National Assembly Building, Hanoi

The modern home of Vietnam's legislature stands in the historic Ba Dinh political quarter, a short walk from the mausoleum and government offices. Completed in 2014, its restrained cubic form of stone and glass encloses a circular main chamber lit from above. During construction, archaeologists uncovered layers of the ancient Thang Long citadel beneath the site, now displayed in a basement museum within the building. The pairing of a contemporary assembly hall with excavated foundations gives it unusual depth.