Hằng Nga guesthouse popularly known as the “Crazy House” is an unconventional building designed and constructed by Vietnamese architect Đặng Việt Nga in Đà Lạt, Vietnam.
Described as a “fairy tale house” (Hằng Nga, Vietnamese: 姮娥, is the Chinese goddess of the Moon), the building's overall design resembles a giant tree, incorporating sculptured design elements representing natural forms such as animals, mushrooms, spider webs and caves. Its architecture, comprising complex, organic, non-rectilinear shapes, has been described as expressionist. Nga has acknowledged the inspiration of Catalan architect Antoni Gaudí in the building's design, and visitors have variously drawn parallels between it and the works of artists such as Salvador Dalí and Walt Disney. Since its opening in 1990, the building has gained recognition for its unique architecture, being highlighted in numerous guidebooks and listed as one of the world's ten most “bizarre” buildings in the Chinese People's Daily.
Architect's statement: Hang Nga Villa, later on called Crazy House, because its first name has been used for some other places. Within the end of the past century in Vietnam as well as in several places in the world, nature and the environment have been much destroyed. At present men have paid too dear for it. With the voice of architecture I wish to lead the men to come back to nature, keep close touch with nature and love it and not make full use of it and destroy it.
Hang Nga (the Moon) Villa also gives expression to the life and work style of myself and at the same time the creative style of an architect. After being graduate at the architecture university of Moscow (1959 - 1965) and then in the stage of doctorate schooling (1969 - 1972) I came back to Hanoi and had official business in Architecture Design Institutes of the Building Ministry, Cultural Ministry. In 1983, I was transferred to Dalat and worked at the Building Design Institute.
I like Dalat, it is the beautiful landscape, sound climate, the gentleness and good nature of the in habitants and calm of Dalat have influeneed my decision to stay and there all my life. After designing several projects for the State, and also because of my own pleasure, the passion of architecture creation has pushed up me to begin to give expression to my own dreams.
Though I have been firmed regularly, in the Hang Nga (The Moon), Villa, I wanted to break traditional practices by forming free volumes with free curves and structures, not dependent classic principles in the arrangement of masses of straight lines and square planes as usual. Especially it is used here spaces open on the four sides of the room to create the richness of the environing visibility.
The Moon Villa (Crazy House) was built in the years (1990 - 2010) including: in the hollow of tree roots, and been cut short stone slabs, man can also create warm and comfortable rooms even abstruse, attractive castles. This place is at the same time a sight seeing spot/ a mini hotel.
Every person thirsts for Independence Liberty. I therefore give expression to such ideas.
The designer, the person guiding the construction and the owner of Crazy House, the architect Dr. Dang Viet Nga.
OVERVIEW
Crazy House is known as one of the most strange buildings in the world. When you enter Crazy House, you will instantly feel a cool, fresh air as if you were in a forest. Visiting Crazy House is taking a journey in giant tree trunks with the small winding paths. The tree trunks are connected by the tree branches. You won’t know where these branches may lad. They can take you closer to the sky – the top of Crazy House or they can take you to the ocean – a room with 3D painting of sea creatures.
Crazy House is so much more than a building. It represents for the artistic freedom. It is also a venue for tourists who want to experience something different. And more importantly, it presents the beauty and the magnificence of nature, and we can feel free to enjoy, explore nature but we have to save it.
ACCOMMODATION
Not only can you visit it - you can also sleep in it
Crazy House is also a hotel with some guest rooms for those who want to live closer to the nature. We have total 10 guest rooms located inside the building in form of tree trunks. Each room is named after an animal and it represents for a country: Bamboo room for Vietnam, Bear for Russia,… To introduce the concept of “Back to nature”, our rooms are outfitted with natural furniture and essential facilities; therefore, you can not find the modern equipments such as television, air conditioner. Living in the hollow of the tree trunks will give you the warm and pleasant feeling as if Mother Nature is sheltering you. With this idea, we hope that everybody will be more eco-conscious and will do things to save our planet.
We offer two types of guest room as following:
Type 1: Room with one queen sized bed for two adults
Type 2: Room with two queen sized bed for four adults or family with children
