Reconnecting with China: Where architecture meets reflection

How building in China reveals new ways of seeing our cities and ourselves.

Architecture is not a practice that operates in isolation, architecture reflects culture, societal values and objectives. Architecture promises ideals: creating cities of the future, designing for a better world. But how do those ideals hold up in a time of fragmentation and friction? And what does the way we practice architecture tell us about the society we work in? In his recently published book Reconnecting with China, John van de Water shows how building in China is never only about China but it is also about ourselves, our cities and our future. Sometimes difference brings us closer in ways that agreement never can. This night he discusses his book with Dutch experts that have worked in China, as well as Chinese architects that have travelled in opposite direction to practice architecture in the Netherlands. For a discussion blending lived experience with critical reflection on architecture and the societies it shows us.

Together with John van de Water Auteur 'Reconnecting With China' en founding partner bij Next Architects Carolyn Leung Founding Partner / Architect at Superimpose Architecture Chun Hoi Hui Co-founder at Spring Onion Atelier, Urban Designer at MVRDV Yang Zhang Co-founder at Spring Onion Atelier, Architect at UNS Jammy Zhu Co-founder at Spring Onion Atelier, Associate at MVRDV

About the speakers

John van de Water has worked as architect in China for the past twenty years as a founding partner of Next Architects. He works there together with his partner Jiang Xiaofei and together they have realised numerous projects such as the Lucky Knot Bridge and the China Rose Museum.