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Under the theme of ‘Space design for Modern Inhabitation’, the workshop features four speakers from Europe and Vietnam: French architect Sophie Valla (Sophie Valla Architects) and Swedish architect Anders Tväråna (White Arkitekter) – representing two leading European architectural offices with projects closely linked to the goal of sustainable development, combining breakthrough innovation in techniques, materials and spatial forms towards new possibilities. From the local side, architect Trung Mai (Hanoi Ad Hoc & Ad hoc practice) and architect Vu Linh Quang (ARDOR Architects) present perspectives on the characteristics of Vietnam’s urban zones, while also discussing the positive developments they have helped engender, as contribution to the country’s architecture and construction sectors. 

Modern architecture is seen as having a direct connection with the environment and ecologies, and with modes of organising social activities across multiple levels, subsequently impacting upon dimensions of the experience of contemporary living, especially in urban contexts. Architectural discourses also perform an increasingly important role in the striving towards sustainable development. 

Sharing ideas, insights and visions of the experts – while also exploring good practices from Europe and Vietnam – the workshop constitutes an opportunity for expansive exchanges, connection and potential cooperation, through two discussion sessions and a networking reception that will take place afterwards. Also attending the event are EU Ambassador to Vietnam Julien Guerrier, representatives of diplomatic missions of EU Member States; members from the community of architecture, design; university representatives; stakeholders operating in the areas of materials and equipment; creative practitioners; amongst others. In addition, a specially-commissioned installation will be presented in the event space, courtesy of the two architectural design offices Lam Weaving Spaces and atelier tho.A, bringing about unique spatial experiences and inspiring interpretations of materials in relation to the environment.     

The networking portion is also organised in conjunction with the launching of ELLE Decoration’s Earth Craft issue. The event is organised with the support of VINFAST, FGF, Annam Gourmet, WAREHOUSE, and Cocoon.

EVSDA Launching Workshop 

SPACE DESIGN FOR MODERN INHABITATION

14:00 – Friday 18.10.2024

S.pace – 102C Nguyen Van Cu, District 1, HCMC

Session 1: Sustainable Architecture for Housing Environments

* Arch. Sophie Valla (France) – Founder of Sophie Valla Architects (Amsterdam), Mies van der Rohe Awards nominee

* Arch. Trung Mai – Founder of Hanoi Ad Hoc & Ad hoc practice (Hanoi, Paris), Prince Claus Fund award winner

Session 2: Sustainable Architecture for Working Environments

* Arch. Anders Tväråna – White Arkitekter (Uppsala)

* Arch. Vu Linh Quang – Managing Director of ARDOR Architects (HCMC)

ABOUT THE SPEAKERS

SOPHIE VALLA is the Founder and Director of the Amsterdam-based Sophie Valla Architects (SVA). The Studio specialises in the design of residential buildings, circular projects, and community spaces within urban environments. SVA provides a framework where inhabitants are not seen as investors or social cases but as responsible citizens with the right to shape their living conditions, and the power to imagine specific collaborative living forms. https://www.sophievalla.nl/ 

TRUNG MAI. A French-Vietnamese architect (HMONP) and Founder of Hanoi Ad Hoc and Ad hoc practice, Trung is the first Vietnamese architect to have won three times at Europan – the largest European urban biennial competition for young architects under 40. Trung’s works focus on devising urban renewal strategies for post-industrial contexts, integrating agriculture into urban environments, and exploring critical regionalism, resilience, reversibility, and architectural rearrangement within the context of the Anthropocene. https://www.adhocpractice.com/   

ANDERS TVÄRÅNA is a Partner and Lead Architect at White Arkitekter (Uppsala, Sweden). Beside leading several environmentally ground-breaking office projects and developing the use of massive wood in all scales in Sweden, Anders has been involved in prized landscape architecture projects in Sweden’s National Parks. In 2022, his massive wood office building Magasin X was named the third best office building in the world by the ‘Rethinking the Future’ Awards. Anders’s works are characterised by deep knowledge in construction and all other technical details of modern and traditional building, combined with the architect’s ability to see the bigger whole and to come up with new solutions. https://whitearkitekter.com/  

VŨ LINH QUANG is the Managing Director of ARDOR Architects, specialising in sustainable building design. He actively engages in research and education in Architecture and Green Building. Quang's extensive training in Denmark, Australia, and New Zealand has provided him with valuable insights and practical experience. His portfolio features a diverse range of projects in Vietnam, including sustainable architectural designs for commercial and residential spaces, high-rise complexes, and master planning initiatives. https://ardorarch.com/ 

ABOUT THE EVSDA PROJECT

Initiated by the EU Delegation to Vietnam, the EVSDA project is realised in partnership with and funded via the EU's Cultural Relations Platform initiative. 

The EVSDA project is committed to the proliferation of sustainable design practices in Vietnam, and the development of communities around these practices; in doing so, the aim is to ultimately contribute to Vietnam’s sustainable inclusive development – indeed one of the priorities in the EU’s engagement with the country.

Implemented in partnership with ELLE Decoration Vietnam magazine, the first phase of the EVSDA project will consist of a series of events and activities between September 2024  and spring 2025, culminating in the inauguration of the Awards in mid-2025. Thereafter, the second phase of the project will be the long-run organisation of the EVSDA on an annual basis.

Through the cultural and creative dimensions brought about by the four main thematic pillars which correspond to the four categories of the Awards – Architecture, Product Design, Communication Design, and Innovation – the project aims to highlight how sustainable and innovative design practices can engender concrete and positive experiences in our daily life.

Sharing about the objectives of the EVSDA project, EU Ambassador to Vietnam Julien Guerrier said: “The project reflects our ambition to develop an innovative framework to support and facilitate the transformation of our lives in a creative way. With this project, I very much look forward to connecting with Vietnamese architects, designers, artists, engineers, cultural practitioners and innovators who will create a bridge between the world of the arts and culture on one side and that of science and technology on the other, to bring in many inspiring ideas combining sustainability, practicality and aesthetics, for the benefit of our daily life.”