GOLDEN LANDMARK FOR VIETNAM
The new building complex, developed by Dewan Architects + Engineers in collaboration with TTA, covers a total of 700,000 m². For the concept, they drew inspiration from Fairy Mountain - one of the most important sights Vietnam's landscape has to offer. Outside, green terraces, complementary uses and plazas are oriented around a man-made reservoir - again inspired by the Sa Ra region, known in Vietnam for its historic rice terraces. The goal of the architects and engineers is to create the world's longest building as a new landmark for Vietnam with the Dragon Tower project.
Flowing space construct - ministries, common areas and educational centers.
The s-shaped ensemble with its shimmering golden facade and tower reaching towards the sky stands out in the cityscape - Dragon Tower is designed as a new landmark for Vietnam. © Dewan Architects + Engineers
Climate compatibility and mobility concept
The city of Hanoi is not only located directly on Vietnam's Red River, but is also only about 100 km from the South China Sea. And one thing is clear in times of climate change: flood protection is becoming an issue of increasing relevance. The Dragon Tower concept addresses this: The base building is designed as an artificial topography in order to be able to integrate a water reservoir, as it were, in the exterior area. This makes it possible to control flooding by deliberately flooding certain platforms during the rainy season. The water in the reservoirs is also able to provide natural ventilation in an ecological way - that is, without the use of additional energy resources - and at the same time control the outside temperature. The stepped bottom platforms, meanwhile, are double-programmed: When they are not needed to control excess rainwater, they act as an extension of the public urban space and are available for the use of various activities.
The staggered ground platforms create a publicly accessible urban space that functions, as it were, as flood protection. © Dewan Architects + Engineers
In the facade design, the design also emphasizes ecology: The shimmering golden building envelope is designed as a sunshade and, thanks to the integrated solar panels on the roof surfaces, is able to supply the building complex with self-sufficient energy. The mobility concept is also special: autonomous sustainable vehicles connect the subway with the various ministries as well as with the urban subway system - this enables employees and visitors to move around the entire site in an environmentally friendly manner. In summary, it can be said that with their overall concept for the Dragon Tower, Dewan Architects + Engineers succeed in thinking of the topics of architecture, urbanity and mobility as a unity - with a view of what a trend-setting solution approach can look like today in terms of sustainability and future viability.
Author
Marie Schwemin