Sketch of Hoi An Creative Space

The “Hoi An Creative Space Design” competition is a key activity of the project “Promoting innovation for youth and communities for sustainable urban development” implemented by UN Habitat with funding from Fondation Botnar (Switzerland).

Hoi An Central Park - the location of the Hoi An Creative Space design competition. Photo: QT

Aspiration to form the "heart" of innovation

The Hoi An Creative Space Design Competition is an invitation to architects, designers, artists and especially the young generation to join hands in creating a community-led creative space in Hoi An.

The competition aims to turn Hoi An Central Park into a place to gather and nurture creative nuclei, thereby creating an environment for economic development, learning and community connection, promoting Hoi An's unique creative culture in the fields of handicrafts and folk arts.

Hoi An Central Park - the location of the contest topic is an important project in the city's urban development orientation. The park has an open space, located at the intersection of three major roads, convenient for access and connection. This place is currently directly managed by the Hoi An City Culture, Information and Tourism Center and will be handed over to the Hoi An Ward People's Committee for reception. The existing building in the park is the location for foreign affairs activities, cultural exchanges and event organization, including international events.

One of the visions of the project “Promoting innovation for youth and communities for sustainable urban development” is to create a creative space as the “heart” of innovation. This shared creative space will be a place for young people to learn and develop, such as participating in training sessions, trying out performing arts activities, exploring new technologies or practicing creativity with traditional Hoi An handicrafts.

According to Mr. Nguyen Phuong Dong - Deputy Director of the Center for Culture, Information and Communication - Tourism of Hoi An City, the city wishes to convert the function of the Friendship Building in the Central Park into a multifunctional creative space serving the community. This space will create conditions for students and young people to express their talents and imagination through design competitions, innovation events and idea exhibitions.

“In particular, this space can become a place of global connection through exhibitions and art exhibitions of international organizations and foreign artists to spread the spirit of integration connecting Hoi An with the world, ” said Mr. Dong.

Need to create open space

According to Architect Nguyen Huy Khanh - Head of the competition's jury, Hoi An Creative Space must first and foremost be a community activity center based on traditional architecture. There needs to be multifunctional spaces to serve the needs of diverse community groups, artists, and businesses. At the same time, technical support is needed for small businesses, artisans, or individuals to access digital media and e-commerce.

Artist Bao Ly and young people in Hoi An discuss the necessary functions of creative spaces. Photo: QT

Artist Nguyen Quoc Dan - founder of the Rebirth Fine Arts Workshop believes that Hoi An Creative Space cannot be a short-term project, which can be abandoned after the competition is over. A truly creative design needs to be linked to three pillars: tradition, present and future. It must be symbolic so that visitors can recognize that this is a place that represents Hoi An's creativity beyond the old town.

According to Mr. Le Ngoc Thuan - Chairman of the Hoi An City Innovation and Startup Association, inspiration cannot be born from a fixed framework and closed space.

“We cannot just think of building a room and saying that it is a place for creativity. If there is a Hoi An Creative Space, it should act as a center to connect with the ecosystem of creative addresses throughout the city, and at the same time introduce creative models that are rich in personality, freedom and close to nature and people of Hoi An,” said Mr. Thuan.

The contest “Designing Hoi An Creative Space” was launched within the framework of the workshop “Roadmap for creativity together” which recently took place in Hoi An City.

The design goals focus on the criteria of re-commissioning and conversion of functions, flexibility, accessibility, inspiration, contributing to the construction of creative spaces. The competition encourages diverse participation of organizations, individuals, professionals and semi-professionals, and the community with design ideas. The competition will be officially launched and receive projects in July 2025.

Source: https://baoquangnam.vn/phac-thao-khong-gian-sang-tao-hoi-an-3157064.html