In this episode, PlanningxChange travels to Vietnam to speak with Olivier Souquet, French architect and co-founder of DE-SO Asia, a Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City)-based design studio renowned for projects that weave together climate, culture, and poetic sensibility.
Since establishing DE-SO Asia in 2016, Olivier has guided a diverse body of work across Vietnam—from rural schools and urban housing to major civic and cultural landmarks, including the new City Planning Exhibition Center in Ho Chi Minh City. His practice embraces both rigorous environmental awareness and a deep respect for local materials, topography, and traditions.
Olivier discusses his architectural philosophy—shaped by influences such as Édouard Glissant’s call to “act in your place, think with the world”—and the realities of designing in Vietnam’s tropical context, where rain, heat, and humidity shape the rhythm of daily work.
He reflects on building responsibly in a time of ecological change, how poetic gestures sustain creativity, and why uncertainty (“Au Vietnam, rien n’est jamais sûr”) is part of the country’s charm and challenge.
This is a conversation about architecture as adaptation, empathy, and imagination—rooted in place yet globally aware.
Key Topics
* Origins and philosophy of DE-SO Asia
* Practicing architecture across French and Vietnamese cultures
* The Family Garden studio: daily rituals, nature, and community
* Designing the Ho Chi Minh City Planning Exhibition Center
* Balancing civic responsibility with poetic intent
* The evolving discourse: “Is it still moral to build?”
* Advice for young architects and reflections on VietnamDE-DE-SO)’s creative energy
About DE-SO Asia
Founded in 2016 by Olivier Souquet, DE-SO Asia is a Vietnamese architectural and planning firm working at all scales—from regional masterplans to public buildings and landscapes. The firm collaborates with public authorities, private investors, and international partners, and is recognised for its environmentally conscious, site-responsive designs grounded in local knowledge and craftsmanship. 🌐 de-so.asia
Culture Corner/Podcast Extra
Olivier recommends the 1961 French classic film ‘Last Year at Marienbad’ directed by Alain Resnais (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Last_Year_at_Marienbad) and the works of Ridley Scott in particular Blade Runner and Inception and the music of Hans Zimmer www.Hans-zimmer.com. Jess talks of returning to playing the violin; Pete talks of a 2000km road trip travellinbg north through rural Australia and the delights with the countryside, small towns and farming districts. Episode released 5 November 2025.
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In this episode, PlanningxChange travels to Vietnam to speak with Olivier Souquet, French architect and co-founder of DE-SO Asia, a Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City)-based design studio renowned for projects that weave together climate, culture, and poetic sensibility.
Since establishing DE-SO Asia in 2016, Olivier has guided a diverse body of work across Vietnam—from rural schools and urban housing to major civic and cultural landmarks, including the new City Planning Exhibition Center in Ho Chi Minh City. His practice embraces both rigorous environmental awareness and a deep respect for local materials, topography, and traditions.
Olivier discusses his architectural philosophy—shaped by influences such as Édouard Glissant’s call to “act in your place, think with the world”—and the realities of designing in Vietnam’s tropical context, where rain, heat, and humidity shape the rhythm of daily work.
He reflects on building responsibly in a time of ecological change, how poetic gestures sustain creativity, and why uncertainty (“Au Vietnam, rien n’est jamais sûr”) is part of the country’s charm and challenge.
This is a conversation about architecture as adaptation, empathy, and imagination—rooted in place yet globally aware.
Key Topics
* Origins and philosophy of DE-SO Asia
* Practicing architecture across French and Vietnamese cultures
* The Family Garden studio: daily rituals, nature, and community
* Designing the Ho Chi Minh City Planning Exhibition Center
* Balancing civic responsibility with poetic intent
* The evolving discourse: “Is it still moral to build?”
* Advice for young architects and reflections on VietnamDE-DE-SO)’s creative energy
About DE-SO Asia
Founded in 2016 by Olivier Souquet, DE-SO Asia is a Vietnamese architectural and planning firm working at all scales—from regional masterplans to public buildings and landscapes. The firm collaborates with public authorities, private investors, and international partners, and is recognised for its environmentally conscious, site-responsive designs grounded in local knowledge and craftsmanship. 🌐 de-so.asia
Culture Corner/Podcast Extra
Olivier recommends the 1961 French classic film ‘Last Year at Marienbad’ directed by Alain Resnais (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Last_Year_at_Marienbad) and the works of Ridley Scott in particular Blade Runner and Inception and the music of Hans Zimmer www.Hans-zimmer.com. Jess talks of returning to playing the violin; Pete talks of a 2000km road trip travellinbg north through rural Australia and the delights with the countryside, small towns and farming districts. Episode released 5 November 2025.
In PX118 our guests are Jonathan O’Brien and Jonathan Nolan of YIMBY Melbourne.
Details of YIMBY Melbourne are at https://www.yimby.melbourne
YIMBY Melbourne seeks a ‘People-led’ ‘Grassroots’ ‘For Housing Abundance.’
The YIMBY website states: ‘A better Melbourne is possible. A Melbourne that is affordable, liveable, and sustainable. A city that is walkable, accessible, and which gives everyone access to the amenity-rich areas that make living here so special.
Creating housing abundance will take a lot of work. It will require reform across planning, governance, and taxation. It will force us to take a serious look at how we use, value, and control the use of land in this city.
The two Jonathan’s outline the problems with the current planning system and how this leads to disadvantage, exclusion and a lack of new housing. They propose various measures that can redress the problems. They also call for volunteers to assist the cause.
An engaging interview with dedicated activists who have created a new third party force in the housing / planning policy - public awareness space.
In Podcast Extra / Culture Corner, Jonathan Nolan recommends a website he has created (https://citydensity.com) which looks at the population density of major cities in relation to distance from the CBD.
Jonathan O’Brien recommends ‘Arbitary Lines: How Zoning Broke the American City and how to fix it’ by M Nolan Gray (https://islandpress.org/books/arbitrary-lines#desc)
He also recommends ‘The Boat’ by Nam Le (https://www.sbs.com.au/theboat/) and https://www.penguin.com.au/books/the-boat-9780143009610
Jess recommends a book ‘What happened to Nina’ by Dervla McTiernan (https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/171793386-what-happened-to-nina) and a podcast ‘The Imperfect’ (https://theresilienceproject.com.au/at-home/podcasts/).
Pete recommends ‘Climate - the movie (the cold truth)’ at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A24fWmNA6lM and the Radio Taiso (also spelt Rajio Taiso which translates to ‘radio exercises’) morning exercise program released by NHK - see YouTube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I6ZRH9Mraqw
Audio produced by Jack Bavage. Podcast released 24 June 2024.
PlanningXChange
In this episode, PlanningxChange travels to Vietnam to speak with Olivier Souquet, French architect and co-founder of DE-SO Asia, a Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City)-based design studio renowned for projects that weave together climate, culture, and poetic sensibility.
Since establishing DE-SO Asia in 2016, Olivier has guided a diverse body of work across Vietnam—from rural schools and urban housing to major civic and cultural landmarks, including the new City Planning Exhibition Center in Ho Chi Minh City. His practice embraces both rigorous environmental awareness and a deep respect for local materials, topography, and traditions.
Olivier discusses his architectural philosophy—shaped by influences such as Édouard Glissant’s call to “act in your place, think with the world”—and the realities of designing in Vietnam’s tropical context, where rain, heat, and humidity shape the rhythm of daily work.
He reflects on building responsibly in a time of ecological change, how poetic gestures sustain creativity, and why uncertainty (“Au Vietnam, rien n’est jamais sûr”) is part of the country’s charm and challenge.
This is a conversation about architecture as adaptation, empathy, and imagination—rooted in place yet globally aware.
Key Topics
* Origins and philosophy of DE-SO Asia
* Practicing architecture across French and Vietnamese cultures
* The Family Garden studio: daily rituals, nature, and community
* Designing the Ho Chi Minh City Planning Exhibition Center
* Balancing civic responsibility with poetic intent
* The evolving discourse: “Is it still moral to build?”
* Advice for young architects and reflections on VietnamDE-DE-SO)’s creative energy
About DE-SO Asia
Founded in 2016 by Olivier Souquet, DE-SO Asia is a Vietnamese architectural and planning firm working at all scales—from regional masterplans to public buildings and landscapes. The firm collaborates with public authorities, private investors, and international partners, and is recognised for its environmentally conscious, site-responsive designs grounded in local knowledge and craftsmanship. 🌐 de-so.asia
Culture Corner/Podcast Extra
Olivier recommends the 1961 French classic film ‘Last Year at Marienbad’ directed by Alain Resnais (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Last_Year_at_Marienbad) and the works of Ridley Scott in particular Blade Runner and Inception and the music of Hans Zimmer www.Hans-zimmer.com. Jess talks of returning to playing the violin; Pete talks of a 2000km road trip travellinbg north through rural Australia and the delights with the countryside, small towns and farming districts. Episode released 5 November 2025.
