Event
Hoang Thuc Hao
1+1>2 Happiness Architecture
Hoang Thuc Hao (born in 1971) is the Vice President of the Vietnam Association of Architects. He graduated from the Faculty of Architecture and Planning, Hanoi University of Civil Engineering in 1992, and gained his graduate degree from Turin Polytechnic University in 2002. Since 2003, he has been a professor at the Hanoi University of Civil Engineering. In 2003, Hao established “1+1>2 Architects”, an architecture firm that focuses on social architectural projects supporting disadvantaged communities and promoting cultural diversity in the context of rapid urbanization.
Hoang Thuc Hao and the 1+1>2 Architects has almost over 100 domestic and international prestige prizes. Hoang Thuc Hao is also the first Vietnamese architect to win the 2016 SIA-GETZ Award for Outstanding Architect in Asia, and the first Vietnamese to be awarded 02 major awards (organized every three years): The Vassilis Sgoutas Prize for Implemented Architecture Serving the Impoverished 2017 & The Robert Matthew Prize for Sustainable and Humane Environments 2023 by the International Union of Architects (UIA). In 2015, he was the winner at WAF in the Civic and Community category for Cam Thanh community house. Besides, Hao has exhibited his works and given lectures at many universities, such as Chicago and Cornell University (US), NUS (Singapore), in Berlin, Shenzhen, Quebec, etc.
Hao pays special attention to rural areas and poor communities, highlighting the role of architects in the process of social construction and renovation. Deeply understanding and adapting to local conditions, Mr. Hao has pioneered innovations. People participating and being an integral part of the construction process are empowered to improve their living environment. Not only does he aim for sustainability in construction, but more importantly, he respects and promotes cultural value in his works - an aspect often overlooked in developing economies.