Đào Thanh Hưng

In 2014, the writer has his first time meeting architect Đào Thanh Hưng at AHL’s office at 93 Trần Quốc Toản street in Hanoi, Vietnam. At that time, AHL Architects was established for 3 years. It has been 9 years since the day he learnt about architect Hưng. Most recently, the writer and his college at Notes had the opportunity to sit and talk with architect Hưng at his new office, spending that afternoon talking about the 11-year relentlessly working of AHL Architects.

The conversation consists of many significant values, the writer believes that this content might be useful for ones follow and pay attention to architect Đào Thanh Hưng and partners at AHL.

Hello Mr. Hưng, what kinds of project has AHL been working on at this point? Could you share with us? 

Đào Thanh Hưng: We are working on several different projects now, focusing on ‘residential’ architecture. The latest ones are a small scale hotel project in Đà Nẵng and a service apartment in Hanoi concurrent with others projects. 

The newly finished project in Thái Nguyên city is phenomenal, we would love to hear something about the architecture of this particular project. 

It is the house of a Hanoi-based fashion designer, who wants to dedicate this as a gift to her mother in Thái Nguyên city. The mother lives alone in the house, sometimes when the designer pays a visit, she could still have her own private space. There are 2 main functional blocks: the business block in the front could be a coffee shop or a small mart, the 12x12m squared one in the back is for living space. The architecture stands for our investor’s designing style. She has a strong representation for using materials, structures and large slabs. The roof’s shapes are inspired by the folds of a lappet, yet guarantee their functions. The 6 porches fall downwards to protect the house from sun and rain. We are reviewing and learning from the values of traditional houses from our forefathers to implement in recent projects. 

At the present, architects seem to miss out details of setback, porch’s roof to answer the form of the considered-to-be “modern” architecture. In recent projects, we have paid more attention and figured out ways to utilise these details. This project, named as the Porch House, places emphasis on the use of porches which play the major role as significant buffer spaces between the functional internal room and the nature outside. 

The Porch House is that ordinary. The day photographer Hoàng Lê and I arrived at the house to take photos, it was 40-degree hot. Although people saw the concrete structure and thought it would be torrid, we could stay in the house pleasantly with the ceiling fan on and the doors opened, without using the air conditioner. Thanks to the setbacks in our design, the 12.12 block is relatively ventilated. Otherwise, if we close all the doors, it would be like an oven. (Laugh)

AHL Architects seems to be very “faithful” with residential architecture, it is hard to see other categories, must there be any reasons? 

It started from the desire and the thinking since we established AHL. Before opening this office, I had worked for 3-4 offices, both domestic and international. They focused on big projects. I wondered when I could see my design being built. Observing big-scale projects in Vietnam, I can spot that it is difficult to mind small details because of many reasons, objective and subjective. Referring to many foreign documents, I see that they do their work very attentively. When I and my 2 partners opened AHL, we cogitated on how to achieve scrupulous adherence to our project? We want to go the whole hog. Housing is considered to be something daily in life which is quite approachable and unlikely to be influenced too much by the market. This biggest reason truly makes me and others in the office to focus on this type of construction. Even today, I still think it is the right decision. 

At the beginning, we did not have enough experience working with clients, it took many projects and processes that we could gradually control the matters. To this point, I am confident to say that AHL masters the game. Our clients trust our proposal and decisions to be logical, made by a professional and dedicated team. All the decisions for building, materials and colours are entrusted to us. Architects always follow closely every stage of the construction to control the details. Unlike some offices, they would send the design and come check out the progress as supervisors, leading to many mistakes during the building process because the contractor is not qualified or the investor personally changes the details. We build what we draw, if there are changes, it is usually on our side since the construction process is a chance for architects to review the design before structuring, then the contractor will proceed as planned. Although everyone is busy and hard-working, all parties are truly happy with the fact that people do the right profession and duty. 

A corner at AHL Architects’ office
Photo: Trần Trung Hiếu

The first time seeing Mr. Hưng in the old office on Trần Quốc Toản street (Hanoi), the space was quite small. Now, the office is relocated to a more spacious one with numerous models, blueprints and recognitions. 12-year is a journey, not short nor too long, for an architectural office, to conclude the past 12 years in one word (or a sentence), what would you say and why? 

In the last 12 years, what I do best and see clearest is perseverance. I persist in walking on one specific path. For many people,a residential project is a foundation or a springboard that leads to bigger projects. Housing is accessible and easily awarded. We disagree. I truly want to work on the residential project.

In our book, there is a question: “Are you bored with housing yet?”. In fact, I think that each investor has their own request so why bother to be bored?

To me, this is to be consistent with one certain thought. 

Talking more about AHL’s common designs, we can undoubtedly see and feel that the shapes and facades of materials were interpreted visually strong, the curves and straight lines create clarity and consistency. The sense of architectural identity in a construction is always highly promoted in a modern and minimal atmosphere, which can be easily found in tropical coastal countries. Have you been influenced by this architecture or do you have your own philosophy and points of view in the current context?

I actually work quite instinctively. Our office’s architecture and activities reflect rather fairly my characteristics: straightforward and bold.

I have the contrast in me, between my firm appearance and my burning heart. My architecture is no different, there are contrasts between heavy and light structures (concrete, wood and steel); solid and empty spaces; naturally rough and smooth surfaces; darkness and brightness; nature and human beings (artificial elements), etc. Looking at the constructions we created, you can easily find a concrete wall combined with a white wall or a big piece/log of wood; a low and dark space positions next to a bright and high one. I particularly fancy them. The contrast, sometimes, evokes the view of comparison, or perhaps one who reads might devise a notion to it.

And about the tropical elements, as I have mentioned that this is something obvious. We are living in Vietnam – a humid and tropical country. I have concerned about this matter for years, every architect has their ways to leverage this factor. I personally review buildings of the old generations to pick out some expensive elements such as: porch, building’s aspect, porch’s roof. Once being clear about the details, we need to decide how to use them, whether we follow the old ways or would there be any adjustment to fit the design. 

Of course, it should speak the language of AHL. 

Project 32QT
Photo: Chimnon studio

Looking out to the world’s architecture, what do you think about the housing projects similar to AHL’s?

I believe that housing is the most common construction in the world that architects can work on the most, especially in Vietnam. Residential project is also one that expresses the personalities of owners, the natural characteristics of the location and reflects the local culture. Each project calls for different solutions depending on the climatic and geographical characteristics. 

What project do you want to realise the most?

Honestly, the housing project is not the only thing AHL aims for, we want to work on and join a project from A to Z, something that we can finish, the investor can be with us until the end.Now, if anyone asks me to design a private museum or an office for there private company, I would be extremely happy to say yes. The main thing is that I or AHL must be in charge from day one to the finish line, in every detail.

What is the quote that inspires you the most in architectural practice or generally in life?

It must be the one from my friend about kindness, it is what I pursue: Try to work kindly, treat people decently. Until then, good things come. 

A word from you to young offices like AHL 12 years ago.

Be diligent, hard-working, and do things kindly.

Thank you!