Norwegian butterfly houses for Thai orphans won at the Earth Awards
Bangkok - The Norwegian company Tyin Tegnestue has received an award for houses for Thai orphans. To build the walls, they used common bamboo in Thailand, the foundations are made of discarded tires, and the roofs are shaped to facilitate air ventilation and also rainwater collection. The Norwegians received the Earth Awards for these so-called butterfly houses in the category of social justice.
The Earth Awards recognizes creative projects and connects designers and architects with investors who are able to implement the designs.
Andreas Gjertsen, who is the author of the idea, told the American station CNN that he hopes the houses for orphans will highlight a change in priorities among some architects. "The project is interesting because of the combination of ethical values with aesthetics. We are looking for solutions to fundamental problems in logical, beautiful, and socially sustainable projects," he said.
His houses made of woven reeds will provide privacy for the children while being part of the orphanage complex.
Gjertsen hopes that local residents will also start to take an interest in his buildings and will build similar ones. Tyin Tegnestue focuses on areas affected by natural disasters.
A similar focus is found in the organization Architecture for Humanity (AFH). It sends its designers to work with local architects and builders in developing countries for several months, so they can then contribute to local projects. In Kenya, for example, they have just completed the construction of several basketball courts covered with roofs designed to also act as rainwater collectors. "It’s both elegant and functional, and it’s also an ideal example of our work," said Karl Johnson from AFH.
He finds the current project in Haiti, which was devastated by the January earthquake, to be more complex. In Port-au-Prince, AFH has five of its people working with volunteers and locals to help design new schools. "Where possible, we use exclusively local materials and employ local people. Buildings are cheaper, and it also helps the local economy," Johnson said.
The Earth Awards recognizes creative projects and connects designers and architects with investors who are able to implement the designs.
Andreas Gjertsen, who is the author of the idea, told the American station CNN that he hopes the houses for orphans will highlight a change in priorities among some architects. "The project is interesting because of the combination of ethical values with aesthetics. We are looking for solutions to fundamental problems in logical, beautiful, and socially sustainable projects," he said.
His houses made of woven reeds will provide privacy for the children while being part of the orphanage complex.
Gjertsen hopes that local residents will also start to take an interest in his buildings and will build similar ones. Tyin Tegnestue focuses on areas affected by natural disasters.
A similar focus is found in the organization Architecture for Humanity (AFH). It sends its designers to work with local architects and builders in developing countries for several months, so they can then contribute to local projects. In Kenya, for example, they have just completed the construction of several basketball courts covered with roofs designed to also act as rainwater collectors. "It’s both elegant and functional, and it’s also an ideal example of our work," said Karl Johnson from AFH.
He finds the current project in Haiti, which was devastated by the January earthquake, to be more complex. In Port-au-Prince, AFH has five of its people working with volunteers and locals to help design new schools. "Where possible, we use exclusively local materials and employ local people. Buildings are cheaper, and it also helps the local economy," Johnson said.
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