The Kaleidoscope is a 960-square-meter residential and office complex in the Hon La industrial park in Quang Binh Province.
It won in the Architecture–Office category at the 2022 Loop Design Awards in September.
The prestigious international competition aim attracted 705 entries from 56 countries this year, with international architects, designers, lecturers, and photographers serving as judges.
The Viettel Offsite Studio by Vo Trong Nghia Architects won the award the Architecture–Office category last year.
Since the Kaleidoscope is in Quang Binh, a province known for its scorching, dry winds in summer and annual storms and floods, the architects set out to build something that can withstand extreme weather conditions.
The design took its inspiration from the iconic conical hat worn by Vietnamese farmers, and its massive pyramidal roof provides welcome relief from the sun on hot days. The building is situated at a place where hills and the sea meet, offering a kaleidoscopic array of views in all directions and at all times of day.
The architect in charge said the building did not use any specific design style, and the ideas and concepts for it were based on the geographical and cultural context of the region.
The structure features a double roof. A ventilation cavity, which also serves as insulation on hot days, is located between the two sections of the roof.
The eaves are so wide that occupants can leave their windows open even when it is raining outside.
The custom precast ventilation blocks on the exterior surfaces not only help reduce the impact of the outside environment, but also provide privacy to the interior spaces and produce spectacular lighting effects.
The use of fiber-reinforced concrete blocks makes the perforated ventilation blocks thinner than conventional concrete, helping reduce weight and making transportation and construction easier.
A series of V-shaped designs give the central area a source of natural light while leaving plenty of room for people to work and hold group events.
The staff bedrooms have a bed, a closet and a toilet and two windows in opposing corners to provide cross ventilation .
The sleeping space opens up to the outside via concrete blocks and glass doors. The blocks help manage the amount of light as well as provide privacy.
The interiors are monochromatic, with concrete serving as the primary hue, to keep things calm and efficient in the workplace.
The triangular cutouts in the upper roof produce striking shadow patterns on the floors below. Greenery is not limited to the courtyard, with potted trees being placed atop each of the seven triangular blocks.
Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the Kaleidoscope took three years to build.
In introducing the building, Loop Design Awards wrote: "Not only does the project symbolize the client’s initiative, but it also contributes to the evolution of the local workmanship and offers a window into the potential of rural construction."
