Designed by Vo Trong Nghia Architects the Trees Building, a branch bank of ABBANK, aims to create a co-existence of the rapid development and abundant nature of the seaside city. Located in Danang, Vietnam, the office building uses a classical style with two-storey-height columns dating back to Alberti, which has been typically used for bank buildings all over the world to symbolize their authority and stability. More images and architects’ description after the break.
Dating back to history, even some banks in Vietnam were built during the French colonial period using this feature. Our idea for the new branch office of ABBANK is to integrate this traditional architectural vocabulary with the criteria of contemporary green buildings and bring it boldly into the style of 21st century architecture.
The facade of the building is composed of rows of colossal double-height columns, which are designed not only as load-bearing elements but also as devices to plant big trees on their tops. In order to resist against strong wind in Danang, trees need to be rooted deeply. Therefore, the colossal columns have been designed to keep a deep layer of soil inside, devoting some floor area for trees.
The colossal columns are tiered up on four layers so that all the trees have enough space to grow upward. This composition of trees enables people everywhere in the building to enjoy urban views through the leaves of trees, in contrast to stark interiors of generic office space. The green giant order creates the facade like a vertical forest. Unlike an ordinary roof garden, Trees Building can be seen from the street and offer enjoyable green-scape to the public. The sectional ideas of the building enable to plant even more trees than on flat land (at least 150%).
Due to the rapid development and urbanization, numerous trees have been felled and people in Vietnam are losing greenery and their connection to nature. Against the backdrop of this situation, Trees Building is a challenge to return green lands to our earth. The construction is expected to start soon in 2013.
Architects: Vo Trong Nghia Architects
Location: Danang, Vietnam
Principal Architects: Vo Trong Nghia, Masaaki Iwamoto
Client: ABBANK
Program: Brank bank office
GFA: 2358 m2 (8 floors)
Status: 2012- (detail design phase)
