fnbe july intake 2015 semester 1

1. FNBE JULY INTAKE 2015 – ENGLISH I
Contrast Essay : Two Unique Buildings
There are many innumerable buildings conceived and constructed by
imaginative and innovative architects all around the world such as The
Leaning Tower of Pisa and Colosseum, these historical buildings reflect the
era and culture in where they were built. Much like a photograph, architectural
designs trace information of definite moments in time. But unlike a photograph,
physical creatures go on to have a life of their own, becoming a central and
purposeful part of multitudinous people's lives for hundreds, if not thousands
of years after they were built. For me, there are two insanely exceptional
architectural feats which are Hang Nga Guesthouse and Nautilus House.
First and foremost, the Hang Nga Guesthouse, aka Crazy House, the
eccentric design of this building has become the icon of Dalat, Vietnam. It was
designed and constructed by Vietnamese architect, Dang Viet Nga and was
built in 1990. On the other hand, Nautilus House, aka Snail-shell House or
Giant Seashell House, is located in the capital city of Mexico, Mexico City.
This shell-like architectural structure was intended by using bio-architecture
concept and was constructed by Mexican architect, Javier Senosiain and was
built in 2006. The noticeable difference between these two masterpieces is
Hang Nga Guesthouse was built in the 20th century while Nautilus House was
built in 21st century.
Moreover, Hang Nga Guesthouse is actually a tree house and it is well-
known with its bizarre outlook, it is covered in wacky wooden sculpture,
features a life-size model tiger to smirk at visitors, a sculpt giraffe with
shimmering eyes and contains irregular windows, makes the inhabitants feel

2. FNBE JULY INTAKE 2015 – ENGLISH I
like they were living in the Disney movie, Alice in Wonderland. Nevertheless,
Nautilus House is famous with its mind-blowing shell-like-structure and its
gigantic wall with colourful mosaics that will light up the indoor spaces with
dazzling rainbow effect. Javier Senosiain, the architect of Nautilus House,
wanted to make the guests feel like they were staying inside a snail-shell or
seashell. As contrary, the overall design of Hang Nga Guesthouse was adapt
to nature while Nautilus House was designed based on nature by bio-
architecture concept.
Apart from that, Hang Nga Guesthouse is a five-storage-high building, this
guesthouse has ten themed rooms, each of the room has its own theme
based on animals such as ant, tiger, kangaroo, eagle and so on. In addition,
the fittings inside the rooms are all handcrafted. In contrast, Nautilus House is
a two-storage-high building with natural plantings and spiral staircases are
located throughout the dwelling and the guests are bounded by a space that
without sharp corner. Plus, the inner space of this shell-like building is filled
with natural light from above.
What is more, Dang Viet Nga, architect of Hang Nga Guesthouse is
acknowledged the inspiration of the legendary Catalan architect, Antoni Gaudi,
in building design. Although being fought by the local government at that time,
Dang still insisted on achieving her dream by completing this outstanding
structure fully from her private burial. The design purpose of this guesthouse
is Dang wanted this building to help people reconnect with nature.
Nonetheless, Nautilus House is inspired by the stunning architecture in
Barcelona which designed by the recognized architects such as Antoni Gaudi
and Frank Lloyd Wright. Also, this house was built for a young couple with

3. FNBE JULY INTAKE 2015 – ENGLISH I
children from Mexico City; they wanted an unusual home that integrates the
bio-architecture concept into the design.
As a nutshell, although the propose of both Hang Nga House and Nautilus
House have a relation to nature, but there’s a lot of obvious differences
among these buildings, from the physical to the interior. In my opinion, Hang
Nga House and Nautilus House were both equally unique and interesting
architecture feats, but, Nautilus House attracts me the most because of its
fantasy seashell outlook and the gorgeous interior space, like you’re really
under the sea!

4. FNBE JULY INTAKE 2015 – ENGLISH I
Hang Nga House ( Crazy House ), Dalat, Vietnam
Nautilus House ( Seashell House ), Mexico City, Mexico

5. FNBE JULY INTAKE 2015 – ENGLISH I
PHYSICAL
APPEARANCE
TWO UNIQUE
BUILDINGS
LOCATION
ARCHITECT
YEAR BUILT
INTERIOR
CHARACTERISTIES
INSPIRATION
DESIGN
PURPOSE
Hang Nga Guesthouse
(CrazyHouse)
Nautilus House
(SeashellHouse/Snail-shellHouse)
 MexicoCity,Mexico
 JavierSenosiain
 2006
 Five-storage-high
 Tenthemedroom
 Eagle,Tiger,Kangroo…
 Two-storage-high
 Innerspace without
sharp corner
 Filledwithnatural light
fromabove
 Actuallyatree house
 Has strange outlook
 Shell-like structure
 Colourful mosaiconwall
– dazzle the indoorspace
 Dalat,Vietnam
 Dang VietNga
 1990
 Antoni Gaudi
 Frank LloydWright
 Wants to help
people reconnect
withnature
 Builtfora youngcouple
whomwanta unusual
home
 Works of Antoni Gaudi

6. FNBE JULY INTAKE 2015 – ENGLISH I
References
1. Kerrie Hughes, (2014), 22 world famous buildings to inspire you,
retrieved from 17th Oct 2015
http://www.creativebloq.com/architecture/famous-buildings-around- world-
10121105
2. Travelmail Reporter, (2014), 'It's designed to make you feel like a
mollusc': Inside the bizarre but beautiful Mexican house built to resemble
a SHELL, retrieved from 17th Oct 2015
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/travel/article-2703161/Is-snail-Is-seashell-No-
house-Stunning-photographs-Nautilus-House-Mexico-City-one-colourful-
original-dwellings-earth.html#ixzz3pVA1XK6H
3. Kimberley Mok, (2015), Stunning home is a giant inhabitable seashell for
humans (Video), retrieved from 17th Oct 2015
http://www.treehugger.com/green-architecture/nautilus-house-javier-
senosiain-arquitectura-organica.html
4. Kieran Corcoran, (2013), Welcome to the Crazy House: Architect builds
bizarre-looking hotel in Vietnam that the locals have slowly grown to love,
retrieved from 17th Oct 2015
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2435191/Welcome-Crazy-House-
Architect-builds-bizarre-looking-hotel-Vietnam-locals-slowly-grown-
love.html#ixzz3pVByaGVM
5. Yuka Yoneda, (2010), Hang Nga “Crazy House” is a creepy fairy tale
treehouse in Vietnam, retrieved from 17th Oct 2015
http://inhabitat.com/hang-nga-crazy-house-is-a-creepy-fairy-tale-treehouse-in-
vietnam/