Brick Award 2014

A reference building was constructed for the residents of the Shijia Village, which implements various sustainable lifestyle concepts – including the use of traditional materials like clay bricks. The house is heated with biogas and comprises four inner courtyards, which are connected with the kitchen, bathroom, living room, and bedrooms. The roof is multi-functional, providing a space for drying meat, collecting rainwater or simply for relaxation. A lifestyle as self-reliant as possible shall save the residents from the increasing dependence on third-party goods.

„What the architects did, and what was later constructed with significant input from the local society, is an implementation of the typical layout of the Chinese house from that area. It gathers renewable resources, such as by collecting water on the roof, making the roof very sculptural and multifunctional. The bricks are used in an innovative way and are double-layered. The first layer is an infill for insulation. These are the mud bricks which are made in situ with the use of a special machine. The other layer is for the exterior finish, made of bricks, which in this area of China are readily available. It is a very interesting and unique use of bricks, which doesn’t call for the use of any other insulation materials. It’s not only a very wise project, but also a graceful and beautiful one.“