Interview about Marina Gold Resort Hotel, winner of the A' Architecture, Building and Structure Design Award 2025
Hotel Marina Gold is a luxury resort on Mui Ne Beach in southeastern Vietnam, designed to evoke the grandeur of a cruise ship. Its dynamic form rises diagonally from the 7th to the 20th floor, creating a striking silhouette. A cantilevered glass-bottom pool extends toward the ocean from the top floor, alongside a bar lounge and restaurant. The integration of glass and steel enhances its futuristic appeal, while shifting light and reflections transform the facade. As an architectural landmark, the hotel redefines seaside luxury, offering elegance, relaxation, and breathtaking coastal views.
View detailed images, specifications, and award details on A' Design Award & Competition website.
View Design DetailsThe concept was inspired by the image of a luxury cruise ship moored permanently along Mui Ne Beach. The diagonal rise from the 7th to 20th floor expresses the vessel’s bow cutting through the horizon, symbolizing forward movement and freedom. This maritime narrative guided the entire massing composition—the layering of decks, horizontal rhythm, and the floating effect—all designed to evoke the sensation of a ship gently gliding on the sea.
The glass-bottom infinity pool extending 12 meters beyond the facade required advanced structural and safety engineering. We developed a hybrid system combining post-tensioned concrete with laminated glass panels supported by titanium frames. Continuous vibration and water pressure simulations ensured guest safety and visual serenity, allowing the pool to appear as a seamless extension of the sea.
The golden cladding is composed of anodized aluminum panels with varying reflectance levels to respond to Vietnam’s tropical sunlight. During sunset, the facade transforms into a luminous gradient—reflecting the sky’s transition from blue to amber. The material selection was guided by the desire to create a living surface that interacts poetically with natural light.
While the form is futuristic, its relationship with Mui Ne’s landscape is rooted in sensitivity to scale and environmental harmony. The building’s base aligns with existing dune contours, and vegetation buffers were introduced to minimize coastal impact. We also collaborated with local consultants to ensure compliance with coastal preservation and cultural respect for the Cham heritage.
Positioning the restaurant and bar adjacent to the cantilevered pool allows guests to experience the horizon from multiple sensory levels—sight, sound, and touch. The transparent pool edge becomes a theatrical element, merging water, light, and human activity. This spatial choreography transforms relaxation into an immersive spectacle suspended above the sea.
The 9m × 9m structural grid provided both spatial flexibility and engineering efficiency. It allowed for open-plan suites, panoramic lounges, and adaptable event spaces without excessive column intrusion. The module also standardized mechanical layouts, streamlining construction while preserving luxury proportions throughout the building.
Extensive environmental simulations were conducted to optimize wind flow, solar exposure, and reflection intensity. The stepped terraces naturally break sea breezes, while diagonal shading devices minimize glare. The aerodynamic form reduces turbulence, ensuring comfort even in high coastal winds—an essential factor for Vietnam’s monsoon climate.
The project promotes sustainable tourism by integrating renewable materials, passive design, and on-site energy management. It demonstrates that luxury and responsibility can coexist. I believe future resorts will adopt similar hybrid approaches—where environmental respect enhances the emotional richness of the guest experience.
Anticipating the 2030 opening, we incorporated adaptive technologies such as AI-based energy management, modular smart rooms, and AR-assisted guest services. These systems are designed to evolve with user behavior, ensuring the resort remains technologically relevant and experientially timeless.
The Silver A’ Design Award affirmed the project’s balance between visionary form and environmental empathy. It strengthened my belief that architectural innovation must merge imagination with responsibility. This recognition inspires me to continue designing future resorts that embody both spectacle and sustainability in perfect harmony.
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