Young architect with passion for preserving Hue royal heritage

13:25, November 29, 2023

Holding in our hands the book "Sketching Hue Heritage Architecture - Palace Gates" by young architect Nguyen Xuan Luc, licensed for publication by Thuan Hoa Publishing House, we were truly amazed and admired his talent in sketching the architectural works of ancient Hue palace gates through his realistic yet artistic strokes.

Surprised and admired by the fact that Architect Nguyen Xuan Luc is still so young. He was born in 1994, graduated from the Faculty of Architecture, Hue University of Sciences in 2017, then continued to study at the graduate level, receiving a master's degree in architecture in 2022. From his love for Hue, Nguyen Xuan Luc has quietly sought ways to preserve and conserve the unique architectural forms of Hue in the face of the increasing risk of fading away due to the "tornado" of urbanization: Sketching every line, shape and soul of each ancient palace architectural work, in order to leave a mark and preserve the precious architectural heritage values for future generations before they disappear...

Sketch book by architect Nguyen Xuan Luc.

With that in mind, Nguyen Xuan Luc tirelessly pursued his passion and created his first work "Sketching Hue Heritage Architecture - Palace Gates" with 72 sketches meticulously and in detail depicting the motifs on the fences, walls, and gates of the Hue Palace Gate Heritage System. In particular, the author has painstakingly surveyed, systematized, and characterized 4 architectural styles of palace gates that are currently distributed in the area of 15 wards and communes of Hue city, including: The system of palaces with triple gate architecture (including 12 palace gates); the system of palaces with single-door gate architecture (arched doors - including 36 palace gates); the system of palaces with two-pillar gate architecture (including 17 palace gates); the system of palaces with gate architecture that has lost its gate (including 6 palaces).

Evaluating the work of architect Nguyen Xuan Luc, folk culture researcher Tran Nguyen Khanh Phong asserted: “Perhaps from what he has learned in books, learned in real life and absorbed through time, exposure to art..., now architect Nguyen Xuan Luc has truly immersed himself in sketching the heritage of the palaces of the Than Kinh region in black and white, along with a brief, concise introduction of each address, location of each palace, the family background of the owner associated with the palace. When sketching, Nguyen Xuan Luc always pays attention to the details of the architecture with decorative motifs, screens, gates, fences, roofs... clarifying the basic requirements of the relationship between sketching and architecture...".

Before letting readers admire 72 architectural sketches of Hue palace gates, Architect Nguyen Xuan Luc led readers to better understand the architectural characteristics of palaces, along with the reality of architectural changes in the palace gate system, which according to the author is "due to the impact of weather, time, history and urbanization, many gates have gradually changed in both materials and architectural systems, in which the transformation of the palace gate architectural system in Hue is a typical example". That shows the responsibility and heartache for the fate of this rare architectural type, which cannot be found anywhere else, that the author needs to sketch again to preserve, serve the conservation and restoration work when conditions permit.

To have this valuable sketchbook, according to Tran Nguyen Khanh Phong, “Nguyen Xuan Luc spent a lot of time researching images of Hue past and present, including palaces. Architect Nguyen Xuan Luc painstakingly surveyed, sketched, and successfully presented the palaces of Hue in the book such as: Phu Quoc Uy Cong, Phuc Long Cong, Ninh Thuan Cong, Kien Tuong Cong, Cuong Quan Cong, Phong Quoc Cong, Dien Khanh Vuong, Tuy Ly Vuong, An Thuong Cong Chua... The layout is presented harmoniously and sharply, the black ink lines seem to bring the viewer into the enchantment of the heritage... Nguyen Xuan Luc's palace sketches will easily touch people's hearts because of the simplicity of the jet black lines clearly visible on each white page, both eye-catching and simple, approachable".

Wishing Nguyen Xuan Luc continued success on the path he has chosen, contributing to preserving and shining the heritage values of Hue Ancient Capital in contemporary life.

Minh Dang

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