Organizer:
Harvard CAMLab

Academic Convenor:
Jeffrey W. CODY
Former Senior Project Specialist, Building & Sites Department, Getty Conservation Institute

WU Jiang
Former Vice-President of Tongji University
Academician of the French Academy of Architecture

Panelist:
FAN Sizheng
Teaching Professor, College of Technology, Architecture and Applied Engineering, Bowling Green State University

CHENG Lizhen
Associate Professor, School of Architecture and Design, Beijing Jiaotong University
Author of Architect, ZHANG Kaiji

CHANG Yung Ho
Principal Architect FCJZ
Professor of the Practice MIT

LAI Delin
Morgan Endowed Chair in Fine Arts, Department of Fine Arts, University of Louisville
Foreword Writer of Architect, ZHANG Kaiji

LI Shiqiao
Weedon Professor in Asian Architecture, Architecture + Architectural History,
Director of the PhD in the Constructed Environment Program, School of Architecture, University of Virginia

Moderator:
ZHANG Qin
Associate in Research, Fairbank Center for Chinese Studies, Harvard University
Associate, Harvard CAMLab

MIN Jiajian
Project Lead, Harvard CAMLab

Interpreter:
ZHU Ning
Researcher, Harvard CAMLab

Abstract:
Zhang Kaiji (1912-2006), graduated from the Department of Architectural Engineering of the Central University in 1935, is one of the most outstanding Chinese architects of the second generation. In the dynamic period of political and cultural transformation, the division and collision of different ideologies contributed to Zhang Kaiji’s architectural practice. In his 71 years of profession, he synthesized different ideologies and design theories, practiced with a wide range of typologies, focused on various issues of the built environment, and elevated the professional and technical exploration to a humanistic, social and historical level.

On the occasion of the 110th anniversary of Mr. Zhang Kaiji’s birth and the upcoming release of the new book “Architect Zhang Kaiji”, Harvard CAMLab China Builders Project launched this Academic Symposium. This event was academically convened by Professor Jeff Cody and Professor Wu Jiang. It is an honor to invite architect Chang Yung Ho, son of Zhang Kaiji, Professor Cheng Lizhen, the author of “Architect Zhang Kaiji”, Professor Lai Delin, the foreword writer of “Architect Zhang Kaiji”, and many other influential scholars. Starting from this new book, we will focus on Zhang Kaiji’s influence on Chinese modern architecture and urban planning, and more importantly, the underlying social, cultural and economic context in the 1950s, as well as the meaning of “New Architecture for New China” in a broader context.

Schedule:
(120mins in total)

Part I Introduction 10mins
Introduction to Harvard CAMLab, Symposium, Panelists, Topic and Background

Part II Panel Talk 55mins
Each Convenor/Panelist will have 10 mins to address the topic with their related research.

Part III Discussion and Q&A 45mins
Academic Convenors will summarize panel talks and start the discussion and the group dialogue.

Part IV Event Summary 10mins

Symposium in both Chinese and English with Simultaneous Interpreting
This virtual workshop is open to the public with registration. It will be recorded and the edited version will be released to the public online, or in other forms on the Harvard CAMLab platform.