Italian Design Day 2023 at VLU: The Role of Artificial Light for Modern and Green Development in Urban Areas

(VLU, March 14, 2023) On the afternoon of March 13, 2023, Van Lang University (VLU) cooperated with the Embassy of Italy to organize the workshop "Enlightening Quality. The energy of design for people and the environment”. The event took place as part of the Italian Design Day in Vietnam (IDD), gathering a large number of leading experts, leaders, businesses from Italy, and VLU students. 

Italian Design Day in Vietnam (IDD) is an annual theme-based event launched in 2017 by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation. To date, IDD has been held in more than 100 cities around the world. In 2023, IDD enters its seventh year with significant impacts. The program includes many exhibitions and talk shows, opening up opportunities for the artistic community to exchange and learn, encouraging the sharing of experiences among global experts, designers, and architects, aiming at international cooperation, and developing a sustainable energy and architecture ecosystem on a global scale. 

Guests attending the IDD workshop at VLU in 2023 include:

• Mr. Enrico Padula - Consulate General of Italy in Ho Chi Minh City
• Mr. Fabio De Cillis - Italian Commercial Counselor in HCMC
• Mr. Roberto Grilli - Italian Design Ambassador in Vietnam for 2023, General Director of DZ Engineering SRL
• Mr. Simon Micheli - Founder of Simon Micheli Architectural Hero Company
• Assoc. Prof. Dr. Tran Thi My Dieu - President of Van Lang University
• Assoc. Prof. Dr. Le Thi Kim Oanh - Dean of the Faculty of Environment
• Dr. Ngo Minh Hung - Head of International Cooperation and Scientific Research Department; Director of the Institute for Development Studies and Cultural Heritage
• Board of Directors of faculties, research institutes, departments, and centers of Van Lang University. 

In addition to the diplomatic significance marking the cooperation between Vietnam and Italy, the workshop emphasizes the role of artificial light in the process of green and modern development in urban areas, thereby contributing to achieving social integration and sustainability, ensuring the balance between ecology and the surrounding landscape.

Roberto Grilli stated: "You must grasp the four key phrases: Understanding - Usability - Enhancement - Lightness in order to effectively control and manage light for architectural structures and archaeological sites, as well as achieve aesthetic efficiency through the use of biomass power, and dimming through the combination of dual lighting effects. Our products are not only recyclable but also designed for reusability. And for me, light produces art; where there is light, there is magic, and it brings Italian workmanship to life.

Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, or LEED, is still a new concept in the Vietnamese market. LEED is an innovative international standard that focuses on creating energy-efficient and environmentally friendly buildings. In their presentation, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Le Thi Kim Oanh and Dr. Huynh Tan Loi stated that the application of green technology and green construction design can result in a substantial tenfold increase in building efficiency in terms of resource utilization. 

Given the focus on implementing green energy and energy-saving measures in construction projects, MSc. Nguyen Duy Tue has presented research and strategies aimed at reducing electricity consumption in various systems such as HVAC, air conditioning, ventilation, solar power systems, etc. These efforts aim to address the significant energy consumption contributing to the rise in greenhouse gas emissions.

During his presentation, MSc. Nguyen Phan Bao Long shared some interesting information on the curriculum for students in the Faculty of Fine Arts and Design. He stated, ”Van Lang University is committed to creating real-life experiences in a complete and friendly environment for students. Third-year interior design students, in particular, have the opportunity to work on a lighting project. The project's result is a final achievement from initial ideas to achieving success. To encourage their efforts, the Faculty and the University collaborate to exhibit these achievements in the main campus area. The exhibition attracts the attention of many students and lecturers, inspiring them to keep pursuing their passions and advancing their knowledge, skills, and abilities. 

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Tran Thi My Dieu, President of Van Lang University, stated: "In 2019, at the Opening Workshop of the Vietnam-Italy Workshop, we had engaging discussions about design, energy, as well as, and environment preservation. Today, we have the opportunity to delve deeper into these topics. This is significant not just to me, but to the entire VLU members as well, as VLU continuously strives to inspire our community and transforms into a "Green School" in the future with its own team of experts.

Anh Minh