The Wheel: A Sustainable Pavilion by Chishen Chien

Award-winning Design Reflects a Harmonious Relationship Between Humans and Nature

The Wheel is more than just a pavilion; it is a demonstration of a sustainable homeland. Chien's design is inspired by the most fundamental human needs: food and shelter. By proposing a lifestyle that reconnects humans with nature, The Wheel represents a potential path towards sustainable living. The design places nature at its core, with living spaces surrounding it, creating a subordination relation. This arrangement allows inhabitants to perceive, care for, and learn from nature continuously.

The Wheel's unique properties lie in its design and construction. The high-performance housing design features a heat-proof and humidity-adapting exterior wall, a heat-insulated rooftop, and windows. The design also utilizes ground temperature for air change, ensuring good indoor air quality. The high ceiling promotes gravitational ventilation, while the extending eaves provide shade and shelter from rain. The edible climbing plants landscape further shades east and west exposures.

Chien's design is not only sustainable but also technologically advanced. The Wheel has a total floor space of 167m2, a main frame structure made of wood, and two floors. The design's tags include sustainable, low carbon footprint, wood, adobe bricks, earthen plasters, nature, family farming, passive design, and zero net carbon emissions. The Wheel is a testament to Chien's commitment to sustainability and innovation in design.

The Wheel's design process was not without its challenges. The project serves as a four-person living area, including the surrounding hinterland. The organic edible garden is placed at the center, with each living space located according to its attributes and usage time. Each space conforms to the landform and climate, corresponding with a low or high rooftop, creating a lively and light roof line. Despite these challenges, Chien successfully created a design that is both functional and aesthetically pleasing.

In conclusion, The Wheel by Chishen Chien is a remarkable example of sustainable design. It reflects a harmonious relationship between humans and nature, offering a glimpse into a potential future of sustainable living. The Wheel is not just a pavilion; it is a testament to the power of design in shaping our relationship with the natural world. As we continue to grapple with the challenges of climate change and environmental degradation, designs like The Wheel offer hope for a sustainable future.