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
* 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 play the violin; Pete talks of a 4000km round road trip travelling through rural Australia and the delights of the countryside, small towns and farming districts. PX is proud to be a contributor to the Urban Broadcast Collective. Episode released 5 November 2025.
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with no modification, redirects, or rehosting. The podcast is not affiliated with or endorsed by Podjoint in any way.
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
* 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 play the violin; Pete talks of a 4000km round road trip travelling through rural Australia and the delights of the countryside, small towns and farming districts. PX is proud to be a contributor to the Urban Broadcast Collective. Episode released 5 November 2025.
180. Emergent Tokyo: Designing the Spontaneous City (author Jorge Almazan)_PX
Urban Broadcast Collective
58 minutes 8 seconds
9 months ago
180. Emergent Tokyo: Designing the Spontaneous City (author Jorge Almazan)_PX
In PX128 our guest is architect and author Jorge Almazan. Jorge is a Tokyo-based architect and associate professor at Keio University. He holds a degree in architecture from the Polytechnic University of Madrid and a PhD from the Tokyo Institute of Technology. His practice focuses on ecologically responsible and socially inclusive design, ranging from urban to interior projects. His built work has earned significant recognition in Japan, including the Ota City Urban Landscape First Prize (2019) and selections by the Japan Institute of Architects (2018, 2022) and the Architectural Institute of Japan (2023). Almazán's research on Tokyo has been published in numerous academic journals, and his book, Emergent Tokyo: Designing the Spontaneous City (Oro Editions, 2021), was a finalist for the 2023 Pattis Family Foundation Global Cities Book Award.
‘Emergent Tokyo: Designing the Spontaneous City’ was mentioned in a recent article in the Wall Street Journal about visiting Tokyo on a budget, using the book as a guide
https://www.wsj.com/lifestyle/travel/how-far-does-1-000-take-you-on-a-trip-to-tokyo-we-found-out-dd76a5af?st=TeyNL7&reflink=article_copyURL_share
In podcast extra / culture corner, Jorge recommends two Netflix programs that feature Tokyo. These are ‘Midnight Diner’ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Midnight_Diner_(Japanese_TV_series) and ’Tokyo Swindlers’ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tokyo_Swindlers.
Jess recommends getting back into tennis as she returns to the court. Pete recommends the ‘New Books’ podcast series https://newbooksnetwork.com.
PX is proud to be a contributor to the UBC. Episode PX128 was released on 3 March 2025.
Urban Broadcast Collective
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
* 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 play the violin; Pete talks of a 4000km round road trip travelling through rural Australia and the delights of the countryside, small towns and farming districts. PX is proud to be a contributor to the Urban Broadcast Collective. Episode released 5 November 2025.
