Lung Vai School

Lung Vai School
© Trieu Chien

Lung Vai School

1+1>2 Architects

LEAD ARCHITECTS
Kts Hoang Thuc Hao, Kts Tran Hong Nam, Kts Nguyen Hanh Le

MANUFACTURERS
Hai Long Glass, Hoa Phat, Inax, Rạng Đông

INVESTORS
Aa Corporation

PHOTOGRAPHS
Trieu Chien, Son Vu

AREA
250 m²

YEAR
2020

LOCATION
Minh Tân, Vietnam

CATEGORY
Schools

MUSHROOM SPRINGS FROM THE GROUND 

Lung Vai village is located atop a craggy mountain where the Hmong people reside. The lack of a road network makes accessibility extremely difficult.

Lung Vai School
© Son Vu
Lung Vai School
© Son Vu

During the construction process, people from Lung Vai and the neighboring village of Bac Sum joined hands to pave the way, enabling construction materials to be transported more easily.

Without electricity and water being scarce, the construction work was carefully managed to maximize local materials and labor use.

Lung Vai School
© Trieu Chien
Lung Vai School
© Trieu Chien

The design of Lung Vai school adopted the traditional rammed earth wall technique that help the school to blend in with the village.

The school comprises three classrooms, two for kindergarten and one for elementary school. Corridors, classrooms, and toilets sit under a large, curved iron roof that resembles a flying saucer perched on the hillside or a forest mushroom springing up from the ground.

Lung Vai School
© Son Vu
Lung Vai School
© Son Vu

Viewed from above, the construction brings to mind a terraced field with sparkling water mirroring the mountains and forest scenery.

The curved mud walls embrace the terrain making the classrooms seem to burst from and absorb nature, eliminating the boundary between inside and outside.

Lung Vai School
© Son Vu
Lung Vai School
© Son Vu

Thanks to the thick mud wall system, large windows, and skylights in the roof, ventilation is assured. Sufficient lighting and air circulation make the school appear like a natural entity.


Lung Vai School
© Trieu Chien
Lung Vai School
© Son Vu
Lung Vai School
© Son Vu
Lung Vai School
© Son Vu
Lung Vai School
© Son Vu
Lung Vai School
© Trieu Chien


Lung Vai School
© Son Vu
Lung Vai School
© Trieu Chien
Lung Vai School
© Son Vu
Lung Vai School
© Trieu Chien
Lung Vai School
© Trieu Chien


Lung Vai School
Plan


Lung Vai School
Section


Lung Vai School
Elevation


Lung Vai School
Site Location