ALONG THE RIVER

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YALE SCHOOL OF ARCHITECTURE, ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN 1 

CRITIC: NIKOLE BOUCHARD

FALL 2020

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ALONG THE RIVER IS INSPIRED BY A QUOTE I STUMBLED UPON AS I RESEARCHED THE MEKONG RIVER DELTA: "LIKE ALL PEASANTS THROUGHOUT THE WORLD, THE RICE FARMER LIVES IN DEEP SYMBIOSIS WITH NATURE...ALL THIS, AND MUCH MORE, RIDES ON THE HUMBLE ASIAN RICE PEASANT AS HE PATIENTLY TENDS HIS WATER-COVERED FIELDS LYING LIKE BRIGHT MIRRORS UNDER THE HOT TROPICAL SUN." 

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LOCATED IN CHO MOI, A TOWN SITUATED ALONG THE MEKONG RIVER IN VIETNAM, THIS CAFE, AFTER SCHOOL COMMUNITY CENTER, AND SPIRITUAL CENTER IS INTENDED TO ACT AS A PLACE OF RESPITE - A PLACE TO RELAX AFTER WORKING KNEE DEEP IN THE MUDDY WATER OF RICE FIELDS. 

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ALONG THE RIVER FULLY EMBRACES WATER AND THE CHANGING FLOOD CONDITIONS OF THE MEKONG RIVER. THE COMMUNITY CENTER IS JUST AS MUCH FOR PEOPLE WALKING ON LAND AS IT IS FOR PEOPLE ENTERING BY BOAT. ALTHOUGH CERTAIN SPACES ARE NO LONGER ACCESSIBLE BY FOOT DURING PEAK FLOOD SEASON, NEW PATHWAYS ARE CREATED BY RISING WATER LEVELS THAT ALLOW FOR BOAT ENTRY. 

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ALONG THE RIVER IS AN ODE TO WATER. IT IS A PLACE TO RECALL THE BEAUTY OF THE MEKONG RIVER AND ALL THE LIFE THAT SUSTAINS IT. 

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SITE: CHO MOI, VIETNAM

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