KOI Cafè | Farming Architects

REQUEST & PROJECT BACKGROUND: 

-          The aim of the construction is a café space combined with KOI aquarium, a kind of fish known as the Japanese national fish. The construction is based on a three storey house with a front yard having a total area of 88m2 (5.5m x 16m), with the requirement of designing steel structure easy to install and remove. In addition, the entire interior from the ceiling to the furniture is reused from the wood pallet material available from the owner.

-          KOI CAFÉ space makes an initial impression by using the Batrang double traditional tile for the facade of the building. The roof is like a layer of film that covers the entire facade, creating an impression and attracting attention by the difference with the surrounding buildings.

-          The central also is the position that creates the highlight of the space inside the building, that is the waterfall system and the water flowing from the second floor down. The Asia legend "Carp Leaping Over Dragon's Gate" is cleverly explained in the language of architecture. Besides the architectural aesthetic design, waterfall also has the effect of creating oxygen for more healthy fish. 

-           Following the direction "urban agriculture" of Farming Architects, once again, the Aquaponics system is applied to cover the entire roof with green leaves. Koi fish waste is pumped into the plantation tanks containing baked clay soils to convert them into nutrients for the trees. Thanks to the osmosis through the roots, water is purified to return to the aquarium. This is a closed cycle and completely organic by not using any chemical stimulant for the plant. With the application of Aquaponics to Koi Lake, the shop’s staffs can also harvest some green vegetables for their lunch from the system. The Aquaponics urban agricultural model combining with Japanese Koi fish is fully replicable to meet the Koi fish farming interest of citizens as well as can add a little green vegetables for daily meals.

KOI CAFÉ Design Strategy:

-           Connection between old and new.

-           Reuse the material from the pallet for furniture.

-           Use local available materials.

-           Steel frame removable to change the purpose of use.

-           Energy saving - fresh vegetables by using Aquaponics system.

1. Name of project: KOI CAFE

2. Location: 646- Lang Street- Dong da- Hanoi- Vietnam;

3. Architects: An Viet Dung; An Thanh Nhan; Pham Ngoc Linh; Andrea Scalco.

4. Firm: Farming Architects;

5. Type of project: Renovation;

6. Are: 88m2 (5.5m x 16m);

7. Completed: 2017;

8. Photos: Nguyen Thai Thach;