Green Valley Project: An interview with Mr. Axel Korn, designer of the project

GREEN VALLEY project will be launched in 2014. As a designer for the project, what do you think when the GREEN VALLEY Project was selected as the key project of Phu My Hung’s business in the following year? Would it make a pressure on you?

On the contrary I feel honored and happy that our convincing design was chosen as the flagship project for the further development of the Phu My Hung area.

How long does it take to complete this design? And what is the start of your idea for GREEN VALLEY project?

Projects of this scale have a long design time. We started to think about first ideas when we discussed the finalization of the masterplan of this neighborhood 4 years ago. We then started to observe different options of the building arrangement and looked at advantages for views, sun exposure and ventilation. We finally agreed with the investor for a main design idea about 1.5 years ago and then started the detail design.

Does the project location affect your design ideas?

Of course, this is one of the main considerations of the design. In the case of the GREEN VALLEY we wanted to take full advantage of the view to the golf driving range and tennis courts. It was very important that each unit has a good view from the living room. There is no unit which looks at another building, this is a great advantage of this project.

In your opinion, what is the project name whose implicate can show all or a part of the ideas you put into the project?

I think “Golf residences” or “Sports Court” would be a good name.

As a foreigner designing houses for Vietnamese, do you find any difficulties to harmonize the common points between contemporary design style which is applied in many countries and Vietnamese culture and custom of residential space?

Well, I understand the Vietnamese and Asian living culture quite well right now and our office developed design ideas which respond to these cultural idiosyncrasies. We try to develop these cultural requirements and blend it with a modern functional design culture as described by the German “Bauhaus”: Form follows Function.

What is your most satisfaction in the design that you want to convey to the GREEN VALLEY project?

I think we designed very functional apartments in a very compact way so that the buyers will get a lot of value and living quality for their investment. The design is timeless elegant and will look fresh even in some year.

Among the 5 senses (hearing, sight, touch, smell and taste), which senses that you wants GREEN VALLEY  owners used to enjoy most when living  here?

Hopefully a lot of residents cook the fantastic Vietnamese food and enjoy it! So this would be taste then! After dinner sitting on a sofa enjoying the view there will hopefully also some touch sense.

You have designed many projects for Phu My Hung; have you ever been afraid of repeating yourself? What is the main difference between GREEN VALLEY  and other apartment projects that you designed in this urban area?

Every project location is different and therefore each project looks different. We have ideas for many more beautiful projects in Phu My Hung and can assure you that they will all be interesting! GREEN VALLEY  is a quiet, convenient location and I especially like the slightly turned towers which makes the project look different from others.

Architecture requires precision, harmony, balance in each calculation and high aesthetics to create a beautiful architecture, with the golden ratio, safety, convenience to bring the interesting experience for end user – customer, how do you shown these factors in GREEN VALLEY ?

At Korn Architects we believe that there are even more aspects to be observed. That is why a good design takes time. When we design we imagine being inside the building and walking through it. Then we develop great views and convenient details. We look at the design from many aspects and continuously improve it until we are happy. Only then we develop construction drawings.

If there is a question that who is mainly responsible for a beautiful or unbeautiful building, the simple and most logical answer is: the designer. That’s true in theory, but in reality the role of investors is very important. That means besides creating a beautiful design, architect also has to help investors achieve their business goal. In GREEN VALLEY  project what is your advice to be suitable with current market so that the project owner can be confident that the project will be appreciated by customers when it’s handed-over. Or did you simply design as per client’s requirements?

Of course, the dialog between the investor and the architect is very important. The better the communication works the faster we can develop a great project. Since we know the investor for a long time a strong mutual trust has developed between us and Phu My Hung. This is of course a great help for the design process. We take responsibility for our design and the investor feels this. Our ultimate goal is that each apartment owner will be happy for a long time.

What would you say if there is a brief comment on the GREEN VALLEY ?

A fantastic place for a young family: Great views, safe, quiet, convenient.