The Vo Trong Nghia-designed Roc Von restaurant opened in rural Vietnam earlier this year
Vietnamese architect Vo Trong Nghia has told CLADmag that real estate developers must push for green design practices if human beings are to survive and prosper.
Nghia – who is best known for his intricate bamboo leisure buildings – said humans have become too disconnected from nature, “causing conflict, wars and the destruction of the planet.
“Capitalism requires development, but development needs a lot of energy,” he said. “If we continue to develop at this rate, in this way, we’ll keep destroying nature and then we’re facing the end. In Asia, the problem is very serious because the population is so big. Mega cities face pollution, traffic jams, the destruction of greenery. It’s a mentality problem – developers cannot be calmed down, they always require development.
“Our challenge as architects across the world is dealing with high density, high consumption, high energy while moving closer to nature. In the very near future we have to become more green – using things like green walls and roofs and environmental materials. Otherwise, we will all die very soon because of climate change, conflict and misuse of technology.”
Nghia’s studio promote this nature friendly philosophy in their work, particularly in their leisure designs such as Naman Retreat and Roc Von restaurant in Vietnam, and their contribution to the 2016 Venice Architecture Biennale – a meditation zone surrounded by plants.
“With all our projects we look at the surrounding nature and see how we can harmonise with that,” said Nghia. “Restaurants, cafés and hotels don’t have to be concrete, especially in tropical climates. Nice design is about function and beauty, of course, but also how to make humans much more connected to nature. We hope our projects can persuade people living nearby to think this way.
“We also use our work to try and persuade clients about the benefits of our approach. The problem is maintenance – developers think it’s too expensive to maintain green buildings. In fact, it’s not as expensive as they think. We have to change people’s mindsets.”
Nghia himself arrived at his nature-conscious mindset after taking up meditation. He and his staff meditate twice a day, and he has attended five Vipanassa courses, where you spend 10 days in silence and devote your time to meditation.
He told CLADmag: “I think anyone, not only creative people, should refresh themselves this way. It changes your way of observing the world and your perspective. People think of human beings and nature as two separate things, but humans are just a small part of nature.
“It can help us to care more for the natural world. Without this philosophy, we’re finished.”
The Spa Life UK Convention returns from 21–23 June 2026 at Whittlebury Park Hotel, Spa &
Golf Resort, bringing together spa managers, directors and owners for two days of focused
education, meaningful connection and commercial insight. [more...]
The Vo Trong Nghia-designed Roc Von restaurant opened in rural Vietnam earlier this year
Vietnamese architect Vo Trong Nghia has told CLADmag that real estate developers must push for green design practices if human beings are to survive and prosper.
Nghia – who is best known for his intricate bamboo leisure buildings – said humans have become too disconnected from nature, “causing conflict, wars and the destruction of the planet.
“Capitalism requires development, but development needs a lot of energy,” he said. “If we continue to develop at this rate, in this way, we’ll keep destroying nature and then we’re facing the end. In Asia, the problem is very serious because the population is so big. Mega cities face pollution, traffic jams, the destruction of greenery. It’s a mentality problem – developers cannot be calmed down, they always require development.
“Our challenge as architects across the world is dealing with high density, high consumption, high energy while moving closer to nature. In the very near future we have to become more green – using things like green walls and roofs and environmental materials. Otherwise, we will all die very soon because of climate change, conflict and misuse of technology.”
Nghia’s studio promote this nature friendly philosophy in their work, particularly in their leisure designs such as Naman Retreat and Roc Von restaurant in Vietnam, and their contribution to the 2016 Venice Architecture Biennale – a meditation zone surrounded by plants.
“With all our projects we look at the surrounding nature and see how we can harmonise with that,” said Nghia. “Restaurants, cafés and hotels don’t have to be concrete, especially in tropical climates. Nice design is about function and beauty, of course, but also how to make humans much more connected to nature. We hope our projects can persuade people living nearby to think this way.
“We also use our work to try and persuade clients about the benefits of our approach. The problem is maintenance – developers think it’s too expensive to maintain green buildings. In fact, it’s not as expensive as they think. We have to change people’s mindsets.”
Nghia himself arrived at his nature-conscious mindset after taking up meditation. He and his staff meditate twice a day, and he has attended five Vipanassa courses, where you spend 10 days in silence and devote your time to meditation.
He told CLADmag: “I think anyone, not only creative people, should refresh themselves this way. It changes your way of observing the world and your perspective. People think of human beings and nature as two separate things, but humans are just a small part of nature.
“It can help us to care more for the natural world. Without this philosophy, we’re finished.”
Global Wellness Day (GWD) marked its 15th anniversary on Saturday 13 June 2026, with the
theme: #JoyMagenta – a celebration of the healing qualities of simple gestures and activities
that spark joy.
Global luxury hospitality brand, Six Senses, has partnered with longevity healthcare provider,
HUM2N, to launch a clinic at Six Senses London, at The Whiteley.
As part of its first hotel partnership, Mayrlife – the medical health resort company known for its
site in Altaussee, Austria – has launched a day clinic at the Rosewood Vienna.
Premium London health club, KX Chelsea, will imminently unveil its most significant
redevelopment since its launch in 2002 to create an integrated wellness model combining
training, recovery and relaxation.
Rosewood Le Guanahani St Barth, on the northeast coast of Saint Barthélemy in the French
West Indies, is offering a programme of ocean-inspired yoga classes between 8-14 June to
celebrate Global Wellness Day (GWD).
Hotel de France, located on the British Isle of Jersey, has created a wellness retreat package
that includes a hot yoga session that will take place in Jersey Zoo’s butterfly sanctuary.
The Ritz-Carlton, Langkawi, in Malaysia, has revealed a schedule for Global Wellness Day
(GWD) that includes guided rainforest walks, mindful movement and guided coastal meditation
experiences.
Longevitix, a clinical platform for preventive and longevity medicine, has launched its AI-
powered intelligence system to help physicians deliver continuous, personalised longevity-
focused care at scale.
Atmantan Wellness Centre, an integrative wellness destination in Mulshi, near Pune in India, is
expanding its portfolio by adding a new centre in Hyderabad that will launch between 2028 and
2029.
The Spa Life UK Convention returns from 21–23 June 2026 at Whittlebury Park Hotel, Spa &
Golf Resort, bringing together spa managers, directors and owners for two days of focused
education, meaningful connection and commercial insight. [more...]
