Over the past several decades, the TKU Department of Architecture has produced a vast pool of talented architects and designers. One such architect, in particular, has scaled the heights of the design world and was recently named the grand prize winner of the Curry Stone Design Prize. In being awarded this honor, TKU alumnus Hsieh Ying-chun became the first Curry Stone major prize winner of Asian descent, and will receive a US $100,000 cash prize at an awards ceremony to be held October 7 at the Harvard University Graduate School of Design.

The Curry Stone Design Prize was founded in 2008 by the Curry Stone Foundation to recognize and reward architects and designers involved in ongoing philanthropic work and community development projects. The competition issues one ‘Grand Prize’ and two ‘Outstanding Design’ awards each year.

Hsieh Ying-chun received the grand prize due to his continued efforts in rebuilding communities devastated by disaster. His community-based work began in 1999, after the 7.6 magnitude “921 earthquake”, which caused widespread destruction and lead to huge fatalities in the Central Taiwan region.

Working with a very small budget, Mr. Hsieh not only helped rebuild many of the toppled buildings, but also taught residents in rural areas how to rebuild their homes using environmentally sustainable materials and simple building techniques. He did so again after the Sichuan Earthquake in 2008 and Typhoon Morakot in 2009.

When asked of what motivates him to constantly give to those in need, he responded: “If you saw someone near you fall down, you’d naturally go over and help them up. The desire to help others is a natural impulse. It’s like breathing.”