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Nov 16, 2016 / 14:52

Vietnamese architect awarded SIA-Getz Architecture Prize

Vietnamese architect Hoang Thuc Hao, a lecturer at the National University of Civil Engineering, has won a gold medal at the SIA-Getz Architecture Prize for Emergent Architecture in Asia 2016 for his design “happiness architecture”.

Vietnamese architect Hoang Thuc Hao has won a gold medal at the SIA-Getz Architecture Prize for Emergent Architecture in Asia 2016 for his design “happiness architecture”.
His designs include the Bhutan Happiness Centre, Lung Luong School in Thai Nguyen province, Suoi Re Communal House in the north-western province of Hoa Binh, Cam Thanh Communal House in Quang Nam province and rural houses in Ha Giang. 
The designs of the Bhutan Happiness Centre by Vietnamese architect Hoang Thuc Hao.
The designs of the Bhutan Happiness Centre by Vietnamese architect Hoang Thuc Hao.
The  designs feature the culture of the localities and highlight unique local innovations. 
The biennial SIA-Getz Architecture Prize for outstanding Asian architects was launched by the Singapore Institute of Architects and Getz Bros & Co. in 2005. 
The SIA-Getz Architecture Prize aims to honour architects and their contribution to architecture in Asia while increasing public appreciation of Asian architecture. 
Cam Thanh Communal House in Quang Nam province.
Cam Thanh Communal House in Quang Nam province.
Up to now, the award has attracted entries from 10 Asian countries and territories, namely China, Japan, India, Thailand, Singapore, Indonesia, Vietnam, Pakistan, Taiwan and the Philippines.
Architect Hoang Thuc Hao has won several domestic and international architecture prizes including the “Architect of the Year” at the Ashui Awards in 2015, the World Architecture Festival in the Civic and Community – Completed Buildings category in 2015 and the International Architecture Awards in 2012. 
According to SIA President Richard Ho, Hao’s designs bring happiness to marginalised communities, particularly those in the countryside or ethnic minorities. 
Hao’s architecture goes beyond just building sustainability, President of Getz Bros & Co. Ram Simkin said, and adding that he also deal with cultural sustainability in his works, an aspect often neglected in developing countries.