Hoang Thuc Hao (born 1971) is currently the Vice President of the Vietnam Association of Architects.[1] He graduated from the Faculty of Architecture and Planning, Hanoi University of Civil Engineering in 1992, and obtained a postgraduate degree from Turin Polytechnic University in 2002.
In 2003, Hoang Thuc Hao began teaching at the Hanoi University of Civil Engineering. He also founded "1+1>2 Architects", an architecture office dedicated to social projects which focuses on supporting disadvantaged communities and promoting cultural diversity in the context of rapid urbanization. Hoang Thuc Hao and 1+1>2 Architects have been recognized with nearly 100 prestigious domestic and international awards.[citation needed]
He proposed the philosophy of “Architecture of Happiness” - emphasizing that architecture is not merely about designing and creating spaces, but also has the potential to bring fairness and happiness.
Career
Hoang Thuc Hao became the first Vietnamese to achieve the SIA-GETZ Award for Outstanding Architect in Asia (2016), Global Awards for Sustainable Architecture (2025), and two major triennial awards from the International Union of Architects (UIA). These include the 2017 Vassilis Sgoutas Prize for Implemented Architecture Serving the Impoverished and the 2023 Robert Matthew Prize for Sustainable and Humane Environments.
In 2015, he was the winner at the World Architecture Festival in the Civic and Community category. More recently, he received the Gold Medal of Arcasia Awards for Architecture in the Public Amenity category (2020).
Along with that, he actively shares his expertise through exhibitions and lectures at many universities, such as the Art Institute of Chicago, Yale University, Cornell University, National University of Singapore, Berlin Institute of Art, Polytechnic University of Puerto Rico, University of Quebec (Canada), Guangzhou Academy of Fine Arts, Tsinghua University, École Spéciale d'Architecture (Paris), Inner Mongolia University of Technology (China),...
UIA stated:
“Hoang Thuc Hao pays special attention to rural areas and poor communities, highlighting the role of architects in the process of construction and social innovation. Deeply understanding and adapting to local conditions, he has pioneered innovations. People participate and are an indispensable part of the construction process, empowered to improve their own living environment. He not only aims for sustainability in construction, more importantly, he respects and develops cultural values in his works - an aspect that is often neglected in developing economies.”
“Hoang Thuc Hao is one of the few Vietnamese architects with a clear community mindset in combining the natural environment and the living environment with strong community and cultural connections.”
Selected Works
Suoi Re Community House (Hoa Binh) – 2009
Ta Phin Community House (Lao Cai) – 2012
Children's playground system (Hoi An) – 2013
Canh En Community House (Ha Giang) – 2015
Cam Thanh Community House (Hoi An) – 2015
Lung Luong Primary School (Thai Nguyen) – 2015
Bhutan Happiness Center (Bhutan) – 2016
Anti-flood House Chain in Quang Ninh, Quang Binh, Quang Nam Province – 2013–2016
Countryside House (Dong Nai) – 2016
Bottle House System – 2016
Workers' Housing (Lao Cai) – 2016
Hanging Village - Dream Residence (Hanoi) – 2017
Chieng Yen Community House (Son La) – 2017
Sentia School (Hanoi) – 2018
Sapa O'Chau Lodge (Lao Cai) – 2018
Jackfruit Village (Hanoi) – 2019
Da Hop Kindergarten & Primary School (Hoa Binh) – 2019
An Binh Meditation Village (Yen Bai) – 2019
Dewey School Westlake (Hanoi) – 2020
Vietnam Institute for Advanced Study in Mathematics (Hanoi) – 2020
Special Prize - Word Triennial of Architecture SOFIA Awards for "Return to the Earth what it owns" - Conservation, Planning and Development of Bat Trang Pottery Village
1994
2
UIA Award - Paris | The Renovation of Hoa Lo Prison to Square of Tolerance
1996
3
First Prize of DAAD (Deutscher Akademischer Austausch Dienst), Vietnam - Germany Science and Technology Center
1996
4
Second Prize, Vietnam National Assembly Design Competition
2007
5
First Prize, "For Hanoi Today and Tomorrow" Competition
2008
6
Grand Prize, Urban Planning and Design Competition for Hoan Kiem Lake Area and Vicinity
2009
7
Bui Xuan Phai Award - For the Love of Hanoi
2010
8
Second Prize, UIA Barbara Cappochin Award
2011
9
Winner, World Architecture Festival (WAF) | Community Category
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