Charles and Tereza Gallavardin are the founders of T3 Architects and Kanopea Studio, two firms known for their commitment to sustainable and bioclimatic design principles. T3 Architects, headquartered in Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City), specializes in creating environmentally responsible architecture that blends modern aesthetics with respect for local cultures and climates. The firm is recognized for its focus on tropical architecture, integrating bioclimatic principles that prioritize natural ventilation, shading, and sustainable materials.
Kanopea Studio, based in Marseille, France, complements T3’s approach by focusing on eco-friendly design solutions in the European context. Both firms are united by a philosophy of “doing more with less,” emphasizing elegance, durability, and sustainability while minimizing environmental impact. Their projects range from residential and commercial buildings to eco-lodges and urban master plans, with a strong emphasis on heritage preservation, local craftsmanship, and bio-sourced materials.
Charles, an architect with a background in tropical architecture, and Tereza, a sustainability advocate, work together to push the boundaries of eco-conscious architecture, combining form, function, and a deep respect for the environment.
What inspires you?
I am inspired by vernacular architecture from around the world. It serves as a reference for creating contemporary, sustainable designs that are deeply connected to their specific locations. This approach helps avoid the uniformity of the “international style,” which often ignores local climates and cultural contexts. For me, looking to the past offers a smart way to build for the future.
What inspired you to become an architect?
Heritage preservation. Seeing buildings that have endured for decades or even centuries fascinates me because it proves they are well-designed and well-built. For me, heritage preservation and contemporary architecture are not opposites—they should engage in a dialogue to create vibrant, livable cities.
How would you describe your design philosophy?
The design philosophy at Kanopea Architecture Studio and T3 Architects is best described as “do more with less.” We aim for elegance, quality, durability, and environmental respect while minimizing energy use, carbon emissions, and over-reliance on technology. Bioclimatic principles guide our designs to ensure they are climate-responsive and comfortable. For us, a good project integrates beauty, functionality, and sustainability frugally, using bio-sourced materials and local craftsmanship.
What is your favorite project and why?
One of my favorite projects is The Cocoa Project. It’s a sustainable renovation of a 1950s modernist tropical villa in Saigon. The Cocoa Project Café highlights the value of renovation, which is often more sustainable than constructing new “green buildings.” Additionally, I’m proud of projects that use innovative materials like rice husk insulation, which we’ve implemented in several projects to promote low-carbon construction in tropical climates.
What is your favorite architectural detail?
A detail I particularly enjoy is the double-ventilated façade, which is highly effective in tropical regions like Southeast Asia. It offers aesthetic flexibility while significantly improving energy efficiency. For instance, the double-ventilated bamboo façade we designed for the Dreamplex Flexi Office building helped the client save more than $10,000 annually in energy costs by reducing the need for air conditioning.
Do you have a favorite material?
My favorite material is timber. It’s a low-carbon, highly durable material that also offers great structural performance, especially in seismic areas. Currently, we are working on a timber villa in Aix-en-Provence, where the material’s lightness and flexibility are key. Timber construction is precise, efficient, and clean, and it allows for innovative, sustainable architectural solutions.
What is your process for starting a new project?
Our process for starting a new project always begins with aligning the design brief with the client’s vision. We then conduct a comprehensive site analysis—looking at sun orientation, views, wind patterns, and local materials—to ensure that our design integrates perfectly with its surroundings and is uniquely suited to the site.
How do you balance function and creativity in your designs?
When balancing function and creativity, we prioritize functionality first, working on 2D layouts. Once the layouts are finalized, we introduce creative elements through 3D modeling and material choices. We view buildings not as art objects but as human-centered structures, where beauty serves the function.
How does the environment influence your work?
The environment directly shapes all of our projects—views, vegetation, local materials, and climate inform the design from the ground up. Each site is unique, and our goal is always to create designs that are a natural extension of their surroundings.
How do you collaborate with clients to achieve their vision?
We encourage our clients to clearly define their vision, and then we aim to push it a step further toward sustainability, frugality, and high-quality use. While private clients may not always understand these elements at the design stage, they are typically very satisfied with the final result, and many recommend us to others, which is the best marketing we could ask for.
What inspired the design of the Sustainable Weekend Villa?
After meeting with the client and analyzing the site, our main goal was to design a villa completely integrated with its tropical garden surroundings. We implemented bioclimatic principles like cross-ventilation to eliminate the need for air conditioning—a rarity in luxury villas in Southeast Asia. The design encourages a connection to nature, creating a peaceful escape from urban life.
How did materiality shape the design of the Sustainable Weekend Villa?
We opted for a prefabricated steel structure to reduce transportation impact and insulated the roof with 25 cm of rice husk, lowering the internal temperature by 5°C without air conditioning. The choice of local materials, appropriate overhangs for sun protection, and the use of bio-sourced materials ensure the villa will remain sustainable and low-maintenance for years to come.
What advice would you give to young architects?
Choose your first clients carefully, as your early projects will define your approach and philosophy. Be curious, and always remember that architecture is about building for people. Avoid imposing designs that prioritize aesthetics over functionality, and focus on creating timeless, sustainable spaces that will serve future generations.
