Architecture Asia Special Issue - ARCASIA Awards for Architecture 2020

HONORABLE
MENTION
B-2
Boat Rooms on the
Fuchun River
Public Amenity:
Resort Buildings
Architect:
CHEN Xiawei
Location:
Jiande, China
The project successfully activated the ancient houseboat culture of this area and became
the central attraction for the scenic area and the hotel, while also generating economic and
social benefits beyond the expectations of the scenic area manager and the hotel operator.
The architectural focus was on blending the building into the pure scene and decreasing
damage to the original ecology at the shoreline. The final design has reintroduced the local
houseboat culture and integrated the “black-awning boat landing” concept into the landscape.
Moreover, ecological damage can be reduced through the construction mode of conducting
prefabrication and assembly as dry operations.
JURY CITATION: This project shows good integration with the natural environment. It traced
back to the old culture of the local living when fishermen lived and fished on boats. Using
prefabricated wood materials and structures, the resort houses are easily built with less invasion
or destruction to the surrounding nature. The houses are completed with high-quality interior
and exterior, blending into the greens of the riverbank.
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