In Vietnam, you don’t need to travel to the countryside to experience the nation’s agrarian roots. In the dense capital of Hanoi, the self-sufficient Vườn-Ao-Chuồng (VAC) farming system, which incorporates hydroponics, aquaponics, and animal husbandry, is still an integral part of many households. To create a flexible prototype that could be implemented in various urban settings, local firm Farming Architects has devised a modular wood-lattice frame with an adjacent pond. Home to roosters, koi, plants, and even books, the model also provides a place for children to learn and play.

Photo courtesy Farming Architects