The Winners!
RETREAT CENTER DESIGN COMPETITION
First Prize Winners
Wen Jian, Liu Yue & Wang Yue
China
Wen Jian
I'm a junior at South China University of Technology in China, now studying architecture.
Liu Yue
I am a junior student studying at the School of Architecture, South China University of Technology.
Wang Yue
My name is WangYue, studying the final year of the 5-year architectural design program in Tianjin University, China. I always believe that I am a person with strong curiosity and desire for exploration, and I care about the experience of personal growth and enjoy the fun brought by professional development. Therefore, I hope to get involved in all fields that I have never tried before——from narrative expression of architecture, to urban renewal and landscape planning, to parametric construction and modular construction; my exploration in each stage is a reflection of sticking to myself and constantly exploring my potential.
What is your design philosophy?
Wen Jian
The tides are one of nature's greatest forces. The Bay of Fundy in Canada has the highest tidal range in the world. Tidal forces cause the space of the beach to cycle over time. It is a place of extraordinary mystery and interest. A building will respond to the tides to create a unique architectural space.
Through a corridor connecting the buildings on the beach with those on the sea, it is a pilgrimage of art. Sometimes the sea gets so full that people can't walk. Sometimes the sea recedes and people pass freely.
It's like the journey of self-discovery --sometimes within reach.
With the passage of time, the size range of architectural space will become larger and smaller over time. As the waves recede, the mainbody of the building will be revealed, and the study space will be maximized. People can feel the water and the space surrounded by the building up close. With the passage of time, the waves rise slowly, over the steps, over the floors, flooded the building, the building space is gradually compressed, gradually smaller, become an island in the sea.
This is a solitary building on the sea. It's a building that has a lot to do with water. Architecture is not determined by man, but by nature. In the cycle of waves, people will get the ultimate sublimation, feel the greatness and power of the sea more deeply, and feel the insignificance of human beings, the inner fickleness will be eliminated, and finally people will be calm.
Liu Yue
The tides are one of nature's greatest forces. The Bay of Fundy in Canada has the highest tidal range in the world. Tidal forces cause the space of the beach to cycle over time. It is a place of extraordinary mystery and interest. A building will respond to the tides to create a unique architectural space.
Through a corridor connecting the buildings on the beach with those on the sea, it is a pilgrimage of art. Sometimes the sea gets so full that people can't walk. Sometimes the sea recedes and people pass freely.
It's like the journey of self-discovery --sometimes within reach.
With the passage of time, the size range of architectural space will become larger and smaller over time. As the waves recede, the mainbody of the building will be revealed, and the study space will be maximized. People can feel the water and the space surrounded by the building up close. With the passage of time, the waves rise slowly, over the steps, over the floors, flooded the building, the building space is gradually compressed, gradually smaller, become an island in the sea.
This is a solitary building on the sea. It's a building that has a lot to do with water. Architecture is not determined by man, but by nature. In the cycle of waves, people will get the ultimate sublimation, feel the greatness and power of the sea more deeply, and feel the insignificance of human beings, the inner fickleness will be eliminated, and finally people will be calm.
Wang Yue
I often take emotion as a starting point or objective reality to think about the concept of architectural design. I think this kind of non-concrete emotion synthesizes different cultures and aesthetics and is difficult to be simply visualized and formalized, but it can guide my formal language to operate logic by guiding people's experience and perception.
The meditator, in solitude with himself, is infinitely close to the pilgrim’s soul; A loner, on the road to truth, establishes a relationship with the sea that belongs only for him.
Can you briefly explain your understanding of the topic and the source of ideas?
Wen Jian
This competition asked us to make a building that is connected with nature. We found that most of the previous buildings used architecture as a medium to interact with nature. But we hope to create a space where the architecture itself interacts with nature. Therefore, we extracted the concept of tide water and created different architectural spaces through the interaction between tide water and buildings.
Liu Yue
When it comes to what brings peace of mind, I naturally think of the night I went to the beach for the first time. As someone who grew up in an inland city, when I first felt the power of the sea, my emotions were filled with awe and peace. At that moment, I felt the eternal connection between nature and human beings. I hope to reproduce this connection in our buildings.
Wang Yue
First of all, I'm interested in healing. It's not about religion or worship, but about meditation in a broader sense. By chance, we saw the amazing scene of the tide rising and falling in the Bay of Fundy in Canada in a single day. We couldn't help asking ourselves whether the intervention of the architectural space with the power of nature could achieve the function of purifying the mind.
So we started to study the relationship between the moon phase and the tide, and the change of the height of the building space when the tide rises and falls. Then came the design concept -- we wanted the size of the building to grow and shrink over time, so that the retreat could feel up close the cycle of the waves and the great power of the sea. Buildings are small, people are small, and the feeling of being "dominated" pervades the meditator's day, and all emotions are determined by nature.
When and how you were first introduced to architecture?
Wen Jian
When I visited the Shanghai World Expo in China in 2008, I felt the charm of architecture.
Liu Yue
When I visited the Forbidden City in Beijing at the age of fifteen, I felt the grand power of architecture. That's when I started to focus on this unique realm that concerns people and the world.
Wang Yue
I got to know architecture for the first time probably in 2008, when I was lucky enough to go to Beijing to learn about Koolhaas's new work -- CCTV tower. At that time, I did not learn any theory of architectural design, nor did I know the whole industry, but I was deeply attracted by the relationship between function and form and structural aesthetics of this building, which opened the door of architecture for me.
In the subsequent growth, I gradually came into contact with architectural theories and different design techniques, but I always believe that concepts should be expressed by complete narrative logic and stories, rather than just fancy containers or aesthetic paranoia.
What does architecture mean to you?
Wen Jian
Architecture to me is a way of shaping space, a way for architects to express their vision.
Liu Yue
Architecture is a tiny window for me to understand this magnificent world, and it is also my way of expressing my vision of the world.
Wang Yue
For me, architecture is a vehicle of experience and sense. I, a future architect, also have deliberated on the meaning of architecture like whether it would cause people’s deep emotional reflection, resonance, and imagination and how we feel the space and generate various imaginations.
At the same time, I hope to establish the emotional connection between people and space on this basis, seek a balance between architecture and social humanistic care, and pay attention to the social value brought by architecture.
Second Prize Winners
Dinky Purohit, Karan Patel & Priyank Patel
India
Name: Dinky Purohit, Karan Patel, Priyank Patel
Team: Rigour Design Studio
Dinky Purohit: I am an Architect. I have completed my B.Arch, M.Arch (Landscape Architecture) from G.C.P.I.A., V.N.S.G.U., Surat.
A strong believer in the ability of Architecture and research combined with design thinking for strengthening our societies and having a positive effect.
Karan Patel: I am an Architect from Surat, Gujarat. I have completed my B.Arch, M.Arch (Landscape Architecture) from G.C.P.I.A., V.N.S.G.U.
Architecture is my Affection. The Architectural approach to the work I create is very much simplistic but also function inspired. I love what I do, and adore the creative process; it is addictive and can give never ending possibilities.
Priyank Patel: I am an architecture student. I am currently in my final year of B.Arch from M.S. University, Baroda
Designing has always been my favourite, whether that's designing products, logos or artwork for a specific project. I thoroughly enjoy doing so. I adore working with both traditional (pen, ink) along with incorporating the digital medium.
What is your design philosophy?
The initial thought was to design a building in such a way that it blends with the surrounding topography like a hidden shelter from busy day to day life and at the same time stands out as a unique architectural landmark.
Can you briefly explain your understanding of the topic and the source of ideas?
A retreat centre was thought as a place where one can escape from everyday life and thoughtfully contemplate. A place that focuses on connecting man with the realm of nature and a shelter that is intimate to body and soul. The idea was to create a centre that is organic in nature that would resemble caves which were the primeval home of man.
When and how you were first introduced to architecture?
Dinky Purohit:I was always intrigued by historic buildings and how they were created and why were they different from present buildings. I was always keen about buildings and wanted to learn further about it in detail and that’s how I came across this field.
What does architecture mean to you?
Much more than designing buildings or whole communities, I think architects have a greater task. As an architect we uniquely positioned to improve life on numerous levels for professional clients, cities and private individuals.
Third Prize Winners
Shin Thant Htet, Hsu Yin Htway & Nay Win Aung
Myanmar
Shin Thant Htet
Completed her Bachelor of Architecture Degree from Thanlyin Technological University, Myanmar. Shin is seeking new adventures in the architectural field to improve her skills at international level. She has a great interest in urban and placemaking works through community collaboration.
Hsu Yin Htway
Hsu is a 27 years old practicing architect, currently living in Myanmar. Hsu has a Bachelor of Architecture from Technological University (Hmawbi). Hsu is currently working as a Junior Architect at an architectural firm in Myanmar with three years’ experience ever since she graduated. Hsu believes that a result driven and hard worker, with a hunger to learn and succeed in work, provides strong motivation.
Nay Win Aung
Nay Win is studying architecture at Mandalay Technological University, Myanmar.Actively participating in architecture workshops and competitions. Greatly interested in sustainable design and simple, clean and organic concepts.
What is your design philosophy?
Shin Thant Htet
In my philosophy, architecture is more than just a solid material and not just theory-based design. Nature and the environment have an influence on me when I’m doing design work. When I say the environment, it also includes the connection between the people and the environment, and their stories behind it. Based on that, I create designs in the most simplistic way with our emotional senses and the way our body responds to nature such as sounds, smell, and the color of material. Every building is made for a specific use in a specific place for a specific society. I would be proud of my design which can support the community needs, with its own peace, convenient and meaningful thoughts.
Hsu Yin Htway
My basic design idea is “Form ever follows function “. It’s a principle that proposes a building's purpose should be the starting point for its design rather than its aesthetics. I believe that recognizing the need is the primary condition for design.
Nay Win Aung
I believe a good design can bring comprehensive and innovative solutions to the given challenges which also respect the context and culture of the community.
Can you briefly explain your understanding of the topic and the source of ideas?
Shin Thant Htet
Nature heals us. When we talk about healing architecture and the creation of retreat centers, we should think about the connection between the people and the natural environment. My team and I tried to understand the healing through nature and architecture before we developed our design ideas. We all have the similar goal from the beginning, and focused on creating a healing space for the people in our country who are oppressed by the dictatorship. After getting through these difficult days, we have decided to donate this design to our real people selected government, to represent each and every one who tortured and traumatized because of the war and the coup.
The traumatic experiences our people suffered everyday innovated us to express ourselves in our design. We focus on the victims of military violence to speak up about their mental health and struggles. Healing is long-term planning with a specific destination. As we mentioned in our design summary, we designed with five senses of healing together using local elements to become the physical and emotional support.
The existing water body, the forest, the green spaces, and the mountains are becoming the main actors of our design focused on “Environmentally Friendly '' approach. According to our site nature, we tried to use geometrical shapes, and the simplest forms within the green environment.
Hsu Yin Htway
I understand the Retreat Centre as a quiet or secluded place where people may stay for a period devoted to prayer, study, or relaxation. Retreat Centre competition intends to understand spaces of the built environment and its effect on human mind and behaviour. This kind of Architecture fosters various levels of controlled interaction between people and space. This healing space is built to express the power of people coming back to alive after being oppressed and tortured by the military over six decades.
Nay Win Aung
To my understanding, retreat centre would be a space that facilitates mindful conversation but also accommodates self-reflection and relaxation. It would be a place to take a break from the stressful cycle of day to day life. While choosing the site location, we wanted this project to take place where the concept of healing the mind is not well explored yet and where people who really need it would benefit most from this kind of facility. As part of the concept, we came up with the idea to create a collection of spaces that have a strong connection to nature and context of the site. Then, we explored locally available materials and local-familiar building techniques and forms to create an unimposing but welcoming atmosphere.
When and how were you first introduced to architecture?
Shin Thant Htet
When I was young, I went to the Bagan Heritage Site with my family. Bagan is an ancient city of Myanmar with over three thousand ancient monuments and pagodas. I remembered walking around Ananda Temple which is vaulted and high with narrow corridors, detailed mural paintings and walkways. Architects in that era did those masterpiece works with incredible use of natural light and ventilation. I admired that, but I didn’t understand what it really was at that age. When I finished high school, I was encouraged by my father to study architecture and I also believed in myself that this is where I belonged. I have found my passion for this career since Day 1.
Hsu Yin Htway
After passing matriculation, I chose to attend architecture. Because my dream is to create good living spaces, buildings and environments for everyone. Especially, I want to give a nice building for my family with my own design idea.
Nay Win Aung
I have always liked the style of vintage houses and colonial buildings as a kid. They gave off a vibe very different from the newer buildings around us. After high school, I joined architecture school pursuing the childhood dream of designing homes but I’ve learned that it’s so much more than that.
What does architecture mean to you?
Shin Thant Htet
In my opinion, architecture is more than just a spatial creation or a form. A piece of architecture can be considered as the body that can touch us to our hearts with behind-the-scenes stories. For me, architects are the people who have the power to give the voice via building designs. To create a good architecture design, it requires a passionate effort and strong commitment to solve all the problems in design. It’s not easy but the result is always amazing. I love every single step of the design process. I want to sketch design concepts from different points of views. The more I practice the concepts, the stronger I know how to create a good design. Architecture is becoming a part of my life now.
Hsu Yin Htway
Architecture means to me is the art, science and profession of planning, designing and supervising the construction of buildings, landscapes, communities and furnishings in our environment in accordance with the principles of utility, strength and aesthetics.
Nay Win Aung
Architecture is a very powerful language that can be used to express the ideas and values in the form of built environment. It is my greatest passion and I love the challenging but fulfilling nature of the profession as well.
Special mention
Honorable mention
Vardhan Arora
Vardhan Arora
India
