Đặng Đức Việt is a Vietnamese architect and the founding principal of atelier 12, a Hanoi-based architecture and interior design studio established in 2015. Rooted in personal memory and cultural continuity, atelier 12 creates spaces that reflect vernacular sensibilities through natural materials, local craftsmanship, and context-driven strategies. Under Đặng Đức Việt’s direction, the studio explores tradition and modernity through projects like Haonam Apartments, MK House, and SONG DUONG House, which reinterpret familiar spatial typologies into calm, enduring forms. Early impressions of filtered sunlight, moss-covered tile, and tactile materials continue to shape his human-centered approach. Through a focus on flexibility, moderation, and quiet resonance, atelier 12 expresses architecture as a personal and evolving reflection of place.
What inspires you?
The beauty found in everyday life, traditional culture, and nature are the elements that inspire me the most.
What inspired you to become an architect?
That is a House. My childhood was spent in an old but beautiful house. I have a vivid memory of the gentle feeling when sunlight passed through the shutters, the cool air radiating from the walls and floors on summer afternoons, the creaking sound of footsteps on the ironwood stairs, and the excitement of seeing the moss on the tiles turn green after the rains. Many of these experiences shaped my way of thinking and sense of aesthetics, and only later did I realize that they were a kind of treasure I had been gifted early on, preparing me to become an architect. And I named my atelier ”12”, the number of my old house, as a way to honor the values I grew up with.
How would you describe your design philosophy?
I’m still in the process of discovering and defining my design philosophy. Perhaps in five years, I’ll be able to articulate it more clearly. For now, I find myself exploring flexibility and moderation. The anchors that keep my approach grounded and help me avoid extremes. When things remain balanced and measured, a sense of comfort and harmony naturally follows. And when it comes to residential projects, what could be better than that!
What is your favorite project?
My favorite project is Apartment 1110, the apartment I currently live in. It may not be my best work, but it holds special meaning because I get to live in a space I designed myself. The space evolves every day with life, offering countless lessons and ongoing experiences.
What is your favorite architectural detail?
My favorite detail is the front elevation of MK House. I’ve always had a particular appreciation for the porch in traditional Vietnamese architecture, the semi-outdoor space with woven bamboo blinds found in front of wooden houses, acting as a buffer between the indoor living space and the outside environment. In MK House, the porch became exactly the element I wanted to reinterpret. I brought it into the design using only steel, both in detailing and structure, as a modern translation of that traditional space.
Do you have a favorite material?
Natural materials are perhaps the most emotionally resonant elements for architects. I have a deep love for wood and stone. With such materials, our role is simply to let their inherent beauty speak for itself and to protect that beauty from being overshadowed by artificial elements within a building.
What is your process for starting a new project?
For me, understanding both the client and the project’s environment is the most important factor. When we share the same voice and spirit, the project begins with true inspiration.
How do you fuel your creativity?
I often observe my surroundings, finding joy in discovering something beautiful tucked away in a quiet corner. I also tend to imagine the objects I see in a different state or serving a different function.
What inspired MK House?
The client, the owner of the house, was a great source of inspiration for me when designing MK House. Perhaps it was the first time I worked with clients who knew how to exercise restraint and had a clear understanding of what they wanted in life. Together, we shaped the design, naturally incorporating the traditional elements that had previously inspired me.
How did materiality shape MK House?
Mk House is a modest home with natural light as a central element. Therefore, the materials have a simple finish, natural and raw, left exposed, and not glossy. These materials serve as a background for daily life.
What advice would you give to young architects?
When you are on the journey to becoming an architect, persistence and unwavering commitment matter more than speed.
