Page 12 - Building Journal - November 2017

PROJECT NEWS

Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) construction cost of the new earth house
has been awarded the World Building of the was 600 RMB/sq m, 40% less than the cost
Year 2017 at the World Architecture Festival of brick-concrete buildings in the village
(WAF) the Oscars of architecture. (1,000-1,500 RMB/sq m). The house is
This is the first time an architecture team affordable and sturdy, as it stood undamaged
in Hong Kong has won this prestigious when two subsequent earthquakes hit.
award. The prototype house constructed WAF judges applauded the re-use of
for an aged couple in Yunnan demonstrates traditional material and construction methods
how traditional methods can be improved but with the addition of new technology
to provide villagers safe, affordable, combining ancient wisdom with modern
comfortable, and sustainable homes. It also know-how. They were also impressed by the
shows that architecture can be enjoyed by iterative research process which could be re-
the poor as much as the rich. applied to anywhere in the world affected by
The house in Guangming Village claimed seismic problems and low levels of wealth.
the title of World Building of the Year, and This building is a demonstration that
was described as extraordinary by WAF architecture is just as relevant in the poorest
judges for addressing profound problems of communities as it is in the richest, said
ordinary people face. It was built in response Mr. Paul Finch, WAF Programme Director.
to the Ludian earthquake in 2014, which left The 2017 World Architecture Festival was
617 people dead and thousands homeless. hosted in Berlin, Germany. It received 924
Employing an innovative rammed-earth entries from 68 countries around the world.
construction technique, the prototype house The submitted projects ranged from family
has not only provided a safe and comfortable homes to schools, stations, museums, large
home for the aged couple, but also rebuilt infrastructure and landscape projects. Of the
the confidence of the villagers in traditional entries, 434 were shortlisted and nominated
rammed-earth buildings. to present at the Arena in Berlin. The three-
The project was led by Prof. Edward Ng, day festival attracted over 2,000 architects
Yao Ling Sun Professor of Architecture, Dr from across the globe.
Li Wan, and PhD student Xinan Chi at the CUHK's anti-seismic earth house won
School of Architecture, CUHK, and carried the Old & New category Award to become
out in collaboration with Dr Emily So of the one of the 18 finalists. On the last day of the
University of Cambridge and Prof Wenfeng festival, the grand-jury (Super Jury) awarded
Bai of the Kunming University of Science and the 1U1V team the WAF World Building of
Technology. The team conducted a research the Year Award.
on the shortfalls of traditional rammed-earth The project has also previously won the
buildings to formulate a new rammed-earth Architectural Review (AR) House Awards
system. After repeated tests, they completed 2017 for its deep understanding of local
a 148 sq m, two-storey, new, rammed-earth society and cost-effective construction
house in four months, using local material template for the community.
and with the help of local workers. The Website: www.1U1V.org

CUHK Team wins the award Mr James TIMBERLAKE, super The CUHK team builds a prototype The semi-outdoor atrium
of World Architecture Festival jury of the WAF (left) presents house for an aged couple with innovative provides comfortable and
Building of the Year 2017. the award of the 'New & Old' rammed-earth building system artistic living environment
(From left) Mr. Xinan CHI, Prof category to Prof Edward NG for the aged couple
Edward NG and Dr Li WAN

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