Book Launch & Talk: Architecture and Beyond 不止建筑

Since the onset of the 21st century, the world has undergone profound transformations encompassing politics, economics, society, culture, and the environment. This evolution has not left the field of architecture untouched, presenting young architects in China with challenging decisions as they navigate this shifting landscape. China has witnessed rapid urban development in the decades following its opening-up, but as urbanization slows, the architecture industry is undergoing a refinement process. This transformation is ushering in a new breed of unconventional architects in China, pushing the boundaries of conventional design and championing diversity in development, design, management, and the industry. They blend technology and industry seamlessly to propel architecture and design to unprecedented heights, scopes, and depths. These architects are not limited to traditional media but are venturing into new media, forging a fresh synergy between architecture and media. Through dialogues with unconventional architect professionals on subjects spanning design, technology, and media, we shed light on the multifaceted nature of architecture and its influence that transcends traditional boundaries. These pioneering projects showcased herein represent China's emerging generation of unorthodox architects.

Signed Copies of Architecture and Beyond: Unconventional Architectural Practice in China will be available for purchase on site.

This event is co-hosted by China Institute Next Gen Serica (CINGS) and Architectural Practice Talks (践谈APT)

Fei Wang 王飝 is an architect, educator, curator, writer, and entrepreneur. He is the Director of China Programs, the Coordinator of the M.S. Architecture Program, and an associate professor at the School of Architecture at Syracuse University, USA. Wang is the founder of FWStudio and Atelier Ten+ based in Syracuse and Shanghai, known for its dedication to various aspects of architectural work, including urban renewal, rural construction, tectonics, phenomenology, copy culture, sustainable architecture, and low-carbon city initiatives. Wang's diverse portfolio includes the co-founding of the URSIDE Hotel Shanghai, an unconventional hotel project developed, designed, and managed in collaboration with four partners from diverse disciplines. Wang has curated several exhibitions, such as "Unbuilt Eisenman" (2025), "Siu Siu City" (2023), "Shenzhen Biennale Longgang Sub-Venue" (2022), and "Challenge and Opportunity: Architecture Education Innovation During the Pandemic" (2021). Wang’s authored books include Inter-Views: Trends of Architectural and Urbanism Institutions in North America and Europe (2010), Poetics of Construction, The Discourse of Tectonics in Contemporary China (2014), and Design | Energy | Futures (2015-2024), and a special issue of a+u titled "Architecture and Beyond: Unconventional Architectural Practice in China." (2023).

Host or Publisher China Institute