Zhuoer Zhong: HM of the Market 2.0

+ Zhuoer Zhong 🇨🇳

Honourable Mention of the Market 2.0: Circular Economy Hub

1) Could you briefly introduce yourself?

Hi, my name is Zhuoer Zhong, but you can call me Zora. I’m studying interior design at the Glasgow School of Art in the United Kingdom. I’m a third-year student currently.

2) What inspired you for the Market 2.0?

I found that the fruit and vegetable market has serious waste problems in our daily lives. So, I want to find sustainable materials or a new operating mechanism to solve these problems.

3) Can you describe any particular challenges you faced during the design process and how
you overcame them?

In the design of Market 2.0, I found that if I only used mycelium to build the market, this would not solve the waste problem of the fruit and vegetable market from the fundamental operating mechanism. Therefore, I introduced the idea of the supervisor issuing PT currency. PT is the currency in the fruit and vegetable market. In this way, introducing a reward mechanism can effectively mobilize the positive attitude of merchants to achieve a healthy and sustainable operation of the fruit and vegetable market. Merchants with good quality can unlock an enormous spaces with a high PT value. On the contrary, customers can also intuitively see the size of the store. Identify which one has the best quality.

4) How do you think your educational background or professional experiences influenced your winning design?

I’m studying in the United Kingdom; our university always encourages students to think about unique and exciting concepts and how to solve problems flexibly. So, I am good at considering project concepts like Market 2.0 and gathering many methods to solve the severe waste problems in the fruit and vegetable market.

5) What advice would you give to students or young professionals looking to excel in architecture competitions?

Encouraging you to see more good study cases online when you have free time. I recommend some good websites, like Dezeen and Architecture Daily. Studying more will help you gain more helpful knowledge.

6) What are your future aspirations in the field of architecture?

I guess there will be many sustainable buildings in the cities when people go outside and can breathe fresh air. So, I want to become a successful, sustainable interior designer or architecture designer.

Magic Mushroom Market