International conference explores boundaries of architecture

The boundaries of architecture are constantly changing. But are innovative technologies and global issues helping eliminate boundaries, or creating new ones?

The second International Conference on Architecture Across Boundaries

The second International Conference on Architecture Across Boundaries, held at Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University (XJTLU) from 30 August to 1 September, discussed key challenges and opportunities brought by new technologies to research and practices of the built environment from multiple perspectives.

With participants from 12 countries, the event aimed to bridge the gaps between the physical environment and virtual world, and between technology and human activity. The broad spectrum of topics included architectural studies, civil engineering, computational design, design education, urban studies, and sociology.

In addition to keynote speeches from four internationally recognised industry figures, the conference featured 30 parallel sessions, two exhibitions, and workshops to introduce the city of Suzhou and its cultural heritage.

Parallel presentation

Among the speakers was Farrokh Derakhshani, Director of the Aga Khan Award for Architecture, which recognises inclusive architectural projects that improve quality of life. He spoke on how some architects are striving beyond their limits to create meaningful work.

“An architect’s main goal is to intelligently use all available information and tools, while considering the social, environmental, cultural realities of a place as well as the material and economic resources available, to create a project that has an added value to society,” he said, adding that bridging boundaries was about bringing together people and ideas.

Farrokh Derakhshani

The projects of the Aga Khan Award for Architecture were displayed in an exhibition on XJTLU campus, showcasing their excellence in architecture, planning practices, historic preservation, and landscape architecture.

Exhibition of the Aga Khan Award for Architecture

Another exhibition, “Faces in the Clouds”, featured photographs of people in China’s high-altitude Yunnan province and Tibet autonomous region taken by John Latto, Associate Professor of Practice at XJTLU’s Department of Architecture.

“Faces in the Clouds” exhibition

“This conference provides a platform for scholars and practitioners to discuss the challenges and opportunities that we face in built environments amid a fast-evolving industry and design innovations, powered by new technologies,” Professor Zhoulin Ruan, Vice President of Academic Affairs at XJTLU, said in his opening speech.

Professor Zhoulin Ruan

Professor Marc Aurel Schnabel, Dean of XJTLU’s Design School, said: “The important part of this conference is that we meet each other and explore each other’s ideas. This makes it truly valuable, and the connections we build here will be carried on after the conference.”

Professor Marc Aurel Schnabel

Dr Davide Lombardi, Head of XJTLU’s Department of Architecture, welcomed scholars to join conference on behalf of the organising and scientific committees.

Dr Davide Lombardi

This conference was hosted by XJTLU’s Department of Architecture, and supported by the Royal Institute of British Architects, the UK, and the American Institute of Architects, the US.

By Yi Qian

Edited by staff editor and Xinmin Han