takashi niwa completes ashui pavilion from infrastructure
Takashi Niwa’s Ashui Pavilion in Hanoi is a memorial for the ‘unsung heroes’ of Vietnam’s construction industry — its workers, materials, and technologies. After Typhoon Yagi caused significant damage in Northern Vietnam in September 2024, underground infrastructure works once again demonstrated their importance in protecting dikes and piers, preventing erosion and land subsidence, and reinforcing weak soil, thereby facilitating the swift restoration of vital infrastructure projects.
To show appreciation for their contribution, the Vietnam and Japan-based studio has conceived the pavilion as a ceremonial space as well as a symbolic gesture of appreciation for these frequently forgotten figures that are crucial in shaping the built environment. It is crafted from steel sheet piles of varying lengths, stacked to form temporary ‘Steel Altars’.
all images courtesy of Minh Anh – NOTES, Tan Nguyen (Fly Cam)
celebrating construction workers, materials, and technologies
The Ashui Awards are among Vietnam’s most recognized honors in the construction sector, celebrating architects, investors, and buildings. For the 2025 ceremony and exhibition, the Ashui Pavilion was conceived as a gesture of gratitude for the silent contributions of those who form the foundation of the industry. Frequently, these workers and materials quietly depart the site after the groundwork is completed, moving on to new projects while attention shifts to the building’s exterior. Over time, their significant contributions tend to fade from memory because they remain unseen.
Takashi Niwa’s Ashui Pavilion comprises steel beams are arranged in a zigzag pattern, creating an open space for visitors to freely explore and enjoy the lush greenery peeking through the gaps. Retaining its original weathered colors with attached soil, the Pavilion offers a tactile experience where every rugged detail and trace of time is legible along the surfaces. Altogether, there are 69 steel sheet piles, ranging from 12 meters to 6 meters in length, stacked on top of and beside one another. Thanks to the easy handling of the material for infrastructure work, the pavilion was constructed in just one day with only four workers. This helped to realize one-fourth of the budget, 4,000 USD, to construct the large pavilion without trash. The architects then returned the steel piles to the yard to wait for the next construction site.
Takashi Niwa completes Ashui Pavilion
a memorial for the ‘unsung heroes’ of Vietnam’s construction industry
Takashi Niwa proposed to utilize infrastructure materials to celebrate the unsung heroes of construction
the pavilion sits beside the National Convention Center of Vietnam in Hanoi
the stacked sheet pile provides glimpses to the surrounding greenery
hosting 300 guests at the award ceremony and exhibition
the zigzag stacking makes the structure more stable and emotionally resonant
69 sheet piles were stacked in just one day to construct the pavilion
project info:
name: Ashui Pavilion 2025 for Construction Heroes
architect: Takashi Niwa Architects
location: Hanoi, Vietnam
photographer: Minh Anh – NOTES, Tan Nguyen (Fly Cam)
design team: Takashi Niwa, Tran Thanh Tung, Trinh Thuy Hien, Bui Thi Thanh
collaborators: Wakasa Yuta, Maho Shimazaki
contractor: ConsMedia
suppliers: Viglacera AAC, 3T Group Viet Nam
lighting: IDA Lighting
designboom has received this project from our DIY submissions feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.
edited by: ravail khan | designboom
