The Central Park project involves negotiating a highly complex site, with the programmatic and structural demands of the new metro system demanding a sensitive, rigorous design response. In a city that struggles with water issues, a water-sensitive urban design means that the project as a whole acts as a sponge, collecting and re-using rainwater.
A defining feature of the design are the artificial tree forms scattered throughout the park, which serve both aesthetic and functional purposes. One group of these trees collect and purify water for use in drinking fountains, irrigation systems and fire hydrants throughout the park. Others provide passive cooling and ventilation, while yet another set harvest energy through photovoltaic panels to power digital information screens, charging docks and Wi-Fi routers.
The design of Central Park advances park design by imagining and preparing for the future, while respecting Ho Chi Minh City’s past and culture.