Hanoi is undergoing rapid development with its infrastructure and skyscraper building in new developing districts from a large influx of overseas investment. In old districts, on the other hand, architects and designers are occupied with innovating bold designs, creating reworks hidden among an old world of shophouses as Vietnam strives on to reform its cityscape. Shophouses are traditional characteristics in Hanoi which have been prevalent from old centuries. Here, boldness and traditions coexist without flaws.

Reworks into Café Koi

In the old Hoan Kiem district, a small café is enveloped between a midst of old and crooked buildings on the street. Despite its narrow space, Café Koi, leaps out from the crowd. Its exterior is built from orange- red roof tiles from the Champa Era, stacked high into the open air. As you venture through the entrance, a koi-carp pool adds statement to the minimalist café of concrete and stone slabs. The rest of the space is decorated using water features against a backdrop of tables and high chairs made from bamboo cultivated locally. Visitors can sit on the bench and dangle their feet over a half-exposed pool with gold fishes swimming and sip on some coffee on a chill afternoon. Water features are not only decorative, but is symbolic for wealth in Vietnamese culture and here, is able to recycle and oxygenate the fish in the ponds. The exterior of stacked curved tiles creates the rippling effect of fish scales, a double reminisces of the café’s ‘Koi’ theme.

Reworks into Studio 102

Two streets away from Café Koi, is Studio 102, where half of a traditional shophouse is renovated into an office for an architectural firm. The shophouse’s dramatic contrast will capture any pass-byers. A stone slab walkway at the entrance, topping a shallow pond of water, leads to the central atrium of the building. Vertical fencing surrounds the space to provide a sense of privacy yet facilitate the office with the busy atmosphere beyond the fences. A series of green planters is able to communicate nature amidst a sea of concrete shophouses. The studio revolutionizes the traditional office space, in-different to the partitioned Vietnamese office.

Reworks into Panasonic’s Lantern

Nicknamed the Lantern, Hanoi’s Panasonic showroom also nestles in the same area. Similar to Café Koi, the Lantern has a signature red exterior made from proliferated terracotta bricks. Light can travel through the bricks and create a contrasting effect on the staircase as well as provide natural lighting. The Lantern is a gallery for Panasonic’s light products placed along the staircase where visitors can admire the items walking up and down the staircase. Tables, chairs and even shelves showcasing the products are made from sustainable materials such as local bamboo and thatch. The showroom is a piece of sustainability architecture in the center of the old district.

Those visiting and traveling the city can disembark on an exploration to these hidden architectural gems in the city and be amazed at the integration of such refreshing designs with a new focus on design and sustainability by building with local materials. The spotlight, however, is the innovative reworking of traditional Hanoi shophouses.

Besides understanding the property market in Hanoi and providing insights into its latest trending investments, Golden Emperor will additionally share the city’s local top stories, lifestyle news and travel destinations. Let us continue to bring you to discover Hanoi’s world of traditions and learn about the this prominent culture of the city, like this article in the old world of shophouses.