Daikin Air Tower, the new headquarters of Daikin Air Conditioning in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, has become the first building in the world to achieve Platinum ratings across three major certification systems: LEED, WELL, and LOTUS. Conceptualised and designed by Tokyo-based architectural and engineering design firm Nikken Sekkei, the project integrates environmental performance with human wellbeing, reflecting the city’s increasing focus on air quality and workplace health amid rapid urban expansion.
The building has received LEED v4 BD+C certification for international environmental excellence, WELL v2 Pilot certification as a benchmark for human health and wellbeing, and LOTUS New Construction v3, Vietnam’s national environmental certification system. This milestone positions Daikin Air Tower as a reference point for sustainable and health-focused architecture in Vietnam and across South East Asia.
Design and technology tackle air quality challenges
Ho Chi Minh City’s rapid urban growth has increased exposure to particulate matter, including PM2.5 from traffic and construction. The Daikin Air Tower addresses these challenges by integrating architectural and technological strategies to enhance indoor air quality and energy efficiency.
The building features Daikin’s advanced air conditioning systems, heat-insulating glass facades, and a distinctive pipe louver façade inspired by Daikin’s early radiator products, which provides solar shading and doubles as maintenance access platforms. Rainwater reuse strategies, naturally lit workspaces, clean indoor air systems, and a real-time monitoring system tracking energy and indoor environmental quality further support a safe, comfortable, and energy-efficient environment for occupants.
Interior programme and workplace functions
The tower functions as both a workplace and a platform for knowledge-sharing. Lower floors include public and professional exhibition zones showcasing environmental and air quality solutions. Upper floors house a training facility for partners, a call centre, a large event hall, employee dining spaces, and office floors offering expansive views of the Ho Chi Minh City skyline. The interior employs soft curves and flowing forms that complement Daikin’s forward-looking character while reflecting the energy of Vietnam.
Architectural highlights and building structure
Daikin Air Tower is located at 10 Cong Truong Quac Te, Xuan Hoa Ward, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, on a prominent corner site near a major roundabout, approximately 1km north of Notre-Dame Cathedral Basilica of Saigon. Nikken Sekkei led the master planning, basic design, detailed design supervision, construction supervision, and certification consulting, while Shimizu Corporation and Shimizu Vietnam managed detailed design.
The building has a reinforced concrete structure with partial prestressing, two basements, 12 floors, and a total floor area of 14,234m² (153,213ft²). The project was completed in May 2025.
Sustainability and advanced building systems
Energy efficiency strategies include separated sensible and latent cooling, optimised chilled-water systems, demand-controlled ventilation, total heat recovery, daylight-linked lighting controls, high-performance glazing with solar shading, and continuous monitoring of energy and indoor environmental performance.
