Bánh Mì Express Community Center
Bridging Vietnamese Culture in San Francisco and Beyond
Bachelor of Architecture Thesis Project
The Vietnamese culture in San Francisco lacks a centralized hub for cultural exchange and connection. This community center on Van Ness brings together Vietnamese communities across the Bay Area and establishes a presence in San Francisco.
By combining elements of Vietnamese culture from San Jose, Westminster, and Vietnam itself, and melding them with the unique characteristics of San Francisco, the envisioned center aims to create a space that authentically represents Vietnamese heritage within the city. This fusion not only celebrates the essence of Vietnamese culture but also integrates it harmoniously into the fabric of San Francisco's multicultural landscape.
The architectural strategy of stacking, bridging, weaving, and interlocking brings together multiple program activities in one building. Inclusivity and interconnectedness foster a sense of unity among Vietnamese communities and invites engagement from the broader San Francisco communities.
