Ascending Ground Mahi Matua: Whare Pukapuka Hapori by Hao Zhong is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2026 A' Design Award Hiriwa in Hoahoa Waihanga, Whare me te Hanganga Competition Category.
HiriwaWaihanga· 2026
Ascending Ground Mahi Matua: Whare Pukapuka Hapori
by Hao Zhong
Client: Hao Zhong
A' Design Award Hiriwa Winner in Waihanga Category
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- Verified Award Winner
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The Design
About Ascending Ground Mahi Matua: Whare Pukapuka Hapori
Tuhinga Pukapuka: Kei roto i te tāone tawhito o Wuzhen, ka tūhuratia e Ascending Ground tētahi kōrerorero i waenga i te pūmautanga me te tuwheratanga mā tētahi whare pukapuka hapori o ēnei rā. Ko ngā taunga pereki kiwikiwi i hangaia anōtia ka pupuri i te whare ki ngā tikanga ā-rohe, ā, ko ngā papa, ngā tūnga, me ngā puare whakairo ka whakaputa i te nekehanga rere me ngā tirohanga whaitua. He āputa kī tonu i te mārama kei waenganui ka whakauru i te taiao me ngā mahi pāpori, ka huri i te whare pukapuka hei whenua ā-mokowā paparua e hono ana i te hoahoanga, te māramatanga o te rā, me te maumahara ā-tāone.
The Recognition
About the A' Design Award Hiriwa
Ko Ascending Ground Mahi Matua: Whare Pukapuka Hapori te toa o te A' Design Award Hiriwa, he whakaaetanga tino whai mana e hoatu ana ki ngā hoahoa taumata teitei rawa, ātaahua me te whakamīharo. Ko ngā toa Hiriwa he mahi tino kanapa, tino auaha e whakaatu ana i te mātanga, te pūmanawa me te mōhio hōhonu o ā rātou kaihoahoa. E tūmanakohia ana ko Ascending Ground Mahi Matua: Whare Pukapuka Hapori he mahi whakamīharo, he tauira, he tino ngaio, he auaha hōhonu. Ko tēnei hoahoa i toa i te Hiriwa he hanganga rongonui, whakamīharotia e whai wāhi ana ki te whakawhānui i ngā rohe o te toi, te pūtaiao, te hoahoa me te hangarau. Ko Ascending Ground Mahi Matua: Whare Pukapuka Hapori he mahi e hae ana te tini, e whakaara ana i ngā hiahia, e kawe mai ana i ngā kare-ā-roto pai, ā, e whakaoho ana i te mīharo.
Behind the Design
Press Kit
Credits, team members and technical details provided by the designer.
- Unique Properties
- The project reinterprets Wuzhen’s historic architectural language through a contemporary community library that merges cave-like enclosed spaces with open terraces. The façade employs locally sourced recycled bricks, reinforcing regional identity while reducing material impact. A heavy masonry mass contrasts with a light-filled central void, creating layered circulation and a social platform connecting residents and visitors.
- Dimensions & Packaging
- The building is organized as a multi-level library composed of a heacy mass cladded with local-sourced recycled bricks and lightweight steel terrace structures. Massing and platform geometry were optimized through sun-path analysis to enhance daylight performance and natural ventilation. Varied façade openings regulate light and views, while staggered terraces create integrated circulation across levels, supporting flexible spatial use and environmental responsiveness.
- Tags
- community library, contextualized design, heritage integration, recycled material
- Production Technology
- The overall massing and platform layout were determined through careful study of the sun path to optimize daylight and capture views of Wuzhen’s historic district. Heavy volumes use locally sourced recycled grey bricks, while lightweight timber and steel define the central void and terraces. Staggered terraces, varied window openings, and intersecting stairs create layered spatial experiences, blending traditional materials with contemporary construction techniques.
- Design Challenge
- Integrating a contemporary library into Wuzhen’s historic fabric required balancing tradition and innovation while addressing social and spatial needs. Constraints included local regulations, material availability, and construction logistics in narrow historic streets.
- Inspiration
- The design is inspired by the rich historical and cultural fabric of Wuzhen, particularly its muted grey brick and white-walled architecture. Motivated to create a contemporary intervention that respects tradition, the project explores spatial contrasts between enclosed cave-like areas and open terraces, fostering community interaction while embracing the town’s scenic context.
- Project Duration
- The project concept started in 2018 during my travel in Wuzhen and the design finished in 2019.
- Operation Flow
- The library features a system of staggered stairs, platforms, and vertical circulation within the brick volumes, allowing visitors to move freely between enclosed, cave-like spaces and open terraces. This separation of circulation creates multiple paths, encourages exploration, and frames diverse views of Wuzhen, while the central void and terraces serve as flexible communal spaces that enhance social interaction and experiential engagement.
- Patents
- Hao Zhong
- Team Members
- Hao Zhong
- Image Credits
- Hao Zhong
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