thousands of thin clay tiles cover museum's entire facade in vietnam

Đạo Mẫu Museum emerges from a lush green landscape

ARB Architects crafts Vietnamese Đạo Mẫu Museum, a cultural project driven by the vision of Artist Xuan Hinh, a renowned Vietnamese folk artist. Positioned in a village near Hanoi, the museum spans 5,000 sqm amidst a 50-year-old orchard, preserving the existing landscape, including pine and bonsai trees, an existing small house, and original gate pillars. The design integrates new functional blocks for accommodation, galleries, and a kitchen around the old house, which now serves as an artifact display area.

Traditional clay tiles collected from historic houses in nearby areas dominate the museum’s material palette, symbolizing a commitment to preserving architectural heritage amid ongoing urbanization. The use of these tiles is rooted in the artist’s memories of votive dance ceremonies and the sacred atmosphere created by the smoke of incense that penetrates through the tiled roofs of the temples.

all images courtesy of ARB Architects

ARB Architects draws from Vietnamese folk traditions

ARB Architects, led by Nguyễn Hà, aims to preserve Vietnam’s inherent beliefs and traditions imbuing regional materials such as clay tiles into the museum design. The project underscores the significance of Đạo Mẫu, a Vietnamese belief system venerating mother goddesses and showcasing the mystical art of serving reflections, deeply rooted in the nation’s cultural fabric. The museum not only preserves architectural heritage but also sustains the rich cultural tapestry of the Vietnamese people through the continuation of traditional art forms.

traditional clay tiles collected from historic nearby houses dominate the museum’s material palette

the project preserves the existing pine and bonsai trees, and a small house

the museum emerges from a lush green landscape

the use of clay tiles is rooted in the artist’s memories of regional traditions

the project underscores the significance of Đạo Mẫu

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project info:

name: Vietnamese Đạo Mẫu Museum

architect: ARB Architects | @arb.architects
location: Hanoi, Vietnam

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.

edited by: christina vergopoulou | designboom