## 4 Data Collection  
This study focuses on the structural components of VVA, specifically analyzing roofs, columns, and horizontal beams to inform the development of vernacular-inspired conceptual designs. The data were sourced from a comprehensive 11-volume collection [55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65], detailed in Table A1, compiled and published in Vietnamese by the Institute for Conservation of Monuments of Vietnam (IFCM) between 2017 and 2021. The IFCM, a leading authority in archiving, preserving, and researching cultural heritage, has established this collection as an invaluable repository of knowledge on traditional Vietnamese architecture. These volumes maintain the essence of VVA while documenting its historical, cultural, and artistic evolution across different periods.  
The 11-volume collection primarily focuses on traditional Vietnamese wooden architecture. This prevalent style originated in the Northern Delta and extended its influence on other regions, with most recorded structures originating from it. This series is particularly significant given the loss of many ancient Vietnamese architectural works due to natural disasters, warfare, human intervention, and reform programs, serving as both a record of existing structures and a memory of those that have disappeared or been significantly altered, and a range of architectural genres, including communal houses, temples, pagodas, Catholic churches, and folk houses, highlighting the Northern Vietnamese people's unique technical and aesthetic characteristics. It provides detailed insights into construction methods, spatial arrangements, and decorative elements, compiled from archival documents dating from the 1970s to the present. Beyond preservation, the collection is a critical resource for researchers exploring VVA's structural principles, contributing to the conservation and ongoing development of Vietnam's national architectural heritage.  
The structural analysis of the 11-volume collection, as listed in Table A1, documented 105 traditional VVA structures, comprising 265 distinct structural components, forming a comprehensive dataset for this study. Roof structures are systematically cataloged in Table 3. Top Roof structures exhibit 17 unique configurations, followed by Side Roof structures and Veranda Roof structures with 16 and 9 distinct forms, respectively, underscoring the diversity in traditional roof designs. The Column structures within each Truss Set were analyzed, typically featuring either four or six columns: two main load-bearing rows (principal columns), two auxiliary columns (small columns) for load distribution, and, in some cases, two additional Veranda columns to extend the veranda space, enhancing spatial flexibility. This structural focus ensures that the dataset captures the technical essence of VVA, providing a foundation for modeling and design applications.  
Regarding the organizational form of the building floor plans, the study identified five common floor shapes, as shown in Figure 2, with typical bay dimensions ranging from 2.2 m (e.g., Temple [PERSON], Truong Yen Commune, Hoa Lu City, Ninh Binh Province) to 6.4 m (e.g., Plat Diem Cathedral, Plat Diem Town, Kim Son District, Ninh Binh Province). These variations highlight the diversity of spatial configurations in VVA structures, which, combined with the structural analysis of roofs and columns, supports the development of conceptual designs that reflect traditional Vietnamese architecture's technical and cultural dimensions.  
\begin{table}
\begin{tabular}{c c c c c c} \hline \hline