group8asia builds coalimex building as patterned sound neutralizer

group8asia builds coalimex building as patterned sound neutralizer
photo © régis golay
all images courtesy of group8asia

the ‘coalimex’ by group8asia is a building with an area of approximately 10,000m² divided by ten shops and office storeys. located at 33 trang thi street, in the center of hanoi’s old quarter, vietnam, this structure stands amidst many commercial centers and historical places. the particular congested community, coupled with the will to produce an eco-friendly architecture, brings multiple concerns: noise management, direct view optimization, natural ventilation principles, and how to be an icon respectful of its neighborhood. to produce a sustainable way to organize the program, each floor must be flexible and be divided into different zones of varying sizes. in this way, the narrow dimensions manage to offer multiple spatial experiences and atmospheres.

closeup of the façade
photo © régis golay 

the façade is adapted to the changing contexts of the plot. the main elevation, which is directly in contact with the street, gives its strong identity to the institution and deals with its constraints through double-layered glass. on the underlying surface, a pattern that interprets the meeting of the trees of the city, the streets, and the coal (symbol of the client) is printed on the panels. the density of the aesthetic allows for sunlight to be guided throughout the building and offers more privacy to the interior. aside from its decorative properties, this system also functions as a form of noise protection from the street. it creates an environment within the thermal comfort zone and protects the structure from the rain.

the double-layered glass system at night, which displays the trees, streets, and coal
photo © régis golay 

the back facade, which has to deal with a completely different series of constraints, is made of successions of windows and loggias which create a grid able to manage the extreme proximity of the next door construction. the exterior corridors simultaneously act as interior gardens; they offer a location of relxation for the user, bringing the outside in while still providing a connection to the natural world.

the back façade responding to the context
photo © régis golay 

accents of green bring life to the space
photo © régis golay 

conceptual section 

poetic reference

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