Chau Doc Museum of History & Culture, An Giang, Vietnam | Architecture Thesis

Site Context

The Museum of Culture and History in Châu Đốc is located at the base of Sam Mountain, near the famous pilgrimage site of Bà Chúa Xứ. This area, at the end of the historic Vĩnh Tế Canal, holds great cultural and historical value. Châu Đốc is a spiritually significant destination, known for its diverse population. 

Every year, millions of visitors journey to Châu Đốc to honor Bà Chúa Xứ, and the museum will offer them a deeper insight into the region’s rich cultural and historical heritage. By highlighting the area’s varied traditions, customs, and stories, the museum will serve as an important hub for learning and connecting with Châu Đốc’s enduring history and culture.

Design Process

The design process for this museum project in Châu Đốc is deeply connected to the region’s traditional cultural values, with a particular emphasis on ceramics as the primary material. For over 300 years, ceramics have played a significant role in the area’s multicultural heritage, especially the Châu Lăng ceramics of the Khmer community. The museum’s design concepts are developed as follows:

Concept 1: The architectural form adapts to various perspectives of surrounding structures, ensuring that the museum integrates harmoniously with its environment.

Concept 2: The design incorporates a dynamic interplay of solid and open spaces, with varying heights to accommodate exhibition areas of different sizes, allowing flexibility in artifact displays.

Concept 3: Curved lines are used to create a fluid connection between the building’s interior and exterior, symbolizing the seamless interaction between the museum and its natural surroundings.

Concept 4: The design develops with independent orientations, linking various spaces to create a dynamic and cohesive flow throughout the museum.

Concept 5 (Selected Concept): The final concept envisions the building as a large sculptural form, using mass subtraction to craft facades with curved walls. These closely spaced curved walls create narrow slits, leaving a powerful visual impact. The curves reflect the region’s multicultural richness, symbolizing fluidity, continuous growth, and the unbroken passage of time in the evolution of culture.

Final Outcome

The design of the Museum of Culture and History in Châu Đốc is characterized by its ceramic curved walls, which serve as a central architectural element throughout the building. Each level of the museum is thoughtfully arranged to guide visitors through the historical narrative, illustrating the cultural development of the area. This idea of “flow” not only relates to history but is also reflected in the architectural layout, lighting, material choices, and the way visitors move through the space.

The building predominantly features ceramic and glass materials, establishing a balance between solidity and transparency. The ceramic curved walls represent the dynamic and diverse heritage of Châu Đốc, while the expansive glass panels are strategically placed to frame views of nearby landmarks. These include: 1) Bà Chúa Xứ Temple on Sam Mountain, 2) the shrine of Bà Chúa Xứ atop the mountain, 3) public structures near the historic Vĩnh Tế Canal, 4) direct views of the Vĩnh Tế Canal, 5) the Sculpture Garden in Châu Đốc, and 6) the entrance to the Bà Chúa Xứ Temple at Sam Mountain. These visual connections enrich the visitor experience, intertwining the museum’s interior with the surrounding cultural and historical landscape, and deepening the narrative of the region’s past and present.

Conclusion: Overall, this architectural project is a vital effort to preserve the region’s rich multicultural heritage. By showcasing the spiritual traditions, historical events, and cultural practices of the Kinh, Chăm, Khmer, and Chinese communities, along with landmarks like the Vĩnh Tế Canal and Bà Chúa Xứ pilgrimages, the museum provides a comprehensive view of Châu Đốc’s unique identity. This project both honors the past and strengthens the cultural understanding for future generations.

[This Academic Project has been published with text and images submitted by the student]