AWAKEN THE SENSENS – THE TE MY QUARRY EXPERIENTIAL SPACE

The advent of industrialization has improved living conditions, upgraded infrastructure, and boosted economic development. However, it has also encroached upon and overpowered nature, disrupting the connection between humans and the environment. This has impacted ecosystems and biodiversity, affecting the habitats of various species and humanity itself, leading to challenges such as climate change, global warming, rising sea levels, natural disasters, storms, and landslides. These disruptions represent an industrial legacy that society has experienced, and now we aspire to mend these scars.

The pristine and majestic beauty of the natural landscape of Ninh Binh is the greatest inspiration for my graduation project. The rugged and rough textures of the materials create mysterious and challenging caves, but when viewed from a larger scale, they combine smoothly and gracefully to form undulating and intricate limestone mountain ranges.

The site of the project located in Phuong Hung, Gia Phuong, Gia Vien, Ninh Binh is an abandoned quarry is surrounded by a residential area that has been left unused for many years after exploitation. On the one hand, this has caused geological changes and negative environmental impacts, on the other hand, it presents a potential opportunity due to the diverse terrain and geomorphology. Thus, the project aims to utilize the site’s context to reestablish the connection between humans and nature.

The Te My Quarry Experiential Space contains spaces that harmonize with elements such as water, soil, and rock, guiding visitors to interact with nature through all their senses. The project focuses on rich, interwoven spaces inside, designed in layers and exploiting light to enhance the visitor experience as if exploring caves with undulating stalactites and intertwrined spatial dimensions, where signals are light and dark, becoming invisible and indefinite for us to explore on our own journey of experience.

In addition to the spaces that foster connection and interaction with nature, the project includes workshops for stone crafting, allowing artisans to create and exhibit their artwork. There are also services area, restaurant, and café for relaxation, as well as an auditorium for hosting events, conferences, and scientific discussions among experts.

Ninh Binh is renowned for its famous stone carving village, producing highly intricate sculptural products. Utilizing the readily available material and skilled local artisans, stone is used not only as a structural element of the building but also in traditional decorative patterns and modern cladding effects, creating a blend of contemporary influence.

The building facade features a wind-screen layer assembled from locally quarried stones cut into modules to create alternating patterns, along with the spaces being organized with alternating solid and void areas. This design enhances aesthetic appeal while also serving as a protective layer against thermal radiation and ensuring natural ventilation and lighting.

The project aims to convey the values that nature brings in terms of landscape, ecosystem, and economic potential, creating livelihoods for local people through symbiotic development, where growth goes hand in hand with conservation and heritage preservation. Additionally, the model can be replicated to rehabilitate other mineral mines, guiding the sustainable and efficient development of tourism.