The main attraction that draws crowds of people to take photos is the Pastoral House (a building within the Don Bosco Academy completed in 2021), which features a Neoclassical style with giant columns modeled after Greek columns (Doric and Ionic).
Football field for teenagers at Don Bosco Academy - sketch by architect Tran Xuan Hong
While the old French architecture in Da Lat used yellow, cream, or gray stone colors to blend in with the mist and pine forests, the stark white of the new building creates a rather strong contrast.
Architecturally, despite being a "photo spot with millions of likes," the Pastoral House is more of a visual "stage" than a continuation of local culture. A less-noticed interesting detail is the former structure of the Academy.
The facade of the newly built Pastoral House features a relief of Saint Don Bosco - a sketch by architect Linh Hoang.
According to Architecture Magazine, the Don Bosco Academy (*) was completed in 1972, designed by architect Lu Truc Phuong when he was only 27 years old. Having studied at the Indochina College of Fine Arts in Phnom Penh (Cambodia), he belonged to a generation of well-trained Vietnamese architects who breathed new life into and created a modern architectural style in Southern Vietnam.
A view of the academy grounds - a sketch by architect Duy Huynh.
The Don Bosco Pastoral House is a favorite photo-checking spot for young people - a sketch by architect Tran Xuan Hong.
Combining Modernism with solutions suitable for the tropical climate, the building features simple forms, straight lines, and utilizes many sunshade louvers (brise-soleil) and perforated brick walls (for ventilation).
Christmas at Don Bosco Academy - a sketch by artist Tran Binh Minh
The old building (built in the early 1970s) is strongly influenced by modern architecture of South Vietnam - sketch by LY.
The cleverly designed "protruding and receding" solid and hollow sections create a vibrant atmosphere even without decorative patterns. The solid sections are softened by various ventilation systems: small square grids, pyramids, etc. The flat roof extends far to protect against rain and direct sunlight. The doors, frames, and railings are turquoise, complementing the sandy yellow walls. The walls and staircases are constructed from natural stone and washed stone.
(*): Salesian Don Bosco is a Catholic religious order (founded in 1859 in Italy, currently present in over 133 countries) specializing in education and vocational training for poor youth. Over 50 years since its founding, the Academy has trained approximately 330 priests and over 100 missionaries serving in nearly 50 countries worldwide. With the motto: "Love and serve the youth," it has been creating opportunities and organizing classes in music , sports, English, etc., for thousands of young people.
Source: https://thanhnien.vn/dieu-it-biet-sau-hoc-vien-nhu-than-thoai-hy-lap-185251227201240168.htm
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