Inspiring Design Earns MArch Student Cai Yujun First Prize in Underbridge International Architecture Competition

It is with great pride that we announce our Master’s student, Cai Yujun from MArch Year 2, who has secured the 1st Prize + Buildner Student Award in the recent Underbridge International Architecture Competition. His project, “New Raft,” stood out among 103 entries and was highly acclaimed by the organizers for its exceptional standard. The Head of Department, Prof Jeff Hou, commended him for the remarkable accomplishment of winning first prize in this competition.

Guest jury member Nicolas Sterling commented: “A great proposal that explores the scale of a megastructure at the urban scale and its impact on local communities. The project deals with the “negative space” and distances itself from the very high roof that forms the bridge deck to create a poetic experience at the water level and provide cultural contribution to the community.”

Here is what Yujun has to say about what architecture means to him and the role of an architect in his society: “Nowadays, history may be encapsulated in museums, but it is fading away from people’s daily lives. The modern lifestyle constantly replaces historical human activities, and buildings that carry history are gradually being demolished. However, a city cannot develop without a historical background, and buildings do not rise from the ground without a foundation. The built environment is like an oil painting, where the modern world adds to the historical layers created by our ancestors to make the picture more appealing. In this context, architecture is a continuation of historical culture, a translation of historical symbols, and a transmission of historical heritage.”

The Underbridge International Architecture Competition, the 17th in a series of competitions focused on finding design solutions for affordable housing challenges in cities around the globe. As cities expand, underutilised spaces beneath bridges remained dormant, overshadowed by their towering counterparts. This competition aimed to find ways of transforming these neglected areas into dynamic, thriving communities.

Learn more about his project and interviews here: https://architecturecompetitions.com/underbridge/