Landmark 81 is Vietnam’s tallest building. Built at the western bank of the Saigon River, it is a 461 meter tall, 81-story supertall skyscraper located at the heart of the $1.5 billion high-end mixed-use urban area called Vinhomes Central Park, Ho Chi Min city. The development comprises hotel and conference facilities, luxury apartments, high-end retail spaces, restaurants, bars, and a multi-story observation deck.
The skyscraper was conceived as an expression of Vietnam’s rapid economic growth and prosperity and to symbolize that in the urban setting. The British architectural firm, Atkins, was commissioned for the design of the building. In Vietnamese culture, the bamboo holds a place of high regard, from architecture to art to literature, everyday life, bamboo is essential for the Vietnamese, and thus the design of Landmark 81 is inspired from a bamboo clump. The final concept is based on a bundle of square tubes that progressively diminish in number to offer the towers bold spire like form. These bundles both reflect the structural system and respond to the function of the tower. The many resultant roof terraces are enjoyed by the larger apartments and hotel bedrooms, as well as the hotels many bars and restaurants. The concept also recalls the common Vietnamese adage that a single stick is not as strong as a bundle of sticks.
The 81 floors contain a five star Vinpearl hotel in the upper portion. Unusually though for such a tall tower, the predominant function of the tower is residential. The 241,000 sq.m project as a whole also includes extensive retail in its podium and basement. At the very top of the tower there is a public observation deck and exhibition space.
The design of the building also put a great deal of emphasis on sustainable practices and concepts. The whole building is fitted with eco-friendly low emissivity glass windows, minimizing the use of power for lighting and air conditioning. Specifically, the Low-E glass ensures efficient light conductivity and temperature stability inside. Furthermore, the building and the surrounding landscape make use of efficient water management and reuse systems.
