Solid and rough are the emotions of BaoLoc. Spatial topography consists of interlaced hills, layers hidden under layers of cold pine forests. In that autumn silence, the clouds are the witch who transforms to soften the rough, dry and cold.

The program “Unlimited Connections – Building a City of Light” broadcast on HTV9 provides a comprehensive perspective on the role of lighting in shaping modern and sustainable urban areas.

The story of Saigon’s light—an essential element of life and culture—has been shaped by its tropical climate and a distinctive “nightlife” culture since the city’s earliest days. Lighting not only ensures the safety of living and working spaces but also contributes to the aesthetics and prominence of modern urban architecture. However, uncontrolled use of lighting can lead to energy waste and environmental pollution. The program emphasizes the importance of smart lighting that is appropriate, sufficient, and aesthetically pleasing while minimizing light pollution, aiming to enhance overall visual harmony with the surrounding space. Building a city of light that is exemplary, harmonious, and rich in identity is a collective effort—to make the city brighter, more beautiful, and increasingly civilized.

Urban lighting is not merely about beautification; it also fosters a sense of comfort and relaxation, drawing residents into the city’s nighttime activities, thereby making the urban environment more vibrant and dynamic.

Architect Hồ Viết Vinh

We invite you to watch the program to explore the role of lighting in building smart, modern, and sustainable cities.

Established by the Hui-Bon-Hoa Company (owned by a Chinese-Vietnamese businessman known as Uncle Hoa), the hotel is located at the corner of Catinat Street (now Dong Khoi Street) and Quai de Belgique Street (now Ton Duc Thang Street). Designed in the popular baroque architectural style of the time, the hotel became one of Saigon’s most elegant and impressive buildings upon its completion in 1925.
The Majestic initially had three stories and 44 bedrooms, as per the original design by a French architect. In 1948, the Indochina Tourism and Exhibition Department, led by the Frenchman Franchini Mathieu, purchased the ground and first floors of the hotel and leased 44 rooms for 30 years.
The hotel was officially rated as a five-star establishment in 2007. In July 2011, construction began on two new towers along Nguyen Hue Street, adding 353 rooms to the hotel.
However, over time, the usage of the space and the integration of modern equipment have diminished the building’s original value. The goal of the redesign and renovation is to restore its luxury and evoke the essence of the famous Indochinese architectural style, reminiscent of old Saigon.

Inspired by Professor Thai Kim Lan’s collection of over 7,000 ceramic artifacts recovered from the Perfume River, the idea was conceived to restore and elevate these artifacts to reflect their true value. All ceramic products originate from the earth and are matured through fire. The intense heat of fire hardens the earth, enabling it to endure the test of time.
To symbolize this tempering quality, dark red painted steel will be used. The interplay of contrasting elements—hot and cold, hard and soft—will be applied in the design language to accentuate the significance of time and place.

Type
Art gallery
Year
2019
Project
Thai Kim Lan Garden house
Team
HVV Artchitect & Partners, Ho Viet Vinh, Tran Thu Ha

Lake Community Park is situated at the heart of the Huong Thuy new urban area, approximately 13.5 km southeast of Hue city center. The Park is conveniently located near Phu Bai Airport and the North-South railway line, just 3.5 km from Huong Thuy station, offering easy access for tourists traveling to and from the area.

Lake Community Park is built upon five core values:

1. Green Lung: The park features over 23% water surface area and over 16% natural coverage.
2. Central Location: Strategically positioned to connect neighboring areas and Hue city center.
3. Transport Hubs (TOD): Integrated with national highways, railways, and aviation systems.
4. Balanced Spaces: Harmonizing ecological, agricultural, and eco-residential areas.
5. Enhanced Land Use Value: Diversifying functions based on ecological footprints to maximize value.

Evoking the tranquil undulations of the river a symphonic concerto of colors whispering the poetics of the natural world. The geometric shapes, with their curves and angles, juxtapose the organic with the mathematical, creating a visual sonnet that blurs the lines between the ephemeral and the eternal.

Ho Viet Vinh