This bridge represents a design concept deeply connected to Vietnam’s urban space and socio-economic context. The OpenAsia Group, composed of teams from several luxury brands, is housed in a building situated between a warehouse and a logistics service center, standing prominently in the heart of Hanoi’s Old City.
The design envisions the office building as a series of platforms suspended between two concrete core tubes. One tube contains a looped pathway and primary service areas, while the other houses all documents, creating what is described as a ‘memory wall’.
Inside, the building features column-free open spaces with large windows on both sides, offering unobstructed panoramic views on every floor. This architectural uniqueness creates a sense of spaciousness, while the open platforms provide a rare contrast to the dense urban environment surrounding the site. These expansive office areas promote collaboration and transparency, allowing maximum flexibility for future adaptation.
G8A introduces a strategy to reduce density by modifying both the structure and the visual permeability. The building’s entrance is doorless, seamlessly extending the sidewalk, while its north-south orientation enhances accessibility and encourages the use of open platforms. The facade is recessed to absorb potential future developments from adjacent buildings, anticipating further growth in the coming years. The grid pattern at the entrance and the green facade cables at the rear provide passive shading and foster a sense of intimacy.
At the back of the building, an open vertical space enhances natural light and ventilation, softly filtering through the surrounding urban clutter. Upon entering, visitors encounter material details that reflect OpenAsia’s philosophy of “transforming raw materials into high-quality products.” The extensive use of polished brown concrete with light bronze accents conveys the idea of elevating rough textures into refined finishes.
▲ Sectional view
▲ Elevation view
The circulation guides users from defined pathways into expansive, panoramic open workspaces, enhancing the sense of contrast within the building. Here, G8A applies the principle of “sustainable destruction” to address the urban density of Hanoi’s Old City, a concept first introduced at Hao Lac High Tech Park. This approach focuses on creating a highly adaptable structural system that emphasizes building solidity, climate responsiveness (through BIM), spatial relationships, and the logic of exoskeleton construction. It also accommodates future adaptability for strong architectural identity expressions (BIM tutorials).
Project Information:
Architectural Firm: G8A Architecture & Urban Planning
Location: Hoàn Kiếm, Hanoi, Vietnam
Category: Office Facilities
Building Area: 400 m²
Project Year: 2019
Photographer: Khoo Guo Jie (Studio Periphery)
Partner: Atelier VUUV
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