MUSEUM OF SEA CULTURE – COASTAL CENTER VIETNAM

Through architectural work; How to protect, preserve, promote and develop cultural heritage? Will the appearance of a new building destroy the inherent beauty of this area's landscape?
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Designer(s) : Tran Thi Chi

University : Van Lang University

Tutor(s) : Do Quoc Hiep

Project Description

The familiar images of boats, fishing ports, sand dunes, and waves are deeply ingrained in my mind. I realize that the childhood dreams I cherish are the unique cultures of coastal communities. Urbanization and industrial development have encroached upon and taken away the essence of maritime professions and the cultural activities of the people. And I recognize the importance of these characteristics as the heritage of the homeland. This maritime cultural heritage needs to be restored, preserved, and passed down so that the dreams will forever serve as a guiding light for the children growing up here.

The museum’s design is organized into three main spaces:

  • Exhibition space for artifacts: This is where valuable items are preserved and displayed. The structure is based on the soft curves of ocean waves, the local sand dunes, and the curved roof and slopes help reduce the bulkiness of the roof while allowing natural light to filter in.
  • Experience and Performance Space: Understanding the immense value of intangible cultural heritage. And how to display and organize them, which include traditional festivals, folk tales, oral knowledge transmission, beliefs, education, language, music, and art, is the biggest challenge of the project. Drawing inspiration from the fishing net shape, the project adopts a creatively designed saddle roof to symbolize the image of drying fishing nets, enveloping the experiential activities below. The most unique aspect is the performance auditorium space, where sculpture is learned using the method of crafting wooden boats on the framework of fishermen. Following the principle of not using common dream linkage found in traditional wooden house constructions. The people in the coastal region construct boat support frames by stacking wooden beams on top of each other to shape the interior space of the boat. In this project, a 200-seat auditorium is designed to be suspended on the wooden frame in the space.
  • Outdoor Space: It is an outdoor exhibition space and a venue for cultural and religious activities in the coastal region. Local residents often organize festivals, ceremonies, and processions along the beach to the shrine. There are also boat racing festivals on the water. The coastal climate is characterized by intense sunlight but is also windy, so the locals prefer activities in shaded areas. Because of this, the project minimizes the use of air conditioning, prioritizing natural ventilation and daylight. It maximizes the use of local materials, and techniques. It aims to create the most natural connection between the local residents and the project.