Q-What advice would you give to
individuals who struggle to decide whether it would be beneficial for them to
participate in architecture vision competitions?
We definitely hold a positive attitude for participation
of potential individuals, as the benefits are obvious:
1.
A good opportunity is given to
organize one’s thoughts; have one’s method tested, and then the most important,
apply one’s unique design philosophy on a project;
2.
Expanding the way of thinking
by learning about how other professionals from different background would respond
to the same topic;
3.
Could also be rewarding!
Anyway, do best!
Q-What were the challenges you faced
while designing for such architectural space?
The main challenges lie in how to introduce a new
practical function into local context in a simple way. On one hand we purposed
new intervention to facilitate the urbanization, as a leapfrog development
would always be a popular and fast-acting strategy in relatively backward area;
while on the other hand we didn’t hope the vernacular convention to be drowned
by modernity, but in some way, to be revitalized. The discussion of how to integrate
two factors remained active throughout the whole process.
Q-What was your thought process while
designing for Tiny Library Architecture Competition?
First, we chose a very common farmland in rural area as
our site, we consider the project should have universality rather than be a
unique one. Then, we tried to establish a direct connection between the functional
space and the context, meanwhile
the construction should minimize the impact on the field as much as possible.
We’d tried many options to balance two aspects until we finally gave the
priority to the connection aspect and reduced the impact by inserting a
courtyard; Finally, certain activities that link closely to local tradition and
culture are conceived to take place in the central courtyard as the nature and
convention are simultaneously respected.
Q-What attracted you to this competition?
We learnt about the competition from Arch Daily. We have
browsed the past competitions which leave us a deep impression: under the guidance
of a unique topic, the participants would have the greatest freedom of creation
leading to the particular results solving indigenous social problem. Especially the “Tiny” series: sometimes even a minimum
amount of work would prove its effectiveness once the regional culture had been considered. We really
appreciate this idea and we’d like to contribute what we could.
Q-Where does your interest in design come
from?
The chosen site lies in an agricultural-oriented area which
has a large population engaging in farming. We perceived great potential from
living experience because the ignored group still kept certain positive
conventions, such as gathering for interaction and cultural events. which
provides us the opportunity to intervene in a native way.
Q- What design
fundamentals do you believe in?
We base our design concept on study of site; vernacular
material, and how to blend new intervention into local context.
Q-What were your
references/ inspiration?
We got inspiration mainly from vernacular elements,
regional appearance, and traditional life customs. We also referred to the works
of wheat straw, which is very common and resourceful and could be easily found
locally.
Q-Which aspects of a
design do you focus more during designing?
We focus more on cultural aspect of a design. Inevitably,
projects are located in a variety of area, and will be used by different people
from various background. By study of respective tradition and customs,
architecture would act as a bridge that improvs the local life in an effective
and regional-friendly way.
Q-What according to you
is the key to making your design a success?
The key is to, in design process, focus on one main
problem rather than complicate it. An explicit and straightforward answer would
always easily get across to the audience, while a sophisticated complex could mask
the main idea one wants to contend.
Q-Which tools do you use
during design? What is inside your toolbox? Such as software, application,
hardware, books, sources of inspiration etc.?
The basic tools we used include SketchUp, AutoCAD,
Photoshop, InDesign and V-ray for Visualization. We also take advantage of many great open sources from internet for design assistance or inspiration, such as OpenStreetMap;
Pinterest; Texture.com; etc.
Thank you for providing us with this opportunity to interview yo
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