Trung Mai

Trung Mai is a pioneer utilizing architecture to drive a global dialogue on industrial heritage preservation and the ecological restoration of Hanoi’s urban landscape. He established a major international footprint by becoming the first Vietnamese architect to exhibit his work at both primary venues of the 2025 Venice Biennale Architettura.

The architect earned both a Bachelor's and a Master's degree in Architecture from France's École Nationale Supérieure d'Architecture Paris-Malaquais (ENSA Paris Malaquais), followed by a Master's degree in Planning and Landscape from Germany’s Leibniz University Hannover. After gaining years of professional experience at major French firms, notably Atelier Jean Nouvel and Dominique Perrault Architecture, he returned to Vietnam to found Hanoi Ad hoc in 2020.

He has achieved the remarkable feat of securing awards three consecutive times at Europan Europe, a prestigious European network for architecture, urban planning, and landscape idea competitions targeting professionals under 40.

His winning streak highlights his consistent vision across contemporary European urban themes:

• 2019: Honorable Mention at Europan 15 in France, addressing the theme Productive Cities.
• 2021: First Prize at Europan 16 in Italy, for the Agroecological Condenser project.
• 2023: Third Prize at Europan 17 in Spain, for the The Inhabited Garden project.

He restaged his work, The Grid 2025 Venice Biennale Architettura. The installation was originally constructed at the Gia Lam Train Factory as part of the $\text{2023}$ Hanoi Creative Design Festival.

Trung Mai restaged "The Grid" at the 2025 Venice Biennale Architettura. The piece was created at the Gia Lam Train Factory for the 2023 Hanoi Creative Design Festival. The project encapsulates a bold concept: restoring industrial heritage through temporary urban planning. The installation was exhibited at both of the Biennale's primary venues, the Arsenale and the Giardini. The achievement is historic. It marks the first time a Vietnamese architect has exhibited work simultaneously at both iconic locations.