Following the completion of their design for the Techcombank Headquarters in Hanoi, Vietnam, Foster + Partners has completed a second, 21-storey tower for the company in Ho Chi Minh City. The concept for this latest tower revolves around two main approaches: programmatic – responding to different tenants and uses – and environmental, with a unique self-shading concept developed in response to the site's tropical climate.
Overall, the tower appears as two main blocks, with the building core situated to the rear, facing the adjacent hotel. Reflecting the inner workings of the building, the recessed space between these two blocks is an amenities floor for employees.
Inside, three central atria fill the office spaces with light and enhance visual connections. The first atrium rises from ground level to level 9. The second and third atria reach the tower's total height from levels 11 to 14. These dramatic spaces provide visual connectivity throughout the building and help generate an inclusive workplace by integrating meeting space 'pods'.
Gerard Evenden, Head of Studio, Foster + Partners, explains that the building "creates a welcoming and collaborative office environment to attract the top talent to their workforce. Driven by environmental analysis, the building's orientation and innovative shading system helps to maintain a comfortable internal environment, while three central atria fill the office spaces with natural light and enhance visual connections."
This innovative shading system includes the design of unique metal mesh panels. Influenced by local crafts such as bamboo weaving, the panels allow some light to pass and create a delicate shaded pattern.
In addition, the floorplates' edges have a sawtooth pattern derived from the sun's angles. The orientation of the edges allows the tower to passively self-shade and adds a dynamic relief to the exterior plane. One edge of the sawtooth is oriented to the sun and is shaded with a screen. Meanwhile, The other face is a clear glass that does not receive direct sunlight but allows clear views of the city.
The project aims to achieve LEED Platinum Certification.
