Before studying at The University of Melbourne I practiced architecture in Vietnam for about eight years. During that time I developed an expertise in designing and building new Western-style villas, which have become the preferred style of urban housing in major cities like Hanoi, my home city. Aesthetics aside, these Western-style villas have also had a major impact on the everyday lifestyles of the people occupying them. For example, the isolation of these houses to commercial centers made people do more activities at home than in the traditional houses in old quarters, where most people seldom cook their breakfast due to the supplies of many restaurants and services on the street. I have experienced this with my own clients, most of them used to live in the inner city. For the past year I have lived in Brunswick, north of Melbourne. Interestingly, its residential streets are similar in some respects to the new urban areas of Hanoi. For instance, the residents of both places appear to appreciate gardens and open spaces.
展开▼
