H2 uses reclaimed wood to design the saigon thuong mai hotel in vietnam

architecture practice, H2, has designed the saigon thuong mai hotel in the center of vinh, vietnam. the new hotel is rebuilt from the existing one, and the main challenge for the architects was to create a more exciting and easily-recognizable façade for pedestrians. secondly, the interior needed to be redesigned for more effective use and to enable natural light and ventilation into the internal spaces.

all images © quang dam

the building is designed using sustainable and green materials and the architects of H2 worked with locals to understand locally available resources. due to the abundance of wooden slabs from local joinery shops, this element has been used in the concept of the design to create the timber aesthetic. the wooden slabs were collected then made into many small wooden pillars of the same size, then combined with iron frames to develop a kind of module. these modules are then used to create the new façade. the wooden pillars solve both challenges of creating an interesting front elevation and bringing in natural wind and sunlight.

main entrance

the interior spaces are designed with simple and natural materials such as wood, wood pillars and whetstone floor. the new scheme also incorporates more water and green elements inside the hotel to help create interesting views and refresh the microclimate, making the air purer. the solution by H2 results in a hotel that gains natural wind and sunlight, therefore contributing to saving electricity.

lobby and stair

main entrance in light

lobby and stair in light

reception

coffee area

water feature

main façade

project info:

project name: saigon thuong mai hotel

architect: H2

project location: quang trung street, vinh city, nghe an province, vietnam

completion year: 2014

gross built area: 849 m2

lead architects: tran van huynh, vuong trung huu, nguyen thi xuan hai, do trong nhan kiet

other participants:

collaborator: viet nguyen architect

images: quang dam

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.