HÀ NỘI — The first ever documentary series on Vietnamese architecture has just been launched.

Titled Sự Cân Bằng Hoàn Hảo (Perfect Balance), the series of twelve 15-minute episodes will feature topics on the theme of ‘balance’ and introduce the country’s architectural styles as well as leading architects.

After each episode, experts will delve further into the issues.

Three architects hosting the series are Nguyễn Tuấn Anh, Nguyễn Hoàng Mạnh and Bùi Bình Minh, who also act as consultants and curators for the show.

“Through each episode, the programme hopes to tell an in-depth story on architecture and the creativity behind the projects,” said Phạm Anh Tuấn, General Director of VICOSTONE, at the launch ceremony in Hà Nội on November 8.

“We hope to promote the ideas of domestic architects in order to boost awareness and understanding of architecture in daily life. We name these ideas ‘The guidelines for creativity in Vietnamese architecture,’” he said.

According to architect Nguyễn Tuấn Anh, the programme focuses on highly-qualified and experienced architects.

“The buildings included in the show are unique,” he said. “They have not been introduced in any other TV shows.”

The first episode will feature architect Hoàng Thúc Hào and his latest work, the Sentia Primary School in Từ Liêm District, Hà Nội.

The following episode will be on architect Đoàn Thanh Hà, who has won international awards, and his latest creation, S Space in the northern province of Hà Nam. The building was inspired by nature.

Hà has created a space with separate walls that do not lean on one another or intersect. The whole building is like a cave with a solid foundation. The roof is reminiscent of clouds in nearby Kẽm Trống.

“If I am lost in a cave, my first reaction will be looking above for a light source,” Hà explained.

“In normal buildings, the walls help us find directions. I want people to lose their direction and force them to explore the space, to find the direction by the light above.”

The series will be broadcast at 8.30pm every Friday from November 9 on various channels including on the website: https://sucanbanghoanhao.vn, Facebook page Sucanbanghoanhao, Youtube,  Instagram, and public TV channels like Cable Saigontourist’s SCTV, New Family online magazine, Architecture Magazine, and Reatimes real estate magazine. — VNS