Vo Trong Nghia: Building Nature

A career-spanning, slipcased monograph in two volumes presenting the work of one of Asia's most thoughtful and innovative architects

This career-spanning monograph in two volumes presents the work of Vo Trong Nghia, one of Asia’s most thoughtful and innovative architects. His two main themes – green architecture and bamboo as a building material – form the basis of this celebration of his designs, which make clear reference to Vietnam’s troubled past and to the architect’s own adherence to the Five Precepts of Buddhism. From the Wind and Water Bar, his first foray into building with bamboo, to resorts, art installations and the pioneering residential series House for Trees, Vo Trong Nghia: Building Nature is a timely exploration of what it means to build green.

Contents List:

Volume 1

Introduction: Paths to Enlightenment / Philip Jodidio
01.1 / Binh Thanh House / Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam
01.2 / Farming Kindergarten / Dong Nai, Vietnam
01.3 / House for Trees / Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam
01.4 / A House in Nha Trang / Nha Trang, Vietnam
01.5 / The Babylon / Da Nang, Vietnam
01.6 / Binh House / Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam
01.7 / Atlas Hotel Hoian / Hoi An, Vietnam
01.8 / Stepping Park House / Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam
01.9 / Ha House / Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam
01.10 / Chicland Hotel / Da Nang, Vietnam
01.11 / Breathing House / Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam
01.12 / Thang House / Da Nang, Vietnam
01.13 / Viettel Academy Educational Centre / Hanoi, Vietnam
01.14 / Viettel Offsite Studio / Hanoi, Vietnam
01.15 / Ha Long Villa / Ha Long, Vietnam
01.16 / Bat Trang House / Bat Trang, Vietnam

Volume 2

Introduction: Connecting People with Nature / Philip Jodidio
02.1 / Wind and Water Bar / Binh Duong, Vietnam
02.2 / Bamboo Wing / Vinh Phuc, Vietnam
02.3 / Dai Lai Conference Hall / Vinh Phuc, Vietnam
02.4 / Kontum Indochine Café / Kon Tum, Vietnam
02.5 / Son La Restaurant / Son La, Vietnam
02.6 / Son La Ceremony Dome / Son La, Vietnam
02.7 / Nocenco Café / Vinh, Vietnam
02.8 / Bamboo Stalactite / Venice, Italy
02.9 / Castaway Island Resort / Cat Ba Archipelago, Vietnam
02.10 / Naman Retreat / Da Nang, Vietnam
02.11 / Huong An Vien Welcoming House / Hue, Vietnam

About the Authors:

Vo Trong Nghia (b. 1976) studied architecture at the Nagoya Institute of Technology and the University of Tokyo, before founding Vo Trong Nghia Architects in 2006 in Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam. His designs are at the foregront of ‘green’ architecture and sustainable practices, and have received numerous accolades, including multiple World Architecture Community Awards and a Wallpaper* Design Award in 2021. Philip Jodidio is the author of numerous books, including monographs on Tadao Ando, Santiago Calatrava, Norman Foster, Richard Meier, Jean Nouvel and Zaha Hadid as well as The New Pavilions, Casa Moderna: Latin American Living and Casa Tropical: Houses by Jacobsen Arquitetura.