Trần Đại Nghĩa

What would you do if you were not an architect?

Probably a scientist, I would do research about Mathematics or Biology. When I was young, I was into science. Although I attended the Math class for gifted students, I had a great love for Biology, and I still do.

Why did you choose to be an architect? Was it your desire or oriented by family or was it simply by accident? 

It was all by accident, I passed the entrance exam of HUCE and went for the very first intensive course for engineering sponsored by the French government. This was a programme for 4 universities which were Hanoi University of Science and Technology, Hanoi University of Civil Engineering, Ho Chi Minh University of Technology and The University of Danang University of Science and Technology; The field of Architecture was not included. After the first 2 years studying general subjects, students can transfer to any university.

However, after my first semester, I decided to take the exam to study abroad, and Japan was my destination. When I arrived, in my application for major, I only filed Construction in general. Little that I knew there were Architecture and Civil Engineer. There were 5 of us who got the chance, I was the only one registered for Architecture. At the beginning, I was actually worried, yet my professors advised me to go, experience a new environment, and get the opportunity to see the world.

Initially, I had wanted to be an engineer in the field of architecture, I spent time on learning principles of structure. It was not until my last year when I passed the entrance exam of the University of Tokyo, I decided to apply for architecture design. In my fourth year, I was fortunate to take part in a class of

Architect Hiroshi Naito for a semester. Then, when I went for higher education, I decided to take the exam to his research lab in Japan.

The time that I studied in Japan really trained me to be practical. Everything needs to be visualised in detail and must be done so that we could see and understand the issues clearly. I have also learnt self-criticism, looking at problems through layers. It is very unique about the way the Japanese see and feel about things, phenomena and nature. As a result, they have many nature-friendly, energy-saving designs; I really love the way they think and use their materials.

Sea-Folk Museum. Image: tatlerasia

What was the first building that you recognised as Architecture?

Sea-Folk Museum of Architect Hiroshi Naito was the first one that got me most. It has a spectacular wood texture. I could still remember the atmosphere there.The day I visited, the building was 15-years-old. There is no sense of time when you set foot in, It is like it has been here for ages.

Sea-Folk Museum. Image: tatlerasia

Having studied in Vietnam, then got a scholarship for studying abroad, then back to Vietnam to open an architecture office, would you share some commons and differences between both Vietnamese and Japanese architecture?

Vietnam and Japan both share some similar materials, used in some traditional buildings, such as wood, bamboo, dirt and they are all eco-friendly. Nowadays in Vietnam, many architects have been working on new projects with respect to nature, using
natural resources like trees, light and wind. These are some similar features to Japanese architecture.

Could you share more details about the period you worked at Architect Hiroshi Naito’s office and some of your outstanding works in Japan?

Architect Hiroshi Naito, who is the first architect to be a professor in the Infrastructure department, is a special one in Japan. Back then, throughout the educational activities, he found that the subjects of architecture, urbanism and infrastructure were divided in minor majors and tended to be separated from each other. To him, this is an inadequacy and indirectly creating an unorganised urban area. He wanted to reconnect all professions related to construction so that the next generations could have a broader view on the majors. In his lab, there were students from the Architecture department, Planning department, Transport Engineering department, Sociology department.. We had exposed and listened to many topics. I honestly enjoyed this experience.

During the internship in his lab, I actively applied for an internship at his office for a period of time. He became another person when he was in the office, who is super strict. Rather than being an easygoing person at school.

About designing thinking in Japan, architects have the tendency of approaching their building as a work of art. But Hiroshi Naito avoided mentioning his builts, mostly he thought about the atmosphere that people perceive in each place, adding time and space factors into his designs. Most of his constructions are often situated in remote areas in Japan, only few are found in central areas. He constantly chose the input of connecting modern building techniques with cultural and surrounding elements to form up a unified piece, which expressed in his works. Perhaps the qualities that I feel the most about Hiroshi Naito are the technicality that combines compassion, with a sense of responsibility for his profession. 

My thesis with the title of “Space and living habits of Phuoc Tich ancient village during flood season” was mentored by architect Naito.

I could see your interest in local factors, local materials, Vietnamese craftsman’s skills and you have tried to bring the above into every project of NH Village. What drives you to this approach?

I have a particular interest in Vietnamese wicker crafts that are not only made of natural material but their shapes are also very versatile and stunning. I was born and raised in Hung Yen province, those were my toys in the old days. When I returned to Vietnam, I usually visited some craft villages to observe their ingenious crafting skills and tried to bring their materials into my designs.

The Kimono project in Hanoi is a typical example that helps me realise a fact. On a small scale project, it is easy for the artisan to manage their workload and the quality of their products. When they start working in an architectural or interior project, there are many limitations. This influences my way of designing, sketching, facilitating and how to coordinate construction with them.

Kimono Restaurant in Hanoi, Vietnam

Photo
Hiroyuki Oki

What does Vietnamese traditional architecture mean to you? And why?

Vietnamese traditional architecture gives me many suggestions. The society is always changing, moving and architectural constructions are always the ultimate formation of the most essential of each period. When approaching and learning about traditional architecture, We can clearly see how our experienced our forefathers adapted to the climate, environment, and ways of utilising materials.

We are very impressed with how NH Village designs and utilises materials to input nature in many residential projects. Could you share more details about this aspect with us? Is it simply the way you optimise the utility of energy of any projects or is it how you approach sustainable architecture?

From a social perspective, especially now, when environmental issues essentially matter, the creation of an energy saving and optimised construction is a very practical contribution, which can be considered as one of the most basic requirements. We have been always looking for ways to minimise the impact on the environment as much as possible. Nevertheless, saving energy is only the very first step in the making of a construction, our ultimate goal is to create a loving environment for people. The introduction of several natural factors such as wind, light, rain, ect…into our design is purposely to engage people more with nature, in this dense urban context. 

What do you think about the current architecture in Vietnam?

It is quite interesting. In the context of rapid development of the social economy, together with the explosion of the media, it has created a very ideal environment for clients or investors to update the latest news and trends. For this reason, their requirements for architects are also gradually escalating. Architects can easily have access to world architecture through many media platforms like social networks or newspapers.

However, I find the quality of interaction between people and architecture still lacking in depth. In my opinion, the process of creating and forming a construction is more important than telling stories about it through photographs or films after the completion of the project. Architectural evaluation measurement should be varied, should not be framed in a slogan or a certain trend, which should be evaluated based on the breakthrough according to the design quality of the project. People who are involved in the work should also form a culture of architectural criticism so their discussion can be broader, more in-depth and multi-perspective.

In the next 20 to 50 years,what do you think that architecture has to face, in general?

There is one thing that all of us can realise is the constant development of technology, architecture is something that takes time and grows slow. 

In developed countries, people are concerned about issues related to the environment, recycling or renovation since the demand for new buildings is not much. The real challenge is the problem of renovation and recycling of materials. 

In Vietnam, We will have few problems in the future. For instance, what we have no attention or probably ignored is the urban landscape, which needs to be improved. We will have to get ready to think about solving the problem which goes backwards to the current trend of mass construction. The value system for the quality of architectural works will be considered based on both spatial and time axis. I can see this clearly when I observe Japan.

X House

Photo
Hiroyuki Oki

To you, what is the role of architects in the current society? 

I always prepare for the worst scenario. When there is an economic crisis, do architects have anything to do work on or is there any request for any project?!

I want to come back at that point to reflect on what I have done. In fact, people seek doctors or lawyers when they are insecure; in contrast, they come to us when they are in a state of happiness, and they simply have the means of life.

Architects will see their role most clearly in society if they place themselves in the position of a doctor or a lawyer.

Bung Binh House

Photo
Triệu Chiến

What project or type of construction have you always wanted to do the most?

For this part, I guess it mostly depends on the client or sometimes even myself. At this point in Vietnam, working with individual investors seems to be very well-suited and fast. I would love to do public and landscape-related constructions, which contributes to the improvement of the quality of the urban living environment. Currently, NH Village is still in the preparation phase and looking for opportunities.