Ashui Pavilion Design 2026 explores water as a design driver, rethinking urban space in Hanoi through fluid forms, cultural symbolism, and sustainable architecture.
In recent decades, Hanoi has undergone rapid urban expansion, resulting in the loss of nearly 80% of its natural water surfaces. Lakes, ponds, and wetlands have gradually given way to construction, intensifying flooding across the city after heavy rains and reshaping its ecological balance.
Ashui Pavilion 2026 by H&P Architects responds to this condition by proposing a shift away from rigid urbanization toward a more fluid, water-oriented approach. Conceived as a symbolic “source,” the pavilion imagines water as a generative force—spreading outward in streams and reinforcing its essential role in both environmental and human systems.
The Adaptive Form of the Pavilion Expands and Contracts
The structure takes the form of a hemispherical volume composed of layered curves. This flexible geometry allows the pavilion design to transform—opening into an active, performative space or closing into a quieter, reflective setting depending on use.
Its spatial adaptability creates a dynamic experience, where architecture responds not only to function but also to mood, movement, and gathering.
Material, Memory, and Flow Craft a Luminous Canopy
Materiality plays a central role in shaping the experience. The pavilion is clad in golden-glazed concave tiles, inspired by traditional roofing elements. These tiles echo the form of bamboo joints, representing droplets of water that come together to create a larger, unified flow.
The resulting canopy feels both luminous and organic, merging cultural memory with spatial expression. At a conceptual level, the pavilion also evokes the imagery of a sunshower, where golden raindrops descend, symbolizing renewal, growth, and continuity. Through this layered narrative, the project positions water not just as a resource but as a guiding principle for future urban design.
Project Details of Ashui Pavilion
Project: The Source, Ashui Pavilion
Location: National Convention Center, Vietnam
Area: 1,750 m²
Year Completed: 2026
