Preservation in Beijing: The Battle for Gulou
A frequently revisited topic in discussions about China’s development is the widespread loss of historic structures and neighborhoods throughout the country’s fast-changing metropolises. From the...
View ArticleLand Reclamation and the Future of Hong Kong
Land reclamation is a controversial approach to urban planning wherever water-bound cities are land-strapped for new development. In the U.S., a place like San Francisco is a prime example of a city...
View ArticleChinese Architectural Heritage and the Role of Foreign Architects
Competition Winning Entry for China Comic and Animation Museum in Hangzhou, by Dutch Architects MVRDV I am often asked about the role of foreign architects working in China – particularly why China...
View ArticleChina’s Ancient Cities and the Crisis of Branding
UNESCO Heritage Site, Longmen Grottoes Stone Carvings near Luoyang, Henan Province. Photo by Easytourchina. In April I had the honor of being invited to sit on a panel at a conference sponsored by...
View ArticleAn Architect’s Guide to Working in China
A few months ago I read a piece from Bloomberg discussing Frank Gehry’s decision to ‘turn to Asia for architecture projects as U.S. growth slows.’ In terms of big name architects from the U.S. and...
View ArticlePoliticizing the Pritzker
Ningbo History Museum by architect Wang Shu Last month, this year’s Pritzker Prize (architecture’s highest honor) was awarded to Chinese architect Wang Shu. The announcement was surprising for a few...
View ArticleAn Experience in Contrasts: Redevelopment in Beijing’s Historic Qianmen...
Before and After Photos of ‘Quanjude’, a famous Peking Duck Establishment in Qianmen Since 1864 It is a familiar narrative across China’s cities: historic districts routinely razed to make way for new...
View ArticleInterview with Bianca Bosker, Author of New Book “Original Copies:...
The widespread pirating of architectural motifs in China’s developing urban landscape is a well-documented phenomenon. From Alpine Villages to starchitect-designed superstructures, Chinese builders...
View ArticleChengdu’s Tangba Jie – One of the World’s Coolest Neighborhoods
Last year Time Out Magazine rated Chengdu’s Tangba Jie as one of the coolest neighborhoods in the world. This is probably not surprising to residents of Chengdu or anyone who has been following the...
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