Keeng Seafood Restaurant: A Sustainable Architectural Marvel

Located in the bustling town of Long Thanh, Vietnam, Keeng Seafood Restaurant is a striking architectural masterpiece designed by BambuBuild. This vibrant town is undergoing rapid development due to the construction of one of the most significant international airports in southern Vietnam. Spanning 400 square meters, this restaurant complex seamlessly integrates functional spaces such as conference halls, private dining rooms, a kitchen, restrooms, and a stunning bamboo hall. Completed in 2023, the project highlights sustainable and innovative design principles while creating a visual landmark in the area.

Architectural Highlights

The bamboo hall is the centerpiece of the complex, featuring a gently curved, boat-shaped thatched roof supported by bamboo structures inspired by nipa palms, a common riverside plant in southern Vietnam. This distinctive design not only echoes the local vernacular but also emphasizes the use of environmentally friendly materials.

Functional Design

The ground floor plan of the bamboo hall is designed to accommodate up to 180 guests, offering a simple yet efficient layout that ensures ease of access and seamless connectivity to the annex house. The restaurant’s owner envisioned a structure that would serve as the hallmark of the complex, emphasizing fast construction and the use of sustainable materials.

Bamboo as a Core Material

Bamboo plays a dual role in this project, serving as both a structural and decorative element. The species chosen for construction is locally known as “solid bamboo” or “iron bamboo,” renowned for its exceptional stiffness and strength. These characteristics make it ideal for building purposes, especially in traditional construction methods where bamboo poles are utilized as posts, beams, or trusses.

Innovative Structural Design

To meet the structural and aesthetic requirements, the architects employed a hyperbolic paraboloid (hypar) surface design. This doubly-curved and doubly-ruled surface is not only visually striking but also structurally efficient, capable of carrying heavy loads due to its inherent stiffness and resistance in all directions. The hypar surfaces are crafted using straight bamboo poles, simplifying construction while achieving exceptional rigidity and a unique form. This approach eliminates the need for bending bamboo, further enhancing the efficiency of the construction process.

Integration of Hypar Surfaces

The bamboo hall comprises interconnected hypar surfaces that form both the ceilings and columns. These elements work together to support the overhanging roof, which extends up to four meters at the gable end. The doubly-curved nature of the hypars posed a challenge for roofing with natural thatch due to its convex and concave forms along different axes. To address this, the design incorporates trusses and purlins on the concave side, creating simple sloped roofs. This innovative combination results in a two-layer structural roof that enhances both the appeal and functionality of the ceiling.

Sustainability and Future Implications

Keeng Seafood Restaurant stands as a testament to the potential of bamboo and hypar structures in sustainable construction. The project showcases how traditional materials and modern engineering techniques can be harmoniously blended to create efficient and visually stunning architecture. The use of bamboo not only reduces the environmental footprint but also highlights its versatility as a renewable resource.

Keeng Seafood Restaurant by BambuBuild is more than just a dining venue; it is an architectural statement that underscores the importance of sustainability, innovation, and cultural relevance. The integration of bamboo and hypar structures offers a blueprint for future projects seeking to balance environmental responsibility with architectural excellence. As Long Thanh continues to grow, this restaurant complex will undoubtedly remain a symbol of the town’s commitment to sustainable and forward-thinking design.

All Photographs are works of Hyroyuki Oki