Cover Not merely a designer of space, architect Nguyen Dinh Hoa also crafts a way of life
Not merely a designer of space, architect Nguyen Dinh Hoa also crafts a way of life
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Not merely a designer of space, architect Nguyen Dinh Hoa also crafts a way of life grounded in deep architectural thinking, intimately connected with both context and community.
Architect Nguyen Dinh Hoa, co-founder of LAITA Design Studio, embraces an “architectural” mindset in his work: a careful observation of context, followed by the development of solutions that enrich daily life with both convenience and emotion. For him, design is not only the act of shaping spaces or objects; it is also a responsibility that extends to the community. Whatever the field, Nguyen Dinh Hoa firmly believes that meaningful design must emerge from its context, return to serve that context, and ideally, help to shape the lifestyle, and perhaps even the future, of a community.
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Above Architect Nguyen Dinh Hoa, co-founder of LAITA Design Studio
Architect Nguyen Dinh Hoa, co-founder of LAITA Design Studio
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Nguyen Dinh Hoa, do you think the role of architects will change in the future?
I believe the role of architects will continue to expand, becoming broader, deeper, and more influential. Architects are no longer confined to creating visible structures like homes, cafés or parks. Our work increasingly contributes to shaping ways of living, influencing environments, and, more broadly, helping to define the future of entire communities. We do not simply build and depart. What we leave behind is the emotional and functional imprint of how people interact with a place, move through it, and remember it.
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Design must always emerge from its context and ultimately, return to serve it.
I see architects as being “programmed” to fulfil multiple roles at once—as designers, connectors, and creators of living ecosystems. That multiplicity enables us to contribute to society in ways that are both practical and sustainable.
What are the challenges and opportunities in managing and operating multiple design areas in one business, in your opinion?
Managing a business that spans several design disciplines naturally brings its own set of challenges, especially around team coordination, process flow, and quality assurance. Yet I am always reminded of a quote by designer Massimo Vignelli: “If you can design one thing, you can design everything.” That said, to be able to “design everything”, one must first master a single thing—completely, at a true 1.0 level, not stopping somewhere around 0.5 or 0.9.
When you do something well, the insights gained become a stable foundation for moving into new areas without compromising standards. For me, the focus is not on how many areas or projects one undertakes, but on the depth and distance travelled in each.
Above I believe design must always originate from context, and, just as importantly, return to serve it
I believe design must always originate from context, and, just as importantly, return to serve it
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Do you think a design that reflects local identity is more likely to be accepted by the community?
I believe design must always originate from context, and, just as importantly, return to serve it. The idea of “reflecting local identity” sounds appropriate, but it can sometimes be misinterpreted as if designers are simply borrowing cultural motifs or quoting traditional details to create a sense of “belonging”.
In my view, when a design process genuinely begins with context examining living spaces, the people who inhabit them, and their daily habits, then the local spirit becomes naturally embedded in every decision. Identity will emerge organically, not as a final layer, but as an inseparable part of the whole.
Nguyen Dinh Hoa article published from the original in Tatler Vietnam issue May 2025
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