Two Vietnamese building projects listed in sustainable architecture book

The two projects, officially named “Highland School System” and “Village System,” were designed by Vietnamese architect Hoang Thuc Hao and Hanoi-based architecture firm 1+1>2.

They are listed among 96 other works for the “UIA Guidebook for the 2030 Agenda,” as announced by the UIA’s Sustainable Development Goals Commission.

The UIA said the publication was inspired by the United Nations’ “Architecture to the U.N. 17 Sustainable Development Goals,” which had two volumes published in 2018 and 2020.

Set to be released in October this year, the guidebook works to encourage global architects to continue to create pioneering and unique works in line with sustainable development goals for ecological and cultural diversity.

A kindergarten and primary school in the northern highlands as part of the Highland School System. Photo by 1+1>2

The Highland School System is a cluster of schools built by donations from benefactors and the help of the community between 2014 and 2022 in remote and mountainous areas across Vietnam.

The design of those schools is based on the principle of respecting and promoting the local indigenous spirit and traditional culture and making the most of local materials.

Each school is built in a specific way to contribute to preserving the local culture sustainably.

The Lao Cai Worker Housing project in the northern Lao Cai Province, part of the Village System. Photo by 1+1>2

The Village System comprises five community house projects to protect the cultural diversity of architecture and housing, contributing to shaping the way of life, inspiring people, and promoting local culture.

Those projects are built in urban, suburban, rural, and remote areas to provide housing for workers and space for community activities.