Vietnamese architect Nguyen Dinh Thanh bagged the first prize with drawings featuring a contemporary architectural design.— File Photos

HA NOI (VNS)— Vietnamese architect Nguyen Dinh Thanh and his partners have won first prize in a contest to upgrade Dong Kinh Nghia Thuc Square, the large public space at the top of Hoan Kiem Lake.

The contest was also based on providing a vision for restoring Hang Dao Street, the street once renowned for silk and today a popular market street leading off the square.

The overall concepts had to harmonise and work with the surrounding landscape, including the area's original architecture – and the incessant traffic.

Competitors were required to collect and analyse information about the current architecture and use it to lift the area into the 21st century.

Launched in June by the Italian Embassy in Viet Nam in collaboration with the Viet Nam Association of Architects, and the Order of Architects Genoa in Italy, the contest attracted 52 entries by Vietnamese and Italian architects.

Architect Thanh bagged the first prize with drawings featuring a contemporary architectural design.

It focused on a large block of stone surrounded by 36 stone fountains of water in the centre of the square.

The large stone symbolises the Dong Kinh Nghia Thuc Movement, after which the square was named. The movement, which ran from 1907 to 1913, aimed to reform Vietnamese society.

The stone fountains represent Ha Noi's Old Quarter with its 36 arts and crafts streets.

The 10 best entries will be displayed at the Casa Italia, 18 Le Phung Hieu Street.

The contest is an activity to celebrate the "Year of Italy in Viet Nam 2013." – VNS