Page: 10
Foreword from the editorial board:
Dear readers,
With the overarching theme of “Sustainable Futures – Leave no one behind”, the UIA – International Union of Architects 2023 last July united under the message of “The Copenhagen Lessons”, encapsulating 10 principles of the architectural profession worldwide aimed at transforming the architectural and construction environment towards achieving the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the United Nations.
Those are also the contents to be incorporated into the upcoming activities of the Vietnam Association of Architects, of which we are pleased to introduce to our readers in Architecture Magazine Issue 08/2023. The focus of this issue includes activities of the Vietnam Association of Architects members at the UIA – International Union of Architects, the Architects Region Council Asia – ARCASIA (September 2023) and the National Young Architects Festival 2023. Notably, the achievements and awards bestowed upon the young generation of Vietnamese architects have become the shining point, honouring their contributions to the community and society.
Other sections in this issue of Architecture Magazine continue to introduce topics of professional interests: agricultural architecture, zero carbon cities, ecological architecture, philosophy of creativity, and issues related to architectural culture and preservation.
From experts’ perspective, these articles are excellent presentations of architects’ professional knowledge and personal experiences in connection with the community and newly formed friendships. These are new beginnings, promising a sustainable future in the spirit of the “The Copenhagen Lessons” with universal values.
We are pleased to present Architecture Magazine Issue 08/2023 to our readers!
Page: 20
Architect Nguyen Thu Phong – Vice President of the Vietnam Association of Architects: A 17-Year Journey and 8 National Young Architects Festivals
• By Thuy An (Contributor)
In just a few days, the 9th National Young Architects Festival will take place in Yen Bai. In the anticipation-filled atmosphere leading up to this event, Architecture Magazine had the chance of hearing the thoughts and reflections of Architect Nguyen Thu Phong, the Vice President of the Vietnam Association of Architects, who has spent 16 years serving as the head of the Young Architects Club since its inception. Join us as we delve into the story of the “elder brother” of this movement, revisiting the remarkable memories of the very first festival editions that laid a strong foundation and set the stage for the nationwide success of the national Young Architects movement.
With great pleasure, we present this interview to our readers.
Page: 23
Yen Bai hosts the 9th National Young Architects Festival in 2023: what’s new?
By Thu Van (Contributor)
In just three days, from October 13th to 15th, 2023, the 9th National Young Architects Festival is set to unfold in Nghia Lo commune, Yen Bai province. This year, by choosing Yen Bai as the hosting location – an area that blends the vibrant Northwest hues with its serene and untouched natural landscapes, unique cultural shades manifested through cultural heritage, traditional ethnic architecture, or even intangible cultural heritage like the Thai Xoe dance and the Hmong khen dance, this event promises to deliver a lot of fresh and captivating content, along with fascinating experiences about the people and the scenery in this breathtaking region.
Page: 26
Applying Eco-Architecture to Serve the Community in National Parks
• M. Arch. Nguyen Thu Phong
Vice President of the Vietnam Association of Architects
The role of eco-architecture and sustainable development has been widely embraced worldwide with numerous experiences and case studies. The efforts in community architecture at National Parks aligned with the United Nations’ sustainable development goals have been exemplified through the Hero House program, which has yielded encouraging results. This initiative has been cherished and its values celebrated in the architectural involvement in enhancing the human environment and contributing to the preservation of natural ecology. The program continues to thrive, welcoming numerous philanthropists and organizations to further develop eco-architectural projects in the South Central and Southern National Parks of Vietnam in the near future.
Page: 39
The Concept of Hyperbolic Paraboloid and its Applications in Architecture
• M. Arch. Phan Thi Hoang Yen
The hyperbolic paraboloid (HP) is a curved surface that can be easily created from straight lines. It has been extensively used in constructing thin-shell roofs to create impressionist designs since the post-World War II era in Europe. Today, the HP surface is widely applied in various architectural structures and suitable for functions such as roofing, cladding, iconic buildings, interior and exterior decorations. Due to its versatility and the graceful, striking beauty of the curved surface, the HP surface has been used in famous architectural works worldwide, such as: Philips Pavilion (Belgium), Warsaw Ochota Railway Station (Poland), St. Mary’s Cathedral (Tokyo), Saint Mary of the Assumption Cathedral (San Francisco), Scotiabank Saddledome (Canada), L’OceanoGràfic Aquarium (Spain), Markham Moor Gas Station (UK), Scandinavium Arena (Sweden), Lee Valley VeloPark Cycling Center (UK), Dorton Arena (Carolina), Church Army Chapel (UK), Palmira Open Air Chapel (Mexico)… However, in Vietnam, the application of the HP surface is still relatively limited. Understanding the concept and methods of presenting the HP surface can provide designers with new ideas and increase the applicability of this design element in their projects.
Page: 56
The Identity of Community-Oriented Landscape Architecture: Unique or Harmonious? – Part 1
Arch. Pham Thi Ai Thuy • Arch. Vu Viet Anh
Globalization and urbanization nowadays have brought about numerous opportunities for economic, cultural, and social development on a global scale. However, this development has posed challenges in preserving and promoting regional cultural values, specifically in landscape architecture. The internationalization in urban planning and architecture has resulted in the creation of cities and rural areas with similar landscapes, leading to the fading of distinct local characteristics, which is placelessness. This article seeks answers to how to preserve the architectural identity and initiate a sustainable placemaking for the community. The dilemma of uniqueness versus harmony is explored through practical experiences of landscape architecture professionals.
Page: 60
Proposing a Management Model and Design Solutions for University Gardens in Vietnam
• Dr. Arch. Du Ton Hoang Long
The allure of a university lies not only in its people but also in its traditions. In the past, the evaluation of a school’s design standards was limited to the number of square meters allocated to various functions and the equipment required for teaching. However, in this era of globalization, the university campus landscape plays a pivotal role in competing to attract domestic and international students, contributing to the enhancement of the education quality and each institution’s prestige.
However, the current status of university garden design in Vietnam, by and large, falls short of the appropriate investment. Part of this shortcoming is due to the management mechanisms within these institutions, which are not able to afford the expenditure to have beautiful gardens. The rest stems from the management mindset. Few institutions prioritize garden design as a part of developing a conducive learning environment for students. In some cases, university gardens serve solely as parking areas. Even when universities have sufficient space, the designs tend to be monotonous, prioritizing traffic planning over aesthetics. This reflects the fact that Vietnamese universities are not yet fully prepared to embrace the spirit of integration.
[Author’s Note: Dr. Arch. Du Ton Hoang Long’s article explores the challenges and potential solutions for university garden design in Vietnam, emphasizing the need for a shift in perspective and investment to create appealing and functional campus green spaces.]
Page: 76
From Slow Architecture to Slow City
• M. Arch. Le Thi Hoang Nhi
Many people have embraced the “slow living” trend, a movement that is no longer unfamiliar today. The Slow movement, seeking a return to a slower pace, represents a silent resistance to the pressures of fast-paced modern life. It is a cultural shift to slow down and relish the pleasures of a sustainable and healthy way of life. Living slowly, moving at a leisurely pace, helps individuals become more introspective, allowing them to understand themselves better, what they want, and what they need. This philosophy has since expanded into various aspects of culture and life, including education, fashion, film, medicine, travel, cities, and architecture.
Page: 79
Research on Can Chanh Palace, Hue Imperial Citadel – A World Cultural Heritage
• Dr. Arch. Le Vinh An • Dr. Arch. Nguyen Thi Kim Nhung
Building on previous research articles, this article presents an comparative analysis of 14 synchronic and congruent architectural structures still remaining within the Hue Imperial City complex. Through the analysis, two architectural design methods, the Gia Long and Minh Mang periods’, were identified for constructing the “Trung Thiem Diep Oc” palace.
As identified, The Gia Long design method correlates the dimensions of the building’s footprint and its height. The Minh Mang design method, on the other hand, involves significant technical improvements and places greater emphasis on hierarchical arrangement within the Hue Imperial City complex.
Page: 83
Traditional Decorative Plaster in Red River Delta architectural relics
• M. Nguyen Thi Ha • M. Vu Thi My • M. Doan Thi Hong Minh
• M. Pham Manh Cuong
Within architectural heritage, the decorative patterns made from traditional plaster seen in various elements such as roof ridges, eaves, niche doors, lantern boxes, monumental pillars, and symbolic animals like the Dragon, Carp, Turtle, and Phoenix carry significant artistic, architectural, cultural, and historical values. These decorative patterns are made from a type of plaster crafted from indigenous materials known as traditional plaster. The manufacturing process of traditional plaster involves several stages with specific requirements regarding materials, tools, and mixing techniques. According to the artisans, each craft village may vary slightly in their choices of raw materials and the manufacturing process. Nevertheless, traditional plaster typically consists of components such as lime, molasses, paper pulp, additives, which are mixed in suitable proportions. Documenting and summarising the components and the steps in traditional plaster-making helps preserve the essence of ancestral wisdom and contributes to the conservation of heritage sites, ensuring their authenticity and integrity.
