- Dr. Charlie Qiuli Xue received his education in Shanghai, China and has worked at the Design Institute of Tongji Univ... moreDr. Charlie Qiuli Xue received his education in Shanghai, China and has worked at the Design Institute of Tongji University, Shanghai Jiaotong University, Hong Kong University, University of Nottingham, University of Texas at San Antonio and companies in Hong Kong and USA since the 1980s.
Dr Xue joined the faculty of City University of Hong Kong in 1995. He teaches design studio, history, practice and drawing in undergraduate and research degree levels. He supervises Ph.D. students in the topics of MTR and high density environmental design, housing quality in China, elderly house and Hong Kong architectural development. The first Ph.D. student graduated in 2014.
Dr. Xue has over 100 academic papers and book chapters published in the books by Routledge, Bloomsbury, Kluwer Academic Publishers, China Architecture & Building Press, Hong Kong University Press, and in the Journal of Architecture and Planning Research, The Journal of Architecture, Urban Design International, Journal of Urban Design, Cities, Habitat International, A + U (Tokyo), Urban Studies, Architectural Review and other refereed proceedings of international conferences. His articles are widely published in Chinese mainland, Hong Kong and Taiwan.
In 1999, Dr Xue published his first book Building Practice in China, by Pace Publishing Ltd. Hong Kong. The book, reprinted for several times, was used as text by practitioners and universities in Hong Kong and overseas. The second edition is released by China Architecture and Building Press, Beijing in 2009. In 2006, Hong Kong University Press published his third book Building a Revolution: Chinese Architecture since 1980, which was warmly embraced by the industry and academic world. The Chinese edition was published by the Tsinghua University Press in 2009. His fourth book The Global Impact: overseas architectural design in China was released by the Tongji University Press, Shanghai in 2006. In 2010, Xue's book, World Architecture in China, was launched in three versions: English, traditional Chinese and simplified Chinese. In 2014, his (Chinese) book Contextualizing modernity: Hong Kong architecture 1946-2011 jumped to the best seller list in Hong Kong. The English edition is published by Springer in 2016.
Dr Xue is editorial board member of Urban Design International, jury member for Taiwan Architectural Award and nominator of Aga Khan Award for Architecture. He participates the international conferences all over the world and acts paper referee and keynote speaker. He lectured at Asian Society, Hong Kong Institute of Architects, Hong Kong Institute of Engineers, Chartered Institute of Architectural Technologists, Engineers’ Forum of Guangzhou, Hong Kong, Taiwan and Macau, Tongji University, Jiaotong University, Southeast University, Shenzhen University, Zhejiang University, South China University of Technology, Nanyang Polytechnic and Singapore Polytechnic.
Dr. Xue was awarded in the 7th International Design Competition run by the Misawa and Architectural Culture of Japan in 1981, excellent paper by Architectural Journal in 1989 and Architectural Society of China (ASC) in 2005. His book The Global Impact was awarded as 'excellent science and technology book' in China in 2009. His design of CityU library renovation was awarded by the ASC in 2013.
As principal investigator, Dr. Xue’s proposals on urban renewal and Chinese architecture were awarded by the National Natural Science Foundation of China, Hong Kong government, City University of Hong Kong and Sumitomo Foundation of Japan. The funding amount is over 4.7 million HK dollars (US$600k).
Dr. Xue once worked in design companies, development companies of real estate including Sprinkle & Robey Architects, Texas, Leigh & Orange, AGC of Hong Kong. He was manager of Diamond Housing Company in Texas, USA. In recent years, he was active in undertaking the design commitments in Hong Kong and Chinese mainland for the government and private sectors. His consultant works range from master planning and building design of Pingyuan Corporate Park (85 hec., 2011), Sanya Tongji Science Park in Hainan Island (13 hec., 2005-08), and Tadao Ando’s design in Shanghai.edit
Since the late 1950s, China has exported numbers of construction aid projects, among which stadiums occupy a considerable proportion and stand out from other types of China-aided buildings due to their unique qualities. These large-scale... more
Since the late 1950s, China has exported numbers of construction aid projects, among which stadiums occupy a considerable proportion and stand out from other types of China-aided buildings due to their unique qualities. These large-scale projects are located in different geographical and cultural contexts. Critical regionalism has been an influential architectural approach in designs of China-aided stadiums. Through a detailed analysis of case projects, site investigation, first-hand materials, and interviews with designers, the authors aim to explore and highlight critical regional approaches in designs of China-aided stadiums. Three categories of design approaches are revealed: bio-climate, standard-adaptive and symbol-oriented approaches. What design approaches Chinese architects prefer to use at different times and under different conditions, and what can be achieved by using such approaches are also explored. This paper tries to supplement the current scholarship on Chinese architecture.
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Following the rapid pace of urbanisation, Chinese cities have launched a new wave of large-scale infrastructure, including cultural building construction. From 1998 to 2015, more than 360 grand theaters were built together with libraries,... more
Following the rapid pace of urbanisation, Chinese cities have launched a new wave of large-scale infrastructure,
including cultural building construction. From 1998 to 2015, more than 360 grand theaters were built together with libraries, museums and children’s palaces. The number of newly built theaters may have been more than the total sum built in Europe over the past 70 years. Through case studies of theaters built in Shanghai, this paper penetrates the phenomenon
of the “heat of cultural buildings” and discovers the history, intentions and effects of these theaters on Chinese cities. Following on-site investigation of the city and theaters, the materials of theater building in China are presented. Theaters of various types are discussed in the framework of urban space, design language and consumerist culture. The authors find
that the rapid growth of cultural facilities epitomises the ambition and strong implementation of Chinese (and Asian) governments in the wave of urbanisation and globalization.
including cultural building construction. From 1998 to 2015, more than 360 grand theaters were built together with libraries, museums and children’s palaces. The number of newly built theaters may have been more than the total sum built in Europe over the past 70 years. Through case studies of theaters built in Shanghai, this paper penetrates the phenomenon
of the “heat of cultural buildings” and discovers the history, intentions and effects of these theaters on Chinese cities. Following on-site investigation of the city and theaters, the materials of theater building in China are presented. Theaters of various types are discussed in the framework of urban space, design language and consumerist culture. The authors find
that the rapid growth of cultural facilities epitomises the ambition and strong implementation of Chinese (and Asian) governments in the wave of urbanisation and globalization.
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Since the concept was first introduced in the 1970s, transit-oriented-development (TOD) has greatly expanded in East Asian cities such as Hong Kong. Rail stations are built together with clusters of residential–commercial towers and... more
Since the concept was first introduced in the 1970s, transit-oriented-development (TOD) has greatly expanded in East Asian cities such as Hong Kong. Rail stations are built together with clusters of residential–commercial towers and government services to form a new style of living – a 'rail village.' After investigation of many metro stations and its rail villages, the authors examine the composition, scale, spatial form, organization and operation of several typical rail villages in Hong Kong. The cases range across those planned from the mid-1990s to the 21st century. Based on the analysis of the rail village composition, the paper derives a development ratio to indicate the density, effectiveness and efficiency of a rail village catchment area. The ratio provides a useful and direct indicator for the comparison of different stations, cities and development modes. The paper discusses the design factors related to density and diversity of rail villages. This paper supplements the existing TOD study by highlighting the density problem and examining its relevant design and planning issues.
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Djibouti is a postcolonial African city that embraced neoliberal ideology after the country's independence, and yet still lags behind in the world's economy. With the fragmentation of both its society and space, the city has continued to... more
Djibouti is a postcolonial African city that embraced neoliberal ideology after the country's independence, and yet still lags behind in the world's economy. With the fragmentation of both its society and space, the city has continued to be a playground for global powers, because of its strategic location for trade and global security. In the global era, Djibouti's aspirations for development have encountered China's "Belt and Road Initiative". Through a series of recent investments, China Merchant Group, a Chinese state-owned enterprise, has attempted to redeploy the successful model in Shenzhen in the horn of Africa. This study first delineates the history of Djibouti from the colonial to independence periods, and then examines how China's experience is being applied in African lands. The study is significant in revealing the processes and problems of global investment and planning in the developing countries.
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Shenzhen exemplifies the rapid development of urban planning and construction in China. Over the last 40 years, many representative urban spaces and buildings have been built on Shennan Road, the city's main eastewest thoroughfare, which... more
Shenzhen exemplifies the rapid development of urban planning and construction in China. Over the last 40 years, many representative urban spaces and buildings have been built on Shennan Road, the city's main eastewest thoroughfare, which has witnessed the formation of a multicenter structural layout and the miraculous expansion of the city. Many iconic buildings were designed by Hong Kong or foreign architects. The continuous development along Shennan Road not only symbolizes the fruits of the reform and opening up policies of Shenzhen and even China, but also reflects the modern architectural history in Shenzhen. This study uses historical research methods to review the changes in the urban fabric and the design trends, as seen in representative buildings along Shennan Road in different periods. In addition to the transition path of the city center, the unique role of streets and buildings in the development of the urban structure is analyzed, and other urban functions and symbolic meanings are identified. This work contributes to the history and theory of the modernization of contemporary Chinese architecture.
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Foreign aid is a form of international relationship between countries. Building projects are a major form of foreign aid. In the past 60 years, China has constructed over 1400 buildings in the developing world, and many of them are... more
Foreign aid is a form of international relationship between countries. Building projects are a major form of foreign aid. In the past 60 years, China has constructed over 1400 buildings in the developing world, and many of them are stadiums. This study explores how China exported its overseas-aided stadiums in the developing world and considers the importance of these buildings from an architectural perspective. Through an examination of first-hand materials, this study explains the historic vicissitude of China-aided stadium architecture , analyzes the architectural features of these buildings, and presents case studies of representative examples from each historic stage. The investigation of these buildings from three periods in the 20th and 21st centuries fills a gap in the study of Chinese architecture and modern architectural history.
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This research paper examines the post-military landscape of the Victoria Barracks regarding the high-density urbanism in Hong Kong from the 1970s to the 2000s. The article first interprets the concept of post-military landscape according... more
This research paper examines the post-military landscape of the Victoria Barracks regarding the high-density urbanism in Hong Kong from the 1970s to the 2000s. The article first interprets the concept of post-military landscape according to the ideology and urbanism of the then Hong Kong society. It then studies three plans of the Victoria Barracks of different stages, showing contestations between domestic, commercial and administrative powers in controlling the military redevelopment. Several contemporary architectural projects on the site will also provide an alternative view of the
transformation according to the local economic laissez-faire policy. Its influence to the unsatisfactory heritage protection leads to the disappearance and false representation of the identity of this particular military and cultural heritage.
transformation according to the local economic laissez-faire policy. Its influence to the unsatisfactory heritage protection leads to the disappearance and false representation of the identity of this particular military and cultural heritage.
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In the past 60 years, China has constructed over 1,400 buildings in the developing world, many of them stadiums. This study examines how China uses stadiums as diplomatic means to demonstrate its cultural, economic and socio-political... more
In the past 60 years, China has constructed over 1,400 buildings in the developing world, many of them stadiums. This study examines how China uses stadiums as diplomatic means to demonstrate its cultural, economic and socio-political engagement in less-developed nations. To address the Chinese economic, cultural and intellectual intervention, this article uses three representative stadium projects built in Africa as case studies. Firstly providing physical venue for sports activities and then creating institutional network for further economic , cultural and political engagement, the Chinese built stadiums became effective catalyst for enhancing bilateral relations between China and the receipt countries. China's stadium diplomacy revealed a soft, and ultimately progressive mode of cultural engagement in transnational architectural practice. The authors argue that the implication of this architectural engagement lies in the fact that the Chinese state played a mediating role in producing and delivering architectural forms with various political motivations. Notwithstanding, the involved architects and engineers took the cultural and technical challenges and experimented adaptable design in aid projects.
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Since the concept was first introduced in the 1970s, transit-oriented-development (TOD) has greatly expanded in East Asian cities such as Hong Kong. Rail stations are built together with clusters of residential–commercial towers and... more
Since the concept was first introduced in the 1970s, transit-oriented-development (TOD) has greatly expanded in East Asian cities such as Hong Kong. Rail stations are built together with clusters of residential–commercial towers and government services to form a new style of living - “rail village.” This paper examines the composition, scale, spatial form, organization and operation of several typical rail villages in Hong Kong. The cases range across those planned from the mid-1990s to 2015. Based on the analysis of the rail village composition, the paper derives a development ratio to indicate the density, effectiveness and efficiency of a rail village catchment area. The ratio provides a useful and direct figure for the comparison of different stations, cities and development modes.
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In the twenty-first century, Chinese cities tend to rely on cultural megastructures to define their new districts and reflect their aspirations. A grand theater, which is a complicated building type in terms of technology and has a... more
In the twenty-first century, Chinese cities tend to rely on cultural megastructures to define their new districts and reflect their aspirations. A grand theater, which is a complicated building type in terms of technology and has a striking image, is a central attraction and the focus of a new district. This paper focuses on Taiyuan City, a second-tier Chinese city with a brilliant history that has been gradually reduced to mediocrity. This paper aims to reveal the relationship among productivity, urban development, and theater construction in different historic periods; highlights the initiation, design, and implication of the latest grand theater designed by a French firm; and investigates the city and its performing arts spaces, stakeholders, and various forces that make the theater and its urban form. These affective forces may be typical in Central China, which is a generally backward area compared with the entire country. The paper presents proper descriptors for performing arts buildings in Taiyuan for three generations , and the lessons from Taiyuan can provide references for other cities that face similar problems and challenges.
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Construction aid was a physical tool – and indeed a key tactical manoeuvre – of international diplomacy that became especially obvious during the Cold War period. Among the outcomes of construction aid were cultural and technical... more
Construction aid was a physical tool – and indeed a key tactical manoeuvre – of international diplomacy that became especially obvious during the Cold War period. Among the outcomes of construction aid were cultural and technical exchanges between the donor and recipient countries. This essay examines the typical construction aid projects gifted by the Chinese Communist government and professionals to developing countries in Asia and African during the era of Chairman Mao Zedong, with a focus on key Asian examples. The remarkably high percentage of national income spent by Maoist China on construction aid might have increased the burden upon the lives of ordinary Chinese people, yet they gave Chinese architects rare opportunities to practice Modernism in overseas environments. The strength of the technical forces of the Chinese Communist state, and the wisdom of Chinese designers, were notably crystallized through a series of conference halls and stadiums built across Asia. These construction aid projects informed similar designs back in China, which led in turn to further innovations that could then again be exported abroad. Altogether it represents an important non-Western strand within Modernist architecture of the twentieth century.
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China’s university-run design institutes mediate between
production, teaching and research, transforming these activities
into a sophisticated project in the context of a market economy.
production, teaching and research, transforming these activities
into a sophisticated project in the context of a market economy.
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Hong Kong is facing serious ageing issues due to the population’s high density and extended lifespans. The built environment characteristics of neighbourhoods are important for the older adults because they spend a significant amount of... more
Hong Kong is facing serious ageing issues due to the population’s high density and extended lifespans. The built environment characteristics of neighbourhoods are important for the older adults because they spend a significant amount of time within their neighbourhoods, and the neighbourhood environments affect their level of adaptability to ageing and quality of life. This study surveyed 180 older adults in six neighbourhoods in different districts. Land use mix, street connectivity and residents’ responses were used to quantify the environments. Time
spent sitting, walking and engaging in moderate/vigorous physical activity were used to quantify physical activity behaviour. The results show that built environment characteristics such as the availability of commercial and recreational space influence the physical activity of Hong Kong’s older adults. This investigation generates some
conclusions which are different with those in low-density environment observed in the Western societies.
spent sitting, walking and engaging in moderate/vigorous physical activity were used to quantify physical activity behaviour. The results show that built environment characteristics such as the availability of commercial and recreational space influence the physical activity of Hong Kong’s older adults. This investigation generates some
conclusions which are different with those in low-density environment observed in the Western societies.
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This paper explores the transborder infrastructure along the Chinese mainland-Hong Kong boundary at Shenzhen through a case study of Luohu Port. Such exploration is timely because the increasing supranational and subnational transborder... more
This paper explores the transborder infrastructure along the Chinese mainland-Hong Kong boundary at Shenzhen through a case study of Luohu Port. Such exploration is timely because the increasing supranational and subnational transborder activities have formed a system of connections that is contested by multiscalar forces from the state, corporations, and the market. Luohu Port at Shenzhen exhibits how the transborder infrastructure engages with the multiscalar activities and complex geopolitical tensions between mainland China and Hong Kong. Despite the long-standing social and economic gap across the boundary, infrastructural innovations were employed to lubricate the border crossing experience. Advancement in technologies, transportation , and space design is essential in the construction of a more permeable border (or boundary). This paper uses a multi-dimensional analytic tool that is based on the TPSN framework to identify the stakeholders involved in shaping Luohu Port. This investigation arrives at the conclusion that the existing ad hoc strategy for the mainland-Hong Kong boundary should give way to a more responsible and foresighted plan targeting long-term regional cooperation.
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This study explores the spatial, social, and administrative conditions that shape Hong Kong's grade-separated pedestrian networks. The integrated elevated pedestrian network was initially developed to facilitate internal circulation... more
This study explores the spatial, social, and administrative conditions that shape Hong Kong's grade-separated pedestrian networks. The integrated elevated pedestrian network was initially developed to facilitate internal circulation within the commercial centers when the city was undergoing rapid growth in the 1960s and 1970s. The vision was incrementally incorporated into statutory and administrative instruments as the city embraced a consumer-oriented economy. This study tracks the evolving concept of grade-separated pedestrian networks in Hong Kong, revisiting the critical actions and written notes in Hong Kong's urban history from 1965 to 1997. The private sector was essential in building the multilevel pedestrian space and in making it a commercially viable urban model. An alternative perspective is proposed from which to consider Hong Kong's public-private conflicts.
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China's architectural exports to less-developed countries, such as conference halls, government offices, hospitals, institutional headquarters, schools, stadia and theatres, have played a special role in the state's foreign aid and... more
China's architectural exports to less-developed countries, such as conference halls, government offices, hospitals, institutional headquarters, schools, stadia and theatres, have played a special role in the state's foreign aid and diplomatic strategy. Beginning in the late 1950s, such exported architectural projects were presented by the Chinese Communist Party-led government as gifts to many Asian and African nations in exchange for their ideological, political and diplomatic support. In the post-Mao era, these architectural exports were combined with economic assistance, debt relief and expanding market access, suggesting economic cooperation, political engagement and cultural communication. In this study, a range of typical buildings are woven with their particular historical and socio-political backgrounds into a cohesive narrative. This is the first attempt to examine and theorise the development and transformation of this distinctive phenomenon, using architectural aid as a lens through which to unpack the state's motivation for and the institutions/individuals' commitment to constructing China's global influence. It is argued that the exported architectural projects e profoundly marked by the state's intervention e demonstrated what we term a 'transformational modernism' that was both a product of social transformation in China and a positive engagement with the recipient nations' local conditions.
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During the past 25 years, China has seen a large influx of imported foreign architecture. What is the mechanism of introducing foreign design in China? What methodologies and ideas do foreign architects adopt for their designs in remote... more
During the past 25 years, China has seen a large influx of imported foreign architecture. What is the mechanism of introducing foreign design in China? What methodologies and ideas do foreign architects adopt for their designs in remote China? How can ideas be turned into real buildings? This article tries to find the answers through a case study of Vittorio Gregotti's design for Pujiang Town and some other new towns in Shanghai, China. The article shows different methodologies adopted by various foreign architects, and how the ideal concepts are transformed into real buildings. The authors suggest that more practical aspects of local life should be studied before imposing any spectacular plans by the overseas architects. This may ameliorate the common approach of imitating indigenous building vocabularies visually and superficially.
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This paper sets the elevated pedestrian systems of Hong Kong in the context of planning regulation and land finance. Pedestrian networks have enhanced the internal circulation of major catchment areas around activity centres and... more
This paper sets the elevated pedestrian systems of Hong Kong in the context of planning regulation and land finance. Pedestrian networks have enhanced the internal circulation of major catchment areas around activity centres and transportation interchanges. They have become an administratively and economically successful model in
the absence of a democratic urban design process. By tracking the evolving concept of the grade-separated pedestrian networks in Hong Kong, the paper examines the evolution and
institutionalization of such a spatial system. It argues that quantitative terms in urban design control cannot tackle environment quality as a complicated human experience and
cultural phenomenon. The discussion further raises a concern about increasing public facilities manipulated by private enterprises and the city government as an active mediator
in distributing spatial resources.
the absence of a democratic urban design process. By tracking the evolving concept of the grade-separated pedestrian networks in Hong Kong, the paper examines the evolution and
institutionalization of such a spatial system. It argues that quantitative terms in urban design control cannot tackle environment quality as a complicated human experience and
cultural phenomenon. The discussion further raises a concern about increasing public facilities manipulated by private enterprises and the city government as an active mediator
in distributing spatial resources.
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The urban space of Shanghai has been forcefully shaped by American architects during the past thirty years. Among these movers and shakers, John Portman & Associates is the most notable because it was the pioneering American commercial... more
The urban space of Shanghai has been forcefully shaped by American architects during the past thirty years. Among these movers and shakers, John Portman & Associates is the most notable because it was the pioneering American commercial design practice to enter Shanghai. It has actively participated in the process of Chinese urbanisation since the early 1980s. This paper reviews the practice's design projects in Shanghai: namely, the Shanghai Centre, the Bund Centre and Tomorrow Square. Each project — its intention, design, and usage — is analysed from the perspective of Chinese modernity in a 'global-local' context. The authors try to reveal the historic process of how American design rewove the urban fabric of Shanghai, and the reasons for and impacts of importing architecture from the West to contemporary China.
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This paper reviews Japanese architectural design since 1980 in Shanghai, China’s largest city, through studies of typical examples: the Ruijin Building, the Garden Hotel of the 1980s, buildings in Hongqiao of the 1990s and three projects... more
This paper reviews Japanese architectural design since 1980 in Shanghai, China’s largest city, through studies of typical examples: the Ruijin Building, the Garden Hotel of the 1980s,
buildings in Hongqiao of the 1990s and three projects built in the new millennium. The design merits and local people’s attitudes towards these buildings are examined and
compared with prominent contemporary buildings, designed by local and overseas architects. The study is set against a background of technical advance and modernization within the building industry in Shanghai. The paper showcases the unique experiences a fast-growing city gained in its progress towards modernisation.
buildings in Hongqiao of the 1990s and three projects built in the new millennium. The design merits and local people’s attitudes towards these buildings are examined and
compared with prominent contemporary buildings, designed by local and overseas architects. The study is set against a background of technical advance and modernization within the building industry in Shanghai. The paper showcases the unique experiences a fast-growing city gained in its progress towards modernisation.
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Britain’s colonial cities benefitted greatly from town planning practices that originated in the mother country. Hong Kong, one of many British colonial cities, grew from a small fishing village to an international metropolis. Urban... more
Britain’s colonial cities benefitted greatly from town planning practices that originated in the mother country. Hong Kong, one of many British colonial cities, grew from a small fishing
village to an international metropolis. Urban development in the colony from 1841 to 1941 was continuous and systematic but ended abruptly with the Japanese invasion in World War
II. The period was marked by rapid urban growth which brought with it many problems for the colonial management. This paper reviews the urban history of Hong Kong over the 100-year period from 1841 and explores the development motives of the colonial administration. The colonial government appointed British professionals for specialized roles and their services were apparent in significant milestones in the city’s town planning and construction. The paper highlights the contributions of a few significant personnel: A.T.
Gordon, C.G. Cleverly, Osbert Chadwick, David J. Owen and Wilfred H. Owen. By describing the works of these British colonial professionals, the authors hope to illustrate
their impact on the development of Hong Kong, linking history to the present and filling gaps in the study of Hong Kong’s early town planning. Both archive research and on-site
study were employed in the preparation of this paper which is expected to complement other studies of colonial city planning in Asia and Africa.
village to an international metropolis. Urban development in the colony from 1841 to 1941 was continuous and systematic but ended abruptly with the Japanese invasion in World War
II. The period was marked by rapid urban growth which brought with it many problems for the colonial management. This paper reviews the urban history of Hong Kong over the 100-year period from 1841 and explores the development motives of the colonial administration. The colonial government appointed British professionals for specialized roles and their services were apparent in significant milestones in the city’s town planning and construction. The paper highlights the contributions of a few significant personnel: A.T.
Gordon, C.G. Cleverly, Osbert Chadwick, David J. Owen and Wilfred H. Owen. By describing the works of these British colonial professionals, the authors hope to illustrate
their impact on the development of Hong Kong, linking history to the present and filling gaps in the study of Hong Kong’s early town planning. Both archive research and on-site
study were employed in the preparation of this paper which is expected to complement other studies of colonial city planning in Asia and Africa.
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This article examines the West Kowloon development in Hong Kong by considering the Kowloon Mass Transit Railway (MTR) station and its attached properties in the form of a megastructure. It begins by reviewing the socio-political and... more
This article examines the West Kowloon development in Hong Kong by considering the Kowloon Mass Transit Railway (MTR) station and its attached properties in the form of a megastructure. It begins by reviewing the socio-political and economic background of the project in its historical context, which has ultimately given the urban development project its unique characteristics. For a more clear understanding, various types of megastructure prototypes are analysed in comparison to the Kowloon MTR station and the properties in the West Kowloon development. The article describes the entire process of the megastructure, from the formation of the architectural design concept to its final realization. A final part concludes with a consideration of the project as a megastructure and as a significant node along the metro network in Hong Kong. Through the case study of the West Kowloon development, this article aims to assess the spatial characteristics and configurations of the megastructure project, and to establish the criteria by which to critique it in an architectural context.
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The controversial National Grand Theatre in Beijing was completed in 2007. It was the outcome of 50 years’ of perseverance and effort. This long period reflects not only the struggle and balance between global impact and local culture,... more
The controversial National Grand Theatre in Beijing was completed in 2007. It was the outcome of 50 years’ of perseverance and effort. This long period reflects not only the
struggle and balance between global impact and local culture, but also the interactive relationship between social development and architectural practice in China. The National
Grand Theatre is no doubt a milestone in China’s modern architectural history. This article reviews its often painstaking route through initiation, design and construction, and discusses
the macro-social situation which germinated various schemes in different historic periods. Through the case study of the National Grand Theatre, one can see the factual
data of this mega theatre and perceive the characteristics of contemporary Chinese architecture.
struggle and balance between global impact and local culture, but also the interactive relationship between social development and architectural practice in China. The National
Grand Theatre is no doubt a milestone in China’s modern architectural history. This article reviews its often painstaking route through initiation, design and construction, and discusses
the macro-social situation which germinated various schemes in different historic periods. Through the case study of the National Grand Theatre, one can see the factual
data of this mega theatre and perceive the characteristics of contemporary Chinese architecture.
Research Interests:
In the past 20 years, China has seen the active redevelopment of old towns and construction of new towns around booming cities. Zhengdong New District is one of them. Zhengdong (150 sq km) is located in central China, and was planned by... more
In the past 20 years, China has seen the active redevelopment of old towns and construction of new towns around booming cities. Zhengdong New District is one of them. Zhengdong (150 sq km) is located in central China, and was planned by the Japanese architect, Kisho Kurokawa (1934–2007). After the plan was approved in 2001, Phase I of 33 sq km was constructed in 5 years with monumental buildings and grand plazas. Why did this foreign designed project receive tremendous support from the Chinese government during its planning and implementation? What are the problems of redeveloping new towns at such a fast pace? With these crucial policy and praxis questions, the authors studied the project on site and visited the stake-holders. This paper describes the birth of the plan and discusses how it was developed and nurtured into being by the various forces of government, developers and architects in the background of contemporary China. Through the process of development and construction in Zhengdong New District, the authors analyze the reasons behind the support and success of this unique planning phenomenon with strong Chinese characteristics.
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Acknowledging the globalization of Chinese cities, this paper studies its influence on the formation of a newly-built Central Business District in China. Used as a case study, the Lujiazui Financial District of Shanghai Pudong is a... more
Acknowledging the globalization of Chinese cities, this paper studies its influence on the formation of a newly-built Central Business District in China. Used as a case study, the Lujiazui Financial District of Shanghai Pudong is a commendable achievement in urban development during the past 19 years. This paper reviews the background to the planning of Lujjiazui and comments on the international design competition that exhibited different planning approaches to the district. By reviewing the various plans and comparing them with the adopted project by the local institute, the authors reveal the reasons for the way Lujiazui was planned and built and discover a new type of Chinese city which was shaped by both global and market forces.
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Kisho Kurokawa (1934–2007) was a world-famous Japanese architect who made his impact on urban architecture in Japan and many other countries. His philosophy of symbiosis influenced several generations of designers and social architects in... more
Kisho Kurokawa (1934–2007) was a world-famous Japanese architect who made his impact on urban architecture in Japan and many other countries. His philosophy of symbiosis influenced several generations of designers and social architects in Japan and the world. In his heyday during the mid 1980s, Kurokawa started a twenty-year journey of architectural
design and urban planning in China. His designs in China are closely involved with the contemporary architectural history and practice of the country: for example, in importing
foreign architectural design, researching the formal design language and the emerging of private development. The authors traced the footprints of Kurokawa in China and investigated the relevant building and urban design cases. This paper reviews Kurokawa’s outstanding works in China, tries to reveal the master’s trajectory of adapting ‘symbiosis’
and ‘grey’ concepts in different conditions, and fills a gap in the understanding of modern Chinese and Japanese architecture.
design and urban planning in China. His designs in China are closely involved with the contemporary architectural history and practice of the country: for example, in importing
foreign architectural design, researching the formal design language and the emerging of private development. The authors traced the footprints of Kurokawa in China and investigated the relevant building and urban design cases. This paper reviews Kurokawa’s outstanding works in China, tries to reveal the master’s trajectory of adapting ‘symbiosis’
and ‘grey’ concepts in different conditions, and fills a gap in the understanding of modern Chinese and Japanese architecture.
Research Interests:
In a capitalist society, public buildings are essential social assets that balance private and civic interests while providing convenience and comfort for the entire community. The performance of public buildings is remarkable as they are... more
In a capitalist society, public buildings are essential social assets that balance private and civic interests while providing convenience and comfort for the entire community. The performance of public buildings is remarkable as they are related to most people instead of a handful of users/owners in the private sector. Hence, architecture of public institutions occupies a central, subtle, and decisive role in the quality
and the state of civility in the city. Living in compact environments, Hong Kong people always need and
aspire for more acute use of public spaces. In this local context, common space and public buildings naturally form an extension to city living. As a consequence, public buildings are becoming multi-use, multi-value and multi-level.
This article is a short account of the evolution and development of the public building in Hong Kong,
from the early1960s to the new millennium. It considers the historic background of the modernist movement and the socio-economic setting of the city. In chronological order, the paper delineates six examples: the City Hall (1962), Town Hall in Shatin New Town (1985), Cultural Centre (1989), Heritage
Museum (2000), Central Library (2001) and Wetland Park (2006). The authors present the statistical analysis of public buildings during this period and examine the cases with established criteria of public/civic buildings. Furthermore, social background and the strategies that those designs adopted are discovered and discussed. While generally following the modernist principles, the government architects
in Hong Kong adopted alternative methods to respond to the increasing societal expectations along the timeline, for example, pragmatism, neo-classicism and sustainability. It concludes by suggesting the future of the city’s public buildings in the West Kowloon Cultural District in the coming decade.
and the state of civility in the city. Living in compact environments, Hong Kong people always need and
aspire for more acute use of public spaces. In this local context, common space and public buildings naturally form an extension to city living. As a consequence, public buildings are becoming multi-use, multi-value and multi-level.
This article is a short account of the evolution and development of the public building in Hong Kong,
from the early1960s to the new millennium. It considers the historic background of the modernist movement and the socio-economic setting of the city. In chronological order, the paper delineates six examples: the City Hall (1962), Town Hall in Shatin New Town (1985), Cultural Centre (1989), Heritage
Museum (2000), Central Library (2001) and Wetland Park (2006). The authors present the statistical analysis of public buildings during this period and examine the cases with established criteria of public/civic buildings. Furthermore, social background and the strategies that those designs adopted are discovered and discussed. While generally following the modernist principles, the government architects
in Hong Kong adopted alternative methods to respond to the increasing societal expectations along the timeline, for example, pragmatism, neo-classicism and sustainability. It concludes by suggesting the future of the city’s public buildings in the West Kowloon Cultural District in the coming decade.
Research Interests:
Building and city are mutual 'ground' and 'figure'. In the process of urban development, buildings are typically shaped by urban space. In the past few decades, Hong Kong has become noted for its record economic development and its... more
Building and city are mutual 'ground' and 'figure'. In the process of urban development, buildings are typically shaped by urban space. In the past few decades, Hong Kong has become noted for its record economic development and its exceptional compact use of urban land. Shortage of developable land and pressures of increasing population have shaped Hong Kong's existing urban form. Although it has been criticized for its 'lack of identity', Hong Kong's architecture has indeed demonstrated several unique and distinct features. Most notably, the incorporation of internalized 'public' spaces together with elevated pedestrian systems into major urban buildings is successfully designed and utilized in local urban contexts. This pragmatic design is particularly obvious in the comprehensive mega-structures above and around the city's Mass Transit Railway (MTR) stations. In these mega-structure buildings, atrium spaces are focal points physically and psychologically. With the trend of more holistic integration and superimposition of various functions and buildings in these MTR properties, atriums have become increasingly significant local public spaces. This article attempts to analyse the atrium spaces of station-related properties to correlate the building interiors and urban spaces. Three Hong Kong atrium features are identified for their corresponding community values. As an objective of this research, the authors hope to provide useful references for developers, architects and planners to create meaningful public space in dense urban environment.
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The Universal Exposition is a spectacle and celebration of human advances. While frequently termed as “a fun-Expo” or “an amuse park” by architectural critics, the architecture and urban space of such events are rarely discussed in the... more
The Universal Exposition is a spectacle and celebration of human advances. While frequently termed as “a fun-Expo” or “an amuse park” by architectural critics, the architecture and urban space of such events are rarely discussed in the academic world. In the early Expos, the exhibitors were driven by the commercial benefit and used architecture as an advertising gimmick. But since 1970, urban spaces and architecture have played more and more important role in the Exposition.
This paper selects core public space cases from three different Expos: 1970 Osaka Expo, 2000 Hanover Expo, 2010 Shanghai Expo. The authors attempt to analyze the central sheltered space of each case to discuss the role of this space plays in the Expo. The previous two expos were studied from literature, while the latest one was mainly observed on site. The authors compare the three core public spaces of the Expos and reveal the identity of this type of public space. Through this study of public space in comprehensive urban design and architecture, the authors hope to provide useful lessons for the public space design in future world events.
This paper selects core public space cases from three different Expos: 1970 Osaka Expo, 2000 Hanover Expo, 2010 Shanghai Expo. The authors attempt to analyze the central sheltered space of each case to discuss the role of this space plays in the Expo. The previous two expos were studied from literature, while the latest one was mainly observed on site. The authors compare the three core public spaces of the Expos and reveal the identity of this type of public space. Through this study of public space in comprehensive urban design and architecture, the authors hope to provide useful lessons for the public space design in future world events.
Research Interests:
This article examines architectural development in Southeast Asia since the 1970s as the legacy of a modernity imported through foreign paradigms, in which Japan played a leading role. Post-war Japanese architecture, initially... more
This article examines architectural development in Southeast Asia since the 1970s as the legacy of a modernity imported through foreign paradigms, in which Japan played a leading role. Post-war Japanese architecture, initially characterized by derivativeness, is argued to have transformed into a discourse on
deviation of modern architecture. The nature of post-war Japanese architecture's influence on the Association
of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) countries, especially Singapore, is studied here through a
particular association with historical situations as developmental states.
Two case studiesdKenzo Tange and Fumihiko Makidare chosen for their different perspectives on
Japanese architecture, which provide an alternative example of modern identity in Southeast Asian architecture
that interacts with and contradicts local contexts. The authors reveal a forgotten story in the architectural development of Southeast Asia and Japan.
deviation of modern architecture. The nature of post-war Japanese architecture's influence on the Association
of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) countries, especially Singapore, is studied here through a
particular association with historical situations as developmental states.
Two case studiesdKenzo Tange and Fumihiko Makidare chosen for their different perspectives on
Japanese architecture, which provide an alternative example of modern identity in Southeast Asian architecture
that interacts with and contradicts local contexts. The authors reveal a forgotten story in the architectural development of Southeast Asia and Japan.
Research Interests:
This study explores the spatial, social, and administrative conditions that shape Hong Kong's grade-separated pedestrian networks. The integrated elevated pedestrian network was initially developed to facilitate internal circulation... more
This study explores the spatial, social, and administrative conditions that shape Hong Kong's grade-separated pedestrian networks. The integrated elevated pedestrian network was initially developed to facilitate internal circulation within the commercial centers when the city was undergoing rapid growth in the 1960s and 1970s. The vision was incrementally incorporated into statutory and administrative instruments as the city embraced a consumer-oriented economy. This study tracks the evolving concept of grade-separated pedestrian networks in Hong Kong, revisiting the critical actions and written notes in Hong Kong's urban history from 1965 to 1997. The private sector was essential in building the multilevel pedestrian space and in making it a commercially viable urban model. An alternative perspective is proposed from which to consider Hong Kong's public–private conflicts.
China's architectural exports to less-developed countries, such as conference halls, government offices, hospitals, institutional headquarters, schools, stadia and theatres, have played a special role in the state's foreign aid and... more
China's architectural exports to less-developed countries, such as conference halls, government offices, hospitals, institutional headquarters, schools, stadia and theatres, have played a special role in the state's foreign aid and diplomatic strategy. Beginning in the late 1950s, such exported architectural projects were presented by the Chinese Communist Party-led government as gifts to many Asian and African nations in exchange for their ideological, political and diplomatic support. In the post-Mao era, these architectural exports were combined with economic assistance, debt relief and expanding market access, suggesting economic cooperation, political engagement and cultural communication. In this study, a range of typical buildings are woven with their particular historical and socio-political backgrounds into a cohesive narrative. This is the first attempt to examine and theorise the development and transformation of this distinctive phenomenon, using architectural aid as a lens through which to unpack the state's motivation for and the institutions/individuals' commitment to constructing China's global influence. It is argued that the exported architectural projects e profoundly marked by the state's intervention e demonstrated what we term a 'transformational modernism' that was both a product of social transformation in China and a positive engagement with the recipient nations' local conditions.
Research Interests:
The grand theater—or opera house or concert hall in Western cities—is an iconic building or local architectural landmark. Due to the fast pace of urbanization, Chinese cities have newly engaged in the development of large-scale... more
The grand theater—or opera house or concert hall in Western cities—is an iconic building or local architectural landmark. Due to the fast pace of urbanization, Chinese cities have newly engaged in the development of large-scale infrastructure, including the construction of cultural buildings. From 1998 to 2018, more than 200 grand theaters were built, together with libraries, museums, and “children’s palaces” (activity centers). The number of newly built theaters was more than the total number built in Europe over the past 70 years. The drive to construct grand theaters in China has been accompanied and fueled by rapid economic growth, fast-paced urbanization, new town development, and old town renewal.
Grand Theater Urbanism reveals the phenomenon of the cultural building movement through investigating 10 typical cities from the first, second, and third tiers and the Chinese diaspora. The international and national significance of these iconic projects lies in the fact that they not only reflect the dynamics of global design ideas, but also represent a particular historical moment in China’s modernization process. The development, histories, and purposes of constructing cultural buildings are carefully outlined and colorfully presented. Given China’s sizeable population, its development trajectory in urban construction will provide insights for other regions that hope to embark on the high-speed track in the 21st century.
Grand Theater Urbanism reveals the phenomenon of the cultural building movement through investigating 10 typical cities from the first, second, and third tiers and the Chinese diaspora. The international and national significance of these iconic projects lies in the fact that they not only reflect the dynamics of global design ideas, but also represent a particular historical moment in China’s modernization process. The development, histories, and purposes of constructing cultural buildings are carefully outlined and colorfully presented. Given China’s sizeable population, its development trajectory in urban construction will provide insights for other regions that hope to embark on the high-speed track in the 21st century.
Research Interests:
The grand theater—or opera house or concert hall in Western cities—is an iconic building or local architectural landmark. Due to the fast pace of urbanization, Chinese cities have newly engaged in the development of large-scale... more
The grand theater—or opera house or concert hall in Western cities—is an iconic building or local architectural landmark. Due to the fast pace of urbanization, Chinese cities have newly engaged in the development of large-scale infrastructure, including the construction of cultural buildings. From 1998 to 2018, more than 200 grand theaters were built, together with libraries, museums, and “children’s palaces” (activity centers). The number of newly built theaters was more than the total number built in Europe over the past 70 years. The drive to construct grand theaters in China has been accompanied and fueled by rapid economic growth, fast-paced urbanization, new town development, and old town renewal.
Grand Theater Urbanism reveals the phenomenon of the cultural building movement through investigating 10 typical cities from the first, second, and third tiers and the Chinese diaspora. The international and national significance of these iconic projects lies in the fact that they not only reflect the dynamics of global design ideas, but also represent a particular historical moment in China’s modernization process. The development, histories, and purposes of constructing cultural buildings are carefully outlined and colorfully presented. Given China’s sizeable population, its development trajectory in urban construction will provide insights for other regions that hope to embark on the high-speed track in the 21st century.
Grand Theater Urbanism reveals the phenomenon of the cultural building movement through investigating 10 typical cities from the first, second, and third tiers and the Chinese diaspora. The international and national significance of these iconic projects lies in the fact that they not only reflect the dynamics of global design ideas, but also represent a particular historical moment in China’s modernization process. The development, histories, and purposes of constructing cultural buildings are carefully outlined and colorfully presented. Given China’s sizeable population, its development trajectory in urban construction will provide insights for other regions that hope to embark on the high-speed track in the 21st century.
Research Interests:
A History of Design Institutes in China examines the intricate relationship between design institutes, the state and, in later periods, the market economy through a carefully situated discussion of significant theoretical and historical... more
A History of Design Institutes in China examines the intricate relationship between design institutes, the state and, in later periods, the market economy through a carefully situated discussion of significant theoretical and historical issues including socialist utopia, collective and individual design, structural transformation and architectural typologyexportation, amongst others. It shows how, over the past six decades, China’s design institutes have served the state’s strategy for socialist construction and urbanisation to create socio-economic and cultural value. Through first-hand research, authors Xue and Ding reveal how the tensions between pragmatism, creativity, collaboration and resistance, have played a crucial role in defining architectural production.
Research Interests:
Hong Kong was the last British colony. During the decades after WWII, the people in Hong Kong strived to create a lively and energetic international metropolis in Asia. The dense port city set an example for Greater China, Asia and the... more
Hong Kong was the last British colony. During the decades after WWII, the people in Hong Kong strived to create a lively and energetic international metropolis in Asia. The dense port city set an example for Greater China, Asia and the world.
Hong Kong Architecture 1945-2015: From Colonial to Global focuses on the transformation from colonial to global – the formation, mechanism, events, works and people related to urban architecture. The book reveals hardships the city encountered in the 1950s and the glamour enjoyed in the 1980s. It depicts the public and private developments, and especially the public housing which has sheltered millions of residents. The author identifies the architects practising in the formative years and the representatives of a rising generation after 1970. Suffering from land shortage and a dense environment, the urban development of Hong Kong has in the past 70 years met the changing demands of fluctuating economic activities and a rising population. Architecture in Hong Kong has been shaped by social demands, the economy and technology. The buildings have been forged by the government, clients, planners, architects, many contractors and end-users.
The built environment nurtures our life and is visual evidence of the way the city has developed. The book is a must-read for a thorough understanding the contemporary history and architecture of this oriental pearl.
Hong Kong Architecture 1945-2015: From Colonial to Global focuses on the transformation from colonial to global – the formation, mechanism, events, works and people related to urban architecture. The book reveals hardships the city encountered in the 1950s and the glamour enjoyed in the 1980s. It depicts the public and private developments, and especially the public housing which has sheltered millions of residents. The author identifies the architects practising in the formative years and the representatives of a rising generation after 1970. Suffering from land shortage and a dense environment, the urban development of Hong Kong has in the past 70 years met the changing demands of fluctuating economic activities and a rising population. Architecture in Hong Kong has been shaped by social demands, the economy and technology. The buildings have been forged by the government, clients, planners, architects, many contractors and end-users.
The built environment nurtures our life and is visual evidence of the way the city has developed. The book is a must-read for a thorough understanding the contemporary history and architecture of this oriental pearl.
Research Interests:
Hong Kong was the last British colony. During the decades after WWII, the people in Hong Kong strived to create a lively and energetic international metropolis in Asia. The dense port city set an example for Greater China, Asia and the... more
Hong Kong was the last British colony. During the decades after WWII, the people in Hong Kong strived to create a lively and energetic international metropolis in Asia. The dense port city set an example for Greater China, Asia and the world.
This book focuses on the transformation from colonial to global – the formation, mechanism, events, works and people related to urban architecture. The book reveals hardships the city encountered in the 1950s and the glamour enjoyed in the 1980s. It depicts the public and private developments, and especially the public housing which has sheltered millions of residents. The author identifies the architects practising in the formative years and the representatives of a rising generation after the 1980s. Suffering from land shortage and a dense environment, the urban development of Hong Kong has in the past 65 years met the changing demands of fluctuating economic activities and a rising population. Architecture on the island has been shaped by social demands, the economy and technology. The buildings have been forged by the government, clients, planners, architects, many contractors and end-users.
The built environment nurtures our life and is visual evidence of the way the city has developed. The book is a must-read for a thorough understanding the contemporary history and architecture of this oriental pearl.
Hong Kong was the last British colony. During the decades after WWII, the people in Hong Kong strived to create a lively and energetic international metropolis in Asia. The dense port city set an example for Greater China, Asia and the world.
Contextualizing Modernity: Hong Kong Architecture 1946-2011 focuses on the transformation from colonial to global – the formation, mechanism, events, works and people related to urban architecture. The book reveals hardships the city encountered in the 1950s and the glamour enjoyed in the 1980s. It depicts the public and private developments, and especially the public housing which has sheltered millions of residents. The author identifies the architects practising in the formative years and the representatives of a rising generation after the 1980s. Suffering from land shortage and a dense environment, the urban development of Hong Kong has in the past 65 years met the changing demands of fluctuating economic activities and a rising population. Architecture on the island has been shaped by social demands, the economy and technology. The buildings have been forged by the government, clients, planners, architects, many contractors and end-users.
The built environment nurtures our life and is visual evidence of the way the city has developed. The book is a must-read for a thorough understanding the contemporary history and architecture of this oriental pearl.
This book focuses on the transformation from colonial to global – the formation, mechanism, events, works and people related to urban architecture. The book reveals hardships the city encountered in the 1950s and the glamour enjoyed in the 1980s. It depicts the public and private developments, and especially the public housing which has sheltered millions of residents. The author identifies the architects practising in the formative years and the representatives of a rising generation after the 1980s. Suffering from land shortage and a dense environment, the urban development of Hong Kong has in the past 65 years met the changing demands of fluctuating economic activities and a rising population. Architecture on the island has been shaped by social demands, the economy and technology. The buildings have been forged by the government, clients, planners, architects, many contractors and end-users.
The built environment nurtures our life and is visual evidence of the way the city has developed. The book is a must-read for a thorough understanding the contemporary history and architecture of this oriental pearl.
Hong Kong was the last British colony. During the decades after WWII, the people in Hong Kong strived to create a lively and energetic international metropolis in Asia. The dense port city set an example for Greater China, Asia and the world.
Contextualizing Modernity: Hong Kong Architecture 1946-2011 focuses on the transformation from colonial to global – the formation, mechanism, events, works and people related to urban architecture. The book reveals hardships the city encountered in the 1950s and the glamour enjoyed in the 1980s. It depicts the public and private developments, and especially the public housing which has sheltered millions of residents. The author identifies the architects practising in the formative years and the representatives of a rising generation after the 1980s. Suffering from land shortage and a dense environment, the urban development of Hong Kong has in the past 65 years met the changing demands of fluctuating economic activities and a rising population. Architecture on the island has been shaped by social demands, the economy and technology. The buildings have been forged by the government, clients, planners, architects, many contractors and end-users.
The built environment nurtures our life and is visual evidence of the way the city has developed. The book is a must-read for a thorough understanding the contemporary history and architecture of this oriental pearl.
Research Interests:
China’s transformation in the decades following its transition from Maoism is seen nowhere more dramatically than in its skyline. Indeed, the speed and scale of the country’s urban construction are unprecedented in human history. Just as... more
China’s transformation in the decades following its transition from Maoism is seen nowhere more dramatically than in its skyline. Indeed, the speed and scale of the country’s urban construction are unprecedented in human history. Just as up-to-date Western technologies and styles were introduced to Chinese port cities by American, British, Dutch, French, German, Hungarian and Swiss architects in the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, so architectural and planning ideas developed by designers in the West are reconfiguring public and private spaces in Chinese cities today. However, unlike the colonial setting in which the earlier transplantation took place, China’s importation of foreign architecture today is framed by the increased pace of global interconnection.
Not only iconic buildings but whole towns are being created by the world’s architects in China. Illustrated with a wealth of photographs and drawings, this book considers the work of these architects, many of them famous international stars, as well as the opportunities and challenges they face as they practise their craft in the world’s fastest changing environment.
Not only iconic buildings but whole towns are being created by the world’s architects in China. Illustrated with a wealth of photographs and drawings, this book considers the work of these architects, many of them famous international stars, as well as the opportunities and challenges they face as they practise their craft in the world’s fastest changing environment.
Research Interests:
Since China’s modernization began in 1980, the country has witnessed an exponential growth in construction activities. In a deliberate attempt to break away from the past, China has shown remarkable drive and determination to refashion... more
Since China’s modernization began in 1980, the country has witnessed an exponential growth in construction activities. In a deliberate attempt to break away from the past, China has shown remarkable drive and determination to refashion itself in terms of architectural and town planning practices.
“Building a Revolution: Chinese architecture since 1980” presents a picture of Chinese architecture in transition, as the entire economy shifted from being planned and state-controlled to being market-led. The book also examines the “national form” and Chinese identity, the impact of international architecture, housing reform, and the emergence of architects in private practice. Both celebrated and young Chinese architects are portrayed, and the notable buildings in the prosperous coastal cities are highlighted. Through this book on modern Chinese architecture, the reader will appreciate the influence of globalization and modernization on the most populous country in the world.
“Building a Revolution: Chinese architecture since 1980” presents a picture of Chinese architecture in transition, as the entire economy shifted from being planned and state-controlled to being market-led. The book also examines the “national form” and Chinese identity, the impact of international architecture, housing reform, and the emergence of architects in private practice. Both celebrated and young Chinese architects are portrayed, and the notable buildings in the prosperous coastal cities are highlighted. Through this book on modern Chinese architecture, the reader will appreciate the influence of globalization and modernization on the most populous country in the world.