Taichung City – Yuxian Tree House International Student Design Competition

http://competitions.archi/competition/taichung-city-yuxian-tree-house-international-student-design-competition/

In western architectural history, dwelling is the most important building type as the purpose of architecture returns from divinity to human needs. At the same time, dwelling is the spatial typology that one occupies for the longest time on a daily basis. However, due to the changes in our living environment, dwelling – our home, that comprises of our emotions – is gradually turning into a merchandize with a price tag. We would like to reexamine the essence of home as well as the relationship between tectonic and environment through the concept of building a new home for our society, and thereby recovering and reflection on the most fundamental human needs for dwellings and the natural world.

Tree – Grows from the ground, a characterization of life and convergence in the nature.
House – Constructed by Material, a place to live and fulfill our dreams and ideas.

But in our environment, there are few chances for us to truly experience a space constructed with natural elements. Inspired from the concept of Yuxian section social residence – First a community, then a park, last a city.
Combining space and structure with trees is not only an achievement of construction, but also a way to link nature and architecture together with design.

Starting from this concept, we are expecting young talents to evaluate and think over issues such as how can we bring diversity of the activities held in the tree house and the neighborhood together? How can difference be provided with variety? What is the possibility of the relationship between material and space in this case? We are seeking for an activity space linked with the region and let the residents, neighborhood and citizens in Taichung City have a wonderful spatial experience.

SITE ADDRESS

Yuxian section, Taiping district, Taichung City, Taiwan (south end of Yucai Road, Taiping district).

SITE INFORMATION

Yuxian section is near a crossroad formed by two main streets, the site is also planned for the Taiping District Yuxian section social residence (Second phase). This social residence project hopes to enhance the communication between people and people, then to form the community into a “Micro City” through the open spaces and multi-functional rooms.

The goal of the social residence projects in Taichung City is to create a “comfort living city”. The apartments will be rent out temporary to young talents, students, labor and disadvantaged social groups with a short term contract of 3 years. In this period, the residents should improve their skills and then be able to find a suitable residence of their own later.

DESIGN GUIDELINES

The site is located separately at the north-east and south-west plaza of the Taiping District Yuxian section social residence (Second phase). Therefore, the overall design should continue the intention of the regional planning. The major guiding points are comfort, interaction, sustainability, circular economy, and energy saving. Since the first place design will be realized, please take the budget of 1 million NTD into consideration.

ELIGIBILITIES

1. Participants, not limited in Taiwan, must be undergraduate or graduate students majoring in Architecture, Urban Design, Landscape Architecture, Interior Design, and other related fields of study with degree expected date no earlier than January 31st, 2018.
2. The eligibilities of the participant must be enrolled in an accredited university or college as a full-time student, and actively taking classes. Students of “college/program designed for working professionals”, “School of Extension Education”, “Community Learning Center”, Tutoring/Educational Center”, “Test Preparation Center” and “School of Professional Education & Continuing Studies” are not eligible to participate in this competition.
3. Please only register as individual or group of two participants. Multiple submissions or registration under others’ names would be voided.
4. Each of the 11group of student participants of Stage Two should jointly submit his/her proposal in collaboration with an advisor. The Advisor will be awarded a certificate by the Taichung City Government.

JURY (LISTED ALPHABETICALLY)

Shuen-Long Lin
Li-Ting Chen
Wei-Ren Chen
Ray S. C. Chu
Shuenn-Ren Liou
Satoko Shinohara
Yu-Tse Tai

COMPETITION TIMETABLE (A TWO-STAGE COMPETITION)

Stage 1 material submission Deadline:
2018/08/13 (Monday), 5:00 pm (Taipei GMT+08:00) Validated by postmark
Stage 1 Review & Evaluation / Shortlist Announcement:
2018/08/17 (Friday)
Stage 2 material submission Deadline:
2018/09/10 (Monday), 5:00 pm (Taipei GMT+08:00) Validated by postmark
Stage 2 Review & Evaluation / Winner Announcement:
2018/09/15 (Saturday)
Award Ceremony:
2018/09/16 (Sunday) 10 : 00 am – 11 : 00 am
Exhibition:
2018/09/16 (Sunday) – 2018/09/25 (Tuesday)

PRIZES
First Place (1):
NT$60,000 + Certificate
Second Place (1):
NT$30,000 + Certificate
Third Place (1):
NT$20,000 + Certificate
Honorable mention (3):
NT$ 5,000 + Certificate
Selected Entry (5):
NT$ 2,000 + Certificate