Architect Le Luong Ngoc started his architecture journey in late 1990. Until now, V-Architecture has been running for 25 years in Vietnam.
Despite his occupied workload, he diligently arranged his time to take us around, seeing some of his works in Hanoi. Le Luong Ngoc is a calm man, we pretty much appreciated this conversation because all of his opinions, thoughts and perspectives about architecture were shared.
Why did you choose to be an architect?
It’s the fate that I chose to be.
What do you like the most about being an architect?
I love being a dreamer and making my dream come true.
Who is the world architect that inspires you to be one?
There is no one, to me!
Gi House (Hanoi, Vietnam) is currently the office of V-Architecture as well as the home of many generations in his family.
What was your first project? Could you describe a little about it?
Well, the story is very simple. My first project was to design a villa.
On that day, when meeting the client, he said:
“I want to live in a French villa”
“Why would you want that?”, I asked.
“I have no idea!? On my way to work daily, passing by many old-fashioned French villas, I was quite into them!”
“Should we have some time talking about its details?”, I suggested.
…. About 2 months after…
“I don’t need a French villa anymore! You could design whatever you want.”, he said.
And I started doing it.
What is the thing you concern the most when starting to design an architectural project?
To me, it is the context.
His old office and home was Gentle House (Hanoi, Vietnam).
Interview
Tran Trung Hieu
Time
11.2021
Photo
Trieu Chien
Gentle House, which is the place your family lives in and it used to be your office for a while as I have learnt, was the very 1st project that you have shared publicly in the media in 2015. Could you describe the architecture of that house?
It is our house located in Gia Lam (Hanoi). Our office was there for a while then we changed it to another place. I do not want to share much about its architecture but solely my thought.
If we treat things with tenderness, it will become close to us. Space or water, when we place a gentle architecture in it without “stirring”, they will all be whole and become one.
The physics, energy and material solutions seem to be very accentuated throughout the architectural works done by V-Architecture. Why did you choose this architecture?
All the factors mentioned above make true architecture.
What do you think about sustainable architecture? In Vietnam, how should we specifically approach sustainability in architecture?
From my view, it is obvious that architecture needs to be sustainable. In Vietnam, I think we should learn from our forefathers, “when in Rome do as the Romans do”, and “cut your coat according to your clothes”.
What is your most favourite material? And why?
Human beings!
It is “the material” that makes us miserable but also gives us pleasure in doing architecture.
Re House, Hanoi, Vietnam / V-Architecture
What do you think about the current traditional architecture? Is there any connection between on-going projects of V-Architecture and the traditional architectural works from our ancestors? Could you give out some examples?
We always take the chance to look for significant factors and practical values in traditional architecture to implement our works. For instance, DesigN’N, the designed space is similar to the architecture of a temple, which has no boundary and is unobstructed. In the Gi House project, we created the togetherness type of space.
As for Re House, we designed the space to input awareness about nature through light conditions; when asked about this project, I usually say “if you want to keep your house through the storm, you should learn how to build it well”.
DesigN’N, Hanoi, Vietnam / V-Architecture
Looking out to the world at this point, to you, what have the world architects as well as architecture achieved and what needs special attention ?
Modern architecture has currently blurred the boundary between human to human in this society, which unexpectedly makes the architecture mediocre.
That is to me!
After years working in the industry, what has changed or remained in you?
I grow older, the rest is the same!
DesigN’N sử dụng vật liệu chủ yếu dễ kiếm, vật liệu tái chế cho công trình
How important instinct is in architectural works?
When doing architecture, I begin with instinct.
Is there any moment that you imagine what future architecture would be like?
I have come up with an “optimal” material, which can meet the tangible or intangible needs of people, which can be transformed in the circulation of nature. At that moment, [who] would help us to materialise our emotions and our needs.
What is the message you would like to send through each of your work?
Be gentle!
Truyền House, Tuyen Quang pronice, Vietnam
Designed by V-Architecture
What is your most want-to-create project?
A temple.
If you are not an architect, what would you do?
I have never thought of this before. My daughter once said, “You might fit with being a security guy”.
It has been a very memorable talk, thank you very much!
