Azerai Can Tho is located on the verdant Au oasis island surrounded by water scenery in an elegantly contemporary designed resort. In this exclusive location, the appearance of Southern Vietnamese local daily living culture is still be found such as fishing, boating and floating dwellings. Abundant Mangrove Forest is represented the uniqueness of landscape characters along Mekong’s delta river.
This project promotes sustainable design to deal with flood, preserve the precious local cultural and natural environment of Mekong’s delta. The landscape design concept illustrates ‘simply elegance’ principle of Azerai’s brand. The team applies the landscape concept with inspiration from existing landscape to match with the characteristics of each resort zones. This stylish and contemporary resort offers an amazing get away to the natural retreat of Mekong River and pristine natural landscape.
Located on Au Islet, and set in the Hau River within Mekong Delta Perimeter, Azerai Can Tho covers an area of over eight hectares. In these exclusive settings, the only way to access is via boat. Just 10 minutes boat ride from Can Tho city brings visitors to this oasis retreat. It is an affordable luxury resort, created by Aman-founder, Mr. Adrian Zecha. This resort is well-known for its fantastic services and iconic pristine natural landscape of Mekong delta.
With its exceptional prime location, the site manifests the identity of Mekong delta through the lens of local culture and pristine natural landscape. Along the river, the traces of local living tradition are still existed such as local agricultural farming, fishing, floating houses and markets that reflect unique local living culture of Southern Vietnam. This sublime natural landscape demonstrates the richness of Mekong delta’s environment and biodiversity. The iconic landscape atmosphere here are an ample of Mangrove forests along the river. The predominant planting community is Avicennia marina (Forssk) Vierh. And shrub is papyrus family. These plants provide natural habitats for aquatic wildlife as also stimulate local economic of fishing industry.
This project is the renovation of an abandoned old resort. The landscape design demonstrates concept of simply elegance, that is the image of Azerai brand. The space design is simple, luxury, comfortable and conveniently accessible.
In the progress of renovation, Water and flood management is one of the top priority concerns in the landscape design. Due to lower delta location, the site is prone to flood and high-water fluctuation level from the adjacent river and canal. In one day, the water level is altered in a repeated cycle. Around 4am, water level reaches 3-4 meters. About 10am, the water level reduces to 2 meters. In the afternoon around 3pm, the water raises again to 3-4 meters and after 7pm, the water level is decreased to 1 meter. The landscape team work together with engineer, the team pays good attention to this special site condition and proposes the strategies that manage flood problems and also preserve natural Mangrove Forest. The overall strategy is to design the embankment techniques that suitable to each of waterfront edge. Overflow water will be flown to detention green area along site perimeter which allow water to infiltrate naturally to the ground. Second stage overflow water will be diverted to sub-drain system which leads the water to existing lotus pond on the site and then using water pump to divert overflow water out of the site.
The team provides 3 types of embankment design that suitable to each of existing waterfront edge condition.
Hau River section, Along the waterfront edge, the existing Mangrove forests are all preserved. The earth embankment is constructed further inside the land and articulated the permeable concrete revetment blocks to solve erosion. The team use Ipomoea pes-caprae ( L.) R.br. to strengthen the soil and cover the concrete edge to create natural look.
Canal section, the team proposed earth dam with permeable concrete revetment blocks along the waterfront edge. At the slope bottom, concrete piling is used to protect soil erosion. Moreover, exiting vegetations are protected and additional plants are chosen the type of native and water tolerant species.
Pier section, the team regraded the slope and proposed earth dam with permeable concrete revetment blocks. The slope base is strengthened by using concrete piling to protect soil erosion.
In the site area, new grading is proposed to protect flood. The project uses sand from the river to fill a new site elevation which save transportation cost. This fertile sand is also suitable for growing plants on the site.
In term of zoning design, the landscape team pays respect to existing site condition. The landscape design concept is inspired by existing landscape. The existing trees on site are all preserved to protect local natural environment. From the entry, the dynamic of water level offers unexpected journey to the resort that prompt the visitors to experiences landscape narrative of this luxury resort. To continue natural perception from the forest to Bangalow area, the team chooses similar texture of plant materials to create natural relaxation and also privacy for each unit. At the center, it is a main facility areas of swimming pool, Lounge & Bar, Pool Café and existing lotus pond where landscape team promotes ecological value by adding biodiversity of planting species, promotes wildlife habitats that offer natural landscape atmosphere for the visitors. Next to this area is Banyan tree court which convey the concept of nature and nostalgia. The giant banyan trees are the reminder of the estate’s history. All of existing Banyan tree are preserved to be a landmark space of this resort. The open green space underneath lush green canopy of Banyan trees is connect visitors to other facility areas. The concept of this area is to create contrast of fuzzy Banyan trees’ texture with simple and clean ground space. Due to the heavy shade under the Banyan trees, It is difficult for grass to survive. So, the team collaborates with local contractor to do the experiment of propagate local native grass on the site. As the result, this native grass is able to survive with low maintenance and successfully achieved the landscape concept of this area. From this transition space, it leads to Villa area where trees and shrubs are carefully choosing to promote friendly, welcoming and vernacular landscape design.
Project information
Building : Resort
Unit type: 60 Rooms and 5 Pool Villas
Project Area: 225,226 square meters
Design area: 94,041 square meters
Role of the entrant in the project: Landscape Architect
Architect/ Interior: Scale 11 Architecture Co., Ltd.
Lighting Consultant: Bo Steiber Lighting Design
M&E Consultant: Archetype Vietnam Ltd.
C&S Consultant: Archetype Vietnam Ltd.
Project location: Con Au Islet, Hung Phu Ward, Cai Rang District, Can Tho City, Vietnam
Design year: 2015
Year Built: 2018
