Beautifying the surface of Hoan Kiem Lake

On March 5, the Office of the Hanoi People's Committee issued Notice No. 102/TB-VP on the conclusion of Vice Chairman of the Hanoi People's Committee Duong Duc Tuan at the meeting to review the design and renovation plan of Dong Kinh - Nghia Thuc Square, Hoan Kiem District.

Regarding the content of research ideas and solution orientation, the City agrees with the proposed plan to demolish the "Shark Jaw" building, propose underground space in the existing square area and expanded space after demolishing the "Shark Jaw" building.

Specifically, Hanoi city plans to study about 3 basements, propose specific functions for using the basements (cultural and commercial spaces should be arranged on basement 1, parking areas on basements 2 and 3); in case there is no parking, it can be used as a dual-use space. Note that the beveled corners (on Dinh Tien Hoang street and Dong Kinh - Nghia Thuc square) should be arranged reasonably, in accordance with design standards and regulations...

Organizing a simple tunnel access and access in the North of the square (Cau Go area) may affect part of the space in the North of Dong Kinh - Nghia Thuc square; reduce the square area, separate the communication, and connect the space plane of Dong Kinh - Nghia Thuc square with Cau Go street - pedestrian space.

The city requested the consulting unit to study the approach from Dinh Liet street, arrange a mechanized lift system (possibly combined with stairs) at the location close to Dinh Tien Hoang street (the location of the demolition of the "Shark Jaw" building), and study the use of the roof of the grandstand lobby.

Talking to Kinh te & Do thi reporters, Architect Pham Thanh Tung - Chief of Office of the Vietnam Association of Architects shared: "In the East of Hoan Kiem Lake, there are many constructions, of which Dong Kinh - Nghia Thuc Square needs special attention in the planning and renovation process. When the French planned, they placed a fountain here, but later we built a 5-storey building. That construction has no special architectural mark, even having an unattractive name "Shark Jaw". But because it is located in a prime location in Hoan Kiem Lake, it has become a place of interest to people. Therefore, the demolition of this construction item, and some other constructions affecting the landscape of Hoan Kiem Lake is very necessary".

Synchronous, methodical, scientific approach

Planning and renovating the space of the area east of Hoan Kiem Lake in the direction of increasing public space, open space, serving the community of the Capital is necessary. Thereby, Dong Kinh - Nghia Thuc Square can be expanded, becoming the highlight of Hoan Kiem Lake as a creative space, a community space, a space for performing arts serving the people and tourists.

Architect Pham Thanh Tung - Chief of Office of Vietnam Association of Architects shared: "When renovating, we must pay attention to urban underground space to solve all the problems such as public toilets, parking lots; service shops; the location of the entrance and exit does not affect the living, traffic in the surrounding area, and the landscape".

According to Architect Pham Hoang Phuong - architectural criticism expert, National Institute of Architecture (Ministry of Construction), different from the previous approach, the research on planning and renovating the area east of Hoan Kiem Lake this time aims to increase public space, open space, serving the community of the Capital. In addition to considering the architectural physical elements, it also fully studies the values ​​of landscape, trees, preserves and promotes the architectural values ​​of cultural heritages and valuable architectural works, applies new scientific and technological solutions in lighting and decoration... is considered to have a relatively synchronous, methodical, and scientific approach.

Architect Pham Hoang Phuong proposed that it is necessary to focus on studying the planning of landscape embellishment of the facades of the streets that directly approach. Resolutely eliminate the constructions that are extended, interspersed, damaging and degrading the landscape value. Typically, the renovation and restoration of the facades of ancient buildings along the axis should be synchronized in general, but avoid uniformity to ensure the diversity as it has existed in history. The study proposed demolishing the "Shark Jaw" building, which has caused great controversy about its negative impact on the landscape architecture of Hoan Kiem Lake in the past, to make room for the construction of underground public works such as parking lots, pedestrian spaces and public services, which are currently in serious shortage.

On the other hand, because Dong Kinh - Nghia Thuc Square is an important intersection connecting many important areas of Hoan Kiem Lake and its vicinity, it is necessary to consider arranging the entrance gate adjacent to the square, which can be integrated into the newly constructed underground space after relocating the "Shark Jaw" building to build an underground engineering system at this location. Organizing the underground pedestrian corridor system from the metro station to the exit locations in the direction of optimally utilizing these spaces into public spaces, commercial services, and diverse indoor mass cultural activities, has been successfully implemented in Tokyo (Japan) and Paris (France).