OUROBOROS: Reimagining Gia Lam Railway Factory

University of Architecture Ho Chi Minh city

Project idea

The Gia Lam Railway Factory (established in 1905) is an iconic industrial heritage site in Vietnam, yet it faces the challenge of becoming obsolete amidst rapid urbanization. The idea of the "Ouroboros" project stems from the urgent need to create a new community space where historical heritage and contemporary urban life can seamlessly merge. Inspired by the Ouroboros—an ancient symbol of endless regeneration—the project proposes the philosophy of an "Architecture of Coexistence." Our goal is to transform the massive, rusted industrial framework into a vibrant multifunctional complex through an adaptive plug-in approach. By establishing a continuous "Community Circuit" that connects creative workshops, memory museums, sports hubs, and ecological parks, the ultimate objective is to shift the site from a static industrial relic into a sustainable urban ecosystem that celebrates past memories while nurturing future development.

Project description

This project consists of a multifunctional community complex achieved through the adaptive reuse of the Gia Lam Railway Factory. The scope of the solution encompasses preserving the existing industrial structures (heritage layer) and integrating new functional modules ("adaptive plug-ins").
The project consists of the following main parts:
The Connective Thread (Ouroboros Circuit): A continuous elevated pedestrian network acting as the connective spine across the entire site.
Cultural & Exhibition Hubs: Including the "Gia Lam Train Memory Museum" (Workshops 3B1 & 3B2), the "Workers' History Exhibition", and the "Garden Station" installation art area.
Creative & Cooperative Spaces: Featuring the Active Workshop Cluster (Workshop 1A) functioning as a Creative Industry Hub for vocational training and start-ups.
Sports & Recreation Zones: Comprising a large-scale indoor "Sport Hub" (Workshop 5B), traditional games zones, and group activity playgrounds.
Ecological Landscape & Infrastructure: Integrating a balancing lake, lakeside promenade, slow cycling paths, and a sustainable green network with rainwater harvesting and solar energy systems.
The main area is the central exhibition and museum complex, where the old locomotives and rusted industrial frameworks coexist with bold, modern structural pathways, embodying the philosophy of "Coexistence."

Technical information

"OUROBOROS" transforms the historic 1905 Gia Lam Railway Factory into a vibrant, multifunctional community hub through adaptive reuse. Embracing the philosophy of "Coexistence," the project preserves the site's industrial heritage—including old locomotives and rusted frameworks—while seamlessly integrating modern "plug-in" modules. A continuous elevated pedestrian circuit connects diverse zones, including a creative industry hub, a memory museum, sports facilities, and ecological parks. By merging past memory with future development, the design creates a sustainable urban ecosystem that revitalizes the derelict factory into a dynamic living space.