Touch Design Studio · Ecotourism Renovation

Datanla
Waterfall

Ecotourism Renovation · Đà Lạt, Lâm Đồng, Vietnam · 2017–2020

Where Tourism, Landscape & Nature Exist in Harmony

ClientLam Dong Tourist JSC

LocationĐà Lạt, Lâm Đồng
Vietnam

Site Area106 Hectares

Timeline2017 – 2020

Project Overview

"A destination where tourism, landscape, and nature exist in harmony."

The Datanla Waterfall Ecotourism Renovation project was developed to preserve the natural landscape of Đà Lạt while enhancing the tourism experience through sustainable planning, architecture, and environmental integration. Inspired by the raw beauty of forests, waterfalls, and mountainous terrain, the project introduces a new ecotourism destination where nature, culture, and visitor experience coexist harmoniously.

Site Landscape Overview · Datanla Waterfall · Đà Lạt Touch Design Studio 2017–2020

106 ha
Ecotourism

Five Zones · Sustainable Planning · Forest & Waterfall Integration

Master Planning

Five Zones,
One Journey

The masterplan organises 106 hectares into five experiential zones — each zone building on the last, guiding visitors from arrival through immersive forest exploration, waterfall discovery, adventure and ecological retreat.

Zone 01

Arrival Experience

Entry gate · Orientation · Landscape pathway

Zone 02

Walkway Exploration

Wooden walkway · Viewing deck · Pocket garden

Zone 03

Waterfall Experience

Restaurant · Cave walkway · Cultural storytelling

Zone 04

Nature Adventure

Rock cliff · Trekking trail · Wild beast story

Zone 05

Ecological Retreat

Forest bungalow · Low-impact accommodation · Mountain panorama

Overall Masterplan · Entry Gate · Datanla Waterfall Ecotourism

Zone 01 Site Plan · Arrival & Orientation · Datanla

Arrival Experience

Entry Gate & Orientation

Entry Signage Visitor Orientation Landscape Pathway Rocky Feature

The entrance zone was designed as a welcoming transition between urban access and the natural forest environment. Landscape elements, visitor orientation spaces, and experiential pathways establish the beginning of the ecotourism journey — setting the tone before visitors descend toward the waterfall ecosystem.

Walkway Exploration

Wooden Walkways & Observation Decks

Elevated Walkway Observation Deck Festival Garden Alpine CoasterElevated wooden walkways are integrated into the terrain — allowing visitors to move through the forest with minimal environmental impact. Inspired by the festival atmosphere of Lach ethnic culture, pocket gardens invite visitors to rest and photograph the surrounding forest canopy.

Waterfall Experience

Waterfall 1 — Hospitality & Storytelling

F&B Serving Lodge Cave Walkway Observation Bridge GRC Architecture Lach Ethnic StoryAt the heart of the waterfall zone, a GRC-clad hospitality lodge integrates into the cliff face — blending architecture with geology. Visitors pass through a cave walkway carved into the rock, emerging onto an observation bridge directly above the falling water. The Lach ethnic story is woven throughout via carved narratives, spatial metaphors and material choices.