US architecture and urban planning firm JERDE is seeking to build new partnerships in Viet Nam and its neighbouring countries.

James Chew, its director of business development for Southeast Asia, said: “Our goal in Viet Nam is to establish JERDE as one of the premier urban planning and architectural design firms in the country with offices in Ha Noi and HCM City.”

The rising housing demand due to Viet Nam’s booming middle class and rapid urbanisation offer the company great opportunities.

The company’s design principal and shareholder Ken Ho, who recently moved to Singapore from the Los Angeles headquarters, said: “It is exciting to see the physical growth of cities in Asia as rich culture and heritage are interwoven into the design of each project. In each of these cities, it is evident that the placemaking concept is more important now than it ever has been before, as people are looking for more unique experiences in their day to day lives.”

For Casino & Resort Phu Quoc on Phu Quoc Island, the company created a master plan to take advantage of the site’s beautiful natural settings and to maximise long-range and unobstructed views of the sea. It developed one five-star resort, two four-star resorts, a casino, conference facilities, a retail village, and a water park.

Launched in 2018, the project is currently run by local partner Vingroup. — VNS