Introduction

About Me

CONTENT 

Whenever I meet new acquaintances, the first question I usually receive after introducing myself is: "As an architect, what is your area of expertise?" I always reply, "I design civil buildings." If they are from countries like the US, Australia, or France, they often ask further: "Do you specialize in a specific type of building?" (meaning whether I focus on designing schools, hospitals, or resorts). My answer is always: "No, I design a variety of building types." This usually surprises them.

Before this website was created, I used to introduce my YouTube channel to give them a more visual understanding of my work. On the channel, I have presented over 100 civil building projects (excluding private residences) through dynamic videos. Additionally, more than 20 projects from the early years of my career were lost due to hard drive failures. It is worth noting that over 20 years ago, architectural perspective drawings were the most common form of presentation, while project video presentations were still relatively new.

On my YouTube channel and this website, the entire process—from the initial design concept using specialized 3D software, architectural visualization, and project presentation to the final completion stage—is carried out directly by me, with the support of a small team. My support team primarily handles the technical drawings. 

CHARACTERISTICS 

In the field of architecture, every architect follows their own career path. Some specialize in a particular type of building. Certain clients prefer hiring highly specialized architects, believing that this ensures efficiency and minimizes errors. However, other clients have a different perspective. They argue that architects with experience in designing a variety of building types possess a broader knowledge base and a greater capacity for creativity. Experience from one type of project can enrich and enhance expertise in another. Furthermore, repeatedly working on the same type of building over an extended period may lead an architect into a creative rut. While mastery is undeniable, innovation and breakthrough thinking can become limited. A lack of creativity in architecture can result in potential risks. When unexpected challenges arise, creativity is often the key to finding solutions.

From an objective perspective, architectural projects can be categorized into three groups:

• Projects that do not require a high level of creativity: These include manufacturing plants, assembly workshops, retail chains, and small-scale corporate projects that follow a standardized brand identity. This group is well-suited for architects who specialize in a specific type of building.
  
  

• Projects that require a balance between functionality and creativity: These include high schools, vocational training centers, and similar facilities, where the investor may prioritize functionality or seek a combination of functionality and creative design.
  
  

• Projects that emphasize creativity: Most architectural projects value creativity. Investors often desire uniqueness and differentiation rather than standardized designs. In such cases, a versatile architect delivers the best results.

EXPERIENCE

Another aspect to consider is specialization in architectural practice. Can an architect be considered an expert in a specific type of building after completing three or four projects of that kind? I believe the answer is yes. The process of executing a project—from initial concept sketches to final acceptance and operation—is not merely a means of earning a living. It is a rigorous scientific research process combined with practical experience in creativity, technical expertise, legal compliance, problem-solving, and construction acceptance. Completing a project can be equivalent to completing a doctoral dissertation in other fields. This is also why many practicing architects are not particularly concerned with obtaining a PhD.

Thus, an architect designing a variety of building types does not mean they lack depth in their expertise. They can absolutely specialize in multiple fields at the same time.

PRACTICAL EXPERIENCE

The workload of an architect in each project is immense, complex, and requires a high level of expertise. This job demands intense focus to minimize errors, along with talent and sharp problem-solving skills. Teamwork also requires a comparable level of expertise to ensure a smooth workflow. However, in Vietnam, this is not always easy to achieve.