Ascending Architecture

Sketches Khoa Vu

Khoa Vu is a left-handed architect and graphic designer based in San Francisco, California who recently graduated with high honors from the University of California, Berkeley. He is currently pursuing his Master in Architecture at Harvard Graduate School of Design. 

Khoa grew up in Vietnam where he started his architectural journey at Saigon Architecture University before moving to California in 2010. He picked up his studies in Orange County and shortly after, transferred to UC Berkeley where he receipted the 2015 Eisner Prize for highest achievement in the creative art. His love for design and creation has grown and evolved through these experiences. Khoa is passionate about systematic approach in architectural design, the marriage between art and science and finding a harmonious balance between the two worlds. 

Image credit: Hiroyuki Oki | Text credit: Vo Trong Nghia Architects

“Being adjacent to the newly emerging center of Ho Chi Minh City, Diamond Island is a group of condominiums on an islet on Saigon River. To make the best use of the empty space of a gradual development program, this multifunctional community center is designed not only for local residents, but also for foreign tourists brought by boats from the city center. Eight large and small bamboo pavilions are scattered throughout a park with rich vegetation along the river. The pavilions are used for various events such as parties, banquets, promotions conferences, and are also planned to be restaurants in the future.”