Media Student Architecture & Design Award 2018
Second Award | Category: Cultural
Architect: Tzu-Jung Huang
Team Members: Chai-Wei Chang, Mu-Hwai liou
Team Members: Chai-Wei Chang, Mu-Hwai liou
Country: Taiwan
The project mainly tackles water-related issues and explores
the ideal prototype of an egalitarian community centre which serves for all
people. By introducing the fog catcher technique, it proposes to create a
multifunctional gathering place for casual interaction, knowledge sharing, rites
and so on.
Situated in the absolutely picturesque landscape, the site
is also enriched by the diversity of cultures and religions, endowed with
supremely natural power. However, the topography, the growing population, and
the lack of infrastructure result in water scarcity that needs to be addressed
through architectural intervention. Water has been seen as a sacred component
in Nepal in terms of religious activities and everyday life. Thus, the proposal
focuses on transforming conventional community centre into “pilgrimage of
everyday life”. The centre draws on locally sourced, sustainable materials but
seeks to use them in innovative ways, thereby allowing the villagers to
preserve their traditions and harvesting water with a sense of proud and
dignity. Taking inspiration of Nepalese daily outfit, Doko, the bamboo
structures are interwoven with meshes to a religiously and locally significant
typology, representing and encouraging the villagers to be engaged with the
construction of this iconic centre- one they can appreciate and take pride in.
Formed from waxed linen held in bamboo structures above
ground floor, the fog catchers allow humid air to pass through then condense it
into droplets which are transported down the funnel and then the well.
Furthermore, the system is capable of generating over 1300 litres of water per
day, tremendously ameliorating the inefficiency of water collection, as well as
creating ever-changing landscape formed by the glistening, translucent waxed
linen. Also, the spiral structure amplifies the abundance of religious and
natural power in this area, providing a place beneath it for people to worship
the blue sky and celebrate the harvest of water. The plaza space can be highly
flexible, used for meeting, food preparation, mediation and festive activities
and so forth. The stone floor radiates out from the well with a series of
bamboo columns, reinforcing the notion of community, enhancing the transition
from sacredness to openness and re-integrating the stunning surroundings. The façade
and exterior platforms are adorned and draped with the locals’ goods and food
aroma. Thus, going to the community centre becomes a delightful and spiritual journey
which one can experience personal and social transformation and celebrate the
importance of local traditions, communal gatherings and Mother Earth.
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