The Viettel Headquarters in Hanoi, Vietnam, stands as a testament to the power of sustainable design and its potential to elevate a company’s brand identity while fostering a thriving work environment. Completed in 2020, this LEED Silver-certified building, designed by Gensler, serves as the central hub for Viettel Group, Vietnam’s largest telecommunications provider. This case study delves into the project’s development, highlighting its innovative design solutions, sustainable features, and positive impact on both employees and the surrounding urban landscape.
Viettel Group, a state-owned enterprise under the Vietnam Ministry of National Defence, envisioned a headquarters that would reflect its position as a technology leader and project an image of innovation and progress. Initially, the company desired a prominent high-rise tower.
However, site restrictions, including a 30-40% site coverage limitation, a maximum gross floor area of 30,745 m², and a height restriction of 38 meters, presented significant design challenges. The project also needed to address Hanoi’s tropical climate and prioritize employee well-being and productivity.
Gensler responded to these challenges with an innovative oval-shaped structure featuring a distinctive green roof. This design maximized the allowable floor area within the height limitations while minimizing the building’s environmental footprint. The building, spanning nine floors and a basement, occupies a 23,652 m² site in Cau Giay, Hanoi’s new commercial center. Its unique form and sustainable features set it apart from the surrounding cityscape.
The design philosophy centered around three core principles:
The building incorporates biophilic design elements, blurring the lines between the built environment and the natural world. The “Green Ring,” a lightweight green roof system, wraps around the building, providing a continuous loop of landscaped terraces and vertical connectivity between levels. This green roof not only reduces heat gain but also creates an ecological habitat within the city, fostering biodiversity and offering employees access to outdoor work and relaxation areas known as the “Green Cascade.” At ground level, the “Green Foundation” incorporates vegetated swales and ponds for water treatment, further integrating nature into the building’s design.
The green roof, along with horizontal louvers on the façade, plays a crucial role in minimizing the building’s cooling load and optimizing its microclimate. Skylights throughout the building maximize natural light penetration, reducing the need for artificial lighting. The double-glazed façade, combined with the aluminum shading devices, further reduces solar heat gain. A rainwater harvesting system contributes to water conservation. These sustainable features earned the building LEED Silver certification, demonstrating Viettel’s commitment to environmental responsibility.
The building’s design promotes interaction and collaboration among employees. A central communal space, reminiscent of a ceremonial plaza, serves as a focal point for company events and public activities. This open area interacts with other public spaces within the building, including drop-off points, lobbies, a canteen, and multi-function rooms. The interconnected floor plates across all eight levels further enhance connectivity and facilitate a collaborative work environment. An 800-seat auditorium provides a functional event space within the premises.
Construction of the Viettel Headquarters commenced in the first quarter of 2018, with Coteccons as the general contractor. The building spans eight stories above ground and includes a basement. BM Windows managed the complex façade construction, utilizing imported materials: glass from the USA, aluminum from France, and accessories from G7 countries.
The façade incorporates a stratified unitized system, a first in Vietnam, and features 11.7m high four-layer tempered glass, also a national record. The façade’s 27 louver variations, ranging from 25mm to 400mm, posed a significant technical challenge, yet BM Windows completed this aspect in just two months, from March to November 2019.
Interior fit-out for the basement and eight floors was handled by Sieu Chung Ky Joint Stock Company (SCK) and finished in 2019. The building achieved completion in 2020.
The Viettel Headquarters has garnered significant recognition for its innovative design and sustainable features. It received the Golden Award in the Public Buildings Category at Vietnam’s National Architecture Awards 2023 and has been featured in prominent architectural publications. The building has become a symbol of Viettel’s corporate identity, reflecting its commitment to innovation, sustainability, and employee well-being.
The Viettel Headquarters exemplifies how thoughtful design can overcome site constraints and create a building that is both aesthetically striking and environmentally responsible. By prioritizing employee well-being, integrating nature into the built environment, and embracing innovative technologies, Viettel has created a headquarters that not only meets its functional needs but also serves as a symbol of its corporate values and a model for sustainable development in Vietnam.
