A project encompassing a facade renovation and the interior spatial experience of the ground and second floors. The Hoo team was privileged to undertake this endeavor, embracing the opportunity to harness the untapped potential and the highly distinctive indigenous cultural identity of the Northwest region.
The project is situated in a prime central location in Sapa City, Lao Cai Province, with a direct frontal view over Sapa Lake and Ham Rong Mountain. However, the natural context and landscape of this area have gradually been transformed to accommodate tourism and commercialization.
Through on-site surveys and immersive experiences of the local culture, vernacular architecture, and topographical structure, the Hoo team sought to evoke the atmosphere of hillside villages nestled on terraced slopes, where layered tiled roofscapes cascade across varying elevations.
The design team therefore reinterpreted and stylized a “hanging village” on the building’s façade. By employing low-pitched roof proportions, the design acts as a visual buffer, subtly screening the concrete architectural masses of the bustling tourist hub. Most notably, the inherent natural beauty of Sa Pa Lake is perfectly framed within the customers' vision. Resonating with the signature Indigo hues characteristic of Northwest culture, the design narrative unfolds through the inspiration of the traditional Indigo dyeing craft. The free-flowing, irregular curves on the flooring act as a spatial metaphor for drawing the surface of Sa Pa Lake into the interior. This introduces a cooling sensation that contrasts with the warm palette of local rustic materials. This combination fosters an ambiance that harmonizes with the indigenous identity while remaining gently insulated from the commercialized surrounding context.
The Hoo team deeply values the opportunity to carry the country’s cultural identity forward, telling its story through material choice, spatial proportion, and local color palette, in this project.
Lead architects: Hồ Gia Bảo
Project supervision: Nguyễn Ngọc Hồng Anh
Technical design: Lâm Bảo
MEP design: Lê Đăng Minh Phô
Visual images: Lý Gia Hân
Photographer: Hoàng Lê
