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The Vessel Type Pulega o le Vai by Ruiting Xu

The Vessel Type Pulega o le Vai by Ruiting Xu is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2025 A' Design Award Uʻamea in Mamanu Fausaga Fale Competition Category.


UʻameaFausaga Fale· 2025

The Vessel Type Pulega o le Vai

by Ruiting Xu

A' Design Award Uʻamea Winner in Fausaga Fale Category

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Verified Award Winner

Verify Award Status for #166076

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The Design

About The Vessel Type Pulega o le Vai

O le Ituaiga Ipu e su'esu'eina ai le tu'ufa'atasiga o le tufuga faufale ma le si'osi'omaga e ala i le fa'atūina o se fausaga tumau e pei o se ipu. O le mamanu lenei e tali atu i lu'itau o pauga ma lologa fa'avaitau e ala i le fa'atūina o se faiga teuina, fa'amamāina, ma tufatufāina o le vai e lagolago ai mana'oga a tagata ma fa'ato'aga. E galue le fausaga o se auala puipuia ma se totonugalemu fa'alenuu, e fa'atupuina ai fegalegaleaiga fa'aagafesootai ma le nafa matafaioi i le si'osi'omaga. O le fa'amoemoega e avea ai ma se fofoina fa'atino mo le puleaina o le vai ma se fa'ailoga fa'aleaganu'u, ma tu'uina atu se fausaga mautu mo le lumanai o le nu'u.

The Recognition

About the A' Design Award Uʻamea

O le A' Design Award Uʻamea na manumalo ai The Vessel Type Pulega o le Vai, o se faamaoniga mamalu e tuuina atu i mamanu lelei e faataunuu ai manaʻoga faapolofesa ma pisinisi e faamoemoeina mai galuega ua mamanuina lelei. O ē manumalo i le Uʻamea e faaalia ai le tomai tele, le faapitoa maualuga, le malamalama o tagata poto ma le mafai fatufatuaʻi o ē na faia. E faamoemoeina The Vessel Type Pulega o le Vai e avea ma mea ua matuā vivii, mataʻina ma pelepelea e aogā ma fou. O lenei mamanu na manumalo i le A' Design Award Uʻamea e tuufaatasia ai faiga sili o le pisinisi ma e iai uiga faatekonolosi mafai ua fesoʻotaʻi ma le poto ma le taleni. Ona o lona faatuatuaina, e tatau ai The Vessel Type Pulega o le Vai ona faaaloalogia ma ua mamanuina e tuuina mai ai faaleleiga o le olaga e fesoasoani e faia ai e le lalolagi se nofoaga e sili atu ona lelei.

Behind the Design

Press Kit

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

Unique Properties
The Vessel Type is an architectural solution that addresses the pressing environmental and social challenges faced by rural communities in Madagascar. Designed to respond to the region's vulnerability to seasonal droughts and flooding, this project combines innovative water management infrastructure with spaces for social and cultural engagement. It highlights the transformative role of architecture in fostering resilience, social equity, and sustainable development.
Dimensions & Packaging
The project incorporates a rainwater harvesting system that captures runoff during the wet season, storing it in a central filtration unit. The water is filtered using a rural submerged filter technique with sand and gravel, ensuring clean and potable water. The structure combines concrete for its durability in wet conditions and wood for flexibility and natural integration. The design also features adaptive spaces, with wood components replaceable over time, ensuring sustainability and longevity.
Tags
Sustainable Architecture, Rainwater Collection, Water Management, Environmental Design, Ecological Infrastructure, Social Equity, Drought-resistant Design, Flood Mitigation
Production Technology
The design process began by studying the climate challenges of the region, particularly water scarcity and seasonal flooding. The project uses concrete and wood. Concrete provides durability and resistance to constant water exposure, promoting enduring stability. Wood adds warmth, flexibility, and a natural aesthetic while integrating seamlessly with the landscape. Its use allows for easy replacement over time as part of the structure's life cycle, supporting the project's sustainability and adaptability.
Design Challenge
The hardest part of this design was creating a solution that balanced both the water needs and long-term sustainability for Ambalorao. The creative challenge lay in integrating water management with community spaces in a way that was both functional and culturally relevant. Obstacles included the limited availability of local data and understanding the social dynamics of the village. External factors, like access to materials, climate variability, and lack of technological infrastructure, further complicated the development, requiring innovative design solutions.
Research
This research explores how architecture can address water scarcity and flooding in Ambalorao. The objective is to design a structure that manages water while enhancing community life. The methodology includes studying local climate patterns, water access issues, and community needs through environmental analysis. The results show that a multi-functional water management system can improve access to clean water and foster social interaction. This approach can enhance villagers' lives, support sustainable agriculture, and inform future climate-adaptive solutions.
Inspiration
The inspiration for this project stemmed from the challenges faced by communities in Madagascar due to seasonal droughts and flooding. I sought to create a design that would provide a sustainable water supply while fostering social equity. The idea evolved from a combination of local environmental conditions and the need for infrastructure that also serves as a communal and cultural space. Research focused on water management techniques and eco-centric design principles.
Project Duration
Project Duration: Ongoing
Location: Ambalorao, Madagascar
Operation Flow
The Vessel Type is a structure that adapts to the changing seasons. In the wet season, it captures and filters rainwater, helping to prevent flooding while providing a safe path for the community. During the dry season, it becomes a water storage area, distributing water to people and supporting agriculture. The structure also transforms into a lively community space for events, bringing people together and improving their quality of life by providing reliable water and gathering spaces.

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