Chen Sheng-han (陳聖涵, left) and Lin Chang-chun (林長諄, second left) / Photo courtesy of National Chiao Tung University

Taipei, March 12 (CNA) A project created by two graduate students at National Chiao Tung University won the Architecture and Sea Level Rise award at an international architecture competition last year, according to a statement issued recently by the school.

The project, called The Great Wall of Lagoon, was submitted by Chen Sheng-han (陳聖涵) and Lin Chang-chun (林長諄) of the university's Graduate Institute of Architecture.

It won the award in category of Architecture and Sea Level Rise at the 2018 Jacques Rougerie Foundation's international competition in architecture, which received more than 700 submissions from around the world.

The competition is divided into three categories, which include Innovation and Architecture for the Sea, and Innovation and Architecture for Space, with each category carrying a prize of 7,500 euros.

Chen and Lin traveled to France in January to accept the award and talk about their work, according to the school.

The two students came up with the idea for the project, which focused on the coastal township of Dongshi in Chiayi County, based on their observation of erosion along Taiwan's southwest coast and the impact on marine habitats, industries, the landscape and residents, the school said.

Chen said the project is aimed at protecting the coastline, local industries and the living environment for residents through the use of innovative architecture, according to the university.

The ancient Great Wall was built to resist the invasion of barbarian tribes but the "Great Wall of Lagoon" was designed to integrate with local buildings, industries and the environment while keeping the coastline intact, Chen was cited as saying.

The Jacques Rougerie Foundation was founded by French architect Jacques Rougerie in 2009 to create an appropriate framework for the emergence and development of new talent, including architects, engineers and designers, who will invent and build the habitats and lifestyles of tomorrow, enhancing the potential of the sea and space, according to the university.

(By Lu Chun-kang and Evelyn Kao)
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