For the last 20 years, Hoi An has developed many different seaside projects which have the tendency to raze and level the coastal sand dunes, to replace the entire landscape and native vegetation with concrete and foreign plants. Due to the lack of coherence between the new man-made environment and nature, this construction trend is changing the landscape, the ecosystem and overall the environment. Thus nowadays, the coast of Hoi An is being heavily damaged under the impact of water intrusion.
Designed with the philosophy of “BE GENTLE WITH NATURE”, the Dragonfly Park is not only just an effort to protect and to improve the coastal landscape of Hoi An but is also a new connection between people and nature, through which brings one closer to another, changes the way we acknowledge and interact with the surroundings.
Implemented as a low-cost project with limited funding from international NGOs, including HSF, IUCN, the Dragonfly Park also receives the support from the architect and local community in the form of public labor and community service. The project transformed an abandoned land into an exciting public space for the local community, especially for children. A restroom using only rainwater, an exhibition/play area, a hammock garden with different games and activities, these were all built with concepts which were originated from and inspired by nature in combination with local workers, craft materials and techniques.