Architectural Field Study to the Pearl of the Far East
Thu, 20 Feb 2014 15:12:00 GMT
Students on the Architecture (International) BA(Hons) and Master of Architecture (International) courses at University of Huddersfield recently returned from a four-week field trip to Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. The long history and the diverse cultures in the city presented the students with an opportunity to study rich architectural language and ensured an exciting experience. Students Explored the intriguing urban fabric with buildings ranging from traditional Vietnam, Chinese, French styles to contemporary skyscrapers, together with busy streets and narrow alleyways. Architectural students also had discussions over the concerns of local architectural students and residents about how to preserve the traditions in the process of economic development. By developing an understanding of the architecture and its historical, social and cultural context in a different part of the world will guide students in their next stage of architectural design projects for Ho Chi Minh City.
The group of students from the University of Huddersfield is a diverse ethnic mix with students from Cyprus, Romania, Bulgaria, Greece, Poland, and one student from Hanoi Vietnam, as well as students from Huddersfield and elsewhere in the UK. Apart from studying the important landmarks such as the Ben Thanh Market, Independent Palace, War Museum, Notre-Dame Basilica, Saigon Port and Opera Houses etc., students also visited the Mekong Delta and surrounding rural villages. The trip coincided with the Lunar New Year in Vietnam at the end of January 2014, which saw the exciting events and urban projects unfold endlessly.
Architectural staff are excited by the opportunity international architectural course at Huddersfield provides. “The urban study in Vietnam by architectural students challenged many conventional architectural ideas in a different part of the world,” the trip organiser Dr. Yun Gao said. “It opened students up to further understanding of what architecture can be.”
BA 3rd Year leader Vijay Taheem said: “This experience of international visit is invaluable in allowing students to understand in depth how the built environment is informed by the locals traditions, cultures, way of life and the importance of understanding in how to design responsibly in response to these factors and other regional environmental concerns. These visits often leave a memorable and lasting impression on students in how to design for our future cities”.
MArch Year leader Jon Bush and tutor Hilary Chadwick also joined the trip. “Taking 50 students to the vibrant and chaotic city of Ho Chi Minh City was fantastic, but intense, for all of us. The colours and smells, the wild street life on the crazy roads and pavement scattered with scooters and food stalls of all varieties, the red flags, the officiousness of the authorities, the lovely people and their laughter and joy, all heighten the experience of 'being there'. It is an event of a lifetime for the students and the lessons learnt and memories gathered will always be a treasure in their lives.” Hilary said.
Our students also described their excitement and enthusiasm for the trip:
Raluca Ecaterina Stefanescu:
“The trip to Vietnam was an amazing opportunity to discover a totally new world. The whole experience opened up my mind and my creativity to come up with an appropriate design response for the new climatic, social and urban context, preparing me for a future career that is not going to be limited within any particular frontiers or boundaries.”
Catalina Elana Ionita said:
"Saigon has invited us into a wonderful discovery journey of cultural experiences. The city with its unique patterns and townscape portraits a special architectural language, a vocabulary of contrasts and dualities created an experience, which has been amazing - a real discovery adventure."
Emma Newport commented:
“I think one of the biggest culture shocks for me was the lunar New Year. The whole city seemed to become so much busier and more vibrant. I felt like there was an explosion of colour and activity just before the New Year.”
Rachel Glover said:
“I really enjoyed just trying anything different that you wouldn’t be able to get back home. The trip really opened my eyes to other cultures and customs and I feel I am better for it.”
Mark Mayhew commented:
“Wonder and marvel gripped me as I settled slowly into the city. From thousands of mopeds to culinary delights the city breaths with sensory excitement… like a phoenix rising from the ashes, the strength of the city's culture is unceasing. Flowers for the New Year celebrations lined every street, markets flourish with local produce and people smile with the knowledge that they live with an eye on the past and a mind on the future.”
Top two photos taken by student Raluca Ecaterina Stefanescu
