The hotel was born from the owner’s wish to create a boutique hotel that is to be the conjunction of paradoxes: young but cultured, green but not bushy, artsy but not gaudy. From this brief D1 has created a unique design that makes the project stand distinct from the masses, leaving its signature mark on the landscape of the capital.

The design was conceived through the architect’s resonance with the local culture. Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam, carries itself into the modern day with the characteristic tranquility and charming authenticity of timeworn houses nestled together in small alleys. The process of rapid urbanisation has pushed such delicate beauties further back in memories, leaving on its path motorways and bulky, lifeless, monotonous high rise buildings. D1 Architectural Studio wishes to change this reality and to breathe the soul of ancient Hanoi back into the architecture.

The design of Idyllic Hotel imitates a bird nest. Guests residing in the hotel can immerse in a fantasy tropical oasis, hearing the birds chirping from afar, tasting the freshness of raindrops, and sensing each subtle change in the ambience as each day unfolds.

Hanoi is famous for its oppressive weather: hot and humid most of the year and biting cold in the winter. To counter this problem, other hotels in Hanoi, that follow the bland and boring composite box structure, install heavy curtains and thick glass, which in turns resulted in increasing glasshouse effect. Taking lessons from this, our team discovered an organic solution. We retired the window glass back 2m2 to accommodate the terrace garden. This has a considerable impact on reducing the air conditioning bill, as the garden relieves the building and its occupants from the heat and stress of the capital city. The garden not only adds green to the building but also serves as a natural filter, preventing the harsh sunlight from entering the room directly.

We also installed an outdoor bath in the terrace garden which allow guests to immerse in nature. A curtain can be pulled to maintain privacy. while retaining its independence, the entire space of the guest room, only 25m2 in total, is kept in connection with the surrounding landscape.

Our team think of art as a change in perception: art need not be flamboyant, but must be engaging. A network of connection with local and national artisans had been mobilized in the construction of the building: Bat Trang Ceramics Village in Hanoi, Non Nuoc Stone Carving Village in Danang City, and local wood handicraft villages…this has been D1’s strategy since its establishment to collaborate with local artisans to preserve traditional arts and embed Vietnamese culture into each design.