post-earthquake prototype house crowned world building of the year 2017

following the devastating ludian earthquake in 2014, most of the local buildings in guangming, china were destroyed. as a solution, world architecture festival winner the chinese university of hong kong has reinvented traditional building technologies, providing villagers with a safe, economical, comfortable, and sustainable reconstruction strategy that villagers could afford, own, and pass on to their children. a prototype house was built for an aged couple to validate the technology and building performance of the new system. 

the walls of the home are built of local materials, such as clay, sand, and grass

awarded the world building of the year 2017 at the tenth annual world architecture festival held in berlin, the judges believed this to be an extraordinary project in terms of the scope of ambition, exemplified in the addressing of profound problems facing ordinary people. they applauded the re-use of traditional material and construction methods but with the addition of new technology — combining ancient wisdom with modern know-how.

the project provides villagers with a safe, economical, comfortable, and sustainable reconstruction strategy

‘the architects succeeded in translating ‘four walls and a roof’ into something which, through architectural commitment, becomes a project that is much more profound,’ WAF programme director paul finch commented. ‘this building is a demonstration that architecture is just as relevant in the poorest of communities as it is in the richest.’

double-glazed windows and an insulated roof improve thermal performance

the post-earthquake house combines ancient wisdom with modern know-how

steel bars and concrete belts are embedded into the walls for structural integrity