Vietnamese architectural studio HGAA was included in Archello’s list of the 25 best architecture firms in Vietnam. The Hanoi-based studio’s design philosophy emphasizes both sustainability and efficiency (in terms of scale and cost). Projects promote a simple yet distinctive approach to architecture, blending the use of locally sourced materials and modern construction techniques. The Trung Nguyen Garden project by HGAA aims to create a simple and sustainable space that embraces nature; it is a place in which visitors can connect with nature through architecture.
In Bãi Cháy, a ward in the Quảng Ninh province of Vietnam, HGAA completed Trung Nguyen Garden, an expansion project for the Hồng Hạnh Restaurant. Bãi Cháy and the old capital Hòn Gai merged to create the city of Hạ Long — Bãi Cháy, predominantly a tourism zone within the city, has experienced substantial growth and development in recent years, with many building projects having a distinct business focus and drive. In the expansion of the Hồng Hạnh Restaurant, HGAA sought to create an “emotionally rich architectural space that brings meaning and long-term benefits to both tourists and investors.”
The project’s construction site spans an area of 375 square meters (4,036 square feet). The main road of the Bãi Cháy tourist area, located at the front, is lined with hotels, restaurants, and commercial establishments; to the rear is a steep, vegetated slope. HGAA’s approach was to design a building that harmoniously blends into the natural surroundings while minimizing the impact of noise pollution on its interior. The idea was to create a tranquil space inspired by nature that serves as a peaceful haven from the bustling tourist hub.
The client requested that Trung Nguyen Garden be completed within approximately four months, with a usable floor space of 1,000 square meters (10,764 square feet). HGAA chose a simple structure that consists of a prefabricated steel frame and vertical glass surfaces, creating transparency, maximizing light, and providing outdoor views; sliding glass doors allow for both private and connected spaces; a combination of brick and glass walls create areas that are open and closed.
The building’s facade incorporates balconies and a rich tapestry of native plants. This lush green foliage harmonizes with the natural surroundings to create a sense of tranquility and offer a pleasing visual experience, both inside and outside. The greenery provides the building with much-needed shade, reducing heat radiation and maintaining a comfortable indoor climate; cross ventilation also naturally ventilates the various spaces. HGAA added simple wooden slats to the facade — natural, uneven in size, rough-cut, and unpainted, these unprocessed wooden slats complement the greenery and are easily replaced.
Patrons of Trung Nguyen Garden enter via by a small passageway lined with green bamboo trees which opens onto a garden in front of the building. The use of vegetation helps maintain a cool and pleasant air; a glass wall separates the garden from the main road, minimizing noise and dust.
“With this project, we continue to pursue the design philosophy of ‘more simple, more sustainable’, seeking architectural solutions that are straightforward and durable,” says HGAA. “These solutions meet functional needs and efficiency while still creating a unique architectural space.”