TAY NGUYEN CATHOLIC MUSEUM

Vietnam has 54 ethnic groups, of which ethnic minorities account for 14.6% of the population. The Central Highlands (Tay Nguyen) is a highland region in Central Vietnam, home to many ethnic minorities, accounting for about 26% of the local population. Catholicism is a major religion and was present earliest in Tay Nguyen.

Under the impact of urbanization and globalization, the values ​​of uniqueness and distinction of indigenous culture are increasingly declining and disappearing. Along with that is the degradation of the ecological environment, green space is increasingly narrowing. In addition, architectural patterns and trends are increasingly referenced or imposed without considering the appropriateness of national or regional culture as well as the natural context.

In the past, Tay Nguyen was a place where indigenous Catholics were proud of their religion and local culture. Religious architecture has helped people connect with each other, connect with culture, community and nature. But now these connections are gradually fading and breaking.

Inspired by the communal house roof, a cultural symbol of Tay Nguyen ethnic minorities, and the shape of the majestic hills symbolizing Tay Nguyen nature, Tay Nguyen Catholic Museum was built as a space to preserve the value of the harmony between memory, faith, connecting people with community culture and nature throughout history.

In addition, the harmony of the project with the regional terrain as well as the use of local materials, Tay Nguyen features in the museum design are considered a creative application of indigenous elements into contemporary museum architecture.