Vũ Mạnh Cường is a Vietnamese architect and co-founder of Maison CL.ou, a Hai Phong-based architecture studio focused on site-specific, functional, and materially sensitive design. Born in 1996, Cường studied architecture and began his professional trajectory early, culminating in the establishment of Maison CL.ou as an official practice in 2020.
Maison CL.ou operates with a methodology that prioritizes functional clarity, climatic response, and an economy of means. Under Cường’s direction, the studio pursues projects that engage with natural ventilation, solar orientation, and material authenticity, seeking to anchor each work in its immediate cultural and environmental context.
Among Maison CL.ou’s recent projects, CyberCore Gaming HP advances the firm’s interest in modular construction, passive thermal strategies, and a reinterpretation of local craft. Designed with a double-layered concrete block wall system and a prefabricated steel frame, the building negotiates gaming culture with architectural tectonics, allowing climate and material to govern spatial experience.
Vũ Mạnh Cường’s work evolves from a foundation of technical and generational influence, notably from his grandfather’s civil engineering background. His architectural approach positions structure, climate, and human ritual as inseparable forces. Through Maison CL.ou, he contributes to the growing discourse around a new generation of Vietnamese architecture that is resilient, contextual, and committed to both environmental and cultural continuity.
What inspires you?
I consider myself a function-oriented architect. I’ve always believed that a well-designed layout inherently leads to an aesthetically pleasing space—furnishings are simply the “jewelry” that enhances what is already beautiful. That’s why engaging with clients is one of my greatest sources of inspiration. Every project becomes a unique signature of its owner; no two are ever the same. This constant variety challenges me to continuously innovate and tailor solutions to each client’s needs.
What inspired you to become an architect?
My grandfather was a civil engineer, and he was my greatest source of inspiration. As the eldest grandchild, I had more opportunities to spend time with him than the others. I was exposed to his technical drawings, observed his working methods, and often accompanied him to visit construction sites. None of my immediate family members work in the construction industry, so I feel honored to be the one carrying on his legacy.
How would you describe your design philosophy?
As I mentioned earlier, functionality is the cornerstone of all my work. I believe a project must function well and harmonize with nature, because nature is inherently beautiful. Let me explain these two ideas more clearly:
• First: Functional clarity. When a building is planned with logical spatial flow and thoughtful connections, such as the inclusion of atriums or the merging of complementary functions, the architecture itself gains aesthetic value. It’s like dressing well: you must first feel good in your own skin before accessories elevate your appearance.
• Second: Responding to nature. Architecture should embrace natural ventilation, sunlight orientation, and wind direction to optimize passive energy strategies. Rather than enclosing ourselves in boxy structures that cut us off from the outside world, we should create architecture that reestablishes our connection with nature.
These principles must always coexist with the client’s needs, site context, budget constraints, and the execution capabilities of the construction team to result in meaningful and enduring architecture.
What is your favorite project?
That would be CyberCore Gaming HP—a project where our firm had the chance to contribute a new perspective on what a more refined and culturally aware e-sports environment could look like. I’m especially grateful to the two investors, Hiệp and Hoàng, who posed a thought-provoking design challenge. Solving their brief led to the CyberCore Gaming HP we have today.
What’s your favorite architectural detail?
The modular concrete block wall system we designed for CyberCore Gaming HP in Hai Phong is one of my favorites. To address the permeability issues typical of concrete blocks, we proposed a double-wall system: two 110mm brick layers separated by an air gap that prevents moisture penetration. This cavity also houses electrical and data cabling, preserving the continuity of the raw surface and avoiding unsightly conduits. It also acts as thermal insulation.
The exterior layer features bricks rotated 45 degrees and staggered, with three primary intentions:
• First, the increased wall thickness provides better protection against rain and moisture intrusion.
• Second, the staggered modules reference a computer keyboard layout—a subtle nod to gaming culture.
• Third, the sun-casting effects on the façade are stunning. The shifting angles and depths create dynamic lighting effects throughout the seasons, turning the elevation into a living element.
Do you have a favorite material?
That would be limewash paint—a natural finish made from slaked lime and marble dust. It imparts a timeless, weathered effect that’s rich in depth and movement, unlike standard paint. It’s environmentally friendly and gains character as it ages.
How do you typically begin a new project?
We start by understanding every aspect of the project. Our first step is meeting with the client to deeply explore their needs, not just in one or two meetings, but continuously throughout the entire design and construction process. The dialogue never stops, and neither does the refinement of the drawings.
Next, we conduct an in-depth analysis of the site and its context—natural light, wind direction, surrounding environment, and so on.
Only after this comprehensive research do we begin conceptualizing ideas.
How do you cultivate your creativity?
By loving the craft. I constantly keep my passion for architecture alive. When you love what you do, you find joy in the work, and when you’re enthusiastic, creativity flows without limit. In this pursuit, I feel I am continuing my grandfather’s legacy and honoring it every step of the way.
What inspired the design of CyberCore Gaming HP?
The initial brief from Hiệp and Hoàng was very specific—they wanted a distinctive façade, approached through the lens of monochromatic materiality, sustainability, locally available resources, and a massing strategy that evoked gaming-related equipment. We asked ourselves: could brick be the answer?
How did materiality shape CyberCore Gaming HP?
CyberCore Gaming HP is anchored in aggregate concrete block entirely, chosen for its durability and local availability. The exterior is clad with these blocks, supported by a prefabricated steel frame that is not only structurally robust but also reusable.
This material aligned perfectly with the project’s core design strategy, allowing for modular, visually stimulating surfaces at a fraction of the cost of traditional masonry. Its visual character matures beautifully over time, lending the façade a richness that only improves with age.
What advice would you give to young architects?
A while back, my friends and I considered launching a podcast centered around a concept we coined: “the loop.” Life is made up of cycles, and as we pass through one, another inevitably begins. Each loop is a new challenge. Our job is to hone our skills continuously so we can navigate through them.
I started as an intern in 2017 and co-founded Maison CL.ou in 2020. There were countless difficulties along the way—challenges I might not have overcome without a deep love for this profession. But now, in 2025, receiving an email from Anton – Architecture Lab was an affirmation that those efforts are beginning to bear fruit.
As someone born in 1996, I still consider myself a young architect. Here are three reflections I’d like to share with peers close to my age:
• First: There’s a saying by Sima Yi: “Using a sword takes a day; sharpening it takes 20 years.” Be diligent in building your knowledge, because you never know when your opportunity will come. Stay committed to your path.
• Second: Find a great mentor. A true mentor can ignite your passion for the profession, instill a sense of respect for the craft, and pass down invaluable wisdom accumulated over generations. I was fortunate to have had one—Master Nguyễn Trường Giang (Department of Architectural History – Hanoi University of Civil Engineering).
• Third: “Regard building a chicken coop as seriously as building a cathedral.” (Frank Lloyd Wright – The Future of Architecture)
We all start small before we can dream big. Treat every project—no matter the size—with the same dedication. Passion and integrity will always lead to meaningful results.
•Four: While you’re still university setting, try to absorb as much knowledge as possible. Even now, after graduation, I still often have to refer back to the textbooks and material from my university days to support my projects.
•Fifth: We are not engineers or construction workers, but we try to spend as much time as possible on construction sites to get familiar with real-life details and construction methods. Although we are doing creative work, everything still needs to be practical and calculated.
