Let’s meet Cam Van Ngo, our Deputy Architectural Design Manager at Archetype Vietnam. With an international background studying and working in France, Thailand, and Japan before returning to her homeland of Vietnam, Van brings her architectural expertise and passion for design to every real estate and hospitality project she undertakes at Archetype.
We sat down with Van for an in-depth interview as she shares her journey at Archetype, her first-hand experiences as an architect, and her points of view on design.
Can you share with us how your passion for architecture began?
During the 80s-90s, there was a shift from an agricultural to an industrial economy in Vietnam. This era led to a significant change for many families, including mine. Back then, my father worked in the construction sector. When I was a child, he used to pick me up after school and take me along to his workplace, where I watched him working with fellow engineers and architects in a large atelier. Back at home, my father also had a drawing table where he often spent hours finishing his drawings. His dedication to building construction work sparked my interest and inspired me to follow in his footsteps as I grew up.
What were your first steps towards becoming an architect? And how did you end up at Archetype?
After my first year at University of Architecture of Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam, I moved to France to get a Bachelor’s and a Master’s at the National School of Architecture and Landscape of Bordeaux. During my time in France, I got the opportunity to do a long-term internship at an architecture office managed by a lecturer at the Bordeaux Montaigne University. She was a dedicated supervisor that guided me through practical experience beyond my studies.
Additionally, I had one year of study exchange in Thailand during the first year of my Master’s degree and another two-month internship at a small architecture firm in Tokyo. These experiences helped me figure out where I wanted to take my career next and find the right way forwards. That is why I decided to come back to Vietnam in 2018 and started working for a Singaporean architectural firm specialising in high-rise residential buildings. Then, I ended up at Archetype when the pandemic hit and have been part of the real estate design team until now.
Where do you usually draw your architectural inspiration from?
From my point of view, architecture is a broad and complex discipline. Every architect has their own take on what architecture signifies to them as well as their own design approach that reflects their individuality and taste. Every time I get to a new city, I find myself captivated by its historical monuments and local architectural sites. These symbolic works evoke emotions and indeed give me a vivid perception of the built environment.
Can you share a project you have worked on that you are most proud of?
At Archetype, my focus is on the real estate and hospitality projects, as known as archetype reality. e.town 6 is the first project that I got to work on. Located in Tan Binh District, Ho Chi Minh City, it is a 16-storey office building certified as LEED Platinum. I was in the Design team, and we were working together from the concept phase to the construction phase, including the scope of Interior Design. I was eager to see how the project would turn out ultimately as our design came a long way from what it looked like at first to when we progressed to the final agreement with the client.
I often approach a project by examining different factors of a site analysis, which is a fundamental step in our design process. We start a new project with a deep understanding of the site to determine how a structure can be in harmonious coexistence with its surroundings.
What do you think is the core of meaningful architectural design?
A meaningful architectural design should embody the values of the culture and identity of a place. This makes me think of the notion of “in situ”. The Latin phrase means “in place” or “in the original position.” In art, “in situ” refers to a work of art made for a specific place that captures the authenticity of the site in which it is displayed. Similarly, in architecture, when designing a building for a specific area, the concept should be based on the original essence of the site. The more we dissect the existing conditions of a site to truly understand it, the more we can create living, breathing spaces that can tell their own stories.
On the other hand, I think the key is also that meaningful architecture should stir up all our senses when we come into a space. Whether we consider implementing natural or artificial lighting and ventilation, or when we think of the scale of architectural space, or determine which materials to use, these stimuli would affect human sensory experiences and perceptions of a structure.
How did you navigate through the challenges that came your way in your architectural journey?
The construction industry has been an instrumental driver of economic growth. That said, in an era of transition to green building construction, we are pushed to challenge the status quo and invent sustainable designs and innovative initiatives that go beyond our traditional methods. With this in mind, I believe we need to stay up to date, keep learning and expand our knowledge about sustainable practices as well as enhance our skillsets, for example, how to utilise AI tools to streamline our working process.
Lastly, what is your favourite part about working at Archetype?
I feel like the most fulfilling part of my job is the time I invest in finding the solution to the client’s project. I also love the diversity of the job, which allows me to work independently across different disciplines while also collaborating with my colleagues to brainstorm new ideas and solutions.
By Phuong Ha
