Student awards enhance trend of green architectural design

Winners of the Green Architectural Design Student Awards 2020 were honored at a ceremony in Hanoi on December 11, which will enhance the tendency of green building design among Vietnamese youth.

Deputy Minister of Construction Le Quang Hung made the statement at the ceremony held by the Vietnam Green Urban Institute and German Society for International Cooperation (GIZ), as part of Vietnam Green Building Week 2020.

Seventy graduate students from eleven universities took part in the competition this year, submitting a total of 50 projects on a variety of themes including housing, industry, culture, tourism, and education.

National University of Civil Engineering graduate, Doan Van Thuong, wins first prize for his design of a floating village in a mangrove forest on the Giao Thuy Estuary. Photo: Anh Kiet

National University of Civil Engineering graduate, Doan Van Thuong, won first prize for his design of a floating village on the the Giao Thuy Estuary's mangrove forest.

Thuong said that when it comes to green building design, everyone is allowed to create a vision for a sustainable built environment.

“Despite the upside in urbanization and growth, the construction industry is facing problems. The things we build, which could last for hundreds or even thousands of years, must be environment-friendly and energy-saving," Thuong told Hanoitimes.

We must take action in response to climate change and other environmental challenges,” he added.

Prizes were also awarded for two second place projects, three third place projects,
five runners-up projects, and for eight thematic awards. Notable examples include a
low-cost green housing project for resettling low-income urban populations in Hue city,
the transformation of dilapidated apartment blocks into green residential developmentsin Hanoi, and a flower village along the banks of the Red river.

“The designs submitted for these awards have the potential to shape the buildings of the future. With their innovative thinking in visualizing green buildings, I have no doubt the students have the talent to join the innovative practitioners at the leading edge of green design in Vietnam,” said Mr. Kia Fariborz, director of the Global Program for Energy Efficiency in Buildings (PEEB).

Certificates are awarded to the buildings employing energy-saving solutions. Photo: Anh Kiet

The Jury of the awards applied general green architectural design criteria and PEEB criteria for Energy Efficient Buildings, which sets the standards for green buildings as a mitigation action under Vietnam’s Nationally Determined Contributions to the Paris Agreement.

Green Building Week aims to create a forum for ideas sharing, information and experience exchanges on policy development. It is also a platform to introduce new technologies, products, equipment, building materials to develop green and energy-efficient buildings.

“Green building development is a special issue to save energy and greenhouse gas emissions, and conserve natural resources. In Vietnam, it is well done through the annual green building week. Through practical activities in the week, Vietnam has shown its commitment to lower environmental impacts for a better living environment,” UNDP Resident Deputy Representative in Vietnam Sitara Syed told Hanoitimes.

Earlier, the Vietnamese government pledged to reduce 9% of greenhouse gas emissions by 2030. The construction sector will implement the commitment through policies and development strategy in the 2021-2030 period, with a vision to 2050. The development of green and energy efficient buildings is therefore an inevitable trend and solution.

The annual Vietnam Green Building Week is therefore expected to raise the awareness of stakeholders in promoting green and energy efficient projects. The week also demonstrates efforts and actions of Vietnam in implementing international commitments on climate change and sustainable development.