The document provides details about Ningbo Museum in Ningbo, China, designed by Wang Shu. It discusses:
1) The museum's design incorporates local cultural values through the use of salvaged materials and vernacular construction methods.
2) Salvaged bricks, tiles and other materials were used to construct thick Wapan walls, preserving traditional techniques.
3) Modern technologies like concrete panels were integrated to support the high walls while maintaining the handcrafted appearance.
1. 1AsianArchitecture (ARC2234 /ARC60403)
Asian Architecture [ARC 2213/2234]
PROJECT 1: CASE STUDY – PAPER SUBMISSION
The Integration of Sustainable Materials and
Spatial Planning Strategies in Ningbo Museum
based on the Traditional Chinese Architecture to
Achieve Green Architecture
NAME: LIM JERN JACK
STUDENT ID: 0317139
TUTOR: MS SHAHRIANNE
2. 2AsianArchitecture (ARC2234 /ARC60403)
CONTENTS
Abstract……………………………………………………………...…………………3-4
1. Introduction……………………………………………………...………………….5-7
2. Design Concept towards Cultural Values……………………………….……..8-12
2.1 Cultural Values of Ningbo
2.2 Design Concept and Intention
3. Application of Materials…………………………………………………….…..13-16
3.1 Material Selection
3.2 Material Arrangement
4. Sustainability of Materials…………………………………………………...……..17
5. Technological Integration………………………………………………………18-20
6. Spatial Planning…………………………………………………………………21-23
7.
Conclusion………………………………………………………………….………..24
8. Plagiarism
Check……………………………………………………………………25
9. References…………………………………………………………………………..26
3. 3AsianArchitecture (ARC2234 /ARC60403)
ABSTRACT
Ningbo, a seaside city with its proximity to Shanghai, acts as a major port on the Silk
Road since Tang Dynasty, has been undergoing redevelopment projects to adhere to
the idea of modernity. The architectural intention of erecting Ningbo Museum is to
accentuate the importance of cultural values based on its local context where it has been
compromising under the rapid development in China.
Objectives of this study are to investigate and comprehend the cultural conservation in
Ningbo city through the usage of sustainable building materials in Ningbo Museum as
well as the spatial planning strategies to achieve green architecture. The methodology is
to review data from the Internet and thesis written by Wang Shu who proposed his ways
of architecture.
The analysis on local cultural heritage is conducted and translated into comprehensive
information to facilitate Ningbo Museum which owns a few significant attributes as a
culturalnconservation and landmark. In ordernto substantiate thenconservation
elements, thismpaper willnemphasise on salvaged materials andnvernacular
construction method that applied on the building by the local workers.
The building envelope of NingbonMuseum hasnemployed the localnvernacular Wapan
tiling. It is a constructionnmethod that proceeded asna way of reconstructing walls
immediately using salvagednmaterials in the specific region after the occurences of
frequentntyphoons. Thenold bricks and tiles used on the Wapan wall were collected
entirely from the villages demolition that once occupied the site. Moreover, cavity walls
are created as an excavation to help it stay cooler in summer and warmer in winter. This
not onlynreflects the aspiration to restore the usage of local long-established materials in
4. 4AsianArchitecture (ARC2234 /ARC60403)
Wang’s architecture, butnalso has annextra advantage of making the building
intrinsically sustainablenfor its usage of salvagednmaterials.
The museum was built by local artisans and craftsmen as a manner of holding in great
respect to the vernacular constructionnmethods. In the meanwhile, it became a
commentary on the Chinese cities’ erasure of the past in the name of progress.
Nonetheless, by combining the vernacular way of doing architecture with modern
technology, it enablesnthe urbannvernacular to develop and yet, stillnpreserve the
regional traditions in innovative ways.
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1. INTRODUCTION
Figure 1.0 Ningbo Museum in a Bird Eye View
Ningbo Museum, a masterpiece designed by Wang Shu, the founder of the Amateur
Architecture Studio, who is the winner of Pritzker Prize 2012 for his inspiring way of
retaining Chinese vernacular architecture. Through the dense, moist air in the seaside
city of Ningbo, an extraordinary peculiar architecture leaps out from the senseless
business and administrative district. The museum owns a flat, pavedmlandscape,
scattered by featureless buildings. With the creation of a mountainous topography of the
building, Wang has sculpted the architecture, filled with a profusion of nature-
inspirednexperiences.
The museum, completed in 2007, covers an area of 43,000 m2
in a new business and
administrative district in Ningbo city which has a history of more than 5000nyears. It has
recently been redeveloped as a brand new and contemporary but sparselynoccupied city
(Brendan, M., 2012). The museum has a height of 24 m, consisting of 4 storey
6. 6AsianArchitecture (ARC2234 /ARC60403)
rectangular buildings split vertically into several angularnvolumes, with rakingnwalls
reaching dynamically upwards in all directions. The museum acts as a metaphor of the
mountainous topography, made up of 3 ‘valleys’, 4 ‘caves’, 4 sunken courtyards, a body
of water with reed-covered banks that functions as the main entrance cutting through the
ground floor, representing the mountainous topography of Ningbo sitting along the
shoreline.
Ningbo Museum is the totem of the cultural part of Ningbo city itself. Envisaging a
natural formation, it is a comprehensive museum with the re-instatement of the rural
history into what Ningbo city has become today, an immensely urbanised city,
devoidkofkhistory.
7. 7AsianArchitecture (ARC2234 /ARC60403)
ResearchQuestions:
1. What defines green architecture in China?
2. What is contextual and vernacular architecture in China?
3. What is the importance of using sustainable materials to signify the museum in
the contextual architecture? And how is it applied in Ningbo Museum?
4. How the Chinese vernacular construction method enhances the building
structure of the museum?
5. The spatial planning strategies in Ningbo Museum play a vital role to shape its
identity. How does this contribute in creating and strengthening the cultural
values of Ningbo city?
Green
Architecture
Ningbo
Museum
Issue:
Sustainability
Salvaged
Materials
Spatial
Planning
Strategies
Vernacular
Construction
Method
8. 8AsianArchitecture (ARC2234 /ARC60403)
2. DESIGN CONCEPT TOWARDS CULTURAL VALUES
2.1 Cultural Values of Ningbo City
Figure 2.1 Traditional Houses in Ningbo
Yinzhou is a district of Ningbo city in Zhejiang province where the Ningbo Museum is
located. It was a farmland and fishing village, having a great history with 5000 years
(Brendan, M., 2009). Yinzhou was founded at 2000 yearsnago, during the QinnDynasty.
It administrated the Ningbo as a port and trading city, which operated the foreign trading
since 7th
ncentury to date. Thendeep-waterpportpcity of Ningbo is contemplated as a vital
economynpillar on the eastncoast ofnChina (Till, W., 2010).
Ningbo,nas the centrenof the historicalncity, comprises numerous culturally substantial
domestic, religious,nand institutionalnpremises asnwellnas tremendousnlandscapes.
Ningbonisnrich in ethnic assets, whereby it accumulated from the Tang,nSong,nMing,
and Qing Dynasties, that this has lead it to endow the prodigious historical and cultural
values to the city. By having all these values, Ningbo city was acknowledged by the
9. 9AsianArchitecture (ARC2234 /ARC60403)
Chinese government asnthe firstncity to be declared as a CulturalnHeritage; Protected
City, ofnnational levelnimportance (Katrinka, E., Donald, H., 1999).
The development of the city isnstill progressing and has entirely altered the landscape of
Ningbo city. Owing to the urban planning, the vast population growth has induced the
condition of housingmshortage, resulting in the demolition of the ancient buildings in
order to give way to more high-rise residential blocks to be built. In addition, the field of
crop were razednto the groundnin favour of the governmentnadministrative structures.
The rapidnmodernisation of Ningbo has showed the insensibility of its stand on the
remarkable history and cultural inheritance that the people and the government of
Ningbo should be embracing.
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2.2 Design Concept and Intention
Figure 2.0 The Surrounding Site of Ningbo Museum
As a culturalnlandmark setting in the contemporary business region, the museumnis
planned and deliberated regarding the historicalnreferences of the local context, and
intended to demonstrate its contrast to the contemporary environment. From the building
envelope to the building materials, from the spatial planning to the atmosphere created
in the museum, it has intangibly raised awareness on the cultural conservation and
emphasised the statement to against the city’s rapid modernisation that has no quality of
relevance to the contextual architecture.
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Figure 2.2 Analytical Diagrams – Concept Sketches of Ningbo Museum
Figure 2.2 shows the analytical diagrams drawn by Wang. In opposition to face the ‘no
memorynzone’ that shows devoidnofncontext, Wang got the inspiration from the
traditional Chinese ink painting of natural landscape, and had decided to integrate the
hard mountainous landscape with the softnesskof water in his architecture (Garth, C.,
2013).
The 1:1 recovery of the Tuoshanyan irrigation of Tang Dynasty (AD 833) becomes an
access way to the main entrance of the museum, where it is the earliest heritage of the
localised cultural antiquity, symbolises the historic point.
Another entrancenof thenbuilding is however located on the secondnfloor, utilising the
form of mountainnand boatnas the focal point of this piece of architecture. The mountain
denotes to the pre-existing landformnof Ningbo whilst thenboat suggests the vital of
maritimentrading in the past and present of Ningbo city, making the museumnan icon
that represents the historynand culturenof Ningbo.
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Figure 2.3 Locals making Wapan Masonry Façade
(Source: Amateur Architecture, 2009)
Wangnthen later assimilated his intention and notions to the indigenous vernacular
Chinese buildingntechnique, which is callednWapan.
Wapannwall is one of the Chinese vernacular constructionnmethods practised by the
people in the east of Zhejiang province, letting immediate restoration of the walls using
the rubbles of building wreckages, and grass stems, mud and white lime as the plaster.
This unique construction technique is gradually advanced and practised by thenlocal
artisans to deal withndestruction happened afternfrequentntyphoons (Guiseppina, S.,
2004). This construction method does not only give a strong building construction and
pleasant appearance, it also alludes to economical providence, energy saving, and
environmental friendly that make it a sustainable green architecture.
13. 13AsianArchitecture (ARC2234 /ARC60403)
3. APPLICATIONOF MATERIALS
3.1 Material Selection
NingbomMuseum consolidates the salvaged materials profoundly inndiverse ways. In
this context, Wapan walls are the main component in the museum that
effectivelykanchors the architecture to the local context, and hence on the plus side,
reveal themtruth-to-materials.
Figure 3.0 Variety of Façade Formations
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Thenmuseum was erectednusing salvagednmaterials, for instance bricks, stones, tiles
andnconcrete, which are leftover gathered fromnthe demolition site of the deep-rooted
dwellings, as a prevention of wasting anything, implementing the custom of the hamlets.
Each chunk of the materials tells a story, presenting a meaning to the people.
The reintroduction of Wapan wall construction using salvaged materials indicates
Wang’s aspiration to reinstate the vernacular materials in the museum whilst making the
structure environmental friendly at the same time. It makes a strong statement to against
the phenomena of deconstructionkand massiveoconstruction in the urbanisationlprocess
in the city. Yet in the meanwhile, it contributes tonone of the contemporary paradigms of
workable green architecture that stresses on the prominence of using recycled building
materials.
3.2 Materials Arrangement
15. 15AsianArchitecture (ARC2234 /ARC60403)
Figure 3.1 Free Arrangements of Materials on the Façade.
(Source: Evan, C., 2012)
The Wapanmwall of Ningbo Museum was astoundingly accomplished by the local
artisans and craftsmen as anmapproach of honouringmandmpreserving vernacular
constructionkmethods. With the aid of photos and drawings to help the craftsmen to
remember the construction techniques, Wang guided the wokrkers throughout the
construction.
With the creation of the humungous walls, handmadeknature of construction is actually
hard to be controlled according to the precise portions of materials in perfectlyhstraight
line askan exactkexecution of Wang’s design. Therefore, Wangmdecided to letmthe
naturektake itsmcourse and gave the artisans and craftmen a largemdegree ofkfreedom
in laying the blocks that have different forms (Brendan, M., 2009). This
17. 17AsianArchitecture (ARC2234 /ARC60403)
4. SUSTAINABILITY OF MATERIALS
The whole Wapan masonrygfaçade of NingbokMuseum was built using great quantity of
salvaged materials from the demolishedmsite of the villages, in which this reflects the
sustainable advancedmculture tendency, and the matter ofmecology andmculture
amalgamation.
Figure 4.0 Rubble of Demolished Site
(Source: Reuter, 2014)
With regard to aspect of the culture conservation, the salvaged materials that were
collected from demolished villages, is a brilliant way of sustaining the local culture in the
form of memory through the Wapanmmasonrymfaçade. Hence, the wall itself has
already acted as a gallery showing the history of Ningbo tradition to the visitors.
However in termkof economy, even though the materials collection required great
manpower, it had drastically cut down the building cost because these salvaged
materials are at no cost. The implementation of sustainable construction materials also
gives respect to the environment both in local context and global context.
18. 18AsianArchitecture (ARC2234 /ARC60403)
5. TECHNOLOGY INTEGRATION
The strengthkof the Wapanwwall uses only the vernacular constructionktechnique is frail,
as a singlegmonolithicgWapangwall is not appropriate to be constructed exceeding the
height of 4 metres. Nonetheless in the case of Ningbo Museum façade, it was to erect
up ton24 metres, which means it is way highermthan themWapan walls constructed in
any of the old houses.
Furthermore, tonapplynWapan wall as the buildingnfaçade of thenmuseum,
thekthickness of the façade needs be at a minimum of 240nmillimetres. Yet, the
compressiongstrength of the Wapanmwallnmaterials is relatively low, and thembond
strengthnbetweenneach othernis low too which differs regarding the thickness and
length. It is proven to have a poor stability and compression strength in overall.
To deal with these challenges, Wang had been exploring solutions to achieve his desire
and more importantly, the equilibrium between vernacular building methods and
contemporary construction practices. After going through experiments of using the
materials, Wang had comemout with an inventive idea to adaptnandntransform the
salvagedgmaterials for this contemporarygproject. The total height of Ningbo Museum,
24nmetres, is divided intonindependentnwall blocks of 3nmetres to support thegloads,
whilst not weakening the overall strength of the wall.
After a series of discussion between Wang and the craftsmen, many wallgtestings were
carriedgout on site with the finalnprototypes producingna façadensystem from the
Wapannmasonrynandnmortar, combinednwith a concretenlinearnpanel (Figure 5.0).
19. 19AsianArchitecture (ARC2234 /ARC60403)
Figure 5.0 A Section of WapannMasonrynFaçade
This final Wapannmasonrynfaçade consists of 4ncomponents, which are the
Wapannwall masonry, concreteklinearnpanel, mortalnand reinforcedkconcrete structure.
Owing to the lowncompressivenstrength of thenmasonry, it requires the periodicnsupport
of the hidden concretemledgers integratedkhorizontally into the panelnevery 3nmetres
(Elizabeth, G., 2012). The entire masonrykfacadensystem ismthenmtiednback to the
concreteklinear panel, and secured firmly together using tiembars tomform one single
component. Thisnhelps tonimprove the structuralgsafety of the wall. The 15ncentimetres
reinforcednconcretenlinearnpanel is the mainnload carryingsstructure, which is also the
waternprovingnsystem.
20. 20AsianArchitecture (ARC2234 /ARC60403)
Figure 5.1 Cavity Wall
Figure 5.1 shows the section of the cavity wall constructed in Ningbo Museum. It
integrates the Wapan wall tiles on the surface and attached on the inner wall that
consists of cavity wall in between. This is however an innovative way of building a green
architecture, where it keeps the museum cool during summer, hot during winter, owing
to its low conductivity to the weathering effects.
The museum facades transform the salvaged materials into annenvironmentnpermeated
withnmeaning, retaining as anreminder of the villagesndemolition whilst simultaneously
presenting ancontemporaryntranslation of the vernacular masonrynconstruction. Wapan,
oncenconsidered asna lowlynmaterial of thenpoor, is now reinforcednin anmannernthat
grants it tonfunction on a scalendemanded by contemporarynChinesenstandards.
21. 21AsianArchitecture (ARC2234 /ARC60403)
6. SPATIAL PLANNINGS
The movementnthrough the museum is notnexpeditious, but in calm and considerate
way, as if peoplenhavenbeenntransported to anpast, pre-technologicalntime. Wang has
imaginednhisnarchitecture as a kindnof Chinesengarden where a likely situation involves
a considerate scholar winding through thenlandscape, and high accessibility for disabled
are the key element of making a sustainable architecture. The circulation of the museum
was perceived as ‘anlabyrinth ofnpathways’, which means multiplenpathsninterconnect
with publicnspaces (Ong, G. Y., 2012). Asnanresult,ninhabitingnthenbuilding
isnwonderfully lcinematic.
Figure 6.0 The Main Entrance
The maingentrance, with its cobblestoned streets, surroundedgby a shallowgriver is a
symbolgof Tuoshanyan, which was builtgduringgthe TanggDynasty as an amenity for
waternconservation and recoverednbynWang (Figure 6.0). The implementation of a
body of water gives a sense of calm and welcoming to the visitors.
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Figure 6.1 The Sunken Courtyard
The sunken courtyard is more than just pleasant in looking (Figure 6.1). It allows stack
ventilation to occur, in which the opening towards the sky as an outlet and openings on
the ground floor level as inlets. This naturally let the wind movement to take place, and
therefore the semi-opened spaces are well lit and ventilated.
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Figure 6.2 The Pedestrian Ways
The voidsnslashing throughnthe buildingnintersect atnangles which instantlynrecall the
pitchednroofs of a localnvernacularkarchitecture. Thencuts arensized to recreatenthe
scalenof pedestriannlanes, where its interlockingksolids and voidsnof the roofmlevel
create an urban pocket of place, thus referencingkand creating thenspatial experience of
classical China. And thismismwheremthembuilding’s powermreallymlies, in its
ambitiousmsynthesis of the contemporarynand thentraditional.nTechnology-drivenmform
makingnand vernacular constructionnsystems arenused inntandem.
24. 24AsianArchitecture (ARC2234 /ARC60403)
7. CONCLUSION
Wang Shu’snarchitecture is devotednto tradition,nhistory, a sensenofnplace, sustainable
usage of buildingnmaterials, and the users who may inhabitnit. In his designnof Ningbo
Museum, he is revivingna traditionnthatmwas lost,nand states that importancenof
recoveringnthe traditionalntechnique isnpragmatic,hhistorical andncultural.
The buildingnis at simultaneouslyka sculpturalnobject andnanfield-condition: architecture
andmurbanism. Thekattitude towardsnhistory in this architectural context suggests
anway forward Chinesenarchitecture thatndoes not need to rely on flashynrenderings
and iconicnforms, but still retaining the essentialnqualities ofnthe historicalkfabric that
make China’snancientncity sonappealing. These are the qualitiesnthat are
mostkendangered and vanishingnrapidly in the rushnof modernisation.
AsnWang said, “Chinancan civilise modernitynby its very ownmculture. Thekarchitect
must solventhe problem of how to make traditionalnmaterials to bencompatible with
current architecturalmtechnology” (Elizabeth, G., 2012). Wang means that by the
combination of traditionnwith current industry, it allows the urbanhvernacular tongrow
and still keepnthenregional traditionsnin the future.
8. PLAGIARISM CHECK
26. 26AsianArchitecture (ARC2234 /ARC60403)
9. REFERENCES
Brendan, M., (March 2012). Ningbo History Museum. Domus 922, 66, 2-3.
Elizabeth, G., (2012) Traditional Materials Optimized for the Twenty-Past Century. 2012
ACSA International Conference, University of Washington.
Evan, C. (2013). Delirious Shanghai. Retrieved June 13, 2016 from:
http://archinect.com/delirious-shanghai/place-holder-ningbo-historic-museum
Garth, C. (2013). Architecture-Wang Shu’s Ningbo Museum. Retrieved June 15, 2016
from: https://cfileonline.org/architecture-wang-shus-ningbo-museum/
Guiseppina, S. (2015). Wang Shu: Façade as Material and Tactile Stratifications.
Screencity Lab. Pp. 2-5
JiaXin, H. (2013). Wang Shu’s Ningbo Museum: a Critical View. Retrieved June 14,
2016 from: http://www.masterplanningthefuture.org/?p=1229
Katrinka, E., Donald H., 1999, Case Study: Ningbo, China, Culture Heritage
Conservation in Urban Upgrading, 3-4.
Ong, G.Y. (2012). The Infinite Spontaneity of Tradition. Retrieved June 18, 2016, from
http://www.pritzkerprize.com/2012/essay
Till, W.(2010). Ningbo Museum by Pritzker prize winner Wang Shu. Retrieved June 13,
2016 from: http://www.architectural-review.com/ningbo-museum-by-pritzker-
prize-winner-wang-shu/5218020.article
ARC 2213/2234 ASIAN ARCHITECTURE
PROJECT 1 LITERATURE REVIEW
FINAL ESSAY MARKING SHEET (20%)
27. 27AsianArchitecture (ARC2234 /ARC60403)
Name : LIM JERN JACK
Lecturer : MS SHAHRIANNE
CRITERIA 1 2 3 4 5 TOTAL
Unsatisfactory Developing Satisfactory Proficient Excellent (100%)
Content
(40%)
No evidence of
thesis statement
Has written a
thesis statement
(at least
inferable), using
appropriate
language
(although not
necessarily with
the best choice of
words); may use
passive voice
verb(s)
Has written a
thesis statement
(at least
inferable), using
appropriate
language
(although not
necessarily with
the best word
choice); at least
one active verb
Has an
understandable
thesis statement,
using some
strong language,
active verb(s),
and appropriate
descriptive words
and / or phrases
Has a clear thesis
statement, using
strong language,
active verb(s),
and appropriate
descriptive words
and / or phrases
Consequences of
the issue are
absent
Consequences of
issue are vague
or confusing
At least one
consequences
of the issue is
presented
Short and long
term implications
of this issue are
presented
Short and long
terms
implications of
issue are clearly
outlined and
linked together
Discussions
and/or
recommendations
are absent or
confusing
Discussions
and/or
recommendations
are absent or
inappropriate
One general
discussion
and/or
recommendation
is presented
One or two
appropriate
discussions
and/or
recommendations
are presented
Two or more
thoughtful
discussions
and/or
recommendations
are convincingly
presented
Organization
(20%)
Arrangement of
details and ideas
is confusing
Arrangement of
details and ideas
is unclear
Details and
ideas are
roughly
arranged in a
workable order
Details and ideas
are well
organized with a
beginning, middle
and end
Details and ideas
are carefully
arranged to add
interest and
clarity
Ideas are aimless
and unconnected
Writing is very
disorganized and
few ideas are
connected
Writing is
sometimes off
topic
Ideas generally
relate to the
discussions and
recommendations
being presented
Ideas and details
build towards a
convincing
argument for the
discussion and
recommendations
Many run-ons,
fragments and
awkward
phrasings making
it hard to read the
paper
Sentences are
often awkward
and/or contain
run-ons and
fragments
Sentences are
generally well
constructed but
there may be
one or two run-
on, fragments or
Sentences are
complete and
well-constructed.
There are
attempts at
making the
Sentences are
clear, complete
and of varying
lengths. Writing is
interesting and
convincing
28. 28AsianArchitecture (ARC2234 /ARC60403)
awkward
sentences
writing interesting
Writing
Conventions
(20%)
Communication is
unclear due to
many errors
Communication is
occasionally
interrupted by the
errors made
Communication
is generally
clear despite
some errors
There are a
couple of
spelling,
punctuation
and/or
grammatical
errors
Correct spelling,
punctuation and
grammar
No evidence of
sources
Uses at least 2
sources evenly in
the paper
Uses at least 3
sources evenly
in the paper
Uses at least 4
sources evenly in
the paper
Uses at least 5
sources evenly in
the paper
APA
Citations
(20%)
Paper has more
than 4
parenthetical
errors
Paper has no
more than 4
parenthetical
errors
Paper has no
more than 3
parenthetical
errors
Paper has no
more than 2
parenthetical
errors
Paper has no
more than 1
parenthetical
error
Paper has more
than 8 cited page
error according to
APA guidelines
Paper has no
more than 8 cited
page errors
according to APA
guidelines
Paper has no
more than 6
cited page
errors according
to APA
guidelines
Paper has no
more than 4 cited
page errors
according to APA
guidelines
Paper has no
more than 2 cited
page errors
according to APA
guidelines
Comments (if any):