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World Architecture Awards Submissions / 50th Cycle
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DB Horizon
Located in Dien Khanh district, just 10 kilometers west of Nha Trang city, DB Horizon house is designed to replace an old ancestral house, associated with many beautiful memories. The house is a seamless blend of contemporary living with vernacular design principles, prioritizing natural ventilation, passive cooling and harmonious connection with the surrounding natural environment.
A PEACEFUL PLACE OUTSIDE THE CITY
Dien Khanh is a slow-paced area, famous for its rich history and beautiful natural landscape, providing a stark contrast to the bustling coastal city of Nha Trang. The site benefits from cool sea breezes, a rural setting with low building density amidst perennial orchards. In addition, the Suoi Dau River in the South provides cool tempertures for the site. These natural advantages greatly influence the design, ensuring a pleasant microclimate throughout the house.
SPATIAL HIERARCHY
The main goal of the project is to create a multi-generational home that balances privacy and social interaction. The functional spaces in the house need to accommodate the daily activities of the homeowner. The house is hierarchical and divided into distinct zones while maintaining a smooth transition between indoor and outdoor areas. The common spaces are brought to the first floor, while the private bedrooms are located on the ground floor:
• The ground floor with bedrooms provides private enclosed living activities, each with a unique view of the surrounding garden. An outside garage to minimize noise and dust from vehicles.
• The first floor serves as the living center with a living room, kitchen, dining area, worship space, common living space and terrace. All are thoughtfully arranged to promote family gatherings and maintain cultural traditions.
Visitors do not enter the house directly, but instead ascend an external staircase that leads to the living room and an outdoor terrace on the first floor. Stepping inside, a cluster of functional spaces (worship area, kitchen and storage) creates a subtle boundary between the guest area and the private area of the family. An internal staircase serves as a private connection between the bedrooms on the ground floor and the open living area above.
LIVING SPACE OPEN TO NATURE
The 360-degree windows on the first floor enhance the connection with nature, providing abundant daylight while maximizing cross-ventilation. The wooden door system with openings above ensures a continuous air flow, contributing to the sustainable and energy-efficient design of the house. A prominent feature of the house is the outstretched metal roof, which provides protection from the scorching sun and heavy rain, and the roof slopes towards the wind, reinforcing the passive cooling strategy.
A MODERN HOUSE ROOTED IN VERNACULAR TRADITION
By combining contemporary design with regional architecture, DB Horizon house retains the spirit of tradition in a contemporary look. Every element such as natural ventilation, elevated terraces, open common spaces, local materials, wind-catching pitched roofs and transitional spaces are a thoughtful response to the climate and cultural context of the site. The project is an experiment in adaptive architecture, where tradition and innovation coexist, ensuring a harmonious living experience while preserving the essence of the past.
Site area: 1200 sqm
Total floor area: 200 sqm
Architecture firm: SAL
Lead architect: Nguyen Hoang Xuan
Contractors: Nguyen Ngoc Kin, Mai Tran Dang Vuong
A PEACEFUL PLACE OUTSIDE THE CITY
Dien Khanh is a slow-paced area, famous for its rich history and beautiful natural landscape, providing a stark contrast to the bustling coastal city of Nha Trang. The site benefits from cool sea breezes, a rural setting with low building density amidst perennial orchards. In addition, the Suoi Dau River in the South provides cool tempertures for the site. These natural advantages greatly influence the design, ensuring a pleasant microclimate throughout the house.
SPATIAL HIERARCHY
The main goal of the project is to create a multi-generational home that balances privacy and social interaction. The functional spaces in the house need to accommodate the daily activities of the homeowner. The house is hierarchical and divided into distinct zones while maintaining a smooth transition between indoor and outdoor areas. The common spaces are brought to the first floor, while the private bedrooms are located on the ground floor:
• The ground floor with bedrooms provides private enclosed living activities, each with a unique view of the surrounding garden. An outside garage to minimize noise and dust from vehicles.
• The first floor serves as the living center with a living room, kitchen, dining area, worship space, common living space and terrace. All are thoughtfully arranged to promote family gatherings and maintain cultural traditions.
Visitors do not enter the house directly, but instead ascend an external staircase that leads to the living room and an outdoor terrace on the first floor. Stepping inside, a cluster of functional spaces (worship area, kitchen and storage) creates a subtle boundary between the guest area and the private area of the family. An internal staircase serves as a private connection between the bedrooms on the ground floor and the open living area above.
LIVING SPACE OPEN TO NATURE
The 360-degree windows on the first floor enhance the connection with nature, providing abundant daylight while maximizing cross-ventilation. The wooden door system with openings above ensures a continuous air flow, contributing to the sustainable and energy-efficient design of the house. A prominent feature of the house is the outstretched metal roof, which provides protection from the scorching sun and heavy rain, and the roof slopes towards the wind, reinforcing the passive cooling strategy.
A MODERN HOUSE ROOTED IN VERNACULAR TRADITION
By combining contemporary design with regional architecture, DB Horizon house retains the spirit of tradition in a contemporary look. Every element such as natural ventilation, elevated terraces, open common spaces, local materials, wind-catching pitched roofs and transitional spaces are a thoughtful response to the climate and cultural context of the site. The project is an experiment in adaptive architecture, where tradition and innovation coexist, ensuring a harmonious living experience while preserving the essence of the past.
Site area: 1200 sqm
Total floor area: 200 sqm
Architecture firm: SAL
Lead architect: Nguyen Hoang Xuan
Contractors: Nguyen Ngoc Kin, Mai Tran Dang Vuong
Geometry
The planning for this project was developed by architect Mao Shen-Chiang, with a design concept rooted in pure geometric elements. The design defines three types of modular prototypes, each tailored to specific functional needs. These modules are stacked, interspersed, and rotated to create a harmonious overall spatial proportion.
This reception centre, established as part of the architectural planning for the Cing Jing Lin Group, is situated within the Tainan High-Speed Rail redevelopment zone. The architect incorporated an exterior color scheme inspired by the natural context of the main project. To align with the concept of quick assembly and disassembly, steel structures and curtain wall systems were chosen for construction. These materials not only facilitated efficient assembly but also contributed to the overall lightness and elegance of the spatial structure.
This reception centre is named "Geometry – Born from Purity," with the core concept of "MOSAIC."
The architect initially conceived the design by aggregating geometric volumes. The massing was later refined and simplified to align with specific requirements and the floor plan. Throughout this process, three core principles were upheld: pure geometric forms, stable and rational construction interfaces, and an intuitive, comfortable user experience.
Functional areas such as open spaces, sample rooms, and ancillary spaces are allocated according to the structural type. The roof system, encompassing sun shading and rainwater drainage, is meticulously planned. Indoor ventilation and air exchange are also carefully evaluated and designed.
By integrating these elements, the project enhances construction efficiency while minimizing environmental impact during the usage phase.
The most significant challenge of this project lies in achieving precision and accuracy between the interfaces of various materials. Given that the site may not be perfectly flat, even though the steel trusses and other materials are precisely manufactured in the factory, the site's instability may cause the disconnection of many components. Therefore, during construction, flexibility must be maintained between components to allow the on-site construction team to make fine adjustments at specific points of conflict.
From a design perspective, the architect employed pure geometry to construct the volume, aiming to create a form that originates from nothingness, is abstract, transcends colour and objects, and is intended to express a pure spatial sensation. The architect also sought to break through traditional standards and pursue new modes of expression, striving for innovation and experimentation in architectural design, thereby presenting a unique aesthetic.
Design team: Mao, Shen-Chiang Architecture Studio
Construction: Shih Ao Fair-faced Concrete
This reception centre, established as part of the architectural planning for the Cing Jing Lin Group, is situated within the Tainan High-Speed Rail redevelopment zone. The architect incorporated an exterior color scheme inspired by the natural context of the main project. To align with the concept of quick assembly and disassembly, steel structures and curtain wall systems were chosen for construction. These materials not only facilitated efficient assembly but also contributed to the overall lightness and elegance of the spatial structure.
This reception centre is named "Geometry – Born from Purity," with the core concept of "MOSAIC."
The architect initially conceived the design by aggregating geometric volumes. The massing was later refined and simplified to align with specific requirements and the floor plan. Throughout this process, three core principles were upheld: pure geometric forms, stable and rational construction interfaces, and an intuitive, comfortable user experience.
Functional areas such as open spaces, sample rooms, and ancillary spaces are allocated according to the structural type. The roof system, encompassing sun shading and rainwater drainage, is meticulously planned. Indoor ventilation and air exchange are also carefully evaluated and designed.
By integrating these elements, the project enhances construction efficiency while minimizing environmental impact during the usage phase.
The most significant challenge of this project lies in achieving precision and accuracy between the interfaces of various materials. Given that the site may not be perfectly flat, even though the steel trusses and other materials are precisely manufactured in the factory, the site's instability may cause the disconnection of many components. Therefore, during construction, flexibility must be maintained between components to allow the on-site construction team to make fine adjustments at specific points of conflict.
From a design perspective, the architect employed pure geometry to construct the volume, aiming to create a form that originates from nothingness, is abstract, transcends colour and objects, and is intended to express a pure spatial sensation. The architect also sought to break through traditional standards and pursue new modes of expression, striving for innovation and experimentation in architectural design, thereby presenting a unique aesthetic.
Design team: Mao, Shen-Chiang Architecture Studio
Construction: Shih Ao Fair-faced Concrete
Inje Residence
Located in the foothill of Seolak Mountain, one of the main challenges of designing this villa was to respond with the context of its site. In this hillside location, the solution was to adapt an ancient Korean traditional courtyard design. Along with the natural topography, four volumes are stepped and formed a courtyard. 400 M2 house with five-beds and four-baths, has four wings: Master Suite Wing, Living & Dining Wing, Kitchen & Amenity Wing, and Guest & Gallery Wing. Inward view of this courtyard, not only accommodates various family activities but also provides a mountain view through the center opening of the courtyard which enhances a quiet and contemplative aura and avoids the unpleasing view of the tomb and the adjacent hut.
As with the Korean courtyard style, the use of the local and natural materials was cost-effective. The Korean ‘giwa’, a form of ceramic tile used in the old traditional roof construction, was applied in the wall construction kneaded with a special colored mortar to emphasize the horizontality of the facade along with the overhanging local granite stone roofs. Traditional, but yet this modernized design in many aspects also introduced sustainable and passive design. Instead of using oil or LPG generated heating system which consumes large amounts of energy, more efficient geothermal system was adapted by digging down 154 m of the ground. Grass rooftop was designed to act as insulation and to avoid heat buildup which substantially reduced the energy and cost of maintenance.
Four volumes are positioned at a different level in responding to the sloped site. Each volume of space is arranged in the form of Korean traditional houses. The living quarter was divided into sectors with individual volumes and separated with outdoor space. The corridor is a mediator between outdoor and indoor space. As these four integrated volumes in different level positioned, various levels of openings are deployed. For this construction, continuous wall girders with horizontal beams are used to lift to create void space: openings for the entryway, garages, lights and views. Each opening frames out new boundary and brings new relationship of outdoor space.
Site Area: 1,768 SM
Total Built Area: 499 SM
Structure: Reinforced Concrete
Building Material: Granite, Ceramic Tile
Design Team: Tae Sun Hong, Daejung Sang, Wonjin Kim
Client: Pyungan L&C
Construction: Yiinsigak Design
Structural: Thekujo
Mechanical: Samyoung
Electrical: Hanyang
Photography: Dongwook Jung
As with the Korean courtyard style, the use of the local and natural materials was cost-effective. The Korean ‘giwa’, a form of ceramic tile used in the old traditional roof construction, was applied in the wall construction kneaded with a special colored mortar to emphasize the horizontality of the facade along with the overhanging local granite stone roofs. Traditional, but yet this modernized design in many aspects also introduced sustainable and passive design. Instead of using oil or LPG generated heating system which consumes large amounts of energy, more efficient geothermal system was adapted by digging down 154 m of the ground. Grass rooftop was designed to act as insulation and to avoid heat buildup which substantially reduced the energy and cost of maintenance.
Four volumes are positioned at a different level in responding to the sloped site. Each volume of space is arranged in the form of Korean traditional houses. The living quarter was divided into sectors with individual volumes and separated with outdoor space. The corridor is a mediator between outdoor and indoor space. As these four integrated volumes in different level positioned, various levels of openings are deployed. For this construction, continuous wall girders with horizontal beams are used to lift to create void space: openings for the entryway, garages, lights and views. Each opening frames out new boundary and brings new relationship of outdoor space.
Site Area: 1,768 SM
Total Built Area: 499 SM
Structure: Reinforced Concrete
Building Material: Granite, Ceramic Tile
Design Team: Tae Sun Hong, Daejung Sang, Wonjin Kim
Client: Pyungan L&C
Construction: Yiinsigak Design
Structural: Thekujo
Mechanical: Samyoung
Electrical: Hanyang
Photography: Dongwook Jung
Nine x Nine
The Nine X Nine house is located in Gandhinagar, India.
Fluid volumes traverse between 9 existing trees on the southern side of a 3311 sqm plot, with 2 of the trees punctuating the open deck areas & the others in close proximity of the house.
The entry to the plot is located between a large cluster of trees on the north western corner revealing the house slowly as one moves inside, from the gate.
The location of the built spaces towards the southern side generates a large garden on the northern side with all the rooms oriented towards the garden. This is planned in response to the hot climate prevalent in this location with temperatures in excess of 35°C for most of the year & the sun in the southern hemisphere.
The House forms a ‘T’ shape in plan & section simultaneously. Entered from the northern side a central spine branches towards the east and west with a focal spiral stairway at the centre. Sectionally, the house is entered at the ground level with one level above & one level below.
A generous sunken courtyard space on the western side allows natural light & air to the subterranean level linked to the ground level garden by an open stairway along an undulating wall with a water fall.
This waterfall on the western side and a shallow reflecting the pool on the north eastern side provides passive cooling to the spaces. 6 of the existing trees onsite were retained within the sunken courtyard & another 3 on the south eastern side.
The entrance level of the house has the common areas including the living, dining, kitchen & a guest bed room.
The upper level houses 3 bedrooms for the family, each one opening up on 2 sides towards trees and the garden.
The subterranean level is planned with entertainment spaces & a small gallery to house the art collection of the owners.
Every space in the house opens into large cantilevered decks that are partially sheltered & partially open allowing these transitional spaces to be used in different ways based upon the weather. These deep recesses serve to keep the internal volumes cool throughout the hot summer months when temperatures can rise to 50°C.
The internal palette is minimal with white marble flooring, wood furniture & subdued accents throughout.
The house is designed to be energy efficient with no air-conditioning required almost throughout the year, ample natural light in each part, water recycling, rain water harvesting & the use of natural materials within the interior.
The Nine X Nine home is designed contextual to the site retaining all the existing trees & building between them, responsive to the climate by reducing heat gain due to its planning & orientation creating spaces that merge with nature.
--
Architect: Sanjay Puri Architects
Lead Architects: Ar.Sanjay Puri , Ar.Nina Puri
Design Team: Ar.Ayesha Puri, Ar.Nilesh Patel
Fluid volumes traverse between 9 existing trees on the southern side of a 3311 sqm plot, with 2 of the trees punctuating the open deck areas & the others in close proximity of the house.
The entry to the plot is located between a large cluster of trees on the north western corner revealing the house slowly as one moves inside, from the gate.
The location of the built spaces towards the southern side generates a large garden on the northern side with all the rooms oriented towards the garden. This is planned in response to the hot climate prevalent in this location with temperatures in excess of 35°C for most of the year & the sun in the southern hemisphere.
The House forms a ‘T’ shape in plan & section simultaneously. Entered from the northern side a central spine branches towards the east and west with a focal spiral stairway at the centre. Sectionally, the house is entered at the ground level with one level above & one level below.
A generous sunken courtyard space on the western side allows natural light & air to the subterranean level linked to the ground level garden by an open stairway along an undulating wall with a water fall.
This waterfall on the western side and a shallow reflecting the pool on the north eastern side provides passive cooling to the spaces. 6 of the existing trees onsite were retained within the sunken courtyard & another 3 on the south eastern side.
The entrance level of the house has the common areas including the living, dining, kitchen & a guest bed room.
The upper level houses 3 bedrooms for the family, each one opening up on 2 sides towards trees and the garden.
The subterranean level is planned with entertainment spaces & a small gallery to house the art collection of the owners.
Every space in the house opens into large cantilevered decks that are partially sheltered & partially open allowing these transitional spaces to be used in different ways based upon the weather. These deep recesses serve to keep the internal volumes cool throughout the hot summer months when temperatures can rise to 50°C.
The internal palette is minimal with white marble flooring, wood furniture & subdued accents throughout.
The house is designed to be energy efficient with no air-conditioning required almost throughout the year, ample natural light in each part, water recycling, rain water harvesting & the use of natural materials within the interior.
The Nine X Nine home is designed contextual to the site retaining all the existing trees & building between them, responsive to the climate by reducing heat gain due to its planning & orientation creating spaces that merge with nature.
--
Architect: Sanjay Puri Architects
Lead Architects: Ar.Sanjay Puri , Ar.Nina Puri
Design Team: Ar.Ayesha Puri, Ar.Nilesh Patel
No Footprint Wood House
The No Footprint Wood House is located along the southern Pacific coast of Costa Rica. Its bioclimatic design integrates with the surrounding lush tropical forest and natural habitat. The project forms part of the multi-award-winning No Footprint House series (NFH). Climate-responsive building variations are based on passive design strategies such as site-specific positioning and the use of natural resources. Industrial building techniques and prefabricated components are combined with locally harvested and regenerative construction materials. Since the creation of the first NFH prototype in 2018, a broad range of modular typologies have been built in response to the diverse micro-climatic conditions of Costa Rica. New and alternative construction materials have been developed to continuously improve the overall project performance. For the prototype of the wooden house, a laminated teak wood system has been engineered in collaboration with the national building industry and international expertise. The process results in a systemic kit of parts that includes columns and beams, as well as panels and connectors with different finishing options. The systemic catalog of selected building components makes it easy for clients to choose from a pre-selected and varied range of sustainable construction materials that stimulate local and circular economies. Besides developing an innovative construction system, the project catalyzes the training of workmanship and students to engage with the innovative building techniques. The efficiency of the NFH in all areas, from design to construction and maintenance, makes sustainable homes an affordable reality for a broad customer segment. The unique prototypes serve as a base for the serial reproduction of typologies that vary in size and cost. Homeowners can choose from an ample range of pre-designed options, or customize their NFH according to personal budgets and needs. The project supports integral sustainability and regenerative development in terms of its ecological, socio-economic and spatial performance.
The No Footprint House (NFH) was developed in response to a governmental roadmap for achieving sector-wide decarbonization in Costa Rica. Worldwide, construction contributes significantly to environmental contamination and the production of greenhouse gases. The first NFH prototype showed how to lower emissions through industrial and prefabricated building techniques, combined with the principles of bioclimatic architecture. A Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) resulted in a 40% reduction of carbon footprint compared to the so-called “base case,” meaning a building of the same size and function built with standard construction techniques. The LCA takes into account the choice and life cycles of selected construction materials, construction logistics, energy efficiency, and the recycling potential of the individual building components and materials. The NFH and its LCA were first introduced at the United Nations conferences on climate change in 2019. A dialogue was then established with the local construction industry to continuously improve project performance and lower the carbon footprint of the individual building variations. NFH typologies are now offered with a decarbonization rate of up to 80%. The remaining 20% of carbon footprint is compensated by on-site production of renewable energy, which forms an integral part of the NFH component catalog for sustainable construction.
The No Footprint House has been exhibited and published worldwide. The different project iterations have won more than 50 awards for sustainable design and development, as well as interior design and furniture making. Besides offering a commercial product, the project framework stimulates circular and sustainable economies, as well as education in different areas. On the one hand, construction workers get trained to use the materials and techniques that come out of the NFH development process. On the other hand, the non-profit part of the project engages in the education of students in different disciplines. With the University of International Cooperation, the Certificate for Regenerative Entrepreneurship shows how new ways of designing can also enable or support the development of new and regenerative economies. With the Latin University in Costa Rica, a masterclass on sustainable design and development has been established. Moreover, the Regenerative Architecture Workshop (RAW) was founded to engage with students from different disciplines about the practical applications of regeneration in the context of architecture, interior design and urban development. The RAW supports partnerships with national and international institutions and universities to promote a cross-boundary learning route. The workshop is set up to conduct research on construction materials and motivate case-study projects with vulnerable populations in economically disadvantaged areas or areas that have been affected by climate change.
All architecture, interior and furniture designs by A-01 (Oliver Schütte, Marije van Lidth de Jeude, Ronald Carvajal, José Pablo Gonzalez, Misael Rodríguez). Construction documents by A-01 ( A Company / A Foundation) in collaboration with Ingeniería Cañas (Rafael Cañas), Consost (Pablo Mora) and Ayarco (José Nuñez).
The systemic laminated wood system was developed buy A-01 in collaboration with Novelteak; the wood system components are distributed by Woodpecker Costa Rica (José María Torra). The connections of the wood system were developed in further collaboration with Rothoblaas (Francisco Rodríguez Bejarano).
The No Footprint House (NFH) was developed in response to a governmental roadmap for achieving sector-wide decarbonization in Costa Rica. Worldwide, construction contributes significantly to environmental contamination and the production of greenhouse gases. The first NFH prototype showed how to lower emissions through industrial and prefabricated building techniques, combined with the principles of bioclimatic architecture. A Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) resulted in a 40% reduction of carbon footprint compared to the so-called “base case,” meaning a building of the same size and function built with standard construction techniques. The LCA takes into account the choice and life cycles of selected construction materials, construction logistics, energy efficiency, and the recycling potential of the individual building components and materials. The NFH and its LCA were first introduced at the United Nations conferences on climate change in 2019. A dialogue was then established with the local construction industry to continuously improve project performance and lower the carbon footprint of the individual building variations. NFH typologies are now offered with a decarbonization rate of up to 80%. The remaining 20% of carbon footprint is compensated by on-site production of renewable energy, which forms an integral part of the NFH component catalog for sustainable construction.
The No Footprint House has been exhibited and published worldwide. The different project iterations have won more than 50 awards for sustainable design and development, as well as interior design and furniture making. Besides offering a commercial product, the project framework stimulates circular and sustainable economies, as well as education in different areas. On the one hand, construction workers get trained to use the materials and techniques that come out of the NFH development process. On the other hand, the non-profit part of the project engages in the education of students in different disciplines. With the University of International Cooperation, the Certificate for Regenerative Entrepreneurship shows how new ways of designing can also enable or support the development of new and regenerative economies. With the Latin University in Costa Rica, a masterclass on sustainable design and development has been established. Moreover, the Regenerative Architecture Workshop (RAW) was founded to engage with students from different disciplines about the practical applications of regeneration in the context of architecture, interior design and urban development. The RAW supports partnerships with national and international institutions and universities to promote a cross-boundary learning route. The workshop is set up to conduct research on construction materials and motivate case-study projects with vulnerable populations in economically disadvantaged areas or areas that have been affected by climate change.
All architecture, interior and furniture designs by A-01 (Oliver Schütte, Marije van Lidth de Jeude, Ronald Carvajal, José Pablo Gonzalez, Misael Rodríguez). Construction documents by A-01 ( A Company / A Foundation) in collaboration with Ingeniería Cañas (Rafael Cañas), Consost (Pablo Mora) and Ayarco (José Nuñez).
The systemic laminated wood system was developed buy A-01 in collaboration with Novelteak; the wood system components are distributed by Woodpecker Costa Rica (José María Torra). The connections of the wood system were developed in further collaboration with Rothoblaas (Francisco Rodríguez Bejarano).
