Twelve Threads is a sculptural architectural proposal for the new city of Ha Dong that provides a striking artwork and public shade, shelter and facilities, whilst uniting the new urban space with the local province of Ha Tay through an engagement with its rich heritage of weaving and fabric making.
Twelve threads is made up of two key components: a central public artwork, and an integrated public shading infrastructure.
The central work is in the form of two overlapping vertical circles. These two circles are both separate, but at the same time tightly woven together. Each circle is comprised of six threads; thus a total of twelve threads, one for each of the districts in the Ha Tay province. The circular form is reminiscent of the weaving looms used by the local people many years ago and becomes a symbol of heritage whilst also communicating balance, hope and innovation. The weaving of the threads together reflects both the uniqueness and unitedness of the Ha Tay districts.
The artwork frames the axis of the roads and is considerate of the surrounding buildings. The circles sit in a pool of water and are surrounded by a tessellated, “woven” stone and grassed bed, providing a striking footing that would become an iconic centrepiece to the new urban district.
The project expands upon the initial requirement for an entry sculpture by suggesting that the work be staged over time to include a more ambitious public infrastructure. This infrastructure would enhance street amenity, offer shade and shelter, provide opportunity for seating, allow for street vendors, and could be articulated to include signage and communicate stories of the local Ha Tay people. It is anticipated that this work would be designed in close collaboration with the local authority to ensure that their practical requirements (for example, public transport) were integrated into the scheme. In addition, the entries to the buildings and the requirements of their frontages would also be respected and enhanced.
This public infrastructure expands upon the public artwork by separating the twelve threads into six threads that run along the path on each side of Duong Phuc La Van Phu. Between these threads are strung different forms of shade: some are light and transparent, providing signage – others are solid, providing shelter from sun and rain. These shading devices would be constructed out of a combination of tensile fabric and timber battens.
The structural design of the project could be realised in a number of ways depending on the proposed funding and timing of the work. A low cost, more temporary option would be to use bamboo, whilst a more comprehensive solution would be through powder coated tubular steel with steel bracing wires and reinforced concrete footings.
Twelve threads is an articulate and exciting public artwork and infrastructure that provides an iconic, innovative sculptural design that narrates the heritage and unitedness of Ha Tay whilst embracing its future.
ARCHITECTS
Phat Nguyen & Edmund Carter
CATEGORY
Cultural
YEAR
Melbourne, 2012-2014
