Marco Signor

Sustainable architecture must address the interconnected dimensions of human existence. One of the primary challenges is people's increasing disconnection from nature, the result of technological advances that enhance comfort but reduce physical activity and weaken our connection with the natural environment.

My project, The Seed Factory, is a design for an educational community center aimed at fostering social cohesion and a better understanding of nature. I believe that future generations can deepen their awareness of current challenges and develop a socially and financially sustainable ecosystem by drawing on their heritage and using traditional techniques. I identified Peng Chau, a former fishing village in the Pearl River Delta, as a possible site for such a center because of its demographic, socioeconomic, and cultural characteristics.

My architectural strategy is to create a carbon-negative building by implementing passive design techniques. The building technologies draw upon local vernacular architecture and use only materials available on the island. The building's layout is designed to emphasize user experience and promote well-being. Various architectural systems are employed to enhance both the building's performance and the user experience.

The financial development of the center will occur in three phases. First, community stakeholders and partner NGOs will invest funds and resources and provide skilled personnel. In the second phase, local residents will contribute through social action, providing people, resources, skills, and labor. The final phase focuses on the center's development and operation, managed by the community and stakeholders. Initially NGOs and stakeholders will own the center. After construction, the building will become a cooperative and eventually transition to full public ownership, ensuring the participation of the community.

By integrating sustainable practices and local resources, The Seed Factory will preserve Peng Chau's cultural heritage while addressing modern needs, fostering a renewed connection with nature, and promoting community well-being.