Aero Grove Primary Function: Ikigo cy'Umuco cy'Abaturage by Xinyun Li

Aero Grove Primary Function: Ikigo cy'Umuco cy'Abaturage by Xinyun Li is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2026 Igihembo cya A' Design Award cya Ifeza in Igishushanyo cy'Ubwubatsi Competition Category.

IfezaUbwubatsi· 2026

Aero Grove Primary Function: Ikigo cy'Umuco cy'Abaturage

by Xinyun Li

Igihembo cya A' Design Award cya Ifeza Winner in Ubwubatsi Category

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Verified Award Winner

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View at A' Design Award Press Release Award Badge

Colors

The Design

About Aero Grove Primary Function: Ikigo cy'Umuco cy'Abaturage

Book Text: Aero Grove ni inyubako y'umuco iherereye mu kibanza rusange kibisi cy'i Boston. Isuzuma uburyo ubwubatsi bunini bushobora kwinjira mu mujyi bwicishije bugufi, bushyiraho imikorere y'umuco n'uburezi mu gihe burinda umudendezo n'ubunyangamugayo bw'aho hantu. Ahantu ho kwerekana ibintu bivanga n'uburambe bwimbitse, naho urwego rwa kabiri rwo hejuru rutera imbere ikiganiro n'imikorere. Imiterere yayo izenguruka igenda kandi imisozi izamuka ikamanuka bihuza mu buryo busanzwe abantu, ubwubatsi, kamere, n'umujyi. Uruhande rw'inyubako ruhinduka ikibaho cy'urumuri rw'umunsi n'igicucu. Itanga uburambe kuva ku bishushanyo by'umujyi kugeza ku bibuga by'imbere byegeranye.

The Recognition

About the Igihembo cya A' Design Award cya Ifeza

Aero Grove Primary Function: Ikigo cy'Umuco cy'Abaturage ni uwegukanye Igihembo cya A' Design Award cya Ifeza, ishimwe ridasanzwe ry'agaciro gakomeye ritangwa ku bishushanyo byo ku rwego rwo hejuru, byiza kandi bikora ku mutima. Abegukanye Ifeza ni ibihangano by'ubuhanga bukomeye kandi bifite guhanga kwinshi, bigaragaza ubuhanga bwimbitse, impano n'ubushishozi bw'ababihanze. Aero Grove Primary Function: Ikigo cy'Umuco cy'Abaturage biteganyijwe ko izaba igihangano cy'icyitegererezo, gifite ubunyamwuga bukomeye n'udushya twimbitse. Iki gishushanyo cyegukanye Ifeza ni igihangano kizwi kandi gishimwa, gifasha kugura imbibi z'ubuhanzi, ubumenyi, ubushushanyo n'ikoranabuhanga. Aero Grove Primary Function: Ikigo cy'Umuco cy'Abaturage ni igihangano benshi bifuza, gikangura ibyifuzo, gitanga amarangamutima meza kandi gitera igitangaza.

Behind the Design

Press Kit

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

Unique Properties: Aero Grove is a public cultural center located in a public area in Boston. The design explores how a large structure can humbly integrate into the urban fabric. It aims to create an inviting, active green space while featuring exhibition and immersive experience areas. Its fluid, circular form ensures open access and encourages community use. Incorporating a central courtyard, rooftop paths, and layered facades, the building seamlessly blends into the cityscape and promotes interaction among community members, culture, and technology.
Dimensions & Packaging: GFRC applied on the roof's thickness transfers from 0.5m to 1.7m
Standard glass mullion
Tags: Cultural Center, Public Building, Urban Responsibility, Levitated Roof, Interaction, Humble attitude, Serve community
Production Technology: GFRC
Ultra Clear Laminated Low-E Glass
Travertine Tile
Marble Tile
Pebble pavement
Design Challenge: How to make the open space more active to provide diverse spaces to attract people to enjoy the design.
Research: Observe and interview users of the existing public space to understand how it is currently used. Analyze their activities not only to incorporate them into the design, but also to enhance the environment and introduce a wider variety of spaces.
Inspiration: When a building is introduced to a site, the architect has a responsibility to consider the original function of the space and its significance to users, the community, and the city. Designing in a highly frequented public green space calls for the building to enter the site with a humble presence, preserving as much of the original function as possible while creating new moments of interaction for both people and the urban environment.
Project Duration: Boston, United States
The design phase lasted 4 months. It is a concept design.
Operation Flow: The design with its open green area provides different environments for the community to enjoy the public space: enjoying sunshine, staying under the shade of trees, and resting under the roof.
It provides different heights for people to interact with the city through the rooftop trail.
Image Credits: Image #1: Xinyun Li
Image #2: Xinyun Li
Image #3: Xinyun Li
Image #4: Xinyun Li
Image #5: Xinyun Li