Vietnamese architect Hoang Thuc Hao has received a USD20,000 Sia-Getz Architecture Prize.

Vietnamese architect Hoang Thuc Hao

Hoang Thuc Hao, 45 years old, a lecturer the National University of Civil Engineering sent five designs including the Bhutan Happiness Centre, Lung Luong School in Thai Nguyen Province, the 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.

Hao’s projects are often environmentally-friendly and serve people in remote and mountainous areas or poor and disadvantaged people. He nurtured these designs since he was a student.

The majority of Vietnamese people live in rural areas, but these areas lack special community works showing their cultural identity.

The architect said that he planned to set up a Happiness Architecture Centre in Hanoi to make free architecture designs for poor local and foreign people including farmers and disadvantaged schools in remote and isolated areas as well as houses to prevent flooding.

Earlier, Hao’s Cam Thanh Communal House work also won an award at the World Architecture Festival.