Amid the chaos of modern life and urban development, where humans are in constant, fast motion, nature is an important element to remind ourselves of and return to. In this duo exhibition by Patricia vd Moreen and Devon Nguyen, we find ourselves stepping into another world filled with harmony between humanity and nature.
“Biophilia and Naturalis” features the most recent works by two unique artists. Works of oil paintings and ceramics call to mind living entities glowing in the darkened space and reveal the connection between humanity and nature. While Patricia’s works highlight the concept of Naturalism, Devon’s works speak for the concept of Bipholia, which emphasises the harmony between humans and nature.

To read the full article by Saigoneer, please click on this link.

AI ngày càng trở thành trí tuệ siêu việt và con người ngày càng phụ thuộc vào máy móc. Khủng hoảng hiện sinh đang đẩy chúng ta vào chân tường với những câu hỏi day dứt về tính nhân văn trong cuộc sống. Là một kiến trúc sư, Tôi đang đối diện với chính bản thể của mình để trả lời cho câu hỏi cốt lõi:

Liệu kiến trúc có còn khả năng dẫn dắt con người chạm vào bản thể tự nhiên, nguyên sơ của họ – thay vì chỉ chạm vào những bản sao hoàn hảo nhưng vô hồn của công nghệ?

Để trả lời, Tôi phải trầm mình vào thực thể cuộc sống, để thân xác sống động của mình hòa quyện vào thế giới hiện tượng – nơi ánh nắng, gió thoảng, mùi đất ẩm, sự mát lạnh của đá và tiếng lá xào xạc không còn là đối tượng quan sát từ xa, mà trở thành sự giao thoa (chiasm) đảo ngược: tôi chạm vào thế giới, và thế giới chạm lại vào tôi. Chỉ khi đôi tay không chỉ lướt trên bàn phím mà còn thực sự xúc chạm trực tiếp với ánh mặt trời, với vỏ cây thô ráp, với hơi thở của không gian, thì bản năng nguyên thủy mới được đánh thức. Kiến trúc chân chính không phải là hình khối trừu tượng hay mô phỏng kỹ thuật số; nó là nghệ thuật của sự hiện diện vật lý (embodiment), nơi thân xác con người trở thành phương tiện để cảm nhận sự dịch chuyển. Trong sự hỗn độn ấy, con người không còn là chủ thể tách biệt quan sát thế giới như đối tượng, mà là một phần của sự sống – nơi cảm nhận và cái được cảm nhận đan xen, không thể phân định. Chính sự gắn kết giác quan đa chiều này – haptic (xúc giác), olfactory (khứu giác), auditory (thính giác), cùng với thị giác – mới giúp chúng ta lấy lại sự cân bằng giữa thế giới ảo và thế giới thực, giữa bàn phím lạnh lẽo và hơi ấm của thiên nhiên.

KTS. Hồ Viết Vinh. 260112

“The beauty of the four seasons helped him heal his mind and heart from the wounds of war. The peaceful and wholesome atmosphere of the campus helped him have many deep insights, flowers, and fruits of the practice. Perhaps that is why Thay always remind us that nature can help us heal ourselves.”

Zen master Thich Nhat Hanh – [At home in the World]

Location:
Tan Binh commune, Nhu Xuan District, Thanh Hoa Province, Vietnam
Size:
1,53 hectares
Services:
Master plan, Architecture and Interior design
Status:
Approved Master plan at scale 1/500, 2024
Under construction.
Team:
HVV Architect & Partners

Intro

As our society advances and technology continues to evolve, our quality of life has seen remarkable improvements. Yet, the desire for relaxation, tranquility, and a deeper connection with oneself has become a fundamental part of our daily existence. This need is increasingly pressing, given the rising prevalence of mental health challenges like stress and anxiety.
The relentless pace of modern life, combined with the pressures of work, often leads to heightened stress, anxiety, and various mental health concerns. Taking a moment to pause and breathe can offer us a valuable chance to reconnect with nature and reflect on ourselves. Nature holds a profound healing power: when our minds are no longer disrupted by the constant noise of traffic, when our emotions are no longer constrained by concrete jungles, and when we can breathe clean, unpolluted air, we experience true inner peace. Immersed in nature, we rediscover the serenity that lies within our souls.
Thus, creating a meditation retreat that harmonizes with nature is essential. This sanctuary will offer a tranquil haven where individuals can find solace, cultivate mindfulness, practice meditation, heal their souls, and share positive values with the world.

Site location

Tue Giac Zen Monastery is located northwest of Song Muc Lake – in Ben En National Park, Tan Binh Commune, Nhu Xuan District, Thanh Hoa Province; The distance from this area to Tho Xuan airport is about 143374ft along National route 15.

The planned research area features a convergence of hillside topographical elements, with valleys and lakes nestled below. It is a location that boasts pristine natural landscapes. Furthermore, the terrain’s structure and geomorphology provide many sites with expansive, diverse, and breathtaking views.

Design principles

Master plan

To create a space for returning, studying, and practicing the teachings of Buddhism, cultivating virtue, and enhancing moral awareness. A place that offers a harmonious environment with nature, where individuals can engage in meditation, seek enlightenment, and liberate themselves from the afflictions and suffering of life.

The architectural layout harmonizes seamlessly with the natural terrain, incorporating a variety of structures within distinct spaces to create visual appeal. The pagoda, meditation hall, main hall, guest house, and dining hall are arranged in a descending terraced formation. The design employs overlapping and rhythmic elements, offering dynamic perspectives from different viewpoints and highlighting the surrounding natural beauty of the mountains, lakes, and cliffs. The architecture, landscape, and on-site activities are interwoven in a cohesive and fluid manner.

The landscape architecture of the museum, spanning 16,000 square meters, is itself a full-scale “Lebadang Space” artwork. Paintings, sculptures, installations, and “Space” artworks by the world-renowned artist Lebadang are periodically rotated, with exhibition content and display methods meeting international standards.
The museum brings to life artist Lebadang’s dream of “an immense artwork, a cosmic landscape, a life in harmony with nature, and an eternal vision.” Its location in Hue, Vietnam’s ancient capital, embodies his aspiration for Hue to become the center of Vietnamese contemporary art and culture in the 21st century.

“Đường mòn lối nhỏ  lượn vòng quanh
Trăm hoa đua nở khoe hình sắc 
Thấp thoáng hương quê gió nội đồng
Toàn chân đón cảnh mây trời hiện
Một chốn tiên bồng giữa thế gian.”

“Small paths that revolve around
Hundreds of flowers in bloom
Village hidden behind rice fields
Flying clouds in the sky
What a great place. ”
Architect Ho Viet Vinh

Le Ba Dang Memory Space reimagines the image of Co Loa as a unique creation of the Vietnamese spirit. Emotions are etched into the landscape like a giant painting. The winding pathways lead us into a vivid tapestry of reality, where people and nature merge as one. The soul finds peace, and emotions flow freely.
Brilliant flowers bloom, birds chirp joyously, the breeze carries drifting clouds, and every element resonates with authentic sounds, drawing our minds back to the dreams of childhood.

Type
Museum
Year
2019
Location
Huong Thuy, Hue
Team
Ho Viet Vinh, Tran Thanh Hai, Le Van Thoi, Ngo Dang Linh
Civil Engineer
Nam Viet
Contractor
Rickenbach Development and Construction
Interior Designer
Eric Mignagd
Lighting Designer
Elek Co, Ltd
Photographer
Dalo lab
Structural Engineer
Nam Viet

Press
ART REPUBLIK 1, Elitism for all, Spring-Summer 2020

Youtube
LeBaDang Memory Space – Contemporary Art in Hue – An article by Dalo Studio on Youtube via the link.

“Artists dismiss me as an architect, so I am not in their box, and architects dismiss me as an artist, so I’m not in their box. I don’t know whose box I’m in, and I don’t really care.”
Frank O Gehry

Ancient Greek legend has it that the pig was the favorite animal of Demeter – goddess of crops and farming on earth. This was the holiest god for the Greeks. Since ancient times, people have used pigs to sacrifice this goddess. The magical transformation that turns humans into pigs appears in many myths, such as in Homer’s epic Odysseus. In this story, the crew of the hero ship was turned into pigs by the goddess Circe. Pig is one of the 12 animals that represent the 12-year cycle of Dizhi of China, Vietnam, Japan, Korea, North Korea and many other countries in Asia. It is associated with the Zodiac Pig. Those who believe in Chinese astrology have always attached pig characteristics to people born in the year of the Pig. Those born in this year are often considered lucky and have a prosperous and leisurely life. PIG House is life within and beyond the form of this animist.

In the bustling urban rhythm of Phan Xich Long’s vibrant food street, Vinhho Art Studio, the sanctuary of self training – painter Ho Viet Vinh, nestles quietly in a small alley typical of Saigon. The surrounding air hums with the everyday sounds of urban life and the rich aromas of street food delicacies.

Inside the compact studio where the artist crafts his paintings, everything appears orderly. The space is adorned with a variety of experimental works, each reflecting his diverse artistic journey. At the center of the room stands an old, slightly tilted wooden easel, holding an unfinished painting. The bold and uninhibited strokes on the canvas mirror the essence of the artist himself.

For those fortunate enough to explore the evolution of Vinhho’s artistry from his earliest days, each painting tells a distinct story, conveying profound messages about life, humanity, and especially nature. Through his brushstrokes, Ho Viet Vinh channels the most authentic emotions, inviting viewers to share in his perspective.

While the city outside thrums with its noisy, dynamic energy, this small studio offers a serene haven – a private world where Ho Viet Vinh and his collaborators dedicate themselves to crafting works of art that contribute to celebrating the breathtaking beauty and wonder of Vietnam.

“This is a project to preserve and develop the Mang Thit traditional brick and masonry heritage area, combining production space and water landscape. This area is planned into a contemporary product with different functional layers: preserving ceramic tile craft villages, expanding living space along the river and recreating the unique river landscape of the South. The multi-level dike approach helps maintain riverside living space, supports ceramic production and also develops eco-tourism, turning the area into a cultural and experiential destination for visitors.”

HVV Architect & Partners

Client:
Board of Civil and Industrial Construction Project Management – Vinh Long province People’ s Committee
Location:
Mang Thit dictrist, Vinh Long province, Vietnam
Size:
3.060 hectares
Services:
Masterplan
Status:
Approved on 2024
Team:
HVV Architect & Partners –  Urban Planning Institute

Intro
Mang Thit District, Vinh Long Province, is one of the few remaining localities in Vietnam that preserves a unique and extensive architectural complex alongside a traditional craft. This architectural ensemble comprises nearly 1,000 domed kilns, spanning over 3,060 hectares along the banks of the Thay Cai, Hoa My, Cai Nhum canals, forming a southern arc that extends to the Nhon Phu and Hoa Tinh canals within the district. This is truly a valuable treasure, shaped by over a century of cultural and technological exchange between Khmer, Kinh, and Hoa people, resulting in a distinctive architectural heritage and traditional craft. However, this treasure has not been fully recognized or appreciated.
Over the past decade, more than 1,000 kilns have been demolished, and the remaining kilns are deteriorating and face the imminent threat of complete destruction. Given this alarming situation, it is imperative and urgent to conduct research and develop solutions to preserve and promote this architectural complex and traditional craft.

Learning from the Past and Looking to the Future

Over 100 years of formation and development, the structure of the craft village ecological system have established with 6 main space, including: surface water, brickyard system, yards, storage, fruite garden and house, fields.

The system of canals and land has formed a distinctive, easily recognizable landscape. Rivers and canals flowing from Co Chien River along Thay Cai canal, going deep into agricultural areas, have determined the main landscape axes; Residents live along the canals, inside are fruit and vegetable gardens, and deeper are fields and aquaculture areas. The ecosystem associated with the brick kiln area has created a closed process in the production of Mang Thit red ceramic. This is a characteristic and value that needs to be preserved and promoted.

Adaptive conservation in continued development

Adaptive conservation in continued development – preserving the existence of production space heritage, symbiotic ecological space, and Southern garden development cultural heritage; These valuable materials and spiritual values ​​have been perfected during the development process, providing a contemporary breath and improving the quality of each space, gradually improving the quality of life of local people, so that their politics will gradually transform, reviving the soul of the place.
The heritage of Mang Thit – known as The Red Kingdom will be an interesting destination in Mekong Delta and should not be missed in your lifetime.

Zonning plan

No.1. Mixed-Use Development (Services – Tourism – Rural Residential): Approximately 347.91 hectares, with primary functions including residential development, mixed-use development (tourism services – rural residential), mixed-use development (services – urban residential), public services, public utility green spaces, specialized green spaces, other technical infrastructure, transportation, agricultural areas, and other functions.

No.2. Mixed-Use Development (Services – Urban Residential) along Co Chien River: Approximately 250.05 hectares, with primary functions including residential development, mixed-use development (services – urban residential), public services, public utility green spaces, specialized green spaces, heritage and religious sites, other technical infrastructure, transportation, agricultural areas, and other functions.

No.3.  My An – Hoa My Residential Area: Approximately 415.50 hectares, with primary functions including residential development, mixed-use development (services – urban residential), public services, public utility green spaces, specialized green spaces, heritage and religious sites, other technical infrastructure, transportation, agricultural areas, and other functions.

No.4. Cai Nhum Eco-Residential Area: Approximately 150.31 hectares, with primary functions including residential development, public services, public utility green spaces, other technical infrastructure, transportation, agricultural areas, and other functions.

No.5. My Phuoc Eco-Resort: Approximately 106.43 hectares, with primary functions including residential development, public services, public utility green spaces, tourism development, other technical infrastructure, transportation, agricultural areas, and other functions.

No.6.  My Phuoc Eco-Residential Area: Approximately 253.76 hectares, with primary functions including residential development, public services, public utility green spaces, specialized green spaces, heritage and religious sites, offices, other technical infrastructure, transportation, agricultural areas, and other functions.

No.7. Nhon Phu Eco-Residential Area: Approximately 309.78 hectares, with primary functions including residential development, public services, public utility green spaces, heritage and religious sites, offices, other technical infrastructure, transportation, agricultural areas, and other functions.

No.8. Hoa Tinh Eco-Resort: Approximately 198.23 hectares, with primary functions including residential development, mixed-use development (services – urban residential), public services, public utility green spaces, heritage and religious sites, offices, transportation, agricultural areas, and other functions.

No.9. High-Tech Agriculture Area: Approximately 1,028.03 hectares, with primary functions including residential development, public utility green spaces, tourism development, other technical infrastructure, transportation, agricultural areas, and other functions.

Master plan

The plan identifies 3 main development axes including:

• Mang Thit brick and ceramic kiln space at the center combined with service corridor along Co Chien river, agricultural experience corridor – traditional garden village along Cai Nhum river, high-end resort tourism corridor in the South;
• Mixed service axis – contemporary residential area in the Southern region of the West;
• The Eastern resort tourism axis will create motivation for development of the entire region.

The resort spaces around heritage area (My Phuoc eco resort, My Phuoc Eco-Residential area, Nhon Phu Eco-Residential Area, Hoa Tinh Eco-Resort) offer a variety of ecological, cultural and agricultural production experiences, taking the ceramic brick kiln area as inspiration for creativity.

With 5 gateways – 5 landscape architectural spaces typical of the Southern rivers and the ceramic brick kiln area, it will be an unforgettable, impressive identification point when visitors approach the ceramic brick kiln area by both Water transport and road transport.

Conclusion

This is a project to preserve and develop the Mang Thit traditional brick and masonry heritage area, combining production space and water landscape. This area is planned into a contemporary product with different functional layers: preserving ceramic tile craft villages, expanding living space along the river and recreating the unique river landscape of the South. The multi-level dike and heritage landscape approach helps maintain riverside living space, supports ceramic production and also develops eco-tourism, turning the area into a cultural and experiential destination for visitors.