Panasonic brings various eco-friendly solutions to Vietbuild 2016 in Hanoi

Energy-efficient home solutions are being showcased at Vietbuild 2016 as Vietnam continues to see rising demand for sustainable designs amid its construction boom.

Vietnam has been able to reshape itself amazingly in the residential development space in the last 25 years. Along with the adoption of international standards, the country has also been undergoing a ‘green revolution’, with a significant focus on designing eco-friendly buildings.

Presently, in Hanoi alone, there are about 1,516 two-to-five-storey residential quarters that date back to between the 1960s and 1980s. Less than one per cent of these buildings were reported to have been upgraded over the past 10 years. This is because households may have to be compensated for giving up their properties for renovation, while businesses operating at the ground level of such buildings sometimes refuse to allow reconstruction citing loss of income.So, the question that arises is what will work best – remodelling or building from scratch?

Renovating residences vs building from scratch

In the past, buildings in Vietnam have been scarcely renovated as they are mostly razed and built again, says Green Consult-Asia director Melissa Merryweather. But given how many buildings are weak structures to begin with and how costly it proves to tear them down and rebuild them, renovating or remodelling is a realistic option that will probably see greater take-up over the next decade, she adds.

Moreover, renovations come in handy because they enable the creation of optimised new spaces that meet one’s growing needs. They cost less because one remodels only those parts of the structure that need attention so that budgets are controlled. Also, one can decide how best to update the features in an existing structure so that it is fully utilised instead of buying a new house and not utilising all the features on offer.

But there is an equal number of advocates for building from scratch. These are best bets if the structure needs a total overhaul or if one is trying to downsize. Whatever the option, the considerations vary from individual to individual and the decision must be taken after careful thought.

Why Hanoi favours renovation

In Hanoi, however, a combination of governmental regulations and the need to make the best use of existing space swing the balance in favour of the renovation of living spaces. Since 2013, there have been specific rules governing the development, construction and management of the city. What is clear is most of the buildings here are ancient and cannot be rebuilt from scratch. In fact, the government has also stipulated that unless entirely uninhabitable, colonial buildings must not be demolished. The only option then is to renovate existing structures.

Diverse eco-solutions for homes at Vietbuild 2016

Given the emphasis on preserving environment quality, easing air pollution and optimising the use of available land, it’s not surprising that Hanoi is hosting Vietbuild 2016. Covering areas such as construction, building materials, real estate, architecture and interior and exterior decoration, the show also features cutting-edge solutions on sustainable building design, construction and operations. The first phase of the Hanoi exhibition will run from 24–28 March 2016.

This annual exhibition is the biggest of its kind within Vietnam’s construction sector. In 2015, the number of participants had exceeded 800 companies from 22 countries worldwide, including South Korea, Japan, Thailand, USA, France and Sweden, occupying 2,340 booths at the venue.

This year, Panasonic will display some of its latest offerings for the Vietnamese residential market. These include an array of stylish yet safe switches and sockets, energy-efficient LED lighting equipment, fans and water pumps along with other fixtures for the living room, kitchen and bedroom. With these unique building solutions, Panasonic hopes to attract homeowners who are seeking out sustainable designs for their living spaces.

However, those who are unable to attend the exhibition can still check out Panasonic’s products at its showrooms in Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi. Both showrooms, which belong to Panasonic’s official distributor Fortune Electric Corporation, showcase lighting equipment products and high-quality electrical equipment while also providing suggestions on lighting design to make rooms look more elegant. By applying the concept of ‘lighting as a symphony’, the idea is to create harmony through various types of lights and also use efficient lighting to highlight the landscape of the house.

Visitors to the showrooms can also avail of lighting design services from the experts present. In addition, a Simulation Room at the showrooms will ensure that visitors experience the actual lighting effects before they place their orders.

Building a new house or renovating an existing one necessitates that homeowners be aware of all the options. With the burgeoning demand for green buildings in Vietnam, it is imperative that interior fixtures and decor be aligned with the core philosophy driving such construction. For a reliable and safe partner, check out Panasonic’s range of eco-friendly home solutions.