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The revitalization of the Inari-yu Sento is a celebration of a neighborhood bathhouse culture in Japan which has been on the decline. The project was undertaken with a light touch, using traditional materials and craftsmanship to restore the 1930s building – one of only two bathhouses to be gazetted as a cultural property in Tokyo. The refurbishment of the adjacent nagaya building as a gathering space enhances the traditional role of the sento as a community hub.  Undertaken by a consortium of partners, the project spearheads a national movement that heralds a newfound appreciation for both the architectural and social heritage of Japanese bathhouses. The renewed bathhouse provides compelling evidence of the role of heritage in enhancing community cohesion and resilience.

The renewal of the Gunan Street Historic Block has had a major impact on the urban environment of Yixing, cradle of the famous zisha pottery, that dates back to the Ming dynasty. The project is the culmination of 20 years of dedicated, continuous efforts by local stakeholders in collaboration with experts and traditional craftspeople. Systematic documentation and consultations provided a solid basis for the planning and execution of the project. The historic quarter has been revitalized without being museumified, sustaining the life of the people. The project is to be commended for customizing interventions to the needs and financial circumstances of various households. Reflecting the aspirations of the community residents as the primary objective, the urban rehabilitation of Gunan Street is a worthy exemplar of successful partnership in uplifting social sustainability.

The revival of the Abathsahayeshwarar Temple in Tamil Nadu has breathed new life into a formerly abandoned religious site, employing an interdisciplinary methodology which connects modern conservation science with traditional construction practices. In this spirit, engineering expertise and the knowhow of Hindu temple builders, sthapathi, were applied in structural conservation and renewal of decorative works in keeping with vernacular artisanal traditions.  The pedagogical aspiration of the project in establishing guidelines for the restoration of historic living Hindu temples in Tamil Nadu is praiseworthy.  Significant support from both the government and devotees has enabled the continuity of this historic temple in a modern-day devotional context. 

The Guanyin Hall Traditional Teahouse has been safeguarded as a living testament to the local community's history and social evolution. Overcoming challenges like material deterioration and improper alterations, this modest project has strived to enhance safety, usability and viability of the area’s traditional teahouse typology, while preserving original materials and construction techniques such as woven bamboo frames and straw-mud plaster. The project team innovatively engaged users as stakeholders, integrating their perspectives into the conservation activities through oral history and mapping research.  The project not only sustains the teahouse's original purpose but also upholds its simplicity, vernacular charm, and living heritage.

The restoration of the Helou Pavilion introduces a new chapter to a 20th century landmark designed in 1986 by pioneering designer Feng Jizhong and places it in the national public consciousness. The pavilion has the hallmarks of his oeuvre, which valorizes vernacular architecture and extends historical layers of meaning as part of contemporary architectural practice. His legacy has been commemorated through this project, which uses an intergenerational approach of cultural transmission from master to student to sustain the original design concept. The minimalist bamboo structure was restored using renewable materials like bamboo and thatch in combination with sleek contemporary engineering.  The project successfully maintains the spirit of the place and the vision of the architect to harmoniously integrate modern architecture and traditional Chinese garden design within a timeless sustainable design concept.

The BJCPI project has preserved for future generations a Gothic revival landmark housing a venerable educational institution in Mumbai. The restoration of the roofs, facade and interior spaces was executed to a high level of competence based on thorough documentation and meticulous condition analysis. With major structural works scheduled during the school term breaks, the project phasing allowed the school to continue to function smoothly with minimal disruption.  The most recent phase of work caps a three-decade long campaign of preventative conservation and repair works, which is a testament to the perseverance of the building trustees in extending the life of their beloved institution.

The rebuilding of the 1896 Observatory Tower after its devastation in the 2011 Christchurch earthquake is notable for its technical achievements which have enabled the revival and continuation of the landmark’s original scientific and educational mission. The reconstruction of the tower and cupola with seismic reinforcement was well executed and based on careful research and extensive materials testing. The technically complex reinstatement of the historic telescope to working order has allowed the building to return to its original use as a place of discovery of the southern skies. The project represents another chapter in the post-disaster recovery of the Arts Centre and of the historic city core of Christchurch.

The stunning transformation of a utilitarian school gymnasium into the Rabindhorn Building showcases the holistic development ethos of the Arsom Silpa Institute of the Arts.  The project has upcycled the unused sports facility into an attractive and highly functional working space for architects and community designers. The restrained use of materials and the elegant modern design complements the original structure, optimizing the building’s lofty volumetric space and enhancing its sense of place. The green design, with natural ventilation and lush landscaping, convincingly demonstrates the principles of sustainable building in the urban context of Bangkok.