The rational part inspired by the mountain fairy is where we created the artificial topography, inspired by Sapa with stepped platforms as public spaces that will also serve as reservoir to control flooding by purposely flooding certain platforms in the rainy season and creating a live landscape that changes with the weather. The lower floors (where interaction between the public and the ministerial staff) will have the main lobbies and private meeting rooms, that do not require natural light; and complimentary functions for the staff, and the public, including nurseries, library, supermarket, restaurants, learning centers and others.
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Dragon Tower
Commercial & Mixed Use (Concept)
Firm
Dewan Architects + Engineers
Architect/Designer
Mohammed Adib
Design Team
Dewan Architects + Engineers
Location
Hanoi
Country
United Arab Emirates
Photographer/Copyright
©Dewan Architects + Engineers
The ministries’ main entrances, each ministry will be reached through a customized entrance that will be designed by a nationwide student competition so as the identity of the buildings will be generated from the people to which the ministries are serving, as well as the connecting bridges, will be parallel to the existing axis of the rice fields orientation as respect and tribute for the old generation of Vietnam, who built the country. The complex will have educational centers for children to learn about the country, the future, the activities of each ministry, the waste sustainable management strategies of the building and future technologies.
The building is elevated with topography to activate the ground floor for the public, increase natural ventilation and create public spaces as an extension of the city that in turn are protected from the hot sun by the building itself. The water in the landscape gives the plot character, controls the temperature and controls floods in a natural way by having platforms with different levels. Sustainability methods are incorporated in the design to increase the building’s efficiency.
The top floors of the complex are organic and can be recognized as a “dragon”, inspired by its organic shape. The dragon strip is characterized by its flexibility to accommodate the program of the complex, strips can be added or subtracted to the dragon based on the program. Our ambition is to form the longest building in the world, an iconic landmark representing Vietnam that can also been seen from space.
The “dragon” will have the ministries, offices and their program which requires natural lighting. Our proposal has an internal street inside the dragon for staff circulation between the ministries, natural lighting and ventilation. The street will be activated with coffeeshops, break out areas as well as autonomous sustainable transport connecting the metro with the different offices.
The metro passing through our site will be integrated with the building, facilitating the accessibility to the plot. The tower, which is the head of the dragon, is located where it is most visible from the main streets and the tallest in the area. Its’ shape is designed to be a symbolic monumental entrance for the ministers, special guests and visiting dignitaries, that will access the ministries using small autonomous cars moving inside the internal street. The façade will be inspired by the dragon scales and used to control the natural ventilation, required for the offices and solar exposure with smart strategies.
The yellow color of the façade is inspired by the presidential palace and as a tribute to the rich history of Vietnam. The 100 eggs square will be in front of the tower, it will be a venue for national events and a reference to the legend of LạcLong Quânand ÂuCơ.