When Architecture Enters an Era of Restructuring and Personalized Value
“Technology is an inevitable trend that designers must adapt to; when embraced effectively, it can become a powerful competitive advantage for design professionals”
After decades of development driven by new construction and expansion, Vietnamese architecture is entering a period of profound transformation. Design thinking is no longer centered solely on form or scale, but is becoming more closely tied to functional value, professional identity, and the designer’s ability to carry a project through to completion. For Architect Hà Thanh, the changes ahead will not be driven solely by technology or the market, but will also stem from how architects define their own roles, responsibilities, and professional identities throughout the entire project lifecycle.
According to Architect Hà Thanh, 2026 does not mark the emergence of entirely new trends, but rather the acceleration and growing dominance of several shifts that have been taking shape over the past few years. Among them, artificial intelligence is playing an increasingly prominent role in research, ideation, and concept development, becoming a powerful tool for generating inspiration and shaping initial ideas.
At the same time, technical design and construction documentation are seeing deeper involvement from professional subcontractors. Their participation not only improves efficiency during the later stages of the design process, but also requires architecture firms to rethink how they coordinate, manage, and allocate responsibilities throughout the project value chain.
Another shift that Architect Hà Thanh expects to account for a significant share of design demand is the wave of renovation and upgrading projects in urban areas that have been established for more than 15 years. Rather than continuing with widespread new construction, society is gradually turning toward restructuring existing living environments, creating substantial demand for the renovation and upgrading of residential buildings and established urban areas.
Meanwhile, the second-home segment in tourism-oriented cities is expected to grow strongly as the economy recovers. A large volume of properties has already been purchased but remains unfinished or underutilized, leaving significant room for design and development opportunities. These shifts place new demands on architects: they must not only excel in form-making and aesthetics, but also possess a deep understanding of operations, market dynamics, and the long-term strategy of a project.
Professional Branding and Value Beyond Expectations
In his professional practice, Architect Hà Thanh believes that the factor exerting the strongest influence on design decisions today is not budget, technology, or user experience, but the brand and personal reputation of the designer. When properly recognized and valued, these become decisive factors in a client's decision to choose a designer and sign a contract.
According to him, today's clients have unprecedentedly rapid access to information, media, and brand narratives. They often perceive themselves as smart consumers, yet remain strongly influenced by market forces and trends shaped by others. In this context, the architect's role goes beyond simply responding to needs. Architects also serve as value guides, helping clients distinguish between what they want and what they truly need.
Architect Hà Thanh draws a clear distinction between a project that is “right to requirements” and one that “truly creates value.” Meeting requirements means fulfilling the minimum expectations set by the developer, designer, or board of directors to ensure that a project can be implemented. However, when a project is enriched by the designer's vision and creative values that go beyond its original framework, the architecture can achieve something “greater than and beyond expectations.”
These values cannot be immediately measured during the design or construction process. They gradually become apparent only after a project is completed, operated, and experienced by its users. In some cases, he believes, certain values may only be recognized by history many years later. This is the reward for creative designers, visionary investors, and a society willing to embrace difference.
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Architect Hà Thanh + HATARCH CO., LTD.
Seeing Responsibility Through to the End and the Role of the Professional Ecosystem
One of the issues that concerns Architect Hà Thanh is the tendency of some design firms to stop at “selling ideas” without fully carrying out the rights and responsibilities defined in their design consultancy contracts. When designers do not maintain ownership of their role throughout the implementation process, the value of the architecture can gradually be compromised, while responsibility is often shifted to contractors, technical teams, or changes requested by the client.
In his view, the greatest opportunity for Vietnam's design market lies precisely in the moment when an architect holds a contract and genuinely takes ownership of the project. At that point, the designer has both the authority and responsibility to make decisions spanning concept, technical solutions, materials, and operational considerations, ultimately creating a more complete value proposition for the project.
Looking back on more than 30 years in the profession, Architect Hà Thanh believes that the way architects approach projects has changed dramatically. In the past, a design brief did not necessarily require architects to have an in-depth understanding of areas beyond their core expertise. Today, however, professionals are expected to be far more versatile. They need to understand everything from value creation and operational thinking to costs and technology, as well as investment consultancy-particularly when working on large-scale, high-value projects.
Against this backdrop, professional platforms such as the VMARK Design Award are, in his view, an important part of the design ecosystem. By creating spaces for exchange, connection, and recognition, such platforms give individuals and organizations opportunities to demonstrate their value. At the same time, he emphasizes that the quality of an award must go hand in hand with the quality of its jury and evaluation criteria, which should be relevant to Vietnam's cultural context and social needs.
According to Architect Hà Thanh, only when the professional ecosystem is strengthened and properly established can Vietnamese architecture develop sustainably-integrating with the international community while preserving its own identity and intrinsic values.
Architect Hà Thanh has more than 30 years of professional experience and an impressive portfolio, with a strong focus on classical and luxurious design. He has earned the trust of major developers and investors, undertaking high-value projects across Vietnam, from north to south. Alongside his professional practice, he has taught at several universities, including the University of Architecture, Van Lang University, HUTECH University, Ton Duc Thang University, and Hong Bang International University. He is currently the CEO of Hà Thanh Architecture Company and CEO of HATHUB Interior Design Training Center.
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HATARCH CO.,LTD
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