World Architecture Awards 10+5+X Submissions

The project is located in Kigali, the capital city of Rwanda.Rwanda's topography consists of thousands of hills and the project site is located on the sloping surface of a hill. The plot continues with a vertical slope after a flat area at the upper level.At the lowest level of the land, there is a green forest area that is not open to project design according to the city master plan. For this reason, 2 row houses blocks, each consisting of 9 villas, were designed on the flat area above. where the slope starts, instead of designing row houses in the form of blocks, single villas sitting on the slope were designed.The individual villas located on the slope are designed by leveling according to the vehicle road level slope.Access to the villas has been provided by designing the road on a slope where vehicles can be used. When you enter the villas from the back level, the slope continues towards the front of the villas and villas are designed with retaining walls in this inclined area.

The retaining wall formed in front of each villa is of different height, the retaining walls of the villas change as the slope changes. In front of the villas sitting on the slope, there is a front garden with an incredible view, this garden is defined as a cube with a wooden pergola, creating a semi-open garden in front of the villas.In order to maximize the number of villas, the villas sitting on the slope are designed to be side by side. This cube-shaped wooden pergola design adds permeability to the villas on all slopes so that the villas located next to each other when viewed from the lower view do not create a wall effect.

The 2 block-shaped rows of rows located on the flat part of the plot have front and back gardens, the backyard is a car parking area. It is possible to pass from the back garden to the front garden with a direct corridor without entering the house. The floor plans of each villa in these blocks are the same, but the 1st floor designs are different from each other. The first floor sits on the ground floor like a plinth and the design style changes in each villa, creating a facade specific to that villa. There is a balcony on the 1st floor between each villa. On the ground floor there is a kitchen, a living room, a servant's room, and on the 1st floor there are 4 self contained rooms.

The social area was designed in the area between the sloping villas and the row houses in the form of blocks. Running track, sitting areas, playground are social equipment areas that all villas can use.

Reinforced Concrete
Selim Senin

The project is located in Kampala, the capital of Uganda, located in East Africa. The project land, located in Ntinda, the newly developing region of Kampala, has an area of 777 square meters. When the ramp was built, it was aimed to dissolve the car parking area on the ground floor instead of building a basement, since the loss of space was too much and the land was very limited.The ground floor of the building, which touches the ground only with the entrance lobby and an elevator area that will allow vertical circulation, is used as a car parking lot. A staircase is designed open from the side of the building. This staircase leads to the cafe*&restaurant area designed on the 1st floor. The cafe restaurant area has direct access with this staircase designed outside, without entering the building. The 2nd and 3rd floors and the 4th and 5th floors are defined as a single office space. The gallery space, which is two stories high on both floors, allows both floors to work as a single floor. This gallery space is located at different locations on the 2nd and 3rd floors, and on a different floor on the 4th and 5th floors.The relocation of the gallery also allows for a more dynamic setup on the façade of the building. Instead of repeating floor plans over 4 floors, a more dynamic office setup has been achieved. High ceilings, that is, 2 floors high, are a sign of prestige. Instead of the classical office space, this 2-floor office design has been considered so that boutique brands can better express themselves to their customers.

Plot area: 777 sqm
Structure: Reinforced Structure
Car parking: 20 cars
Workspace Capacity: 106 person
Selim Senin
Cemil pamukcu
Isinsu Sopaoglu

PREFACE
In recent years, mixed-use developments have become increasingly popular in Vietnam, especially in high-density urban centers where different building types, scales and functions make a vibrant cityscape. This architectural typology in combination with reliable business models and decent design solutions may utilize the potentials of the site and maximize the benefits for not only project owners; developers; and tenants but also end-users and the public. The Waterfall is a unique medium-scale mixed-use building located in the center of Quang Ngai City in the Central Vietnam region. The design proposal is based on a creative design concept which strongly adapts to the client's business model while creating a distinctive built-form and decent functional spaces which are well-connected with the nature and public realm at the same time.

DESIGN BRIEF
The West-facing 485 square-meter project site is located at a busy street in the high-density city center. The site frontage is nearly 20-meter wide, which is a significant advantage for a mixed-use commercial building. The neighboring buildings are ranged from 2 to 5 story in height, most of them are townhouses, retail shops and public buildings. The design brief asks for an 8-level mixed-use building, including a basement and mezzanine with at least 2200 m2 of lettable spaces targeting on food & beverage businesses, retail shops, bank outlets, language schools, clinics as well as small and medium-size offices. Besides, the client’s business model also requests a high level of functional flexibility and energy-saving in order to optimize business outcome and operation cost. Moreover, sufficient parking, technical areas and communal spaces need to be carefully considered and integrated into the design project.

DESIGN CONCEPT
The design concept of the project is inspired from the vast natural landscape of Quang Ngai, which is formed by many rocky mountain ranges in the West combined with Eastern delta areas along Tra Khuc river flowing toward the East Sea. As observed from the outside, the architectural form and materiality of the complex building create a strong visual impression with many in-and-out solid masses stacked together like a majestic rocky mountain. A part of the “rocky mountain” is carved away to reveal a “canyon” covered by glazing panels in strong contrast with the rough solid walls. The transparent glazing brings natural ventilation and day light into the interior space while implying an imaginable “waterfall” flowing in the “canyon” before merging with the full-height transparent glazing of the ground level. The design project is then named The Waterfall to impress the idea that it could be imaginably related to a fascinating natural wonder. The concept is ultimately brought into the landscape and interior spaces in forms of free-style gardens; cavernous lobbies and pathways; rough cladding finishes; and nature-inspired tiling patterns. This unconventional built-form in combination with matching landscape and interior design would create an attractive destination for everyone and promisingly enhance the business outcome of the whole development project.
 
FUNCTIONALITY
As a respond to the client’s creative business model, the ground floor of The Waterfall is divided into two asymmetrical blocks: a rental commercial or retail space located at the South-West corner closed to the street; and a food and beverage block positioned at the Northern side in combination with an outdoor space. Besides, the specific structural design with up to 4-meter overhang span is carefully calculated and proposed to maximize the lettable area of the upper levels. As a result, although the ground floor area is just over 300 m2, the total buildable area of the 8-level building may reach nearly 2.800 m2. The spatial flexibility is strongly enhanced by positioning the circulation and service core at the rear while maximizing the lettable commercial spaces at the front. The project owner and tenants might flexibly negotiate on the positions and sizes of the rental areas without altering the overall structure. Each floor might be divided into up to three small office spaces ranged from 100 to 200 m2 while a medium-size company might rent 1 to 2 floors with 300-600 m2 lettable area and a large-size company might rent half of the building with the total area of over 1200 m2. Moreover, there is totally over 400 m2 of gardens; balconies; and terraces which provide spacious daily break-out and interactive spaces for the people working in The Waterfall.

SUSTAINABILITY
Passive design, which adapts to the local climate of Quang Ngai, plays an important role in The Waterfall proposal. The U-shaped floor layout allow desirable daylight getting inside the interior while the facades’ glazing is carefully positioned to minimize the solar radiant from the West and South-West. On the other hand, East-facing gardens and planted balconies located at the rear in combination with spacious East-West corridors engage pleasant cross ventilation during summer while the Northern façade is basically designed as a solid mass to prevent the cold strong wind in winter time. Moreover, the existing trees on the street pavement are preserved and relocated to provide desirable shading for the outdoor space. Rainwater is purposely collected via a comprehensive piping system then stored in a water tank at the basement before being used for landscape watering and firefighting when needed. Furthermore, solar panels are proposed on the rooftop as a supplement of hot water and electricity for lightings at communal spaces in the building. Low-E glazing; LED lightings and automatic landscape watering systems are also installed to greatly reduce utility bills. Finally, recyclable materials such as aluminum door and window frames; plasterboard partitions and ceilings are widely used in the interior fitting out of the project.

IDENTITY
The unconventional architecture of The Waterfall would create its own unique identity in the local context. Although the building looks quite different from a typically traditional building in the Central Vietnam region, its bravely proposes not only the symbolic relationship with the natural landscape but also the strong physical adaptation to the local climate of Quang Ngai. Besides, many traditional and local materials such as natural granites; ceramic and cement tiles; wooden furniture; porcelain planters; and bamboo decorative items are selected and proposed throughout both exterior and interior spaces of the project. The landscape and interior design also enhance the favored connection between the building with the nature and local culture in the contemporary way, which carefully places traditional and local materials in a modern configuration. This design approach results in impressive indoor and outdoor spaces which ensure pleasant experience for users and visitors, add value to the existing urban fabric, and most importantly creates a unique sense of place.

COMMUNITY
The ground level courtyard of The Waterfall is purposely designed as a connecting zone between the public realm and the semi-public spaces with walkways, paved ramps, and lively gardens positioned under the 20-meter “glass waterfall” in the center of the main building façade. A cavernous pedestrian pathway flows between two full-height glass blocks toward the main lobby and finally ends at a leafy rear garden, which is considered as a relaxing sanctuary for not only the people working in the building but also the visitors. In addition, a series of communal areas are proposed across all levels in forms of sizable balconies; terraces; pathways; and especially the 150-m2 rooftop terrace, where people would meet and interact with each other every day. On the other hand, wheelchair access is made available via gentle ramps; spacious lobbies and undisturbed corridors, disable and universal toilets are also proposed on the ground level as well as some upper floors in order to give more convenience and accessibility for the community.

Site area: 485 m2
Gross floor area: 2.780 m2
Number of floors: 8 floors, including basement and mezzanine
Functional areas: 375 m2 basement; 2400 m2 commercial & retail area; and over 400 m2 of landscaped communal spaces
Project Principal: Vinh Phuc Ta
Project Leader: Anh Tuan Pham
Project Architect: Hoang Nam Nguyen
Design Team: Thu Hang Tai; Minh Hieu Huynh; Huynh Nhu Bui, Casa Yen Nguyen

Kampala is a city that is also the capital city of the East African country Uganda. Located in the Central region of the country, the city is also the largest city in Uganda.It has a rapidly growing population that is estimated at 6,709,900 people in 2019 by the Uganda Bureau of Statistics.
Social life of the city is very dynamic. There is a movement that does not stop for 24 hours. Instead of designing a rectangular building, a dynamic design in which different levels are associated with each other to emphasizing dynamic city life on the new headquarters.
Building identity is defined by the roof! The building starts as 1 floor in two opposite directions and reaches 3 floors in the middle of the building.On the sloping surface of the building, which rises from the 1st floor to the 3rd floor, terraces that open to the outside on each floor are designed.In the middle part, where the building reaches 3 times height, a transition is provided that connects the two ends with 3 curved movements. This rhythmic movement places a special emphasis on the entrance of the building. The façade of the building was formed with vertical elements, indirect solar intake of the interior spaces was provided in the hot weather conditions of Uganda. Thanks to the retraction of the facade, a more sustainable design in terms of energy consumption has been achieved. The roof of the building has become a 5th facade due to the designed slope. Covering the roof and facade with standing seam metal cladding as a single material creates architectural integrity between the roof and the facades.

Structure: Reinforced Concrete
Facade: Standing Seam Metal Cladding
Selim Senin

Located near Gandhinagar city in Gujarat, Aalloa Hills embraces rest and repose in close consonance with nature. This net-zero residence, a bright white bridge spanning the Sabarmati Riverside terrains, stands out uniquely in the ambient wilderness. Positioned on a natural plateau with commanding views of the river and forest, it hovers above the ground, respecting the undisturbed flow of natural systems. Blurring the lines between inside and outside, it integrates with the native landscape, infusing volumes with light and shadow, transforming the space like dynamic art. Built in two phases, the initial phase was completed in 2018, and the second one in 2023.

A simple yet elegantly composed form meanders linearly across the valley, strung together by a thread-like access ramp. Starting from the staff quarters below and leading from the entrance parking bay, the ramp connects the guest house to the main house atop the plateau. This curated spatial journey unveils a controlled panorama of the valley, with the house hoisted off the ground on pilots like a modern Machan, offering resplendent views through deep, shady verandahs.

Geometric precision and axis planning create an interesting dialogue between the built and open, while allowing a seamless flow of spaces, light, water, breeze, vegetation and sounds of birds and trees. The deliberate placement of solid walls and voids achieves a delicate equilibrium between the built forms and the lush surroundings. The orientation optimizes use of natural terrains and the hot semi-arid climate, with energy-efficient sun breakers on the west side contributing to the residence's sustainable ethos. The east-facing veranda, a dual-function space, acts as a sun screen during the day and transforms into an outdoor haven during mornings and evenings. A china-mosaic lined roof-top thwarts the harsh sunlight, and design interventions like wide, painted, cavity masonry forms sun- breakers along the verandas, sunk slab with cinder filling, and double-glazed windows, team up to reduce heat absorption and allow comfortable indoor spaces without air conditioning for 9 months of the year. Additionally, breezes blowing over the pool and waterfall flanking the main block on either side, cool the house significantly.

All existing vegetation on the site was retained and 400 new trees and shrubs planted, which play host to the many birds and other creatures who visit and inhabit the environs. This conscious effort resonates with the spirit of giving back, a thankfulness for Nature’s bounty bestowed.

The bold monochrome palette, with the bright white exterior of the horizontally disposed structure, punctuated by the black stone flooring along the balconies, sets off the natural hues of the plateau and valley in stark contrast. The minimalist yet plush, black and white interiors fashion a comfortable, unobtrusive space where colors of landscape and artwork are celebrated year round. Public and private spaces are seamlessly integrated, with a double-height living area as the focal point. As occupants of all rooms spill onto shaded outdoor living spaces to view the lush, undulating neighbourhood, like a canvas to fete the green, squarely framed by the ample fenestration, team INI doffs its hat to the modernist masters.

Site Area : 2 Acres
Gross Built Area : 1347 m2
Project Location : Gandhinagar, Gujarat, India
Program / Use / Building Function : Private Residence

Consultant:
Architecture Firm - INI Design Studio
Interior Designer - INI Design Studio
Landscape Consultant - INI Design Studio
Structural Engineer - B. K. Shah
Civil Contractor - Ketan Thakkar
Facade Contractor - Hi-Fab, The Window Factory

Jayesh Hariyani, Bindu Hariyani