Date 6.11.2024
Location Hong Kong
The 1U1V team project, led by Professor NG, Edward, from School of Architecture has been awarded by the Hong Kong Institute of Architects (HKIA) – “HKIA Medal of the Year outside Hong Kong” and “HKIA Special Award – Sustainable Architecture” for their innovative rammed earth public housing reconstruction project. This initiative aims to rebuild ‘Gongfang (community hall) for villagers in Yunnan’s Dahei New Village, providing safer, more comfortable public spaces that align with the local environment.
Dahei New Village, located in Xiyang Township of Jinning District, Kunming, Yunnan, is surrounded by mountains and primarily inhabited by the Yi ethnic group. The traditional local houses are built using locally sourced materials, characterised by earth construction that keeps the interiors warm in winter and cool in summer. Due to a significant number of young adults migrating for work, many old houses in the village lack necessary maintenance, resulting in dilapidation and urgent need for reconstruction. Since 2018, the team has undertaken a series of renovation projects for aging earth houses in Xiyang Township, developing innovative rammed earth construction techniques that take into account local climate conditions and villagers’ lifestyles. These efforts have earned recognition from both the government and residents.
Practical and Sustainable Design Receives Acclaim from Villagers
“Gongfang (community hall)” serves as a vital venue for hosting weddings, funerals, and festive celebration events and gatherings. The original Gongfang had developed wall cracks due to uneven foundation settlement, rendering it unsafe. Collaborating with the Xiyang Township government, the team utilised new rammed earth construction techniques to rebuild the Gongfang, providing villagers with a safe and comfortable space. The new design preserves the original spatial layout of the village without occupying additional land. The building's layout was refined to align with the villagers' usage patterns, drawing inspiration from the original Gongfang. To improve seismic performance, the team integrated steel columns for structural support. The walls were built using pure rammed earth sourced from the site, without the addition of cement or other chemical stabilizers, ensuring that the materials are recyclable and environmentally friendly. The roof structure employs a bamboo-steel design to meet various requirements, including span, lighting, durability, and aesthetics. The interior spaces are bright and airy, featuring good ventilation and natural lighting, which ensures low energy consumption and carbon emissions. These design principles have been validated through research and multiple construction projects involving earthen homes in Kunming.
Shortly after the project was completed in 2021, the Gongfang hosted a wedding for a couple. Villagers have praised this building, which harmoniously integrates traditional techniques with contemporary design. In subsequent use, the public house has not only served as a venue for gatherings but also taken on roles for meetings, training, and cultural activities. During a follow-up visit last year, the team was pleased to discover that the public house has been well-used and maintained, truly becoming a shared space for community connections and memories.
Local Materials, Local Techniques, Local Craftsmen
The project was constructed by a team of women trained by the research team, along with local villagers. The team has innovated traditional rammed earth techniques using scientific methods, ensuring that the technology is simple to learn and can be quickly grasped by villagers. This science-based approach, combined with the principles of "local materials, local techniques, and local craftsmen," plays a crucial role in promoting sustainable development across environmental, economic, and social dimensions in rural areas, providing a valuable model for local construction.
The University's Role and Life Education
Throughout the construction process, the research team played a vital role. In addition to research and experimentation, the team built solid trust and collaborative relationships with local villagers, government officials, and craftsmen. The project's success lies not only in technological innovation but also in interdisciplinary and cross-regional collaboration and understanding. Based on mutual trust and understanding, the team could coordinate various resources, identify key research and practical issues, and explore innovative solutions. The team's engagement in rural work goes beyond mere knowledge transfer; it represents an infusion of life experiences that are often absent in traditional education. University-led rural projects have provided new educational methods, enriching university education and opening new avenues for architectural education.
CUHK "1U1V" Rural Sustainable Development Support Program
The "1U1V" Rural Sustainable Development Support Program (www.1U1V.org) was initiated and implemented in early 2014 by Professor NG, Edward and Dr. LI, Wan from the School of Architecture at CUHK. The program aims to integrate the expertise and human resources of a university to improve rural environments and livelihoods in a strategic, systematic, and sustainable manner, addressing various aspects such as living conditions, health and public hygiene, educational culture, and economy.
