In the fishing communities of Ha Long Bay, Vietnam, civilizations have inhabited the bay waters on floating houses for centuries. This society relies on the bay for food and for economic purposes. The two main economic opportunities of the area are fishing and tourism. Ha Long Bay is a popular tourist attraction due to the jaw-dropping views, glassy blue waters and the natural beauty of the landscape along with being a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The magnificent scenery provides the most desirable vacation spot for a tourist, more appropriately an ecotourist.
The goal was to provide a place of living, both permanent and temporary, that would be beneficial to both the native fishing tribes and the ecotourists that venture to Ha Long Bay. In this project, the combination of two opposing lifestyles coming together provides an experience for both parties. This housing unit will provide shelter for 12 tourists and 2 native families of 4 members each. This design expresses the use of interactive spaces thereby embedding the ecotourist in the culture of Ha Long Bay.
final competition board below:
