Analysis - Old Condos in District 1

DISPLACEMENT CHAOS IN DISTRICT 1 HO CHI MINH CITY

SITI SHAHRI NGYUEN UYEN AN LE

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DISPLACEMENT IN DISTRICT 1

HO CHI MINH CITY

CONTENT 1.

Mapping Interpretation + Ho Chi Minh City

boundary and District 2.

Issue and response + Saigon District 1 map in 1800’s 3.

Ho Chi Minh City District 1 Map 4.

Land zoning map and diagrams 5.

Building type diagram 6.

Landmark map 7.

Condo 42, Ngyuen Hue Street Introduction

a.

AA Elevation

b.

Transformation diagram

c.

Plan and Circulation diagram

d.

BB Section

e.

Social activity and conditions 8.

Condo 42, Ton That Thiep Street Introduction

a.

AA Elevation

b.

Façade transformation Elevation

c.

Transformation diagram

d.

Plan and Circulation Diagram

e.

Social activity and conditions

CHU CHI DISTRICT

HOC MON DISTRICT

12 THU DUC DISTRICT

GO VAP DISTRICT

Expanded Field A range of experimental techniques of mapping and is produced by direct observations of ephemeral conditions such as light and shadow, environmental aspects or social needs and more. Often borrowing from other disciplines, the translation of data collection is dependent on its topic and will reflect its style, type and scale.

Urban Environment Using typical architectural drawings of plans, sections and axonometric to convey detailed representation concerning civic narratives. This technique is best suited for the direct observation of architectural, urban, typological, infrastructure and civic consciousness Emergent Architecture Development process or rule governed urban condition mapping technique to represent the relationship of change, growth, development however not limited to the existing and invisible data. Moreover via the utilisation of emerging digital, biological, manufacturing and communicational technology

PHU NHUAN DISTRICT

TANH PHU DISTRICT BINH TAN DISTRICT

11 6

9

BINH THANH DISTRICT

TAN BINH DISTRICT

10

3

5

8

2

1

4 7

BINH CHANH DISTRICT

NHA BE DISTRICT

CON GIAO DISTRICT

HO CHI MINH CITY BOUNDARY AND DISTRICTS

This assignment will investigate the close observation of HCMC’s popular apartment-turned-mixed use buildings within the city. Our interest lies in understanding how the main street of Nguyên Huê Street and its neighbouring Tôn That Thiep Street became as popular as it is today. Also, our intention is to study the history of the streets and its influences in the changes of zonings through the centuries. Furthermore, we are interested in investigating the chaotic details of the change of use within the apartment buildings and how the building has evolved by the residents to adapt to their social needs.

City Ho Chi Minh City, also known as Saigon has over 75% of buildings currently declared as unsound or unsafe. According to the real estate regulations in Vietnam, buildings constructed before 1975 is considered liable for destruction or renovations. This announcement however was overlooked by the tenants as most refused to give up their home and even have emerged to work-live and play within the one infrastructure.

Street Nguyên Huê Street has gone through numerous transformations from canal to the first pedestrian-only street in Saigon. It was once a busy fabric trading area with two roads alongside the canal and ironically through the centuries of changes, today the road function have returned to use the two roads yet with Pedestrian Street in the centre. Today the street is considered the most modern in the country yet chaotic with the combination of modern and old. Tôn That Thiep street is also considerably one of the oldest streets in Saigon and has been impacted by Ngyuyen Hue Street’s transofmration.

Apartment-turned-Mixed The café apartment(Condo42 at Nguyen Hue) and Chung Cu 42 Tôn That Thiep(Condo 42 at Ton That Thiep) are two similar old apartment buildings that have transformed to become mixed use with residential, retail busi-

SAIGON DISTRICT 1 1800’S

1800 BOUNDARY TODAY BOUNDARY HERITAGE BUILDING

The urban growth is evident in in the historical map of Saigon District 1 1800’s as developments begin to distribute outwards from the famous Công viên Cang Du Lich Bach Đang and towards Nguyên Huê Street. Certain his-

torical buildings have remained today whilst the urban planning of zones complements the structure

HCMC DISTRICT 1 TODAY

HISTORICAL BUILDINGS

Office and commercial zone Cultural and historical zone OfficeOffice and commercial zone and commercial zone and historical CulturalCultural and Historical zone zone

historical landmarks that have The zoningfor of centuries District 1 issuch clearly influenced remained as the Saigon by the

historical landmarks thatand have Notre Dame Catherdal the People remained for centuries such the Saigonthe core Comiitee Building.

District 1 isas considered

Notre Dame Catherdal and the People area with of HCMC, it the most densely populated Comiitee Building.

District 1 The is considered the core the highest living standard. historical landmarks of HCMC, it the most densely populated have greatly influenced its surrounding asarea with the highest living standard.

The historical landmarks administrative offices and consulates have taken have greatly influenced its surrounding as over and have created commercial centres such administrative offices and consulates have taken as Nguyen Hue Street. However over time, land over and have created commercial centres zoning was ignored as various building typessuch and as Nguyen Hueremained Street. However over time, From land purposes have and developed.

zoning was ignored as various building types and condominiums, shophouses, governement buildings purposes remained and developed. and largehave tall commercial buildings cluster From within

2

condominiums, shophouses, governement buildings one street or area.

This is evident on Nguyen Hue St. and large tall commercial buildings cluster within

1

one street or area. This is evident on Nguyen Hue St.

1

2 3 1

2

4

4

3 3

1 Independence Palace

2 Saigon Notre Dame Cathedral

3

1 Independence Palace 1 Independence Palace

2 Saigon Notre Dame Cathedral 2 Saigon Notre Dame Cathedral

People's Committee Building 3 3People's Committee Building

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4

People's Committee Building

4

Saigon Opera House

44

Saigon Saigon Opera OperaHouse House

Land Zones

DISTRICT 1 Land Zones DISTRICT 1

NGUYEN HUE ZONES Condominiums NGUYEN HUE NGUYEN HUE ZONES NGUYEN HUEZONES ZONES Condos NGUYEN HUE ZONES Condos Condominiums Condos Condominiums Condos Condos Condos Condos

Commercial Buildings

Commercial Buildings

Commercial Buildings Commercial Buildings Commercial Buildings Commercial Buildings Commercial CommercialBuildings Buildings Commercial Buildings

Commercial Buildings

Shop Houses Shophouses

Government Buildings Government Office

Shop Houses Shop Houses Shophouses Shop Houses Shop Houses Shophouses Shop Houses

Government Office Government Buildings Government Office Government Office Government Buildings Government Office Government Office

Shop Houses

Government Office

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Building Types

NGYUEN NGUYEN HUE ST

HCM People’s Comittee Ho Chi Minh People's Committee Building Building

Saigon OperaSaigon Bitexco Tower Opera house Financial Bitexco Financial Tower House

Vietcombank Tower Vietcombank Tower

ton that thiep st

fdsdf

ng

uy en

hu es

t

Main Nodes

NGYUEN HUE HUE ST ST & & TON TON THAT THAT THIEP THIEP STREET STREET NGUYEN

CONDO 42 NGUYEN HUE ST

Built in early 1960’s, Condo 42 has remained a prominent role in the history of Saigon’s Nguyen Hue St. It has stood through the French colonial rule, the American war and Vietnam’s economic reform(Doi Moi). In 1970’s the condo was once a home for the senior government officials including the most notable Truong Buu Khanh who was the translator for the president during the time and in the latter, the US Military resided in the building during the war. After the war, the apartment was allocated for local shipbuilders of the Ba Son Shipyard in District 1 was considered at a lower social class.

However, in 2015, Nguyen Hue St transformed into Saigon’s first walking city in 2015 which regenerated new businesses in most of the buildings within the perimeter of the new boulevard. As for Condo 42, the building easily became entirely mixed-use with various businesses from dining, entertainment and retail adapting itself in the former-condominium.

Majority of the customers who are attracted to the condo are youths as a majority of the businesses were catered for their interest such as creative businesses, local coffee shops, and local craftsmanship stores. The exterior has also played a significant role in attracting customers with the different use of signage’s, frontages, lighting and decorations that is visible from the street.

As a result, Condo 42 quickly became the center of many landmarks for the younger generation. Majority of the residents rent out their apartment in as real-estate prices tremendously increased and were in high-demand, yet there are still a few residents that remain.

CONDO 42

B B

A

A

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AA Elevation

CONDO 42. NGUYEN HUE ST

RESIDENT ENTRANCE

CAFE

ENTRANCE

RESTAURANT RETAIL / SHOP

1960’S

1960 - 2015

ENTRANCE

TODAY

2015 - Now

ENTRANCE

RESIDENT RESIDENT CAFE CAFE

RESTAURANT RESTAURANT RETAIL / SHOP RETAIL/SHOP

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1960 - 2015

2015 - Now

Transformation Diagram

CONDO 42. NGUYEN HUE ST

SECOND FLOOR PLAN (TYPICAL) SECOND FLOOR PLAN (TYPICAL) SECOND FLOOR PLAN (TYPICAL)

FIRST FIRST FLOOR FLOOR PLAN PLAN FIRST FLOOR PLAN

ENTRANCE ENTRANCE

cir circula cu tio lat n ion

There is three methods of accessiblity in Condo 42 which is the two There is three methods accessiblity seperate staircases andofan elevator in Condo 42 which is the two seperate staircases and an elevator

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1960 - 2015 1960 - 2015

RESIDENT RESIDENT RESIDENT RESIDENT CAFE CAFE CAFE CAFE RESTAURANT RESTAURANT RESTAURANT RESTAURANT RETAIL / SHOP RETAIL/SHOP RETAIL / SHOP RETAIL/SHOP

ENTRANCE ENTRANCE

RESIDENT RESIDENT RESIDENT CAFE CAFE CAFE RESTAURANT RESTAURANT RESTAURANT RETAIL RETAIL/ /SHOP SHOP RETAIL / SHOP

GROUND FLOOR FLOOR PLAN PLAN 2015 - GROUND Now GROUND FLOOR PLAN 2015 - Now Plan and Acessibility Diagram

Plan and Acessibility Diagram CONDO 42. NGUYEN HUE ST

CONDO 42. NGUYEN HUE ST

RESIDENT RESIDENT ENTRANCE

CAFE CAFE

ENTRANCE

RESTAURANT RESTAURANT RETAIL / SHOP RETAIL/SHOP GSPublisherVersion 0.0.100.100 GSPublisherVersion 0.0.100.100

1960 - 2015

2015 - Now

BB Section

CONDO 42. NGUYEN HUE ST

Other than the exterior view of the condo, the interior conditions have also interesting characteristics that represent both design and cultural influences in attracting locals to visit the condo. The change of space on every level and corridor is interesting as each property have its own theme and taste to attract customers. Both spectrums of appeal and not appealing conditions is clear from motorcycles parked in the lobby to small furniture fitted between balconies. However although majority of the tenants in the condo is retail/commercial, there is still residents whom reside in the property and hang their laundry along corridors.

Social activity and Conditions

CONDO 42. NGUYEN HUE ST

CONDO 42

TON THAT THIEP ST Ton That Thiep Street has been around since the early French colonial period. The street gradually transformed into one of the city’s largest Tamil community after the French Indian Settlement in 1880’s. As a result of the old colonial shophouse which once was the heart of the business networks of the Tamil Community, the majority have been demolished once they left Saigon in 1975.

Today the transformation from residential to mixed-use can be directly influenced by Nguyen Hue Streets success in rezoning and is evident with Condo 42 on Ton That Thiep Street. The exterior of condo 42 was once colonial-influenced with wooden decorative windows and ornamentation yet today stands as a common-shop house of Saigon. The change from residential occupancy to mixed-use has increased the social activity within the building although the exterior has remained neglected.

Businesses such as bars, restaurants, café, convenience stores and retail have occupied Condo 42 and attract a variety of customers from all ages. Residents also still reside within the building.

C D C

D

C

D D

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Elevation CC

CONDO 42. TON THAT THIEP ST

1960’s

TODAY

Condo 42 was established in the early 1960’s and was once decorated with colonial ornamentation and cultural influences.

However today it has transformed to become modernised and withstand todays condition. Major signages with translucent bold colors is located above awnings or on the facade of the building.

Also another distinct character of Condo 42 is the numberous AC (air conditionding) units and variety of frontages.

Transformation Diagram

CONDO 42. TON THAT THIEP ST

1960’s

TODAY RESIDENT RESIDENT ENTRANCE

CAFE CAFE

ENTRANCE

RESTAURANT RESTAURANT RETAIL / SHOP RETAIL/SHOP

1960 - 2015

2015 - Now

Transformation Diagram

CONDO 42. TON THAT THIEP ST

SECOND FLOOR PLAN

23

1

22

2

21

3

20

4

19

5

18

6

17

7

11

10

9

14

13

12

15

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11

10

14

13

15

12

16

8

8

17 18

7 6

19

5

20

4

21

3

22

2

23

1

FIRST FLOOR PLAN

GROUND FLOOR PLAN

RESIDENT RESIDENT ENTRANCE

cir cu

CAFE CAFE

ENTRANCE

lat

ion

RESTAURANT RESTAURANT RETAIL / SHOP RETAIL/SHOP

There is only one method of acessibility in Condo 42 which is in the centre of the building with two seperate stairs

1960 - 2015

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2015 - Now

Plan and Acessibility Diagram

CONDO 42. TON THAT THIEP ST

The resident in condo 42 is easily noticeable as the shared corridor has personal objects and home furniture. Also the tenants have the opportunity to have two different types of condominium as there is two different views of front and back. Majority of the businesses is located in the front of the property facing the main street of Ton That Thiep, whilst the back is accommodated by locals. Moreover certain businesses adapt and change their spaces and use the shared corridor when required. This is an interesting method of adaptation which attracts and changes the behaviour of the people when in the condo.

Social activity and Conditions CONDO 42. TON THAT THIEP ST

The history of the popular Nguyen Street has increased greatly since its change to

become

a

pedestrian

only

strip.

Opportunities

developed

and

both

the

Condo 42’s is influenced by this modification. Moreover the obvious similarity between both condos

is

its

transformation

from

being

a

residential

building,

to

a

mixed

use

building. As both buildings were constructed before 1975, it is considered unsafe according to Vietnam’s building codes and regulations. It is also evident that the usability and liveability conditions of the condos are poorly maintained. However this is ignored and has almost become a local-norm considering the success in attracting visitors and businesses with the use of large signage’s and interior decorations. It is almost as the chaos of the mixed use, the poorly maintained condition of the condo and the displacements of objects in corridors have become the attraction in itself for the customers.