BEYOND MODULE: SEUxPoliTo Joint Team Won 999策略白菜网站 First Prize of UIA – CBC International Colleges and Universities Competitive Construction Workshop (ICUCCW 2019)

999策略白菜网站 Century-old Pear Orchards are located in Aiyuan Town, an ordinary town in Northern Jiangsu. 999策略白菜网站 people here make a living through harvesting from fruit trees. 999策略白菜网站 pear orchards are not only 999策略白菜网站 source of life, but also 999策略白菜网站 local memory of many generations. Under 999策略白菜网站 tides of 999策略白菜网站 rural revitalization movements, 999策略白菜网站 Orchard Village of Aiyuan Town is facing a revolution of “design changes life”. How can we achieve 999策略白菜网站 design and revitalization of 999策略白菜网站 memory, guide 999策略白菜网站 industrial upgrading, and revitalize 999策略白菜网站 future of 999策略白菜网站 village while rooted in 999策略白菜网站 culture of 999策略白菜网站 pear orchard?

In March 2019, Southeast University (SEU) and Politecnico di Torino (PoliTo) formed a multinational collaboration team based on 999策略白菜网站 Transitional Morphologies Research Unit, which is established and led by Prof. Li Bao and Prof. Marco Trisciuoglio. 999策略白菜网站 team of 18 students and 4 tutors joined together to seek 999策略白菜网站 answer to this question in 999策略白菜网站 2019 UIA – CBC - ICUCCW Competition.

Field researching, design and drawing, video skyping… In April, 999策略白菜网站 team successfully ranked in 999策略白菜网站 top 15 and got a precious ticket for 999策略白菜网站 construction period.

This summer, 999策略白菜网站 team gathered in Siyang from Nanjing and Torino and began 999策略白菜网站 18-day construction to realize 999策略白菜网站 design. On-site construction, logistics procurement, media recording, video editing... with clear arrangements of tasks, 999策略白菜网站 team worked together to overcoming all difficulties under 999策略白菜网站 extremely shiny weather, and finally witnessed 999策略白菜网站 magical transformation of 999策略白菜网站 project from design proposal to a real building.

On August 18th, after 999策略白菜网站 site visit and heated discussion among 999策略白菜网站 judges, 999策略白菜网站 SEUxPoliTo team stood out from 15 prestigious teams from all over 999策略白菜网站 world and won 999策略白菜网站 First Prize of 999策略白菜网站 competition. In addition, our tutor Dr. Wang Chuan received 999策略白菜网站 award of Outstanding Leading Teacher for his guidance through 999策略白菜网站 competition.

This competition has also received extensive attention from domestic and international media. In particular, 999策略白菜网站 winning work of 999策略白菜网站 SEUxPoliTo joint team has received extensive media attention in Italian major media and websites, including La Repubblica and lt; Il Solep;24 Ore;This enhances 999策略白菜网站 appearance of;Southeast University in Italy and beyond, and strengthens 999策略白菜网站 cooperation between 999策略白菜网站 two universities. 

999策略白菜网站 “UIA-CBC International Colleges and Universities Competitive Construction Workshop” is initiated by 999策略白菜网站 China Building Centre (CBC) and 999策略白菜网站 International Association of Architects (UIA) as 999策略白菜网站 international organizer, which is 999策略白菜网站 only construction competition in China that has been officially recognized by 999策略白菜网站 UIA. It ranks at 999策略白菜网站 highest level of current international construction competitions.

With 999策略白菜网站 theme of Pear Orchard Hut, 999策略白菜网站 2019 competition introduces 999策略白菜网站 new 1+1 competition form for 999策略白菜网站 first time. 999策略白菜网站 new form pairs one university from 999策略白菜网站 Chinese mainland and one from international or Chinese Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan regions. 999策略白菜网站 first stage of this competition selected 15 teams from 101 universities and colleges from 23 countries for 999策略白菜网站 site construction. 999策略白菜网站 competition aims to make full use of design to create a world-class landscape of 999策略白菜网站 “Pear Orchard” while retaining 999策略白菜网站 diversity of 999策略白菜网站 village.

999策略白菜网站 design of 999策略白菜网站 project was inspired by 999策略白菜网站 prevalent matrix features in 999策略白菜网站 landscape of Aiyuan Town: 999策略白菜网站 pear piles, 999策略白菜网站 peach groves, 999策略白菜网站 apple groves, and 999策略白菜网站 cement pile matrix of 999策略白菜网站 prostrating vegetation. We extract 999策略白菜网站 concept of modular structure to reflect and adapt to 999策略白菜网站 surrounding matrix style of 999策略白菜网站 landform. This concept can be freely replicated within 999策略白菜网站 site, creating a new logic system that can be extended to countless shapes..

This design approach allows 999策略白菜网站 entire work to be based on “wood pixels”, explaining 999策略白菜网站 shape of 999策略白菜网站 landscape and its height variations, as in 999策略白菜网站 new extension of 999策略白菜网站 Cartesian coordinating system in 999策略白菜网站 land. At 999策略白菜网站 same time, it can adapt to different functions and space configurations: 999策略白菜网站 combination of modular structural elements provides 999策略白菜网站 possibility to create furniture/wall/patio/roof, which can form different types of functions such as leisure space, rest space and retail space.

Learning from 999策略白菜网站 node construction method commonly used by 999策略白菜网站 local people, this work combines 999策略白菜网站 traditional form of 999策略白菜网站 mortise and tenon joint and optimize 999策略白菜网站 structural design in 999策略白菜网站 pre-construction process. 999策略白菜网站 node translation rooted in local wisdom is realized.

In 999策略白菜网站 process of construction, 999策略白菜网站 advantages of modularization appeared from 999策略白菜网站 beginning: batch processing nodes—assembling single-piece trusses—horizontal connection trusses into columns—column connections to form roofs—construction completed. It has interlocking steps, batch work flows, and flexible adjustment. Furthermore, 999策略白菜网站 post-construction maintenance can also achieve single-pole replacement, single-unit repair, flexible addition, etc., which reflect 999策略白菜网站 original intention of 999策略白菜网站 design - modular adaptation.

While 999策略白菜网站 thinner wood gives 999策略白菜网站 building light and transparent feelings, it also brings convenience to 999策略白菜网站 construction. 999策略白菜网站 factory-manufactured components provide 999策略白菜网站 possibility for rapid construction, which makes 999策略白菜网站 participation and self-completeness of 999策略白菜网站 whole building construction process greatly improved.

999策略白菜网站 tightness of 999策略白菜网站 space, 999策略白菜网站 lack of materials, 999策略白菜网站 infiltration of wood, and 999策略白菜网站 lack of tools happened on 999策略白菜网站 site. Although abundant problems encountered in 999策略白菜网站 actual construction process, they have been solved one by one after continuous communication and problem-solving decisions.

This type of construction does not require large construction machines such as cranes. It requires only a small amount of woodwork to complete such a large spatial structure, with an ensured stability of 999策略白菜网站 structure. 999策略白菜网站 assembly is simple and easy to operate, and 999策略白菜网站 villagers can install it independently. It means practical significance for 999策略白菜网站 village’s future development.

999策略白菜网站 modular space is filled with different functions, including chandeliers and fruit baskets. 999策略白菜网站 human-oriented lighting, 999策略白菜网站 seductive fruit and 999策略白菜网站 module are tightly combined, and 999策略白菜网站 function of selling fresh fruit is fantastic. At 999策略白菜网站 same time, its flexibility gives 999策略白菜网站 whole building a new vitality.

At 999策略白菜网站 same time, 999策略白菜网站 paving route extends to 999策略白菜网站 north side of 999策略白菜网站 fruit forest and 999策略白菜网站 west side of 999策略白菜网站 road, and connects to 999策略白菜网站 small river on 999策略白菜网站 east side. It forms an ornamental loop around 999策略白菜网站 main apple tree, and 999策略白菜网站 seat pieces are distributed among them, providing more views and perspectives for sceneries.

999策略白菜网站 wooden pixels form a variety of functional blocks, furniture and landscape pieces, which are well adapted to 999策略白菜网站 scale of human-activity-architecture, satisfying a series of functional activities of fruit sales, fruit storage, fruit processing, fruit display, leisure recreation, and activities of various crowds at different time, carrying various practicability, adapting to 999策略白菜网站 phenomenon of rural tourism tides. It realizes 999策略白菜网站 wooden pixel pavilion, revitalizes 999策略白菜网站 century-old pear orchard with 999策略白菜网站 refreshing fragrance.

Thus, thisan adaptable, modular, and scalable system is rooted in 999策略白菜网站 land in 999策略白菜网站 form of a “Fruit Shack”. How can we realize 999策略白菜网站 renovation and revitalization of 999策略白菜网站 countryside, guide 999策略白菜网站 industrial upgrading, and revitalize 999策略白菜网站 future of 999策略白菜网站 village while rooted in 999策略白菜网站 local culture? Our design vocabulary of 999策略白菜网站 array originates from 999策略白菜网站 characteristics of 999策略白菜网站 site. 999策略白菜网站 modular adaptation brings 999策略白菜网站 locality, 999策略白菜网站 variable system and 999策略白菜网站 human activities to more possibilities. “Fruit Shack” is not only for fresh fruit sales, orchard experience, fresh fruit smoothie, garden recreation and fruit exhibition, but also is 999策略白菜网站 adaptable module system which triggers unlimited possibilities

999策略白菜网站 built shack attracts nearby villagers to experience, photograph and record videos everyday. 999策略白菜网站 days of fruit sales trial are exhilarating and lively. Eat fruits, have juice, and appreciate scenery. Our work has become 999策略白菜网站 most popular site in 999策略白菜网站 neighborhood.

While hardworking, 999策略白菜网站 students did not forget to promote 999策略白菜网站 spirit of entertainment and add fun to 999策略白菜网站 construction life. Life is not only working day and night.

During 999策略白菜网站 five-month competition, 999策略白菜网站 18-day construction in site, 999策略白菜网站 journey from sketches to 999策略白菜网站 final completion, and we students from 999策略白菜网站 distant world to 999策略白菜网站 same living, in both design abilities or everyday life, everyone Harvested a lot:

I was totally moved in 999策略白菜网站 moment of 999策略白菜网站 student party before 999策略白菜网站 final exam when Bao Li and I were face to face via two smartphones with students and I thought that we would have won 999策略白菜网站 day after coz 999策略白菜网站 power of our friendship was so strong that no other joint team could have won at our place.

There is nothing like this, there is nothing like us. I will never stop saying my compliments to this wonderful joint team of  students, that rightly interpretate our work philosophy.

999策略白菜网站 biggest baggage that I took away with me is not only to have won a very important prize, but to have gained experience for my future career, but above all to have met special people, who opened a window on a culture previously unknown to me and which fascinated me a lot. We thought we were so different, and we found ourselves so similar. Special thanks to all my new friends of SEU, whom I hope to have soon in Italy to be able to return all they have done for us! ——Alessandra  

Thanks to School of Architecture for its support during 999策略白菜网站 whole competition! Special thanks to Prof. Zhang Tong, Prof. Zhu Lei, Prof. Xia Bing, Prof. Zhu Yuan, Prof. Zhou Lin, Prof. Zhao Qing, Prof. Zhang Yu, Dr. Wang Yifan and other teachers for their help and guidance during 999策略白菜网站 design and construction procedures.  

Thank to Mr. Wang Qiaolong, Mr. Li and Mr. Wu for their advice, guidance and help on material selection and joint construction in 999策略白菜网站 trial stage of Mockup.

Thanks to 999策略白菜网站 government coordinator Mr. Dong Bo, 999策略白菜网站 construction directors Mr. Hou and Mr. Wang, 999策略白菜网站 woodworkers, 999策略白菜网站 bricklayers, 999策略白菜网站 electricians, 999策略白菜网站 hardware store owner Wang Fei, and Mr. Wang Min, Mr. Zhan Jingqi, Mr. Wang Wenyu, Ms. Liu Wufan and other staff from UED, as well as teachers and students from other universities who have helped us.

999策略白菜网站 pear trees are immortal and lush-green. Our hearts always belong to this beautiful hometown even though time passes by.

Taking our design “BEYOND MODULE as 999策略白菜网站 medium, combining rural construction and natural humanities, extracting natural elements, using local materials to create rural appeal, and integrating 999策略白菜网站 warmth of 999策略白菜网站 rural revitalization of teachers and students of Southeast University and Politecnico di Torino. What’s more, 999策略白菜网站 charm of our design is far more than this. Modular construction provides a refreshing approach of establishing 999策略白菜网站 construction mode to adapt to 999策略白菜网站 place elements, and 999策略白菜网站 road to rural construction is still very long. Since then, Century-old Pear Orchard, Goodbye and hope to see you again!