Rising along the scenic shores of Ha Long Bay—a UNESCO World Heritage site welcoming over six million visitors per year—the Seastars Hotel was conceived as a 5-star vertical retreat where silence meets spectacle.
Architecturally, the project was inspired by the gentle ripples of the bay, with its tower shaped to frame panoramic views of the island archipelago. Façade elements, balcony levels, and local design details were meticulously crafted to evoke the calm elegance of the surrounding waters. But translating this sense of visual serenity into acoustic comfort posed major challenges in a high-rise setting.
With stacked guestrooms, rooftop amenities, and a dense combination of service, event, and technical zones, the building faced significant risks of vertical and horizontal noise transmission. At the same time, reverberation in large shared spaces and mechanical noise from HVAC and MEP systems threatened to compromise the premium guest experience.
Our acoustic engineers in Vietnam joined the project during the construction phase, working hand-in-hand with Coteccons to implement acoustic solutions tailored to both the hotel’s performance requirements and its architectural vision.
We began with on-site measurements to assess the existing structure’s sound behavior, ensuring our recommendations were grounded in real conditions. Our scope covered the façade’s acoustic insulation, ensuring it could block out noise from roads and touristic activity, without altering the tower’s view-optimizing geometry.
We designed solutions to control impact and airborne noise between vertically stacked rooms, advised on flanking path mitigation in corridors and service shafts, and integrated reverberation treatments in the hotel’s lobby and public areas. Technical equipment—such as HVAC systems and lift machinery—was addressed through noise isolation strategies that kept mechanical sounds from reaching guest zones.
The Seastars Hotel now offers an acoustically refined environment that aligns with its 5-star positioning. Guests enjoy a quiet and private experience across all zones of the tower—from peaceful sleep in the guestrooms to clear, pleasant sound environments in shared areas.
By integrating acoustic design into a project inspired by the natural tranquility of Ha Long Bay, the hotel delivers not only visual beauty but sensory comfort. It is a clear example of how acoustic engineering, even when introduced during the construction phase, can elevate the quality of experience and preserve the emotional intent of architectural design.
