SAGA Space Architects has successfully completed the transformation of a historic 130-year-old French colonial townhouse in Hanoi's Old Quarter into their new Vietnam office, creating a remarkable blend of cultural heritage and contemporary architectural practice. The 300-square-meter project, completed in 2025, demonstrates how thoughtful restoration can breathe new life into historic structures while preserving their architectural and cultural significance.
Located in the vibrant maze of Hanoi's Old Quarter, the building once served as part of the city's cultural and political hub, standing as a quiet witness to generations of urban change. Through a carefully planned non-destructive restoration approach, SAGA Space Architects have transformed this historic structure into a modern workspace that serves as a bridge between cultures, history, and contemporary architectural practice.
The transformation project was guided by deep respect for the building's architectural and cultural legacy. Drawing inspiration from both Nordic simplicity and Vietnamese vernacular traditions, the office embodies principles of symbolism, sustainability, and exceptional craftsmanship. The design team, led by Sebastian Aristotelis, Diep Ngo, and Kien Ngo H., prioritized the use of locally sourced, biogenic, and repurposed materials wherever possible to reduce environmental impact and maintain a sense of continuity with the local history.
The layout of the office space has been carefully designed to support flexibility and collaboration among team members. Meeting rooms are strategically defined by glass walls that preserve sight lines across the entire space while keeping the original brick structure clearly visible and legible. This design choice allows the historic character of the building to remain prominent while providing modern functionality.
The open-plan workspace is thoughtfully organized along a central spine and features warm wood flooring complemented by neutral-toned furniture, creating a balanced and highly functional interior environment. Advanced acoustic, lighting, and climate control systems have been discreetly integrated into the existing ceiling framework to preserve the spatial clarity and maintain the building's original proportions.
Throughout the entire building, original architectural elements such as brick arches, timber beams, window frames, and decorative iron details were carefully restored and seamlessly reintegrated into the new design. These restoration implementations were completed with meticulous care, consistently prioritizing restoration over replacement to allow the authentic character and historical integrity of the structure to remain completely intact.
One of the most defining and visually striking features of the building is a transitional balcony space that is typical of Hanoi's colonial architecture. This significant architectural element has been creatively reimagined and transformed into a lush reading and meeting room filled with carefully selected local plants and abundant natural light. The renovated balcony now serves as an anchor for the workspace, providing a calm, green core that effectively bridges the building's past and present.
The original brick arches located on the balcony were meticulously renovated to pay proper tribute to the French neoclassical architecture that characterizes this historic period. This attention to architectural detail demonstrates the firm's commitment to honoring the building's cultural heritage while adapting it for contemporary use.
The project utilized high-quality materials and products from renowned manufacturers including Louis Poulsen for lighting solutions, Bamboo Ali for sustainable materials, Flokk for ergonomic furniture, Megaliine for construction elements, and Xingfa for window systems. These carefully selected materials and systems contribute to both the aesthetic appeal and functional performance of the renovated space.
Photographer Trieu Chien documented the completed project, capturing the seamless integration of historic architectural elements with modern design interventions. The photographs showcase how the renovation successfully maintains the building's original character while providing a contemporary workspace that meets the needs of a modern architectural practice.
This project represents more than just an office renovation; it serves as a compelling example of how historic preservation and contemporary design can work together harmoniously. By choosing restoration over demolition, SAGA Space Architects have demonstrated their commitment to sustainable design practices and cultural preservation.
The Vietnam office now stands as a testament to thoughtful architectural intervention, showing how historic buildings can be adapted for modern use without losing their essential character. The project successfully creates a workspace that honors the past while embracing the future, providing an inspiring environment for the architectural team while contributing to the preservation of Hanoi's architectural heritage.
The careful balance between preservation and innovation evident in this project reflects SAGA Space Architects' broader design philosophy, which emphasizes the importance of context, sustainability, and cultural sensitivity in contemporary architectural practice. This approach has resulted in a workspace that not only serves the practical needs of the firm but also contributes to the ongoing narrative of Hanoi's Old Quarter, ensuring that this historic building continues to play an active role in the city's cultural and professional life.
