Architects: VTN Architects
Area: 1450 m²
Year: 2015
Photographs: Hiroyuki Oki
City: Ho Chi Minh City
Country: Vietnam
Diamond Island Community Center, designed by VTN Architects in Ho Chi Minh City, transforms a Saigon River islet into a multifunctional venue with eight bamboo pavilions for events like banquets and conferences, with future plans for restaurants. The center features two large domes, 24 meters in diameter, inspired by traditional bamboo basketry, and six smaller umbrella-shaped pavilions using prefabricated bamboo units. The double-layered domes incorporate thatched roofs and skylights, ensuring natural light, ventilation, and protection from harsh weather. Blending traditional craftsmanship with modern techniques, the project exemplifies sustainable, contemporary bamboo architecture.
Adjacent to the rapidly growing center of Ho Chi Minh City, Diamond Island comprises a collection of condominiums situated on an islet within the Saigon River. To optimize the unused space within a phased development plan, a multifunctional community center was designed to serve both local residents and tourists arriving by boat from the city center. The site features eight bamboo pavilions of varying sizes, dispersed across a landscaped riverside park with abundant vegetation. These pavilions host a range of activities, including parties, banquets, and promotional conferences, with plans for future conversion into restaurants.
Two large domes, constructed entirely from bamboo, measure 24 meters in diameter and 12.5 meters in height. Their design, inspired by traditional bamboo baskets used to shelter fowls, relies on skilled artisans who weave the bamboo directly on site. Furthermore, six smaller bamboo pavilions, shaped like umbrellas, have diameters of 11 meters and heights of 7 meters. These umbrella structures are composed of twelve prefabricated structural units, assembled to optimize construction efficiency.
The large pavilions feature double-layered dome structures with an outer thatched roof that overhangs the inner basket-like bamboo framework, creating deep eaves for protection against intense sunlight and heavy rain. Despite the roof’s enclosing form, the interior is naturally illuminated during the day through a skylight and open periphery, eliminating the need for artificial lighting. The skylight also aids ventilation by expelling hot air, while river breezes, cooled by three surrounding ponds, circulate through the building.
While incorporating traditional construction techniques, the project seeks to create sustainable, modern architecture rather than replicating vernacular styles. Achieving this involves systematizing the production and construction of bamboo structures, resulting in a design that blends traditional craftsmanship with contemporary architectural practices.
Project Gallery
Project Location
Address: Diamond Island, Binh Trung Tay Ward, District 2, Thu Duc City, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Location is for general reference and may represent a city or country, not necessarily a precise address.
