‘Hiêu Quật’, also known as the ‘Quật’ house (in Sedang language, ‘hiêu’ means house, and ‘quật’ means a place of worship within the house), is a communal gathering place for the entire village, serving as the heart of cultural and spiritual life and embodying the unique identity and sacred beliefs of the Sedang ethnic community.

Initiated in 2019, ‘Hiêu Quật’ project is a crucial component of the Happy Village project undertaken by the Song Foundation in Nam Trà My District, Quảng Nam Province. Architects from Sống have conducted extensive research on the Sedang culture to revive and preserve the fading Quật houses. Concurrently, the project has supported villagers in relocating to the Lâng Loan resettlement area, a safer location, to gradually build stable and sustainable lives amidst the challenges of climate change.

In this discussion, the guests will share about the origins of the Lâng Loan resettlement project within the Happy Village program and the urgent need to preserve and promote the cultural identity of ethnic minority communities in maintaining and restoring sustainable communities; the design and construction process and the close cooperation between the government, Song Foundation, and local people; as well as the spread and role of the Quật house in the lives of the Sedang people in Lâng Loan after completion. The discussion will also address the development of the restoration of Quật houses and other Rông houses, the adaptation in the use of traditional building materials, and safety mechanisms in the face of climate change and environmental changes. Issues that need attention in the context of changes in the local community structure due to the impact of economic development, integration, and technological development will also be discussed.

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The event is co-organized by the Song Foundation and APD – Center for Art Patronage and Development.