The Experiential Heritage Space
Ho Chi Minh Experience Center: Reactivating the lifecycle of a heritage building through experiential spatial design.
In architecture, conservation work is often limited to maintaining the existing state, reducing a building to a space that is merely physically polished. For MIA Design Studio, the core value of architectural work lies in its operational capability. The role of a historical heritage is only truly continued within the urban context when its lifecycle is activated, fulfilling contemporary functional, usage, and experiential needs, rather than being "frozen" as an exhibited artifact.
The HEC project at 125 Hai Ba Trung is a specific testament to this approach by MIA. As part of the 130-year-old Saigon Central Post Office complex, the building retains its original raw structural system and load-bearing brick walls.
Upon taking on the project, the core objective was to establish a new experiential space directly on the heritage foundation and ensure the smooth operation of a modern, functional complex. Above all, the success of the project is directly measured by bringing this space into practical operation, where people interact with, use, and experience it.
To meet rigorous operational requirements without compromising the original structure, MIA applies the principle of minimal intervention. Technical systems and auxiliary functions are reorganized and concealed behind reflective material layers. This solution addresses functional demands while minimizing visual distractions. The contrast between the 19th-century brick structural system and the minimalist design language of metal, mirrors, and glass creates a spatial dialogue between the past and the present.
The operation of HEC demonstrates that contemporary architecture and heritage can seamlessly connect and complement each other. Based on the experience-driven design principle, the building not only preserves its original values but also continues the historical narrative by successfully serving the practical needs of people today.
