Renzo Piano Building Workshop, in collaboration with PTW Architects, has commenced construction on Isola Della Musica, a new opera house and convention centre in Hanoi, Vietnam. 

Commissioned by the Sun Group, the project is part of a larger masterplan redefining the boundary between West Lake and Đầm Trị Lake, spanning 13,347 square metres of land. The development is poised to become a cultural landmark, linking the two lakes while accommodating public areas and performance spaces.

The design emphasises natural forms and mathematical precision, with a thin, ribbed concrete framework shaped as a three-dimensional catenary surface. The shell supports multiple loads while allowing apertures for light and ventilation, covered by a rainscreen of ceramic tiles with a mother-of-pearl finish. This structural approach provides durability, acoustic performance, and aesthetic impact.

Construction methods have been adapted to the lake environment. Rather than traditional coffer dams, the team plans to build a series of berms to deploy conventional equipment within the existing land footprint. This approach reduces environmental disruption while enabling precise site coordination and construction sequencing.

The project underscores the importance of architectural precision and structural planning in water-adjacent construction. The integration of heavy materials, temporary structures, and prefabricated elements must align with tight tolerances, while specialised assembly and placement operations are critical to maintain project timelines and design integrity.

Isola Della Musica is designed to be visible from all lake shores, providing both a functional venue and an iconic architectural landmark. Its construction is expected to influence building design and engineering practices in Hanoi and the broader region, highlighting the growing intersection between advanced architecture, sustainable construction, and innovative structural solutions.

Discover how Isola Della Musica is shaping cultural infrastructure building and architecture in Vietnam.