The CUHK School of Architecture’s “One University One Village” (1U1V) team, which assisted construction in mountain villages in Kunming, China, has won the gold award in the humanitarian category and the distinguished title of Emerging Practice of the Year Grand Prix Winner at the World Architecture News Awards 2024.

The project aimed to rebuild a community hall known locally as gongfang in Dahei New Village, located in the mountainous region near Kunming, which had been damaged by foundation settlement. The gongfang is a vital public space for weddings, funerals, festivals and ceremonies. CUHK’s 1U1V team adopted a “local technology, local materials, local labour” design and construction approach to rebuild the hall, incorporating a spacious interior design that ensured comfort and safety for large gatherings. The design also included elements of natural lighting, ventilation and thermal mass, which significantly reduced energy consumption and carbon emissions.

The 1U1V team also trained local villagers to master the construction techniques, fostering their confidence. Judges of the awards praised the initiative for addressing the “love and belonging needs, esteem needs and self-actualisation needs” of the community, highlighting its profound social impact.