On 22 December 2025, the Life Design KABAYA delegation, led by Mr. Tanaka Hideki – Director, paid a visit and held a working session with SAWA at the SAWA Office (28 Thao Dien, Thu Duc City, Ho Chi Minh City), within the framework of GOTO EXHI – the International Mass Timber House in the Forest Exhibition. Welcoming and working with the Life Design KABAYA delegation were Mr. Nguyen Manh Binh San – Vice Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City Wood Construction Association (SAWA), and Prof. Dr. Dang Mau Chien – Former Director of the Institute of Nanotechnology, Vietnam National University Ho Chi Minh City.
During the meeting, Mr. Nguyen Manh Binh San, Vice Chairman of SAWA, shared updates on the GOTO EXHI project, which is currently entering Phase 2, focusing on the selection of contractors and suppliers. Previously, Phase 1 of the project had been completed with four design proposals developed by four reputable architects, along with detailed structural calculations. The structural details will continue to be submitted to partner organizations in New Zealand and the United States for further review, technical feedback, and quality assessment prior to actual implementation.
According to the orientation of the organizing committee, GOTO EXHI is not merely an exhibition showcasing architectural works and mass timber construction technologies, but also a continuous demonstration of the entire project development process. Through this approach, the project aims to create a practical foundation for the development of methods and standards for mass timber construction in Vietnam.
Following this, the two parties engaged in in-depth discussions on potential cooperation in the field of mass timber construction in Vietnam. During the exchange, Life Design KABAYA expressed strong interest in participating in the GOTO EXHI – International Mass Timber House in the Forest Exhibition, particularly in the ONSEN HOUSE component — a 66 m² mass timber house applying Japanese mass timber construction technologies.
In addition to discussions on the GOTO EXHI project, SAWA and Life Design KABAYA also conducted in-depth exchanges on technical issues and standards related to mass timber construction in Vietnam. The discussions focused on clarifying existing challenges, while emphasizing the need to establish a standards system that is appropriate to Vietnam’s climatic conditions, material resources, and domestic legal framework. SAWA highly appreciated Life Design KABAYA’s pioneering efforts in research, development, and gradual contributions to the establishment of mass timber housing standards in Vietnam, considering these efforts as an important foundation for the sustainable development of the wood construction sector.
With many years of experience in the field of materials and technology, Prof. Dr. Dang Mau Chien actively participated in the technical discussions, listening to and contributing professional opinions regarding Life Design KABAYA’s process of developing internal standards in Vietnam. His scientific insights and perspectives are expected to help guide and enhance the quality of future research, cooperation, and development activities in the field of mass timber construction.
The meeting concluded in a spirit of cooperation and mutual trust. SAWA cordially invited Life Design KABAYA to join SAWA as a member, and to participate in professional networking activities, standards development, and the expansion of the mass timber construction ecosystem in Vietnam in the coming period.
