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Designing a Sustainable Haven: The Kaleidoscope

The Kaleidoscope, a living and working building, is a unique architectural marvel designed by Kosuke Nishijima, located at a factory site in central Vietnam. The building inherits the idea of Non La, a Vietnamese traditional farmer’s hat, to create a large conical surface that protects from sunlight and rain while allowing natural ventilation. The project aims to create a protected space from the harsh tropical climate and enhance the user’s contact with nature.

The building is strategically placed between the hill and the sea, framing diverse (kaleidoscopic) views in different directions and times. The innovative design aims to provide a haven from the severe climate of the region, characterized by hot winds in the dry season and typhoons and floods during the rainy season.

The construction of The Kaleidoscope was completed in 2022 in Quang Binh, Vietnam, following a 5-year design process that started in 2017 in Saigon. The project is part of a series called Tropical Office Projects, focusing on discovering location-specific design languages for modern office buildings in Vietnam.

The building's unique design features perforated ventilation blocks and custom precast ventilation blocks that compose the outer surfaces of the solid volumes, providing privacy to the inner rooms. The hollow precast blocks were interlocked on-site by pouring concrete into their cavities, showcasing a blend of traditional and modern construction techniques.

Under a single roof, The Kaleidoscope organizes various functions through seven triangular volumes, defining private and common spaces. The interior of the volumes accommodates closed functions such as bedrooms and private offices, while the space between the volumes holds gathering functions such as the central office and parlors, offering a seamless blend of living and working spaces.

The project was realized through a collaborative effort between experienced builders from Saigon and local farmer-builders, contributing to the evolution of local workmanship and offering insights into the potential of rural construction.

The Kaleidoscope was awarded the Silver A' Design Award in 2023, recognizing its outstanding expertise, innovation, and remarkable architectural design that showcases a remarkable level of excellence and introduces positive feelings, amazement, and wonder.

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