The Ripple Haaptfunktioun: Hospiz by Minghan Lin, Yuchen Qiu and Hao Zhong

The Ripple Haaptfunktioun: Hospiz by Minghan Lin, Yuchen Qiu and Hao Zhong is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2026 A' Design Award an Sëlwer in Architektur, Gebai an Strukturdesign Competition Category.

SëlwerArchitektur· 2026

The Ripple Haaptfunktioun: Hospiz

by Minghan Lin, Yuchen Qiu and Hao Zhong

A' Design Award an Sëlwer Winner in Architektur Category

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Verified Award Winner

Verify Award Status for #181398

View at A' Design Award Press Release Award Badge

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The Design

About The Ripple Haaptfunktioun: Hospiz

Buchtext: De Ripple ass e Virschlag fir en Hospiz, deen no engem konzentresche raimleche System opgebaut ass, dee vun engem zentrale Waasserhaff ausgeet. Zu Chinatown zu New York City geleeën, definéiert den Design d'Versuergung um Liewensenn nei als urban zivil Erfahrung amplaz als isoléiert Institutioun. Schichten vu Schwellen, Banneféiwer an Holzëmbauungen féieren d'Bewegung vum ëffentleche Liewen Richtung roueg Reflexioun. Integréiert Dageslicht, Waasser a passiv ëmweltschounend Strategien schafen e sensorlechen Fridden, deen Privatsphär, Orientéierung an emotionalt Wuelbefannen duerch d'Architektur selwer ënnerstëtzt.

The Recognition

About the A' Design Award an Sëlwer

The Ripple Haaptfunktioun: Hospiz ass e Gewënner vum A' Design Award an Sëlwer, enger aussergewéinlech prestigiéiser Unerkennung, déi un Designe vun der héchster Qualitéit, prächteg a beandrockend vergi gëtt. Sëlwer-Gewënner si bemierkenswäert brillant a ganz kreativ Wierker, déi d'erausragend Expertise, d'Talent an d'Schaarfsënnegkeet vun hire Designer weisen. Et gëtt erwaart, datt The Ripple Haaptfunktioun: Hospiz e wonnerbart, mustergëlteg, bemierkenswäert professionellt an déif innovatiivt Wierk ass. Dëst mam Sëlwer ausgezeechent Design ass eng bemierkenswäert, bewonnert Erfindung, déi dozou bäidréit, d'Grenze vun der Konscht, der Wëssenschaft, vum Design an der Technologie ze erweideren. The Ripple Haaptfunktioun: Hospiz ass eng Kreatioun, op déi vill neidesch sinn, déi Wënsch erweckt, positiv Gefiller bréngt an Erstaunen a Wonner erweckt.

Behind the Design

Press Kit

Credits, team members and technical details provided by the designer.

Unique Properties: The Ripple reimagines hospice as an urban civic sanctuary structured by a concentric ripple geometry generated from a single water court. Architecture, structure, circulation, and environmental systems align within one continuous spatial logic, integrating hybrid timber construction, passive ventilation, and water reuse. The design transforms end-of-life care into a collective, sensory experience embedded within the life of the city.
Dimensions & Packaging: The project employs a hybrid timber system organized by concentric structural rings. Curved CLT load-bearing wall segments rise from a continuous concrete foundation datum, supporting stepped roof bands with integrated skylights, photovoltaic tiles, and rainwater collection gutters. Environmental systems include stacked passive ventilation, hydronic radiant floor slabs, and on-site water filtration and reuse.
Tags: Hospice, Healthcare Design, Sensory experience, Therapeutic environment,
Production Technology: The project was developed through an integrated design methodology where geometry, structure, and environmental systems evolve from a single concentric datum. Digital modeling and iterative sectional studies guided spatial, daylight, and airflow performance. A hybrid timber system using curved CLT wall segments, cavity assemblies, and a continuous concrete base enables structural clarity while integrating rainwater collection, passive ventilation, and radiant conditioning within one coordinated assembly.
Design Challenge: The primary challenge was reconciling hospice care’s need for privacy and calm with the density and intensity of an urban Chinatown context. Social perceptions of hospice as isolated institutions required rethinking care as civic and accessible. Spatially, integrating sensory comfort, acoustic privacy, and environmental performance within a compact site demanded precise coordination of structure, water systems, and daylight. The project resolves these tensions through a unified geometric and environmental strategy.
Research: Design research combining healthcare design and environmental psychology. Objective: improve patient privacy and emotional comfort in hospice settings. Methodology explored spatial sequencing and sensory design strategies. Experiential scenarios tested water sound as a non-visual privacy buffer.
Inspiration: The Ripple is inspired by the universal image of a water drop generating expanding rings, symbolizing the continuity of life, memory, and collective care. Research into hospice environments, sensory psychology, and traditional courtyard typologies informed a design that replaces institutional isolation with spatial calm, gradual thresholds, and communal presence, integrating cultural reflection with environmental performance.
Project Duration: The project was developed between September 2025 and Janurary 2026 as part of an architectural design competition. The Ripple is located in Chinatown, New York City, where it reimagines hospice care within a dense urban context. The proposal explores how end-of-life care can integrate with everyday civic life through architecture, landscape, and community-oriented programming.
Operation Flow: Movement through Ripple follows expanding concentric rings, guiding visitors from the active city edge toward increasing quiet and intimacy. Thresholds, courtyards, and water elements choreograph gradual emotional transition rather than abrupt separation. Daylight, airflow, and acoustic water features respond passively to occupancy and climate, supporting orientation, privacy, and calm—allowing care to unfold through spatial experience rather than institutional control.
Patents: Minghan Lin, Yuchen Qiu, Hao Zhong
Team Members: Minghan Lin
Yuchen Qiu
Hao Zhong
Image Credits: Minghan Lin, Yuchen Qiu, Hao Zhong