I was inspired there I think to study design. 


Beware of Before and After shots though.   We start with a blank piece of paper often (before) and end up with a finished product eventually (after)!


This one had the 'bones' of the building already there!

Sep 01, 2018 04:44 AM
Richard Bazinet /MBA, CRS, ABR
West USA Realty - Scottsdale, AZ
Phoenix Scottsdale. Sellers, Buyers & Relocations

That's pretty impressive. The one next door seems still original....

Aug 31, 2018 05:37 AM
John Henry, Florida Architect

Thanks Richard, at the time this was photographed most of the other buildings hadn't started.  I would love to see what the rest of the street looks like now!

Sep 01, 2018 04:45 AM
marti garaughty
garaughty.com - Montreal, QC
a highly caffeinated creative type...

Seriously awesome transformation, I love everything about it !!!

Aug 31, 2018 03:32 PM
John Henry, Florida Architect

Thanks Marti.  We froze some music there!

Sep 01, 2018 04:45 AM
Bruce Kunz
C21 Solid Gold Realty, Brick, NJ, 732-920-2100 - Howell, NJ
REALTOR®, Brick & Howell NJ Homes for Sale

Thanks for sharing, John Henry. You've done an amazing job. I don't often think about processes in other lands so this is eye-opening.
Bruce

 

Aug 31, 2018 07:08 PM
John Henry, Florida Architect

Yes, interesting to see what the rest of the world is doing.  See comment #5 above to get an idea how things are built without financing!  Thanks Bruce.

Sep 01, 2018 04:47 AM
Jim Harper
Atlanta Communities Real Estate - Marietta, GA

Beautiful  John Henry. and I, for one, would like to see the floor plans.

Aug 31, 2018 11:24 PM
John Henry, Florida Architect
John Henry Masterworks Design International, Inc. - Orlando, FL
Residential Architect, Luxury Custom Home Design

Hi Jim, thanks for your interest.  I will post the FIRST floor above!  Next inquiry: SECOND floor.  

Sep 01, 2018 04:50 AM
Carol Williams
Although I'm retired, I love sharing my knowledge and learning from other real estate industry professionals. - Wenatchee, WA
Retired Agent / Broker / Prop. Mgr, Wenatchee, WA

How very interesting, John.  Thank you so much for sharing.  I would also be very interested in seeing floor plans. 

Sep 01, 2018 04:54 AM
John Henry, Florida Architect
John Henry Masterworks Design International, Inc. - Orlando, FL
Residential Architect, Luxury Custom Home Design

Hello Carol, the second floor is now posted.  Just need one more person to ask for the third floor!  Thank you.

Sep 01, 2018 07:43 AM
Mary Hutchison, SRES, ABR
Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate-Kansas City Homes - Kansas City, MO
Experienced Agent in Kansas City Metro area

Wow John what an interesting post!  The transformation is amazing!!!  Great idea to share with the AR community.  What an interesting life you have in the design business.

Sep 01, 2018 12:34 PM
John Henry, Florida Architect
John Henry Masterworks Design International, Inc. - Orlando, FL
Residential Architect, Luxury Custom Home Design

Thanks Mary, yes, some interesting things cross my desk occasionally!  

Sep 01, 2018 03:02 PM
Jan Green - Scottsdale, AZ
Value Added Service, 602-620-2699 - Scottsdale, AZ
HomeSmart Elite Group, REALTOR®, EcoBroker, GREEN

Wow!  Talk about a before and after.  Thank you for sharing this seldom discussed method of buying/selling.  Never heard of it before, but that's typical for us Americans!  Very cool transformation. 

Sep 02, 2018 09:24 PM
John Henry, Florida Architect

Yes Jan, building a shell only with NO electrical, plumbing nor an exterior is rare here in the U.S.  Over there, the developer limits his exposure and relies on a buyer to take a big risk as well.

Sep 03, 2018 05:35 AM
Laura Cerrano
Feng Shui Manhattan Long Island - Locust Valley, NY
Certified Feng Shui Expert, Speaker & Researcher

This is a pretty cool thing and I have to go check out Vietnam in the near future to see what it’s all about.

Sep 02, 2018 11:29 PM
Laura Cerrano
Feng Shui Manhattan Long Island - Locust Valley, NY
Certified Feng Shui Expert, Speaker & Researcher

Jane Chaulklin-Schott I’ve seen this happen before and a lot of them sometimes will surprise you In the best way

Sep 02, 2018 11:31 PM
Jeff Dowler, CRS
eXp Realty of California, Inc. - Carlsbad, CA
The Southern California Relocation Dude

John

What an increadible transformation this has been. How rewarding it much be to see a concept now in reality!

Jeff

Sep 03, 2018 02:33 PM
John Henry, Florida Architect
John Henry Masterworks Design International, Inc. - Orlando, FL
Residential Architect, Luxury Custom Home Design

Thanks for checking out the posting Jeff.  Turned out better than I expected.  The photo sent by client above was just great.  The thing is, it isn't that large of a footprint and the total living space is I think hovering around 3,000 SF!!

Sep 03, 2018 02:43 PM
John Henry, Florida Architect
John Henry Masterworks Design International, Inc. - Orlando, FL
Residential Architect, Luxury Custom Home Design

Very happy that AR decided to feature this on the side column.  Thank you!

Sep 26, 2018 11:02 AM
Rafi Footerman
Mid Jersey Inspections - Edison, NJ
Home Inspector, Mold Inspector, Radon and More!

Thanks for posting this. I've actually been to Vietnam and never saw this side of things.

Sep 26, 2018 12:11 PM
John Henry, Florida Architect
John Henry Masterworks Design International, Inc. - Orlando, FL
Residential Architect, Luxury Custom Home Design

Must have been a real interesting experience for you Rafi.  Did you notice the French colonial architecture in the older buildings?  Thx

Sep 26, 2018 02:50 PM