ICE architects: DK2

'dk2', hanoi, vietnam by ICE architects
all images courtesy ICE architects


'dk2' is a proposal for luxury service apartments located next to the west lake in hanoi.

designed by ICE architects the development consists serviced apartments, a clubhouse
and commercial facilities. it is divided into two towers to operate individually. there are two
clubhouses: one on the ground, serving the sales apartments and one on the top, serving
the service apartments. with the slenderness and height of the towers, the clubhouses work
as structural bracing, avoiding the torsion of the buildings.

the taller slab is elevated on columns that are footed in the deep reflection of the water while
the other tower rests on landscaped gardens, parks and family clubhouse offering recreational
facilities such as childcare, playgrounds and pools. the clubhouse for the service apartments is
located at the skybridge connecting the two towers offering a panoramic view of the city
and shared facilities such as an executive lounge, business facilities, library, sky gym and roof pool.
this provides a separation of the noisier, more active family-oriented facilities from the quieter,
more adult oriented services.

the exterior design of the high rises is an extrapolation of the spatial qualities of the interior
and maintains the integrity of the configuration. the sky gardens/courtyards will be a visible
exterior feature, highlighting the provision of green, airy private space within each apartment.
there is a distinct hanoi vernacular style of living where a deep plan of two or more stories is
punctuated by a light well or courtyard. this creates a comfortable open section full of light
and free-flowing air but shielded from the heat of the direct sun. the courtyard usually doubles
as an interior garden as well.

the units transform the hanoi court into a high rise typology, producing a maximum of natural
(cross) ventilation, shading of outdoor as well as indoor spaces in order to suit the tropical
climatic context. the project uses duplex and split level, which evolve around deep terraces
and balconies of 2 floors. these outdoor elements are mainly shaded by the facade walls
and act as a semi outdoor buffer to prevent heat to enter the units.

project info:
project name: dk2
location: hanoi, vietnam
invited international competition: 3rd prize
design team: ulrich kirchhoff, claudia wigger, louise low, roberto requejo, amy wang
consultant: cundall (environmental), form and structure (structure)
site area: 18,500 sqm
construction area: 150,000 sqm