On April 27, Chongqing College Student Science Communication Construction Competition & The 11th CQU Construction Season kicked off with on-site construction in Ciqikou Ancient Town. Thirty-five participating teams from ten schools in Chongqing were required to complete 1:1 solid model construction within eight hours by using timber as the main material. In its 11th year, CQU Construction Season witnessed a significant increase in participating schools and teams compared to previous editions, resulting in a larger scale and more refined rules. Students diligently applied themselves, translating abstract visions into tangible structures, all while prioritizing the exploration of the practicality and applicability of various architectural themes. This endeavor was underscored by their commitment to offering the local community enlightening experiences, interactive engagement, and opportunities for exploration.
The opening ceremony of the construction competition was held at Diaojiaolou Square in Ciqikou Ancient Town. The event was graced by the presence of Li Hai, Director of the Commission of Housing and Urban-Rural Development of Shapingba District; Zheng Zhoulian, Vice President of Chongqing Society of Civil Engineering and Architecture; Mu Tao, Vice Director of the Department of Science Communication of Chongqing Association for Science and Technology; Li Bing, General Manager of Financial Street Chongqing Yulong Industrial Co., Ltd.; Li Yingmin, Assistant to CQU President; Liu Meng, Dean of CQU Undergraduate School; Li Heping, Secretary of the Party Committee of CQU School of Architecture and Urban Planning; Du Chunlan, Dean of the School of Architecture and Urban Planning; and leaders of various colleges and universities, teachers' representatives and participating teams. Weng Ji, Vice Dean of the School of Architecture and Urban Planning and President of Chongqing Illuminating Engineering Society, moderated the opening ceremony.
Zheng Zhoulian and Du Chunlan delivered their remarks respectively. Li Yingmin declared the official kick-off of this year's Science Communication Construction Competition. After receiving construction permits from attending guests, all 35 participating teams put their efforts into the construction work immediately. At the construction site, all the participating teams worked methodically, aiming to deliver a flawless construction based on a well-prepared design proposal that had took about a month to finalize.
At 5:00 p.m., the construction works were finally finished, followed by the panelist review session. Representatives of the participating teams briefed the panelists in detail about the design concepts of the team's works and the finalization process of the proposal, and highlighted the problems encountered during the construction of the model and the solution ideas. These presentations received favorable comments from the panelists.
The event attracted tourists to engage with the wooden works. Distributed between Visitor Service Center and Pigeon Square in Ciqikou Ancient Town, these 35 works are expected to be showcased in Ciqikou Ancient Town for 1~2 months. Selected works of excellence will also be relocated for continued exhibition at important public spaces highlighting urban renewal and beautiful rural projects.
of Chongqing Municipal Curriculum Ideological and Political Education, CQU Construction Season fits well with and embodies the new trend of education reform featuring "holistic education" (Integration of Moral, Intellectual, Physical, Aesthetic and Labor Education"). Specifically, various architectural sketches with different themes designed by thoughtful students materialize the integration of intellectual and aesthetic education. On-site perception of the traditional features of historical blocks and immersive completion of construction improve students' perception of the environment, the application of materials, and inspire creativity in the collision of sensibility and rationality to create appealing architectural spaces. Interactions among the participating teams also promotes teaching and learning exchanges among colleges and universities, assisting in the renewal of urban spaces and the building of beautiful villages.
Guided by Chongqing Association for Science and Technology, the Construction Season was a collaborative effort from organizers like CQU, Chongqing Society of Civil Engineering and Architecture, and Chongqing Illuminating Engineering Society, as well as sponsors including CQU School of Architecture and Urban Planning, Commission of Housing and Urban-Rural Development of Shapingba District, Financial Street Chongqing Yulong Industrial Co., Ltd., CQU Key Laboratory of New Technology for Construction of Cities in Mountain Area, CQU Undergraduate School, CQU Faculty of Built Environment, CQU Department of Architecture, and CQU Architectural Science Communication Base.
