The online award ceremony for the 2021 International Paper Residential Building Competition (IRACDC) took place on February 19th, where judge Francine Houben announced the list of winners. The competition was organized by Taiwan Architecture News Magazine and planned by Shangyuan United Architects, with Francine Houben—Architect and Creative Director at Mecanoo Architecture Firm in the Netherlands—serving as the judge for the theme The Future of Housing – Before and After the Pandemic.
Despite the ongoing global spread of COVID-19, the competition received 328 submissions from 35 countries, competing for a total prize pool of $10,000 USD. After an initial review by Francine Houben, eight projects were shortlisted for the final round. Due to pandemic restrictions, the final evaluation was conducted online, with each finalist presenting and answering questions in a live session. After over three hours of deliberation, the winning projects were selected.
© TRAA Taiwan Residential Architecture Award
At the ceremony, Judge Francine Houben highlighted the ongoing challenge architects face in providing sufficient affordable housing. She noted, “This pandemic is an unprecedented experience for the Netherlands, and it’s unpredictable how the situation will continue to evolve. Balancing housing needs and pandemic-related challenges will be a key topic in the coming years.”
Throughout several internal discussions with the Taiwanese team, it was observed that the submissions not only addressed pandemic-related issues but also thoughtfully considered local climate and innovative public space designs, offering new solutions for residential architecture during these times.
First Prize
Ghost to Host / Puangniyom Pongpol (Thailand) + Mah Yi Jun (Malaysia)
The first prize winner, awarded $2,500 USD, was the project “Ghost to Host” by Puangniyom Pongpol and Mah Yi Jun. Their design renovates the iconic abandoned Sathornue Unique Tower in Bangkok into affordable, self-sufficient housing communities, providing comfortable living spaces for middle and lower-income residents.
Francine praised the approach for creatively repurposing an abandoned building, using dynamic architectural features that enliven the street view and create a distinctive identity. This project transcends simple collective housing, envisioning a vertical modern settlement that addresses diverse daily needs.
© TRAA Taiwan Residential Architecture Award
Second Prize
Extension of Living / Huang Zih Jhe (Taiwan, China)
The second prize, with a $2,000 USD award, was granted to Huang Zizhe for the project “Extension of Living”. This design rethinks the transition between indoor and outdoor spaces by creatively modifying boundaries at various scales. It aims to foster communities adaptable to different levels of isolation, enabling residents to maintain a high quality of life despite pandemic restrictions.
Francine Houben emphasized the challenge of defining the boundary between public and private spaces. Huang’s innovative use of balconies serves as a key architectural element marking the transition between indoor and outdoor, public and private, while also enhancing the spatial quality of these areas.
© TRAA Taiwan Residential Architecture Award
Third Prize
RECONFIGURING NYC / Marco Moccia (Italy) + Chen Ken (Singapore)
The third prize, accompanied by a $1,500 USD award, was won by Marco Moccia and Chen Ken for their project “RECONFIGURING NYC”. Their design explores how diverse income groups—high, middle, and low—can coexist in a dense, capital-driven city like New York.
The project integrates various public spaces such as cafes, galleries, and urban farms for both residents and the public to enjoy. Francine highlighted the project’s insightful analysis of New York’s urban and residential forms, heavily impacted by the pandemic.
The designers emphasized that the pandemic and climate change are intertwined challenges. By employing fundamental design strategies like naturally ventilated apartments, they enhance the quality of life within large collective housing complexes.
© TRAA Taiwan Residential Architecture Award
Alongside the top three winners, five additional projects received Special Awards ($1,000 USD each) and Selected Awards ($500 USD each).
Special Awards
Special Prize 1: Gap: Disconnect to Connect / Chai Yi Yang + Ng Yi Ming + Bong Wei Jian (Malaysia)
© TRAA Taiwan Residential Architecture Award
Special Prize 2: Housing Reframed / Inka Eismar + Coll Drury + Jenna Imrie McMahon (United Kingdom, Scotland)
© TRAA Taiwan Residential Architecture Award
Special Prize 3: Weather the Epidemic in the Community / Yin Jun + Cao Yue Ning + Chen Si Tong (China)
© TRAA Taiwan Residential Architecture Award
Selected Awards
Selected Award 1: AirPods / Wong Ka Hei + Chan Yin Tat (Hong Kong, China)
© TRAA Taiwan Residential Architecture Award
Selected Award 2: Iso Teract Pods / Wong Kai Yi + Low Xue Yee + Lim Pui San (Malaysia)
© TRAA Taiwan Residential Architecture Award
Besides the prize money, each winner received a specially designed wooden medal as a commemorative token.
Due to COVID-19, this year’s selection and award ceremony were held entirely online and broadcast live. Reflecting on the pandemic’s impact on global lifestyles, the competition also published a special e-book featuring comprehensive layouts and discussions of the eight winning projects, along with a detailed record of the selection process.
The selection review and award ceremony are publicly available for viewing on the official YouTube channel and website of the TRAA Taiwan Residential Architecture Award. Architecture enthusiasts are invited to watch online.
Official website: www.traa.com.tw
Official Facebook: www.facebook.com/TRAA.RESIDENTIAL.AWARDS/
Official YouTube: reurl.cc/YW8rb0
Host: Taiwan Architecture Report Magazine
Planning: Shangyuan United Architectural Firm
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