The Vessel Type

  • Prize
    Winner in Landscape Architecture - Sustainable development
  • Design Company
    Ruiting Xu
  • Lead Designer
    Ruiting Xu

The Vessel Type is a climate-responsive architectural typology that integrates sustainable water management, material efficiency, and social infrastructure. Designed for western Madagascar, it captures, filters, and stores rainwater to support year-round access for agriculture and domestic use. It addresses the impacts of seasonal droughts and floods. The structure doubles as a communal space for gathering, education, and cultural exchange. Built with low-carbon, locally sourced materials such as compressed earth and timber, it minimizes embodied energy and supports local economies. Its site-adaptable design enables replication across regions with similar climate challenges. By combining circular resource use and resilient community programming, The Vessel Type functions as both critical infrastructure and a catalyst for social equity and ecological regeneration.




BLT Built Design Awards 2025
Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.