With no intention of an environment for pure and rigid science, the International Center for Interdisciplinary Science and Education (ICISE) creates an open and harmonious ecosystem, becoming a point of harmony between science, art and nature.
From the desire to gain knowledge
Located on the coast of Ghenh Rang (Quy Nhon, Binh Dinh), the International Center for Interdisciplinary Science and Education (ICISE) is a unique architectural work originating from the lifelong wish of Professor Tran Thanh Van – President of the Rencontres du Vietnam, contributing to the scientific and educational development of the country. The work was rated by the World Architecture Festival 2017 as one of the 16 most beautiful architectural works for science and education in the world.
“Our goal is for this center to be a special academic exchange place for world scientists, especially Asian scientists. We have good elements, the landscape here is beautiful, no other convention center in the world has such a special landscape. ICISE has beautiful architecture, in harmony with the natural landscape.” – Professor Tran Thanh Van shared.
With no intention of an environment for pure and rigid science, Professor Tran Thanh Van wishes to create ICISE into an open and harmonious ecosystem, becoming a point of harmony between science and nature. The construction started on December 18, 2011 and inaugurated phase I, officially put into operation on August 12, 2013. ICISE has welcomed Vietnamese and world scientists, especially countries in the Southeast Asia region with activities for their country’s science with dozens of regional and international thematic conferences and seminars each year. Phase II will continue to be implemented until 2025 with items to complete ICISE into a conference and research complex.
Indigenous adaptive architectural design
Based on the wishes of professor Tran Thanh Van, architect Jean-Francois Milou and his colleagues painstakingly designed the ICISE project to ensure harmony between architecture and the surrounding environment, establishing multi-faceted adaptation of culture and society, creating long-term sustainability for the future.
The project includes: conference room with 01 large hall of 350 seats, 01 conference room of 150 seats and 05 rooms of 40 seats; Relaxation space includes a bridge across the river, coconut garden, beach, terrace with panoramic view of the Center; office area and online conference center, etc.
“The ideology of this project is to be in harmony with nature, not to challenge nature. ICISE does not have high-rise buildings but only large halls with 350 seats, small halls with 150 seats, four-star hotels, restaurants, cafes, bungalow-style one-story houses under green coconut leaves, contemplative houses (cogitum), freshwater swimming pools, bridges over streams, walking paths weaving through the woods…” – Architect Thomas Rouyre commented.
With no ambition to occupy and expand usable space, ICISE’s construction rate is quite low at just over 7% of the total land fund. The more than 21ha land is divided into a 300m long beach coast to the east, a coconut forest to the north and cliffs to the south. The river connects the two sides of the fields and shrimp ponds inside the project’s campus. The problem of spatial placement is cleverly and delicately solved when a small river is hidden among the green vegetation on the right side, flowing in the heart of the complex and the pristine Ghenh Rang.
According to the design, ICISE is a building with modern and meticulous architecture in every detail, built on a dam system used to control the flow. With a minimalist design style, the ICISE architectural block stands out with towering, surrounding columns, creating an open and majestic but still very streamlined space. In front there is a square artificial lake like a mirror reflecting the project, surrounded by a large lawn. The pedestrian bridge connects the two main areas: the conference room, meeting room and living area, which is the best place to observe this project. The main building structure has two distinct parts: the base and the minimalist superstructure, with no paint on the outside and a neutral gray-brown color on the inside, symbolizing the honest and precise nature of science.
Not only adapting to the local space, ICISE’s design also favors the use of local raw materials, basalt stone, in construction. Using locally sourced stone brings many advantages to the project. Basalt stone ensures timeless construction quality due to its hardness, good bearing capacity, weather inertness, safety in use with good anti-slip properties, and high aesthetics, creating a bold beauty. local printing, and especially because it is a readily available source of raw materials, it saves transportation costs and effort. The minimalism and elegance of the design creates an effect that matches the natural context, making ICISE a highlight in the picture of perfect nature in the heart of Quy Nhon city.
Evocative art space
Architecture and nature are not the only unique factors, the ICISE complex is also a space for art. Sculptures, installations and paintings by artists Nguyen The Son, Nguyen Tran Uu Dam, Trinh Minh Tien, Le Dang Ninh, Vu Xuan Dong, Tri, Vu Kim Thu, Vuong Van Thao,… are displayed and have close interaction with architectural and natural space.
Architecture sustainable development
More than just a multi-disciplinary scientific exchange venue, ICISE strives to build and develop a sustainable ecosystem for the future. Sustainable development is expressed in many aspects of the environment and people. With the environment, sustainability is ensured through the way architects value and preserve the maximum value of the local natural landscape, taking advantage of local resources and materials.
Especially, after more than 10 years of operation, the project still strives to maintain its original design and desired image when the methods of use, change and maintenance are based on the spirit of respect for the architects. This has preserved the space and nature in the best state, without following the trend of increasing utility and interfering to degrade the landscape.
From a human perspective, also by respecting nature and incorporating artistic elements, it has provided a wonderful living and working environment for people in the fresh, green space of trees, plants, and minerals. The openness of the ocean and the harmonious beauty are nurtured and fully developed.
The story of sustainable development is a story of being rooted in harmony with the environment and ensuring the quality of life of individuals in that environment. ICISE, with the desire to foster human intelligence, has been on the journey of a story called sustainability, not only creating architectural space, preserving the local environment but also contributing to embellishing and expanding the potential human development for the future.
With the wonderful things created, ICISE is not simply an excellent architectural work for science but also a part of the overview of the world’s contemporary architectural heritage.
See more project images here:
Chien Bau – Saya Nguyen – TCKT.VN
© Vietnam Architecture Magazine
