In partnership with the Land Artwork Generator Initiative (LAGI), the village of Marou in Fiji has proudly introduced the joint winners of the LAGI 2025 Fiji Design Competitors. In response to their communique, the 2 initiatives are “artworks within the panorama […] designed to generate vitality and water whereas reflecting the hopes of Marou residents for a future grounded in environmental stewardship and cultural id.”
The worldwide competitors invited designers from world wide to answer the challenges of this distant South Pacific village. From 205 submissions representing 45 international locations, two profitable proposals have been chosen by an area and worldwide jury for his or her capability to hearken to the land, local weather and neighborhood.
Australian architect Younger Kang was awarded joint winner for a submission titled Ligavatuvuce (Palms that Provide and Uplift). The undertaking attracts from Fijian custom, rising from the panorama as a gesture of open palms providing yaqona (kava). Designed to be constructed collectively from native craftsmanship, the construction would generate 120 megawatt hours of electrical energy and supply 4.5 million litres of water yearly if constructed. The proposal additionally features a shaded ceremonial house, which is designed to assist each neighborhood life and sustainable tourism in Marou village.
The joint prize was additionally awarded to The O, by Italian-born, Danish architect Alberto Roncelli – a 40-metre broad pavilion that’s designed to generate 150 megawatt hours of electrical energy and 1.2 million litres of filtered water yearly whereas offering a versatile house for cultural gathering beneath a timber cover.
“We by no means imagined that folks from internationally can be designing with us on this approach,” mentioned appearing chief (sau turaga) of Marou village Ilisari Naqau Nasau. “These options for vitality and water techniques is not going to solely profit us at this time, however may even assist our future, and the futures of our youngsters and grandchildren.”
Kang mirrored, “LAGI 2025 was an unimaginable alternative to create one thing deeply linked with the Marou neighborhood, whereas advancing sustainability-focused artwork by ideas rooted in cultural traditions that hyperlink current and future generations.”
Kang holds a Bachelor of Environmental Design and a Masters of Structure from the College of Tasmania, and has labored globally in Melbourne, Taipei, Beijing, New York, London and at present in Dubai. Kang notes that, all through his work, he drives a “dedication to structure that evokes and serves the higher public curiosity.”
Every winner will obtain $100,000 USD to create prototypes of their concepts that might be exhibited in Suva in early 2026, with one undertaking finally chosen for full-scale development in Marou village.
“These initiatives set up a brand new mannequin for the co-creation, implementation, and operation of renewable vitality and freshwater techniques,” mentioned LAGI co-founders Elizabeth Monoian and Robert Ferry. “As soon as working, the pilot undertaking will present electrical energy and water, generate financial alternatives, and function a replicable mannequin for different coastal communities throughout the Pacific.”
