The Chinese University of Hong Kong\u2019s (CUHK) School of Architecture has demonstrated its excellence in the field of architecture, with faculty members and alumni receiving four annual awards presented by the Hong Kong Institute of Architects (HKIA). Among these, the \u201cOne University One Village\u201d (1U1V) team was honoured with the \u201cHKIA Medal of the Year outside Hong Kong\u201d and \u201cHKIA Special Award \u2013 Sustainable Architecture\u201d; in addition, two alumni were awarded the \u201cHKIA Student Medal 2023\u201d and \u201cHKIA Young Architect Award 2023\u201d respectively. These awards not only highlight the remarkable achievements of CUHK\u2019s School of Architecture in both academic and practical realms, but also underscore the School\u2019s commitment to contributing through innovative designs and knowledge transfer, ultimately enhancing the quality of life in local communities.<\/p>\r\n
1U1V Project: Driving sustainable development in rural areas<\/strong><\/p>\r\n The 1U1V team project, led by Professor Edward Ng Yan-yung, Yao Ling Sun Professor of Architecture at CUHK, adopted a \u201clocal technology, local materials, local labour\u201d approach. The project was implemented in Dahei New Village, in a mountainous area of southwest China, where the Gongfang (community hall) serves as a vital venue for hosting various events and gatherings. The original Gongfang had deteriorated over time, becoming structurally unsafe. In response, the team came up with innovative rammed earth construction techniques, utilising local resources and training the villagers themselves to become skilled craftmen. This rebuilt the Gongfang into a safer and more comfortable space for the villagers.<\/p>\r\n This approach is crucial for enhancing the environmental, social and economic sustainability of rural areas. The HKIA judges commended the project\u2019s rare feat of being sustainable in the fullest sense, socially, economically and environmentally, and it demonstrated that architecture can truly mitigate its impact on the environment without much ado, while reinforcing cultural values in the process.<\/p>\r\n Two alumni showcased the essence of future architects<\/strong><\/p>\r\n Besides, two alumni of the School of Architecture were recognised for their individual achievements. Mr Ivan Chi Ho-man, a 2024 graduate of Master of Architecture, was awarded the \u201cHKIA Student Medal 2023\u201d for his thesis titled \u201cFragmentation of Light\u201d, exploring material, model-making and sketch representation, with his architectural concept inspired by deconstructivism. He embodied the idea of fragmentation and reconstruction, fostering critical thinking and intellectual curiosity.<\/p>\r\n Mr Owen Lam Ho-wang, a 2018 graduate of Master of Architecture was honoured with the \u201cHKIA Young Architect Award 2023\u201d. He is the third CUHK alumnus to win this award in the past four years. Mr Lam\u2019s design proposal addressed Hong Kong\u2019s \u201cdouble ageing\u201d issue, that is aging population and aging urban fabric environment, through pragmatic, innovative interventions for both elderly people and the built environment. The judges praised Mr Lam for his passion in architecture, professional development and social engagement, calling him \u201ca well-rounded and exceptional young architect.\u201d<\/p>\r\n Since 1965, the HKIA Annual Awards have been among the most important architectural awards in Hong Kong, recognising outstanding achievements in architecture. The HKIA Medal of the Year is the highest honour it confers, seeking to establish a benchmark of outstanding quality in the architectural profession.<\/p>","show_as_achievement":false,"achievement_category":[],"show_as_clarification":false,"show_as_announcement":false,"photos":[{"photo":213029,"caption":"\u201cThe One University One Village\u201d team from CUHK School of Architecture is honoured with \u201cHKIA Medal of the Year outside Hong Kong\u201d and \u201cHKIA Special Award \u2013 Sustainable Architecture\u201d."},{"photo":213031,"caption":"\u201cThe One University One Village\u201d team\u2019s project: Gongfang (Community Hall) of Dahei New Village, Yunnan, China."},{"photo":213026,"caption":"Alumnus of CUHK School of Architecture Mr Ivan Chi Ho-man (Master of Architecture 2024) (2nd left) is awarded the \u201cHKIA Student Medal 2023\u201d."},{"photo":213028,"caption":"Mr Ivan Chi Ho-man\u2019s project: \u201cFragmentation of Light\u201d"},{"photo":213030,"caption":"Alumnus of CUHK School of Architecture Mr Owen Lam Ho-wang (Master of Architecture 2018) (middle) is awarded the \u201cHKIA Young Architect Award 2023\u201d."},{"photo":213027,"caption":"Mr Owen Lam Ho-wang\u2019s project: \u201cRevitalAge: Bridging Generations\u201d"}],"attachments":null,"video_source":"","video_file":"","add_play_button":false,"video_caption":"","show_migration":false,"original_id":0,"photos_original":null,"attachments_original":null},"publishpress_future_workflow_manual_trigger":{"enabledWorkflows":[]},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.cpr.cuhk.edu.hk\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/press\/213032","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.cpr.cuhk.edu.hk\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/press"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.cpr.cuhk.edu.hk\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/press"}],"version-history":[{"count":8,"href":"https:\/\/www.cpr.cuhk.edu.hk\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/press\/213032\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":213040,"href":"https:\/\/www.cpr.cuhk.edu.hk\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/press\/213032\/revisions\/213040"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.cpr.cuhk.edu.hk\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=213032"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.cpr.cuhk.edu.hk\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=213032"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}