Scene Plus

With a background in Architecture since 1999, I have been then educated at School of architecture of Versailles in 2005 and at Institute of Urban Planning of Paris in 2007. Holding Landscape design and Urban Planning Master degrees, I have 20 years extensive experience in all phases of building process in Vietnam and France. Since 2005, I have worked with Lecaron Architecte who has the projects considered European heritages in France. I came back to Vietnam in 2009 with an ambition to work and to get more and more experiences in my country and I have been involved in many interesting projects. With a passion in nature, in landscape since I was a child, my art is combined in planning and landscaping and urban design, in a large scale, open spaces. I always orient my designs for buildings, even for interior open toward the nature, to view to landscape. I am particularly interested in conservation and exploiting the heritage value of the nature and the culture on each site we study.

Founded in 2015, SCENE PLUS, an eco-friendly studio of architects based in HCMC, specializes in master planning and landscape design for housing, hospitality, healthcare & educational projects. We work together in cooperation with Lecaron Architecte and other consultants and develop a new way of thinking about Vietnamese architecture, landscape, implementing innovative projects. Particularly interested in sustainable projects, holistic designs and smart growth concerns, SCENE+ is committed to developing high quality sustainable landscape and architecture that benefits people and environment. We have a thorough understanding of the proactive design approach required to meet today’s demand for sustainable development at the same time commercially practical projects. With a simple but effective management structure, SCENE+ pays much attention to international cooperation and development of professional collaborators network in order to deliver the best quality consultancy products to Client. Since 2017, Scene Plus is pioneer in using the Living-Lab method for Urban Planning in Vietnam: State - Academy - Enterprise - Society, an operational model for planning the city. After 5 years, SCENE+ has been achieving good prestige toward Clients and partners. Our clients have discovered our professionalism, our involvement in their projects, the deeply right and beautiful concept we develop just for them. It’s why, between them and us, very confident relationships exist and allow to realize their projects in the best conditions. With a strong belief in result of its cooperation with Clients, SCENE+ was nominated to proceed a number of projects such as Cua Can Marina in Phu Quoc; Thi Nai EcoBay and Hon Kho, Quy Nhon University, Nhon Ly fishing village and Lang Song community based tourism development in Quy Nhon; U Royal Hoi An Hotel, Hong Duc Physiotherapy Hotel-hospital, My Son Heritage resort and Spa, Dam Sen Park in HCMC, Saigon-Mui Ne, Saigon Vinh Long, Landscape for VAS school in District 2, Dalat Paradise Garden, and Suoi Hoa resort in Dalat…

For me "design" is the creation of designer to make a physical product upon the look and functioning serving the human, for human, to satisfy the human's needs.

My favorite material is eco friendly one, using many plants, and easy to find in the local.

In the early stage of the design, when we do brainstorming and first sketches. I feel that is the most creative time.

I focus more on the function of the design during the designing process. The first I do before designing is analysis, and evaluation of the site then propose a program explaining the functions of the design.

A successful design explains its function, is user-oriented, focus on the detail and satisfy the human's needs

For me, the first aspect that I consider when talking about a design is the "raison d'etre", its reason for being. Every design must serve a purpose, some kind of human need..

In my opinion, the responsibility of a designer to society and the environment is in the designer's understanding of what the design serves the needs of society and how it affects the environment. Sometimes designs are designed to honor the values ​​of nature and culture, but sometimes there are designs that warn of the harmful effects of human behavior on the environment and life in the present and in the future. Depending on the location, situation, the designer must be creative and choose the appropriate theme to create a valuable design product.

Currently "design field" is expanding unlimited. Even in this competition, we also see a lot of categories, topics and tools to implement. And an increasingly prominent factor is technology. In the past, design was simply hand-drawn in the past, but in the future, it seems that artificial intelligence allows us to be creative by doing nothing in the usual physical way. We can even imagine machines scanning ideas from people's brains... The old fiction might not be far off. In the Covid era with the physical separation, people can't interact directly with each other, the design that serves the human needs would be forced to focus more on the intangible..

With a background in architecture since 1999, I am the CEO of Scene Plus Architects. I am a Vietnamese architect who studied at the School of Architecture of Versailles in 2005 and at the Paris Institute of Urban Planning in 2007. Holding master’s degrees in Landscape Design and Urban Planning, I have 25 years of experience in all phases of the construction investment process in Vietnam and France.

My motivation comes from a passion for creating spaces that improve the quality of life for people. I became a designer to make a tangible impact on the environment and to bring innovative ideas to life through architecture and urban planning.

I chose to become a designer. My love for architecture and urban spaces naturally led me to this career path. My father was a biologist, so I have been familiar with plants and trees in the garden since childhood. Therefore, our designs always focus on eco-friendly solutions.

We design architectural, landscape, and urban projects, and sometimes the interiors of public services. For example, if you pass through Ho Chi Minh City, you can see the Vietnam Airlines international lounge in Tan Son Nhat Airport, which is one of our designs. We focus on sustainable and community-driven designs. I wish to design more projects that integrate green spaces and promote urban acupuncture, enhancing the livability of urban areas.

Young designers should continuously learn, stay curious, and embrace challenges. Building a strong foundation in both theory and practice, and being open to new ideas, are crucial steps to becoming a design legend.

A good designer creates functional and aesthetically pleasing designs, while a great designer goes beyond to innovate and inspire, creating timeless works that significantly impact society.

A really good design seamlessly blends functionality, aesthetics, and sustainability. It should address the needs of its users while enhancing the environment it inhabits.

Good design improves the quality of life, fosters community, and can lead to economic benefits. Investing in good design ensures sustainable and resilient environments for future generations.

If I had the time, I would design inclusive public spaces that foster community interaction and cultural exchange, focusing on underserved communities.

My dream project is to create a large-scale urban park along the Saigon River that integrates local culture, promotes biodiversity, and serves as a hub for community activities and environmental education. With a series of 42 multifunction parks, the project, titled "Awakening the Green-Blue Dragon," aims to make the Saigon River a new wonder of the world.

My secret ingredient is a deep understanding of the local context and a commitment to sustainability. Listening to the community and collaborating with multidisciplinary teams are also key elements of my success.

I am inspired by design masters such as Frank Lloyd Wright, Norman Foster, and Zaha Hadid, whose innovative approaches have shaped modern architecture and urban planning. I must also mention an important person, Lecaron Jacques-Emile, our respected French advisor, who is considered the architect-poet of the Meudon-Clamart area. His well-known houses, recognized as European heritage sites, blend harmoniously with nature.

I admire the works of Renzo Piano, especially the Centre Pompidou, for its bold and innovative design that challenged conventional architecture norms.

My greatest design is the Pilgrimage CBT Development, a place that has historically witnessed the formation and development of modern Vietnamese national writing (Quoc Ngu). It was the location of one of the first three printing houses that published the first documents in Quoc Ngu. The architectural ensemble is well-preserved in a remarkable landscape environment, which needs "protection" and revaluation as architectural and cultural heritage in the current context of uncontrollable urbanization taking place everywhere. By determining a landscape protection zone (the existing rice fields) around the Seminary and a main axis that connects it to the Ha Thanh River, the project retraces the history of the journey of the Jesuit missionaries and promotes the history of Quoc Ngu. The goal is to bring its history out of the seminary and share it with both the Vietnamese and international public.

People can improve by constantly learning, seeking feedback, and staying updated with industry trends. I have always focused on continuous education and hands-on experience to refine my skills.

Design is the process of creating solutions that enhance the functionality, aesthetics, and sustainability of the built environment. It is a way to positively impact people's lives and the world around us.

Design is the process of creating solutions that enhance the functionality, aesthetics, and sustainability of the built environment. It is a way to positively impact people's lives and the world around us.

My biggest supporters have been my family, mentors, and colleagues who have encouraged and inspired me throughout my career.