Ascending Ground Primary Function: Ilé Ìkàwé Àdúgbò by Hao Zhong is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2026 Àmì-ẹ̀yẹ Fàdákà A' Design Award in Àpẹẹrẹ Ìkọ́lé, Ilé àti Ètò Competition Category.
FàdákàÌkọ́lé· 2026
Ascending Ground Primary Function: Ilé Ìkàwé Àdúgbò
by Hao Zhong
Client: Hao Zhong
Àmì-ẹ̀yẹ Fàdákà A' Design Award Winner in Ìkọ́lé Category
Verified Award Winner
Verify Award Status for #181487The Design
About Ascending Ground Primary Function: Ilé Ìkàwé Àdúgbò
Book Text: Tí a gbé sínú ìlú àtijọ́ Wuzhen, Ascending Ground ṣàwárí ìbánisọ̀rọ̀ láàrín ìdúróṣinṣin àti ìṣílẹ̀kùn nípasẹ̀ ilé ìkàwé àdúgbò òde-òní. Àwọn ìpilẹ̀ bíríkì aláwọ̀ eérú tí a tún lò ń fi ilé náà sípò nínú àṣà àdúgbò, nígbà tí àwọn pẹpẹ, àwọn pẹpẹ-ìdúró, àti àwọn ojú àgbàlá tí a gbẹ́ ń mú ìṣíkiri tí ó ń ṣàn àti àwọn ìwòye tí a fi àwòrán sípò jáde. Òfo àárín kan tí ìmọ́lẹ̀ kún ń mú ìṣẹ̀dá àti ìgbòkègbodò àwùjọ wá, ó ń yí ilé ìkàwé náà padà sí ilẹ̀-ìran òpó-pípọ̀ tí ó ń so ìkọ́lé, ìmọ́lẹ̀ ọ̀sán, àti ìrántí ìlú-ńlá pọ̀.
The Recognition
About the Àmì-ẹ̀yẹ Fàdákà A' Design Award
Ascending Ground Primary Function: Ilé Ìkàwé Àdúgbò jẹ́ olùborí Àmì-ẹ̀yẹ Fàdákà A' Design Award, ìdánimọ̀ onípọ̀nlé lọ́nà àrà ọ̀tọ̀ tí a fún àwọn àwòṣe ìpele gíga jùlọ tó dára tó sì ń kan ọkàn. Àwọn olùborí Fàdákà jẹ́ àwọn iṣẹ́ tó ń tàn yòò gidigidi tó sì ní ìṣẹ̀dá púpọ̀ tí wọ́n ń ṣàfihàn ìmọ̀ ìjìnlẹ̀, ẹ̀bùn àti ìmọ̀ràn àwọn olùṣàwòṣe wọn. A retí pé Ascending Ground Primary Function: Ilé Ìkàwé Àdúgbò yóò jẹ́ iṣẹ́ àgbàyanu, àpẹẹrẹ rere, ti ọ̀jáfáfá lọ́nà tó ṣe pàtàkì tó sì ní ìmúṣẹ̀dá tuntun jinlẹ̀. Àwòṣe tó borí Àmì-ẹ̀yẹ Fàdákà A' Design Award yìí jẹ́ ohun ìmúṣẹ̀dá tó hàn gbangba gidigidi tí a mọrírì tó ń ṣe anfàní tó sì ń tì ààlà iṣẹ́ ọnà, sáyẹ́ǹsì, àwòṣe àti ìmọ̀-ẹ̀rọ síwájú. Ascending Ground Primary Function: Ilé Ìkàwé Àdúgbò jẹ́ ẹ̀dá tí ọ̀pọ̀lọpọ̀ ń ṣe ìlara, tó ń jí ìfẹ́ inú, tó ń mú ìmọ̀lára rere wá tó sì ń jí ìyàlẹ́nu àti ìyanu.
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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