USJ's Architecture Student Vera Vong wins Asia's best thesis project of the year

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USJ's Architecture Student Vera Vong wins Asia's best thesis project of the year

2025-01-23

23

Jan

23/01/2025

University of Saint Joseph’s architecture student Vera Vong has won the Gold Award of the ARCASIA Thesis of the Year Award (TOY) 2024 with her bachelor capstone project, “Undulating Connections”.

[Prof. Nuno Soares, Head of the Department of Architecture and Design of the FAH at USJ, and Vera Vong, Winner of the ARCASIA TOY Awards 2024]

In addition to the Thesis of the Year Gold Award, which awards the best thesis project among architecture students from 22 countries in Asia, she was also distinguished with the Special Awards for “Best in Innovation and Originality” and “Best in Global Orientation”.

[From left to right: Ar. Jonathan Manalad, Chairman of ACAE-ARCASIA, Ar. Saifuddin Ahmad, President of ARCASIA, Prof. Nuno Soares, Head of the Department of Architecture and Design of the FAH at USJ, and Ar. Dexter Y.P. Koh, Honorary Secretary of Arcasia]

The award ceremony took place during the ARCASIA Forum 22 in Colombo, Sri Lanka, on January 16, 2025. Prof. Nuno Soares, Head of the Department of Architecture and Design of the Faculty of Arts and Humanities (FAH) at USJ and supervisor of Vera Vong’s Bachelor Thesis in the academic year 2023/2024, received the award on her behalf.

[“Undulating Connections”, by Vera Vong]

“Undulating Connections” is a dynamic building that offers a specialised space for regional and global events. Sitting in a highly significant geography, the design concept is inspired by the reflections of light on the Nam Van Lake opposite the building. The interplay of curvy roofs, starting at a smooth and mountain-like angle, creates an engaging spatial experience. Part of the roof is raised above the ground, turning into a bridge connecting to the waterfront. The project has two exhibition halls, an auditorium, two galleries, a public display area, a cafe and an observation deck. It aims to become a centre for networking, supporting tourism, encouraging economic growth, and increasing cross-cultural interaction in Macau.[“Undulating Connections”, by Vera Vong (Roof detail)]

The ARCASIA (Architects Regional Council Asia) TOY Award celebrates innovative and socially relevant work by architecture students across the 22 ARCASIA-member countries, providing a platform for them to showcase their ideas on an international stage. It focuses on theses that address critical social issues, display innovation and originality, and consider global needs and challenges. Vera Vong’s thesis project was selected by the AAM – Architects Association of Macau from local architecture students to participate in this competition.

[“Undulating Connections”, by Vera Vong]

The USJ Architecture Programmes are designed to empower a new generation of architects committed to improving the built environment and leading through meaningful design innovation. Students are challenged to generate innovative architectural and urban forms created from the public perspective that contribute to cities and their citizens’ future by improving the design of the daily spaces where human activities take central place.

(Português)

Estudante da USJ, Vera Vong, ganha Melhor Projeto de Tese de Arquitetura do Ano da Ásia

A estudante de arquitetura da Universidade de São José, Vera Vong, ganhou o Prémio d’Ouro da Competição ARCASIA Thesis of the Year (TOY) 2024 com seu projecto final de licenciatura, “Undulating Connections”.

Além do prémio de Tese do Ano, que galardoa o melhor projecto de tese entre estudantes de arquitectura de 22 países da Ásia, foi também distinguida com os Prémios Especiais de “Melhor em Inovação e Originalidade” e “Melhor em Orientação Global”.

A cerimónia de entrega do prémio decorreu durante o Forum 22 da ARCASIA em Colombo, Sri Lanka, no dia 16 de janeiro de 2025. O Professor Nuno Soares, Chefe do Departamento de Arquitectura e Design da Faculdade de Artes e Humanidades da USJ e supervisor da tese de licenciatura de Vera Vong, no ano lectivo 2023/2024, recebeu o prémio em seu nome.

“Undulating Connections” é um edifício dinâmico que oferece um espaço especializado para eventos regionais e globais. Situado numa posição geográfica altamente significativa, o conceito de design é inspirado nos reflexos da luz no Lago Nam Van, em frente ao edifício. A interacção de telhados curvos, que começa com um ângulo suave e semelhante a uma montanha, cria uma experiência espacial envolvente. Parte da cobertura é elevada acima do solo, transformando-se numa ponte de ligação à orla marítima. O projecto conta com duas salas de exposição, um auditório, duas galerias, uma área de exposição pública, um café e um miradouro. Pretende tornar-se num centro de networking, de apoio ao turismo, de incentivo ao crescimento económico e de aumento da interacção intercultural em Macau.

O Prémio TOY da ARCASIA (Architects Regional Council Asia) celebra o trabalho inovador e socialmente relevante de estudantes de arquitetura dos 22 países membros do Conselho, servindo de plataforma para exporem as suas ideias num contexto internacional. Centra-se em teses que abordam questões sociais críticas, apresentam inovação e originalidade e consideram necessidades e desafios globais. O projecto de tese de Vera Vong foi seleccionado pela AAM – Associação dos Arquitectos de Macau entre estudantes de arquitectura locais para participar neste concurso.

Os Programas de Arquitetura da USJ são idealizados para capacitar uma nova geração de arquitectos comprometidos em melhorar o ambiente construído e liderar por meio de inovações significativas em design. Os alunos são desafiados a gerar formas arquitectónicas e urbanas inovadoras criadas a partir da perspectiva pública que contribuam para as cidades e para o futuro dos seus cidadãos, melhorando o design dos espaços quotidianos onde as actividades humanas ocupam um lugar central.