We love green design and Vietnam is a great place to put it into practice. While we’ve covered some awesome green residential designs in the past, a planned ABBANK building in Da Nang is taking a slightly different approach to bringing nature back to the city:
“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.”
Trees Building, designed by Vo Trong Nghia Architects for ABBANK, aims to “create a co-existence of the rapid development and abundant nature of the seaside city.”
The building incorporates a classical style with two-story columns. This style, dating back to Alberti, is typical for bank buildings as it symbolizes authority and stability. The building’s load-bearing columns double as planters for large trees. To make sure the trees are able to withstand Danang’s winds, roots are planted deep within the columns. According to the architect,
“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%).”
Construction is expected to start in 2013. We wouldn't mind seeing some of these around Saigon...
