Hanoi, the bustling capital of Vietnam, is experiencing rapid urbanisation due to having a population of approximately 8 million people, 60% of whom live in the city centre. The population number has grown in the last years in a boom, which has led to increased pressure on housing and employment, resulting in the rise of modern high-rise developments, which often replace traditional artisan villages.
The Traditional Clinic SPD seeks to preserve the values of Vietnamese traditional medicine, which relies on natural materials and ingredients to treat ailments, trying to separate itself from the modernity that seems to have swarmed the city. These treatments involve the use of herbal formulas passed down through generations, making them an alternative approach that encourages individuals to take a more active role in their well-being through traditional methods.
Hanoi and the clinic
Located within a mixed-use residential high-rise in Hanoi, the Traditional Clinic SPD, designed by ODDO Architects, is divided into two main functions. The first is the reception area, which serves as an information hub about traditional medicine, situated in the building’s main hall on the ground floor. The second is the clinical space, high on the 7th floor, where the specialised treatments are provided.
The reception area features traditional materials such as ceramic, rock, and wood, creating a warm, inviting atmosphere that evokes the Hanoi of 50 years ago. The spotlight is on a curved wall built with artisanal techniques, which symbolises the careful preparation of herbal medicine. Nearby, specialists offer guidance to help visitors better understand the principles and benefits of traditional medicine.
On the 7th floor, the clinical space was designed to reflect the calm and privacy associated with traditional Vietnamese architecture. The main hallway is flanked by 31 rock columns, and the clinic rooms are separated by greenery, offering both privacy and a connection to nature. The use of glass helps bring natural light into the space, enhancing this sense of openness and tranquillity that the clinic wants to foster within the clients themselves.
Greenery
The greenery seen all over the clinic plays a major role in the project, as it helps bring freshness to the space and serves as an educational tool for medicinal plants. The herbs used in the clinic are common and can easily be incorporated into daily life, so learning about them can offer an alternative approach to taking care of our health sustainably and naturally.
