Techcombank’s Hanoi headquarters envisioned as urban architectural emblem

Hanoi’s architectural heritage, derived from its colonial French past, has always stood as a beacon of Indochinese aesthetics. Today, this intricate blend of timeless tradition and contemporary design is reborn in Foster+Partners’ design for the Techcombank Tower in Hanoi, envisioned as an urban architectural emblem on the capital’s skyline.

According to Mr. Jens Lottner, CEO of Techcombank, the opening of its new Hanoi head office is an important milestone in its 30th anniversary year. “The new Techcombank Tower is a world-class financial building in a prime location in Hanoi’s business district that will instill pride in our people and bring us closer to our customers,” he said.

Synergy of history and modernity

In 1923, when visionary architect Ernest Hebrad unveiled his designs for the Indochina University (now the University of Hanoi), little did he know that he had pioneered a design ethos that would inspire myriad architectural endeavors in Indochina and beyond.

A century on, the whirlwind of urbanization has transformed Hanoi’s architectural landscape into a more industrial setting, with skyscrapers jostling for space. Yet, Foster + Partners has breathed life back into the city’s architectural tapestry with Techcombank Tower.

Much like Hebrard, when tasked by Techcombank’s board to design Techcombank Tower, Lord Foster’s team dedicated immense time to understanding Hanoi’s architectural style and its rich cultural and historical tapestry.

“The Tower embodies synergy between history and modernity, infusing cutting-edge technology with the city’s cultural essence,” said Mr. Ho Anh Ngoc, Vice Chairman of Techcombank’s Board.

 

In particular, the Tower’s facade evokes quintessential Trang An - Tonkin culture, with its harmonious blend of earthy gold and brown hues and woven motifs. These motifs re-interpret iconic wooden lattice doors set against golden walls, reminiscent of the city’s storied alleys. The ambient golden glow emanating from the tower evokes the art-deco style of French villas from 1930s and 1940s Hanoi.

The height of the initial block, up to the sixth level, was meticulously calculated to match the average height of buildings in central Hanoi - a masterstroke that ensures Techcombank’s modern edifice resonates with the Old Quarter’s historic charm.

Pushing the boundaries in sustainability

Crafted by the architects at Foster + Partners, the interior design of the building mirrors Hanoi’s communal culture, showcasing its unique blend of the contemporary and the traditional with the theme “Future in the Old Town Tradition”.

Beyond its traditional inflections, Techcombank Tower stands out with its state-of-the-art interior workspace, designed for the utmost convenience and functionality. The office boasts flexible workspaces, including open-plan meeting areas and private rooms of varying sizes, designed to optimize team collaboration and foster creativity.

Floors 1 through 4 present an airy, open-plan space, bathed in natural light. This space boasts a system of escalators and glass balustrades, interspersed with numerous seating areas. Such a layout encourages spontaneous meetings and free-flowing exchanges among colleagues in a relaxed setting.

On the seventh floor - designated the canteen level - outdoor seating amidst lush greenery offers views of Hanoi’s historic streets.

This unique design element allows Techcombank staff to momentarily step back from their work and recharge. “Techcombank Tower embodies our vision to ‘Change Banking, Change Lives’ by bringing together outstanding design and modern technology to empower our employees through new ways of working and by pushing the boundaries in sustainability,” said Mr. Lottner.

Workspace for top talent

Techcombank’s new headquarters offer employees an open and collaborative working environment comparable with modern buildings in other global financial centers and reflects the bank’s strong commitment to creating the best working conditions for its people.

In 2022 and 2023, Techcombank became the first Vietnamese bank to run Overseas Talent Roadshows when it visited Singapore, the US, the UK, and Australia to recruit Vietnamese-born talent to return to the country and join the bank.

“Techcombank’s people strategy always aims to unlock the full potential of our employees and encourage their determination to ‘Be Greater’,” said Mr. Lottner. “We believe that offering a working environment that facilitates our employee’s development and that they would expect if working in Singapore, London, Sydney, or Silicon Valley, will help to encourage top overseas  talent to join Techcombank.”

In September 2023, Techcombank also became the first and only Vietnamese bank to be named in the Top 11 “Best Workplaces in Asia 2023” by Great Place to Work (GPTW), a leading global organization that assesses workplace culture. This international recognition is testament to Techcombank’s relentless efforts on its 30-year journey of development to invest in its people and create a working environment and culture that empower them to achieve their full potential.