Scene Plus Architects' Pilgrimage to Lang Song: A Testament to Heritage Preservation

Revitalizing Cultural Heritage through Innovative Urban Design

The inspiration for this project stems from the imminent threat of urbanization to the beautiful heritage site of Lang Song. The design team, Scene Plus Architects, was moved by the rich cultural heritage of the site and the passion of the Binh Dinh people for culture and science. The design aims to protect the site from becoming a mediocre suburb and instead, transform it into a vibrant hub for local and foreign tourism.

The Pilgrimage to Lang Song is unique in its approach to urban design. It not only preserves the precinct of the church and surrounding rice fields but also proposes to connect the old church to the riverbank by a square for commercial and cultural activities. The Wells and Spring Of Letters are created as outdoor art and lighting exhibitions on National script, poetry, and music, providing a space for community activities and events to attract tourists.

The design was realized through a master plan that identified areas to develop tourism while protecting the rice field around the Seminary from spontaneous buildings. The concept of the Wells Of Letters and the Spring Of Letters was brought to life using lighting and reflective materials on the ground of the square, narrating the story of the origin of National Vietnamese script to the world and the community.

The technical specifications of the design include a master plan of 71 ha to preserve and enhance the site of the Seminary as a living heritage, and to protect and enhance nearly 1 km of the river bank. The urban design develops 7.1 ha of land for commercial, cultural, and touristic activities, with a square of 4000 m2 leading to the river and the floating market.

The design faced several challenges, including connecting old and new culture, finding an equal development direction between two different themes of space and time, and convincing investors. Despite these challenges, the design team managed to create a vibrant space that allows visitors to experience and interact directly with the local community, thereby promoting community-based tourism.

The Pilgrimage to Lang Song project started in 2018 in Binh Dinh and received approval for the Zoning Master plan in June 2018 and for the Detail Master plan in July 2020. It was awarded Bronze in A' Cultural Heritage and Culture Industry Design Award in 2021, a prestigious award bestowed upon outstanding and creatively ingenious designs that authenticate experience and resourcefulness.