香港中文大學建築系吳恩融

從匯豐銀行大廈，到赤鱲角新機場，Norman Foster的作品盡是風頭一時無兩的地標。與這樣級別的人馬共奪「英國皇家建築師學會國際大獎」，吳恩融教授設計的「無止橋」是怎樣的傑作呢？沒有動輒億萬的資金，無須動用重型機械，也不講求精準而複雜的技術，只是一座座樸實無華的鄉間小橋，連接河兩岸方便村民出行的同時，也連結了人心。

緣起環保建築

吳恩融教授現為香港中文大學建築系教授，「無止橋」慈善基金會主席，生態可持續建築是他多年來的重點研究領域。早在2002年到甘肅省毛寺村為建造生態實驗小學而考察時，吳教授就發現了當地的蒲河嚴重阻礙了村民出行——村民上學、求醫、外出都要涉水渡河，險象環生，不少為此罹患風濕。隨後他回港籌款，終得以啟動建橋。憶起當時在甘肅人生地不熟，吳教授笑言需要「敢死隊」的精神。

以「心」建橋  不止不息

「每座橋動工前都要一年左右時間籌備，我們會根據當地風土人情、水文地理等決定建橋的位置、材料，志願者安頓和物料運輸途徑。到了真正開工，一個星期就能建好。我們付出很少，就能改善千多人生活數代的環境，那何樂而不為呢。」基於「人力為主、就地取材、永續使用、減少砍伐、結合民間智慧與先進科技」的原則，橋的構思也充分體現「高科學，低技術」：全部建橋到日後保養所需的技能，村民都能在短時間內學曉，然後教給後代，生生不息，是為無止。

以「橋」繫人  吾道不孤

「每個無止橋項目都是由中港兩地大學生與當地村民攜手共建的。吳教授不畏言，其實所有志願者完全可以在國內募集，但鼓勵香港大學生參與，也是希望生在福中的香港八十後能夠真正瞭解到偏遠農村的現狀。」指著照片中的一個小男孩，吳教授憶述，「這個男孩一開始很調皮，但我們離開時，哭得最厲害的也是他。」「無止橋」慈善基金網站中「無止感言」一欄記錄著村民的感激和志願者的收穫。

環保建築在香港

除了負責「無止橋」項目外，吳教授還是特區政府的環境顧問。講起香港的城市規劃，吳教授感歎道，香港發展到如今，不應該再以經濟回報為唯一衡量標準，而應回歸人性化。可惜事與願違，屏風樓還是陸續要起，愈來愈「密質質」的建築使生活環境不斷惡化，恐怕香港要置之死地而後生了。

無止感言

「我們現在修築的，是兩座橋，一座是物質上的橋，另一座是人與人之間的橋；後者更加重要。」— 基金會榮譽主席鍾逸傑爵士

「經過九天的體驗，我得到的比付出的超出很多。」— 志願者倫敦大學學院蘇孜穎同學

「在遍遠的鄉村，我們和藏民一起在那片青綠的草原裏建橋……那時，我覺得人和人的關係變得很單純……」— 香港理工大學呂君浩同學

「感動無處不在，就像泉水，滋養著生命，學無止境，愛無止境，橋無止境……」— 大灘村支部書記何玉龍先生

「無止橋」慈善基金會是在港註冊的慈善團體，今年將在雲南、四川積極發展項目，期望你在資金和行動上的支援。瞭解詳情，請登錄www.bridge2china.org。

第一座無止橋：建橋前VS.建橋後（前）

第一座無止橋：建橋前VS.建橋後（後）

香港理工大學與西安交通大學的志願者攜手築橋

A Bridge too Far Connecting Boundless Hearts —

Interview with Dr. Edward Ng, Chairman of Bridge to China Charitable Foundation and Professor of CUHK Architecture Department

In 2007, Professor Edward Ng won the RIBA International Award for his project 'A Bridge too Far', a little humble bridge located in Maosi Village, Gansu, in no way comparable to the Bird’s Nest, the Water Cube, or other grand architectures also recognized by the Award. Yet the bridge not only “brilliantly answers the demands of the context”, as put by the Award committee, but also connects people’s hearts.

All Start from Ecological Architecture

Professor Edward Ng has long been interested in ecologically sustainable architectural design. As early as 2002, when he was investigating in the countryside in Gansu for building an ecological primary school, he found the residents of Maosi Village lived in great inconvenience due to poor infrastructure. They literally had to wade across the river for work, school, medical care etc. Some lost their lives in the river and many got rheumatism. Realizing that this was not uncommon in China’s country area, Professor Ng started to come up with a charity scheme.

A Bridge to Last Long

“It takes around one year to develop a detailed plan considering the local geographical conditions and social customs before the construction work starts. But once it starts, it only takes a week or so to build up a bridge.” Says Professor Ng. Based on the notion of “High Science, Low Technology”, the bridge is so designed that the villagers can learn how to construct and maintain it after instruction. They in turn teach the knowledge and skills to their children. In this way, the bridge can last long and bring great convenience to their life.

A Bridge to Connect People

Every ‘Bridge to China’ project is cooperation between Mainland and Hong Kong University students. Although he could have recruited all the volunteers from China, Professor Ng encourages the participation of Hong Kong youth, “so that they will truly understand the situation in rural China and exchange life experience with their Mainland peers through the collaboration.” The Quotes from volunteers on the Foundation’s website have displayed their gains.

Ecological Architecture in Hong Kong

Talking about prospects of ecological architecture applied in Hong Kong’s urban design, Professor Ng, also as an advisor on environment for the SAR government, frowned upon the fact that up to now the authority still regards economic returns as the dominating criteria when evaluating options for urban planning. “The screen buildings constantly built up by the property developers really pose a threat to Hong Kong’s living environment,” Professor Ng expressed his worries.

Remarks from volunteers and villagers

“We are building two kinds of bridges: one is a real bridge, while the other is a bridge of mind and spirit cementing peoples together. The latter is more important.” – Sir David Akers Jones, Honorary Chairman

“When we worked hand-in-hand, I realized how innocent the relationship between us was.” – Mr. Lui Kwan Ho, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University

“I have gained much more than I could have asked for over the nine days.” – Miss Jayne So, University College London

“I hope our kids can in turn reach the stars in the world of knowledge with the help of the bridge of ‘stars and moon’.” – Mr. He, Head of Datan Village

Wu Zhi Qiao (Bridge to China) Charitable Foundation is a charity organization registered in HK. This year they will focus on projects in Yunnan and Sichuan. Your donation and volunteering is most appreciated. For more details, please visit www.bridge2china.org.