“In 2002, 3D Graphic design was not yet popular in Vietnam. TTT was one of the first to use it in our designing tasks”- continued Mr Tâm. “The exhibition’s outcomes were excellent, because it could trigger a new trend to use ICT for architectural design. Soon after that, expertise of the architects, graphic designers and a selected group of special-purpose users has been upgraded remarkably.” At the same time, TTT published the book on “Architectural space in Virtual Reality”, primarily a selection of successful projects implemented by TTT during the past ten years. The book was highly welcome and appreciated by colleague architects, architectural and industrial art students. Architect Nguyễn Trường Lưu from the HCMC Architect Association wrote: “The book on ‘Architectural space in Virtual Reality’ was a statement about the endeavor and competencies of architects in their creativity of their own architectural space or for others. The book was unique as well as it was impressive. With the support of ICT, one will find that the virtual world of architectural space can be rendered as if they were real products in real life”.

Since then the expertise of TTT pool of architects has been greatly upgraded. This is thanks to both external and internal factors. Externally, computer hardware and softwares have become great support because of constant developments. Before, it took so much time for a computer to run and retrieve a file of perspective drawing. Nowadays, not only such task can be done immediately, one can also view other alternatives very easily. Softwares for designing also provide more useful functions. For instance, when we want to select a type of lamp, we only have to feed the specifications of such type into the software, it will present for us how such lamp will fit in the whole lighting system of an architectural design with real light. Internally, it is the TTT architects who created a “soul” for the architectural perspectives, and mastered in the processing of light, material and furniture in their design works, to ensure optimal aesthetic quality once the actual project has been implemented.

To the spirit of the works…

In 2007, TTT marks another milestone: their 15th anniversary, by conducting an exhibition like they did 5 years ago, only with much more effort and higher quality. At the same time, a second collection book will be also published: “Architectural space in Virtual reality II”. For both events, TTT wishes toshare their experience in 3D graphic design with colleagues and students. Mr Tâm said: “ The edition and preparation for this collection (supported by Văn Hóa Sàigòn publishing house, and Lê Quang Lộc printing house, with 3.000 copies) took so much more time compared with the first collection”.

“The challenge started with the selection of projects. From 1.500 project designs that TTT has conducted, we had to ensure that the collection represent a large variety of styles, genres, and avoid repetitions. This time, we went beyond office interior design. The co-editors tried to introduce in this book many exotic flavors in designing: Solemnity in the very hub of the city like Opera View, unexplored beach of Allezboo resort, romantic like Ngọc Lan Đà Lạt hotel, magnificent like Thương Tín building, and sometimes, tiny, cute project such as Saigon Net Café…. This collection was put together with the only criterion “there must be something interesting in this design work” to share with friends and colleagues.”

In the book “Architectural space in Virtual reality”. TTT seems to be intrigued with the “twin” approach: one virtual, one real putting in juxtaposition so that readers will find it difficult to distinguish between the twins. In this book, TTT seems to use a contrast approach by affecting virtual details on photograph-like architectural drawings, as if declaring that “we are virtual!”. “The boundaries between virtual and real may be removed, but what we would like to remain there is the spirit, or the soul of the works”, said Mr Tâm. Mr Tâm also shared that, TTT regarded the book “Architectural space in Virtual reality” as their appreciation to customers and friends for their support to TTT throughout the past 15 years.