Hydro Pantli by Xiyao Wang is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2025 Mahuizolli A' Design Award Iztacteocuitlatl in Tlamatiliztequitl, Calchihualiztli ihuan Altepetlachihualli Tlachihchihualiztli Competition Category.

IztacteocuitlatlAltepetlachihualli· 2025

Hydro Pantli

by Xiyao Wang

Client: Extended Play Lab

Mahuizolli A' Design Award Iztacteocuitlatl Winner in Altepetlachihualli Category

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Verified Award Winner

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Colors

The Design

About Hydro Pantli

Hydro-Bridge ce miec tlamantli nemiliztecpantli quipanoa in Nakkhu Atoyatl Chyasikot, Nepal ipan. Mopatla xihuitl ipan, tequitia iuhquin neneuhqueh huan tepozmalacameh pantli xalhuayan meztli ipan auh mopata atl pixcayotl huan chicahuac calixtli huey quiyahuitl ipan. Motlalnamictia tepancalchihualiztli ica altepemaitl, in tlachihualoni quipixtia cuauhtlalticpac chicahualiztli, huel mopiaz ihuan altepetl tlanequiliztin auh mocempixoa ica in cualnezqui tlalli.

The Recognition

About the Mahuizolli A' Design Award Iztacteocuitlatl

Hydro Pantli ca in quicuic in Mahuizolli A' Design Award Iztacteocuitlatl, hueyi tlamahuizoliztli tlen momaca in huel yectli, tlanextic ihuan mahuiztic tlachihualli. In quicuicah Iztacteocuitlatl ca cenca cualli ihuan cenca yancuic tlachihualli in quinextia in tlamatiliztli, toltecayotl ihuan ixtlamatiliztli intlachihuanime. Ca quinequi in Hydro Pantli ca cenca cualli, cenca motequiuhtia ihuan yancuic. Ni dizayno in quicuic Iztacteocuitlatl quihuelitia in toltecayotl, tlamatiliztli, dizayno ihuan teknolohia. Hydro Pantli quiyolchicahua in tlacah, quipaquiltia ihuan quitlamahuiztiltia.

Behind the Design

Press Kit

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

Unique Properties: Hydro-Bridge is an adaptive, multifunctional pedestrain bridge in Chyasikot, Nepal. Designed to address the region's seasonal changes, it serves as a pedestrian and light vehicle bridge during dry periods and transforms into a water storage system and secure camping site during the rainy season. Its unique design merges public space and infrastructure, integrating environmental adaptation, sustainability, and community functionality, all while emphasizing harmony with the natural landscape.
Dimensions & Packaging: The bridge is 7m tall and 8m wide.
Tags: bridge, infrastructure, sustainable design, climate change
Production Technology: Steel structure with metal detailing and glass roof collecting rain water. Parametric design tools are used to design the bridge.
Design Challenge: The biggest challenge was designing a structure that responds to both community needs and the natural environment. Overcoming the constraints of budget, materials, and complex seasonal dynamics required interdisciplinary collaboration between architects, engineers, and hydrologists. The need to balance aesthetics with functionality, and to create a design that could withstand Nepal's intense monsoon season, while still offering public utility in drier months, pushed the creative boundaries and led to innovative structural solutions.
Research: The research behind Hydro-Bridge focused on sustainable infrastructure in flood-prone areas. The objective was to explore how built environments could adapt to climate conditions. The methodology involved site analysis, climate modeling, and user behavior studies, combining environmental data with structural analysis. Results showed the need for dual-purpose infrastructure that provides public space and addresses seasonal needs. This research highlights the bridge’s capacity to support urban resilience while fostering sustainable social spaces.
Inspiration: The inspiration came from the need to develop resilient infrastructure in regions prone to drastic weather shifts. Nepal’s monsoon seasons present significant challenges, which inspired the bridge’s dual function as a dry-season bridge and a rainy-season water storage solution. Drawing from the fluidity of natural water systems and vernacular architecture, the project offers a public space that embraces the rhythms of its environment and creates opportunities for social engagement.
Project Duration: Project is located Nakkhu River in Chyasikot, Nepal. First conceived in 2019.
Operation Flow: Hydro-Bridge operates dynamically based on the seasonal cycle. During the dry season, it functions as a bridge for pedestrians and light vehicles. As monsoon rains begin, it transforms into a system that captures and stores rainwater. The design allows people to interact with the structure, using it as a social hub while benefiting from its adaptable functionality. Its design provides seamless transitions, reflecting an intelligent response to environmental changes and offering a public space that supports community interaction.