The Perfect Storm: Yagi Puts Condo Quality to the Ultimate Test

Apartment Complexes in Ruins After the Storm

Spending billions to own an apartment, everyone hopes for a cozy home, a shelter from the storm. However, many families are now anxious about their choice of residence after witnessing the devastation caused by Super Typhoon Yagi.

In Hanoi and Quang Ninh, the glass windows of several apartments were blown away, shattering to pieces, much to the surprise of the residents. “With each strong gust of wind, the glass panels shake violently as if they’re about to detach from the frame. I’ve never felt so scared,” shared Ms. Hanh Dung, a resident of an apartment building in Quang Ninh.

Many apartment buildings with glass facades were damaged, posing safety risks to residents (Source: Social Media)

Ms. Thu Phuong, a resident of an apartment on the 15th floor in Long Bien district, Hanoi, shared a similar story: “It was just me and my three young children at home during the storm. As the typhoon made landfall, the howling wind caused the windows to shake violently, and water seeped through the gaps. Parts of the gypsum board ceiling also started falling off. Luckily, all four of us are safe. That night, we had to take shelter at a neighbor’s place, anxiously waiting for the storm to pass.”

Residents of many apartment buildings struggled to find ways to prevent water from seeping into their homes through the gaps in the doors and windows.

The storm’s fury wasn’t limited to apartment buildings; it also caused damage to office buildings and hotels in several localities. In Quang Ninh, the strong winds shattered the glass windows of several high-end hotels, and in some cases, entire glass facades collapsed.

As we grapple with the devastating aftermath of Typhoon Yagi, it’s imperative to question the quality of apartment construction. Homes are supposed to provide shelter and safety, but for many, they have become a source of anxiety during storms.

A Test for Construction Quality

Super Typhoon Yagi served as a stern test for the quality of apartment buildings and high-rise structures. Construction experts attribute the phenomenon of blown-away glass windows in apartments during the super typhoon to design, glass quality, and construction workmanship. Whether it’s a building or any other structure, there are load-bearing and enclosing constructions. Structural design engineers must calculate the required glass thickness, number of glass layers, and glass configuration to withstand wind pressure. Additionally, glass walls or frames should be connected to the surrounding load-bearing and enclosing structures to ensure safety.

The external glass system of some buildings remained almost intact despite the impact of Super Typhoon Yagi (Photo: Diamond Crown Complex Hai Phong Project)

In Hai Phong, one of the localities severely affected by the super typhoon, many were surprised that the 39-story, 150-meter-tall Diamond Crown Complex, located at the wind-facing intersection of Le Hong Phong and Nguyen Binh Khiem streets, did not suffer significant damage.

“My family and I have just moved into the Diamond Crown Hai Phong tower. Naturally, I was worried when I heard about Super Typhoon Yagi, especially since the building is new, and we didn’t know its quality. When the eye of the storm passed over, I witnessed the collapse of the glass facade of a nearby office building, and I was terrified. Fortunately, our building remained safe and sound, with only a few broken windows due to the impact. This typhoon was truly a test for the quality of our apartment complex,” said Mr. Do Van Binh, a resident of the building.

Despite being in the direct path of the storm, several structures, such as Diamond Crown Hai Phong in Hai Phong, Hanoi Aqua Central, and Vinhomes Metropolis in Hanoi, sustained minimal damage. There were no casualties, and the material losses were insignificant compared to the overall situation.

Explaining this, a representative of Coteccons said: “When designing and constructing buildings, we carefully calculate the structure and materials to ensure safety in the event of disasters such as typhoons and floods. For example, in the Diamond Crown Hai Phong project, we implemented a robust Diagrid system, enhancing the building’s ability to withstand wind loads and ensuring safety during emergencies. We also utilized BIM technology to plan the construction process accurately and ensure the project’s quality, allowing the building to withstand such ‘tests’ safely.”

The investor, DOJILAND, also shared that the façade system of Diamond Crown Hai Phong features reinforced low-emissivity glass boxes combined with a sturdy Diagrid structure. This enhanced the building’s load-bearing capacity and ability to withstand wind pressure, even during the most intense gusts of the typhoon.

According to experts, a single typhoon may not be the sole criterion for assessing the quality of all apartments. Nonetheless, Typhoon Yagi serves as a stark reminder and wake-up call regarding current construction standards. It would be reassuring to see more resilient structures emerge from future natural disasters.

Therefore, it is necessary to inspect and review the quality of existing apartment buildings to ensure the safety of residents and give them the peace of mind that the storm will indeed pass them by.