Several architects have voiced concerns over the renovation of the Hanoi Children's Palace, saying that the renovation might change original design which has historical and cultural value.
Hanoi Children's Palace
Hanoi Youth Union asked for permit to renovate the palace in 2009 after there were problems with the building’s electrics and the roof needed repairing. Hanoi People's Committee approved of a USD2 million plan to restore the building in 2012 and construction work started in mid-November this year.
Le Van Lan, deputy president of Hanoi Association of Architects, said he saw the new design and feared that 60 percent of the palace would be changed completely. According to Lan, there were a lot of unnecessary changes.
"Locals and foreign tourists appreciate the place not for its flashy appearance but for its historical and cultural values," he said.
Construction started in November
Architect Pham Thanh Tung, head of Vietnam Association of Architects' Office, agreed and said the palace should be repaired and upgraded but its architecture must not be changed.
Hanoi Children's Palace was designed by Le Van Lan in 1974 and put into operation in 1976. Tung said, in the past, the land was playground for rich kids and after the palace was built, it was opened to children from all classes. Since then, the palace has shaped generations of talented artists. He went on to say that the palace's architecture had significant meaning during that time, showing a more modern design than the typical colonial or East Asian styles.
A representative of Hanoi Youth Union said they had a meeting with Le Van Lan but had refused to show the plans to him. They claimed they would have to go back to the authorities if changes are made to the designs, implying they were reluctant to do so. They gave a nominal promise to respect the original design, and claimed that despite the concerns over the substantial changes architects had expressed concerns about, Hanoi People's Committee had claimed to want to preserve the building's original features.
