First appeared in
Asian Development Bank
100 Climate Actions from Cities in Asia and the Pacific
The Deutsches Haus in Ho Chi Minh is a flagship green building in Viet Nam. The 25-floor, high-rise building combines German design and technology with local culture to cut emissions and promote international collaboration.
The Deutsches Haus in Ho Chi Minh is a flagship green building in Viet Nam. The 25-floor, high-rise building combines German design and technology with local culture to cut emissions and promote international collaboration.
Opened in 2017, Deutsches Haus, or ‘the German House’ is a 25-story building complex in Ho Chi Minh that follows some of the highest environmental standards available, showcasing how technology and architectural design can create more sustainable high-rise buildings in urban metropoles.
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STORIES CERTIFIED WITH LEED PLATINUM
Several construction choices were instrumental in earning the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Platinum certification, one of the most prestigious building certifications available and the first building in Viet Nam to receive it.
Features range from LED lights, h a hospital-grade air filtration system, localized temperature control, and rooftop solar panels. Rainwater harvesting is in place, together with a greywater flushing system, and wastewater for cooling.
A double-layer exterior made from glass enhances natural air flow and insulation, helping to keep the building interior cool in the midst of the hot and humid Vietnamese climate, while reducing the need for CO₂-intensive air conditioning.
Chancellor Angela Merkel has also described the Deutsches Haus as an "important symbol" of further collaboration between Germany and Viet Nam (photo by Kien Vu).
The Challenge
Ho Chi Minh’s rapid urban growth has been a driver of increased energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. Buildings play an important role, with an estimated 30% of final energy consumption attributed to buildings in 2015.
Co-Benefits
Economic The building utilizes energy and water saving strategies, meaning lower utility consumption and bills.
Environment The Deutsches Haus reduces water and energy consumption through design features that meet high building certification standards.