Of Nature And Community

To overcome building restrictions, gensler singapore designed vietnam’s viettel group’s headquarters as a unique, oval-shaped building with an energy-efficient green roof.

- Michele Koh Morollo

Gensler Singapore has completed the headquarters of the Viettel Group – Vietnam’s largest telecommunication provider – in Hanoi.

The state-owned Viettel Group had originally wanted a high-rise tower that would be visible across the city, but the site restrictions did not allow for a lofty edifice, so Gensler came up with a more innovative alternative.

“The planning criteria for the project is based on regulation that defines the site coverage at 30 to 40 percent. The plot ratio is established at 1.3, which translates to a maximum gross floor area of 30,745m2 and a maximum height of 38 metre-tonne second,” explains Gensler’s Design Director Carlos Gerhard.

To overcome this limitation, Gerhard and his team created the office building as an oval structure with a green roof that symbolises Vietnam’s environmentally conscious attitude.

INSTANT ICON

The distinctive roof – which includes a rainwater harvesting system – lowers the cooling load and affects the building’s micro-climate positively. It also serves as a visual extension of the adjacent park and lake.

The eight-storey project has a design guided by three principles: Creating a connection to nature, improving energy efficiency and fostering a sense of community.