With 90+ categories and 300+ jurors, the Architizer A+Awards is the world’s definitive architectural awards program. In anticipation of the Awards Gala and Phaidon book launch on May 14, we are pleased to share the stories behind the winners of the 2015 Awards program — see all of them here.
penda won the 2015 A+Awards, Popular Choice, for the Typology – Residential – Apartment Category with Ice and Snow Apartment. This apartment in Hebei, China, was inspired by the melting of snow during the spring thaw.
Your name: Dayong Sun and Chris Precht
Firm name: penda
Location: Beijing, China
Education:
Dayong Sun: CAFA / Beijing / Master degree
Chris Precht: TU Innsbruck – Bachelor / TU Vienna – Master
© Precht
When did you decide that you wanted to be an architect?
DS: As a child, I lived with my parents in a country cottage. Impressed by the plain-earth-constructed courtyard, I started to think about how to make our home more comfortable. Later, when I went to the university, I found that being an architect was exactly what I had dreamed of. So, after graduation, I started my career as an architect.
CP: I think it was a week after I started to study architecture in Innsbruck back in 2004. Patrik Schumacher was a professor at the school and he gave a lecture about [ZHA’s] work. I was a 3D [visualization] aficionado and seeing what was possible with form was mesmerizing and got me very passionate about the profession.
First architecture/design job:
DS: In 2005, after my graduation from the university, I joined Graft Beijing Office where I participated in many project designs, including architecture, interior, and furniture. I also worked for a short period of time at Graft Berlin Office in 2008. It was at Graft that I enhanced my understanding toward architecture and interior design, more importantly, I got to know many friends there, including my partner Chris.
CP: Back in 2007, I had an internship at NOX/Lars Spuybroeck in Rotterdam for six months.
© Precht
Who is your design hero and/or what is your favorite building?
DS: I pay a high tribute to Jørn Utzon, who incorporated many Chinese elements into his designs and, through contemporary vocabulary, transformed those elements into wonderful architecture, as one may see from his representative work, the Sydney Opera House. This performance facility features an expressionistic yet rational design with a series of large precast concrete shells. It responds to the site and context and, meanwhile, expresses the emotional feelings of the architect. It is passionate and touching, just like Beethoven’s symphony.
CP: Louis Kahn and his dialogue of the built (form and materiality) with the unbuilt (environment and light).
© Precht
What do you find exciting about architecture and design right now?
DS: My dissertation for Master degree was about bionic architecture. As our environment today has been severely damaged by the industrialization of the 20th century, designers of today have to resolve the problems [of the past] while shouldering the responsibility for the future. The designers should be more aware and appreciative of nature, where they may discover the optimal solution, as well. Just like Darwin’s theory of natural selection and survival of the fittest, the Chinese philosopher Laozi also advocated the harmony between men and nature in the Taoism philosophy. It is in this sense that the bionic architecture attempts to integrate buildings with nature. I am particularly interested in this field and will continue our exploration through our practices.
CP: We are living in an age of economy: more money, faster progress, greater benefits, in the shortest amount of time. I think architecture can be a counter movement as a slow-paced and stable profession, returning the focus toward an age of humanity. Connecting people to nature and a responsible interaction of the built and natural environment are big topics in our office.
© Precht
Tell us something that people might not know about your submission:
DS: The element of surprise was a big topic within the project. Visitors can experience the space and find some hidden elements, like drawers or secret boxes. I have slept recently in the apartment for a skiing vacation and, as it usually is, when one gets older, I forgot where we have hidden those elements. When I found a box with a small artwork inside hidden in the wall, I gave myself in a way a small surprise …
CP: It was actually our first commissioned project after founding penda. As it usually is with first commissions, the design fee was not very high. But getting the A+Award for it probably makes up for that.
Which jurors do you find most compelling and why?
DS: Iwan Baan, because he has the ability to transfer our built environment into art.
CP: There are so many inspirational people, but Alan Cumming, I guess. I am a TV junkie and a big fan of TheGood Wife.
Among your fellow A+Award winners, what is/are your favorite(s)?
DS: Grotto Sauna by PARTISANS.
CP: Among all of the jewels, I would pick the Ski Jumps Planica by Abiro and Studio AKKA. Until the age of 18, I was a professional skijumper, but I’ve never made it to do skiflying. Seeing the hill in action this year at the Seasons final was breathtaking. Designing a skijumping hill would be a dream job to work on …
© Precht
Other than your computer (or phone), what is your most important tool?
CP: As an architect, you need to have a wide set of tools. As Neil deGrasse Tyson put it, “If your only tool is a hammer, than all your problems look like nails.” Architects are generalists and the profession asks for a broad skill-set. But I think ears are the architect’s most important tool. Architects are filled with ideas, creativity, and dreams, which wants to be put to reality. With these visions in mind, the dialog with the client can be often blurred. Truly listening to the client’s need is essential to reacting to a certain task in a responsible way.
Outside of architecture, where do you look for inspiration?
DS: Besides buildings, I also draw inspiration from nature and art. One may find his body quite relaxed when embraced by nature. Actually, the same feeling could also be found from the beauty of music, painting, sculpture, and other artworks. Such feeling is very important for creating elegant building spaces, and I hope the users could share these feelings from the buildings designed by us.
See all of the 2015 A+Award Winners here and all of the Winner Q+A’s here