The layout of the houses in each koom gives no hint of symmetry or systematic planning. The orientation of the roof of each house is invariably along the east west direction. The space between one house and the next is not fixed, but on the average about four meters. Most if not all houses are without fences. Each house is accompanied by a granary built close to the house either to the north or south of the house.
The average house is designed for a single family. The house plan is simple consisting of a bed ROOM, corridor, a kitchen, and a shelf for shoring water. Some houses may have "ruan kong" added ti the main house. Ruan Kong is a hall room built opposite to the bedroom. Most houses have no partitions and assigned areas are not clearly marked off one another.
Houses of the northeast rice farmers maybe classified into four main styles :