In September 2024, Typhoon Yagi swept through Hanoi, leaving a profound imprint on the city’s landscape and spirit. The Red River surged to its highest level in two decades, flooding low-lying districts and damaging homes and infrastructure. However, the storm’s most poignant impact was on Hanoi’s iconic greenery. Fierce winds and waterlogged soil toppled the city’s beloved trees—symbols of its beauty and history—turning familiar streets into surreal, forest-like corridors of uprooted trunks and branches.

A Community’s Resilience

When the storm passed, residents emerged from 24 hours of confinement to find a city both altered and alive. Fallen trees scattered across roads and sidewalks evoked a mixture of loss and wonder. While the devastation was stark, Hanoi’s community rose to meet the challenge. With determination and solidarity, people worked together to clear debris and restore order. In every corner of the city, neighbors united, showing that amidst destruction, the bonds of a shared home grow even stronger.

Yet, as the city began to rebuild, the storm also reminded us of something deeper: the irreplaceable essence of what was lost. Some trees, hundreds of years old, could not be replaced. Their roots had anchored not only the soil but also the memories of generations. The storm brought into sharp focus the reality that nature—and by extension, human life—is not something we can simply recreate or shape at will. Both are beyond our full control, unpredictable and awe-inspiring. Rather than mastering them, we learn to coexist with and adapt to what surrounds us.

Reimagining Fallen Trees

It was in this spirit of coexistence that a creative initiative took shape. Inspired by the haunting beauty of the storm-stricken trees, we sought to give them a second life. Collaborating with skilled Vietnamese artisans, we transformed salvaged trunks and branches into intricately crafted coffee tables. These pieces do not aim to replace the lost trees but to honor them. Each table retains the raw, organic forms shaped by the storm, a testament to nature’s power and resilience.

Every piece tells a story. The imperfections in the wood—splits, knots, and scars—capture the storm’s fury and its aftermath. These tables preserve the memory of what was lost while celebrating the artistry of human hands and the resourcefulness of the community. In creating them, we are reminded that while we cannot recreate nature, we can find ways to interact with it, adapt to its changes, and appreciate its gifts.

Design as a Dialogue

This initiative is more than a design project; it is a dialogue between nature, community, and creativity. The project underscores the idea that, while we cannot control nature, we can work with it. By embracing what we have around us—its beauty, its imperfections, and its limits—we create something meaningful.

The storm challenged us to see design not as a means of imposing order but as an opportunity to celebrate what exists. It encouraged us to reflect on the balance between human ingenuity and the unpredictable forces of the world. The crafted tables are not just functional objects; they are a reminder of our interconnectedness with the natural environment and with each other.

A Celebration of Resilience and Community

“Yagi vs Hanoi: Design and Tree Trunks” is a story of resilience, community, and creativity. It honors the irreplaceable nature of life—both human and natural—while highlighting our ability to adapt and collaborate. The tables stand as enduring symbols of Hanoi’s unity and its enduring spirit, demonstrating that even in the face of powerful storms, we can find ways to rebuild, to cherish what we have, and to create something beautiful.

This project is a reminder that while we cannot control the natural world, we are part of it. We play, interact, and live within its bounds, finding meaning in its unpredictability and strength in its challenges.