Viet Nam News
HA NOI — Vietnamese architect Hoang Thuc Hao has recently became the first Vietnamese person to receive the SIA-Getz Architecture Prize for Emergent Architecture in Asia.
The prize was introduced by the Singapore Institute of Architects and Getz Bros. & Co. (Singapore) in 2005. Till date, the award has drawn entries from over 10 countries and territories within Asia.
Hao, (from Ha Noi-based 1+1>2 International Architecture JSC), the sixth recipient of the prestigious award, was presented his prize medallion by Grace Fu, minister for culture, community & youth, at an award presentation ceremony at The Star Performing Arts Centre on November 11.
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| Inside the Cam Thanh Community House in Quang Nam Province designed by Hoang Thuc Hao. Photo ashui.com |
The award’s jury panel selected Hao as the laureate for 2016 for his distinct architectural philosophy and the significance of his works. The jury found Hao’s cultural sustainability philosophy impressive.
“We felt Mr Hao’s work is a great example of how architecture can be contextual and yet liberating for the underprivileged. It goes beyond building sustainability, in that he addresses cultural sustainability in his works, an aspect often neglected in developing economies,” Richard Ho, chair of the panel, said.
“I am honoured to be the laureate for the SIA-Getz Architecture Prize 2016. I see this award as recognition of my work among the underprivileged and rural communities. Many parts of Asia are still rural and underdeveloped. I do hope that more architects will step up to bring creative and sustainable solutions to the architectural needs of rural and underprivileged communities,” Hao said at the award ceremony.
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| A photo of Cam Thanh Community House in Quang Nam Province designed by Hoang Thuc Hao. Photo ashui.com |
Hao’s file submitted to the jury this year comprises of his works completed in the past 10 years, namely the National Happiness Centre in Bhutan, Lung Luong Primary School (Viet Nam’s northern province of Thai Nguyen), Suoi Re Community House (VN’s northern province of Hoa Binh), Cam Thanh Community House (VN’s central province of Quang Nam) and Nam Dam Homestay Village (VN’s northern province of Ha Giang).
The laureates for 2006, 2008 and 2010 are Chan Soo Khian (Singapore), Dr Hitoshi Abe (Japan), and Wong Mun Summ and Richard Hassell (Singapore), respectively.
The biennial SIA-Getz Architecture Prize for Emergent Architecture in Asia honours an architect who has significantly contributed to the progress of architecture in Asia.
In the last decade, Asia has seen an overwhelming rate of development, and this is beginning to have an impact on the history of architecture as well as its future. It is therefore an opportune time to recognise and promote emergent Asian architects and architecture, much as the Pritzker Prize has for the worldwide community of architects. – VNS