Asia Pacific regional winners of Holcim Awards 2014

The announcement of the Asia Pacific regional winners marks the conclusion of the Holcim Awards 2014 competition. Following the winning announcements for Europe, North America, Latin America, and Africa Middle East, 13 projects from nine countries throughout the Asian content and Pacific region were announced during the awards ceremony in Jakarta, Indonesia. 

Three top-prize winners, five Acknowledgement Prizes, and five Next Generation Prizes received a total cash prize of US$330,000. Winners were evaluated for their environmental, social and economic performance, architectural excellence, and degree of transferability.

All projects that win the Holcim Awards Gold, Silver and Bronze in each region will advance to the Global Holcim Awards 2015.

Check out the winners below.

GOLD: Protective Wing: Bird sanctuary | Chiang Mai, Thailand
MAIN AUTHOR: Jariyawadee Lekawatana - Architectkidd, Bangkok, Thailand; Singh Intrachooto - Kasetsart University, Bangkok, Thailand; Chak Cherdsatirkul - Kaomai Lanna Resort, Chiang Mai, Thailand
FURTHER AUTHOR(S): Felix Baroux - École Nationale Supérieure d’Architecture et de Paysage de Bordeaux, France; Pacharapan Ratananakorn - Architectkidd, Bangkok, Thailand; Pratchaya Lertrucksadee - Architectkidd, Bangkok, Thailand; Nattapong Chumkesorn - Architectkidd, Bangkok, Thailand; Tamfun Vatayanon - Architectkidd, Bangkok, Thailand; Sorawut Kittibanthorn - Architectkidd, Bangkok, Thailand

"A bird sanctuary in northern Thailand that serves as both an educational facility and bird rehabilitation center won the Gold prize. The integrated approach to bird conservation by Jariyawadee Lekawatana of Achitectkidd and Singh Intrachooto of Kasetsart University in Bangkok, together with Chak Cherdsatirkul of Kaomai Lanna Resort, Chiang Mai, simulates the natural habitat and includes a small hotel and bird viewing tower. Palm fiber discarded from agricultural production is re-valued as a construction material for the building envelope which provides additional habitat and food sources for all birds in the area.

At the prize-giving ceremony in Jakarta, jury member Donald Bates (Australia) congratulated the Holcim Awards Gold winners for their innovative approach to addressing the devastating effects of bird trafficking on the survival of endangered wildlife. “The project’s stance is aligned with the principles advocated by the International Union for Conservation of Nature and combines architectural qualities with conservation, education, research and eco-tourism in a complete and convincing way”, he said."

For further project info, click here.

SILVER: Children’s Ziggurat: Locally-adapted orphanage and library | Kathmandu, Nepal
MAIN AUTHOR: Hilary Sample - MOS Architects, New York, USA; Michael Meredith - MOS Architects, New York, USA

"The Lali Gurans orphanage and library in Kathmandu, Nepal by Hilary Sample and Michael Meredith of MOS Architects in New York, USA won Silver. The project addresses the needs of an under-served rural population with a facility that uses low-technology renewable energy and material resources, thus significantly reducing operating costs. Vertical gardens and permaculture provide thermal insulation as well as food for cooking. The project addresses the isolation of the orphanage as an institution by integrating the needs of the nearby communities through a library accessible to the public and a seismically-stable refuge area."