On December 1-3, 2023, the 7th Architectural Anthropology Forum was held at the School of Design, Shanghai Jiao Tong University. This forum focuses on the topic of "livability" of Chinese cities from the stage of high-speed construction to the stage of high-quality development, focuses on the significance of the interaction between "people" as individuals and groups and urban space, and faces the epistemological and methodological issues that multidisciplinary researchers focusing on cities are concerned about. Shanghai is at the forefront of the exploration of livable city construction, with builders intensively cultivating this ultra-high-density "snail shell", and residents also using grassroots forces to promote the formation of urban spirit and community cohesion. After six sessions, the Architectural Anthropology Forum has put forward the theme of "Livable Towns and Daily Life" in a timely manner, gradually connecting the academic perspective from the classic anthropological tradition of house and settlement research to urban renewal, heritage protection, rural revitalization and other issues of the times. With the help of an interdisciplinary perspective, it advocates returning to China's history, culture, and daily life to explore the profound connotation and practical significance of livability.
The forum was convened by Ruan Xin, Huang Huaqing, Wang Hao from Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Zhao Xiaomei from Fudan University, Li Geng from China Agricultural University, and Pan Xi from Beijing Jiaotong University. More than 120 experts and scholars from dozens of domestic and foreign universities and scientific research institutions, including Peking University, Tsinghua University, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, Fudan University, Nanjing University, Tongji University, Southeast University, Zhejiang University, Tianjin University, East China Normal University, Central Academy of Fine Arts, etc., were invited to participate in the report and discussion.
The forum consists of three parts: keynote forum, special forum and sub-forum. The two keynote forums "Contemporary Aspects of Architectural Anthropology" and "Spatial-Social Issues of Livable Towns" explored the connection between the interdisciplinary approach of architectural anthropology and the research and practical challenges of contemporary cities; the special forum "House Society: Urban House" promoted the discussion of the significance and possibilities of architectural anthropology for design methodology through the dialogue between anthropologists, architectural theorists and architects, and the sub-forums discussed the significance and possibilities of architectural anthropology for design methodology through the dialogue between anthropologists and architectural theorists and architects. Spatial and Social Theory and Methods" was carried out under the four topics, with 20 sub-forums and more than 70 papers selected. There was also a thematic roundtable on "Heritage Teaching in the Applied Humanities", which fully reflected the characteristics of the forum for interdisciplinary debate.
Group photo of the participating scholars (partial)
Main venue
Keynote Session 1: Contemporary Aspects of Architectural Anthropology
This forum focused on how the classic concepts of architectural anthropology, such as houses and places, can derive new connotations in contemporary urban heritage protection and renewal, new urbanization and other fields. The forum was chaired by Professor Liu Jie of Shanghai Jiao Tong University.
Chang Qing, Academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and Professor of the School of Architecture and Urban Planning at Tongji University, discussed the relationship between architecture and traditional culture, as well as the role of architecture in social and historical processes. He pointed out the importance of "texture-touch" in expressing the spirit of space and place in architecture, and started with practical cases such as the regeneration exploration of Qilou Old Street in Haikou and the renovation of the old site of Qionghai Customs, showing how to protect and inherit cultural heritage by reshaping space and place. Finally, he emphasized the crucial role of tactile experience, which architectural anthropology is concerned with, and pointed out that this anthropological-based interaction between space and culture will continue to influence the direction of urban-rural evolution.
Wang Mingming, professor of the Department of Sociology at Peking University and director of the Center for Anthropology and Folklore Research at Peking University, gave a report entitled "Inside and Out: On the World Integrity of Family Houses, Village Temples, and Cities", which starts from the theory of complete cosmopolitanism and reveals the connection between mythological narratives and micro-level psychoanalysis from the perspective of cosmopolitanism. At the same time, he put forward a critical perspective on "local knowledge", and discussed the asymmetry between the living world and the knowledge world, postmodernism and other cultural self-and other forms of relations. Finally, he takes the houses, temples and cities in traditional Chinese construction as examples to reveal the relationship between mythological narrative, body and space, man and architecture from the perspective of anthropology, and expresses his thoughts on the two sides of tradition and modernity in design.
Xia Zhujiu, professor and Tong Ning Chair Professor of the School of Architectural Internationalization of Southeast University, reported "Reflections on the Livable Towns of New Urbanization in Urban China" through the theoretical perspective of Marxism, re-questioning urban China and reconstructing the hypothesis of understanding urban China, so as to explore the problem of livable towns in new urbanization. Starting from the historical process of capitalist urbanization, he discussed the results of urbanization created by the capitalist market mechanism, and put forward theoretical reflections on urbanization, urban space and urban policy. He also expressed his thoughts on new urbanization and livable towns, as well as his confidence in China's national policies that favor rural revitalization and common prosperity in the face of uneven development.
Professor Zhao Chen of the School of Architecture and Urban Planning of Nanjing University gave a report entitled "The Concept of Anthropology, the Method of Typology, and the Texture Theory of Chinese Urban Morphology", which introduced the texture theory of Chinese urban morphology and the conceptual typology method of architectural anthropology. He analyzed the architectural characteristics and organization of urban forms in traditional Chinese cities, and mentioned the role of geographical factors, street networks, and neighborhood buildings as constituent elements in the traditional urban fabric of China, thus emphasizing the importance of the traditional urban fabric and the necessity of its protection. He also discussed the role of cadastral maps in the urban fabric, which led to the reinterpretation of traditional Chinese spatial concepts. Finally, it is pointed out that the texture of traditional Chinese urban morphology is composed of basic residential units with typological rules, which embody a kind of "spatial production" in a social sense.
Ruan Xin, Guangqi Chair Professor and Dean of the School of Design of Shanghai Jiao Tong University, responded to the reports of the four guests. He believes that the issues of culture, regionality, and tactile experience raised by Academician Chang Qing are very crucial, and they can be discussed in the genealogy of structuralist theory mentioned by Mr. Wang Mingming; and how to solve such contradictions between the concept of the city or the city derived from the house and society, and the problems and challenges faced by China's urbanization pointed out by Mr. Xia Zhujiu and Mr. Zhao Chen also point to the root of the contradiction between material and cultural to a certain extent, and may be traced back to China." The livability design of contemporary towns also provides us with a focus for harmonizing these two forces. Subsequently, Professor Liu Jie announced the end of the keynote forum.
Keynote Forum II: Spatial and Social Issues in Livable Towns
Based on Shanghai's urban renewal experience, this forum puts forward the humanistic issues that need to be paid attention to in the construction of contemporary livable towns from an interdisciplinary and critical perspective. The forum was chaired by Professor Cao Yongkang of Shanghai Jiao Tong University.
Zhu Weijue, a professor at the Institute of Sociology at Tongji University, discussed the gentrification of the old city of Shanghai from the perspective of gentrification sociology, and showed the sociological perspective of urban renewal. Based on her long-term fieldwork on the phenomenon of gentrification, she focuses on the preservation of history and culture in the context of rapid urbanization, showing the transformation dilemma of urban centers such as the Hengfu Historical and Cultural District, and also deeply analyzes the impact of gentrification on social structure, gender and cultural diversity, and points out the complexity of urban renewal and the impact of stakeholder participation. Finally, she discussed the challenges and opportunities of gentrification and urban development in the central area of Shanghai, and put forward a critical vision for the future of gentrification in Shanghai's old city.
Wang Guowei, a professor at Tongji University and a visiting professor at Shanghai Theatre Academy, gave a report entitled "Theatre Daily Life and Urban Character Building", which cuts into the livability and humanistic issues of contemporary cities from the theater. Firstly, the historical development and current situation of theater and performance in Shanghai are introduced, and the four basic forms of contemporary theater are explained, and then several active cases of theater performing arts space are listed, and the interaction between theater and city and the relationship between performing arts behavior and physical cognition is analyzed, and then the isomorphism of theater structure and social space structure is discussed. Finally, he proposed that the theater is a special place to realize the politicization of body technology, and the daily life of the theater promotes the realization of social equality at the spiritual level. It is the practice of theatre that creates the stylization of the individual and the city, thus giving birth to the character of the city.
Professor Yu Hai of the School of Social Development and Public Policy of Fudan University reported "Multiple Dimensions of Spatial Humanities" from different perspectives to explore multiple dimensions such as spatial psychosomatics, spatial politics, spatial sociology and spatial psychology. Among them, spatial psychosomatic science focuses on the embodied dimensions of different groups of people, such as the elderly, children, men, women, etc., spatial politics deals with people's social identity and status, as well as the equal utilization and convenient accessibility of urban public space and community services, spatial sociology emphasizes the interaction and cooperation between people, as well as social development and community building, and spatial psychology focuses on the spiritual level of people, emphasizing people's spiritual growth, human dignity and full meaning of life. Through the gradual exploration of the four dimensions, he aims to put forward an idea of understanding and improving social space and realizing the development of humanized space.
Professor Cao Yongkang made a brief comment on the reports of the three guests. As a practitioner of urban heritage conservation, he strongly agreed with the different dimensions of the three panelists to intervene in the problem of livability of contemporary urban space, calling for multidisciplinary collaboration to explore the challenges and solutions of urban renewal, and he also raised the contradictory situations faced by practitioners, such as the protection of historic districts and buildings in the land parcels. During the tea break of the forum, the participating teachers and students had a heated discussion on the unfinished matters.
Sub-topic A: History and modernity of towns
Sub-topic A focuses on the history of global settlements in the context of urbanization with the clue of "History and Modernity of Towns", and observes the responses of various regional cultures to the theme of modernity from a multidisciplinary perspective. There were 5 sub-forums.
Parallel Session A
The sub-forum "Overseas Ethnography and Cities" presented four regional cases from the dimensions of materials, housing, communities and cities, showing the complex interplay between local consciousness and urbanization trends in the process of globalization. Zhao Chong from Fuzhou University, Tang Min from Tongji University, Lei Wen from China Agricultural University, and Li Jiaju from Southeast University respectively reported on the origin and evolution of traditional Chinese communities in Malaysia's mining areas, the study of urbanization and heritage in the Tabriz Grand Bazaar area from the perspective of governance, the birth and evolution of modern building materials in Tanzania, and the anthropological observation of the renewal of African communities in New Orleans.
The sub-forum on "The History and Memory of Cities" brought the perspective back to China, and scholars used a variety of media as materials, and the research scope spanned the north and south, interpreting the rich spatial and cultural meanings from history. Li You from Southeast University, Wang Kun from Tongji University, Cai Jionghao from Sichuan University, and Liang Yushu from Nanjing University respectively introduced the spatial evolution and functional changes of the southern area of Nanjing in the Ming and Qing dynasties, the "non-routine" shaping of the Shangyuan festival scene in Nanjing in the late Ming Dynasty, the spatial texture and historical changes of the old neighborhood of Jiangmen from the perspective of modern studies, and the urban formation and change of Dingyuan Yingcheng in the late Qing Dynasty under the background of the grassland Silk Road. The moderator, Zhao Chong, and the reviewer, Fu Shulan, had a full exchange with the scholars and discussed the use of research materials in architectural anthropology research.
The sub-forum on "Water Environment and Settlement Change" took water as the starting point to discuss that the water system contains civilization, and the geographical and hydrological factors, irrigation technology, and water supply methods affect the development and change of human settlements from all aspects, and further shape the form of the city. Xue Peng from Beijing Jiaotong University, Bao Jiayi from Fudan University, Guo Wei from Beijing Forestry University, and Yang Ziyin from Beijing Jiaotong University respectively paid attention to the complexity of Beijing's modern water supply system, the urbanization and river network changes on the north bank of the lower reaches of the Wusong River in Shanghai since modern times, the spatial and social structure of traditional irrigation settlements under water management, and the spatiotemporal evolution of settlement forms in the upper reaches of Mabiyu in the mountainous areas of southwest Shanxi Province. The moderator, Wu Weiyi, and the reviewer, Liu Xiao, commented on the impact and research of water on space and culture from their own professional perspectives.
"The Encounter between Tradition and Modernity" discusses the contradictions between modern life and traditional modes of settlement over the past century, and the strategies proposed to resolve these contradictions, and from behind these strategies, we can get a glimpse of the politics and power structure hidden in the space. Ju Lang from Northwest Normal University, Cao Zitian from Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Liu Naifei and Yue Kaijian from Tsinghua University gave presentations on the "toilet revolution" in traditional villages in agricultural and pastoral areas, apartments and life in the French Concession in modern Shanghai, and the evolution of rural residential space from the perspective of modern family changes. Moderator Qi Xiaojin and reviewer Huang Xu commented on the report and discussed how to view "marginalization" during the study.
The sub-forum "Globalization and Modern Architecture" returned to the world dimension and explored the dilemmas and opportunities of modernist design in different soils. The scholars' research spans Asia, Africa and Latin America, presenting spatial and temporal contrasts, further reflecting the commonalities and differences between different regions in the dilemma of modernization. Pan Xi from Beijing Jiaotong University, Yu Yunlong from Tongji University, and Liu Ye from Tsinghua University respectively reported on the contemporary crisis and response of modern architecture in the early years of independence in South Asia, the geographical and cultural zoning of modern Brazilian architecture based on ethnographic observations, and the architectural practice of Chinese designers in Africa. The moderator, Liang Yushu, and the reviewer, Tang Min, commented on their respective research experiences and compared the research of the three scholars, emphasizing the global perspective of modern architecture and architectural history research.
Sub-topic B: Cities, production and everyday life
Sub-topic B focuses on how urban space influences and shapes production activities and lifestyles, and explores the relationship between different forms of production and daily life in cities. A total of 5 sub-forums were held.
The sub-forum of "The Everyday Nature of Cities 1" focused on topics such as urban space production, urban space types and daily leisure space. Sun Haode and Wu Yuanyuan from Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Li Xiang from Chinese University of Hong Kong, Qi Xiaojin from Tsinghua Tongheng Planning and Design Research Institute, and Wu Weiyi from Nanjing University respectively discussed urban topics such as the spatial types and video documentaries of pocket parks in central Shanghai, the practice of leisure space in the context of the daily life of the elderly, and the inspiration of leisure space in two famous historical and cultural cities. The moderator, Guo Ping, and the commentator, Li Yingchun, fully interacted with the speakers, and made a multidisciplinary and multi-dimensional discussion on the impact of urban space on production, life and other aspects.
The sub-forum "Everyday Aspects of Cities 2" focused on the community and residents, focusing on topics such as urban residents' lives, residents' community practices, and rental housing living patterns. Chao Ran and Liu Xiao from Macau University of Science and Technology, Gong Zhixuan from Peking University, Cao Xiaojin from Nanjing University, and Wu Baishen from Shanghai Jiao Tong University exchanged views on topics such as the living environment of urban residents, community practice and the development trend of rental housing living patterns. Moderator Bin Huizhong and reviewer Li Geng discussed the issues of interdisciplinary research methods with the scholars, and looked forward to the future development direction of urban residents' life and living patterns.
The sub-forum of "City Walk: A Kind of Space Production" takes the "citywalk" that has emerged in large cities in recent years as the starting point, and uses sociological observations from different urban cases to try to explore the topics behind it, such as urban space production, urban walking, and spatial perception and practice, and discusses how urban walking activities can promote the activation of urban space, the interaction of communities and the improvement of the quality of life of urban residents. Moderator Xu Ming shared his original intention and experience of founding the citywalk organization "Urban Archaeology", and reviewer Chen Jin expanded and shared the reports of Zhang Quan from Sichuan University, Tian Zhihao from Shanghai University, and Du Kun from China Agricultural University on the same topic, and jointly discussed the production and reproduction of urban space by urban walking activities.
The sub-forum of "Urban Renewal and Spatial Politics" explores the current situation of urban renewal under the concept of "spatial politics", and studies the topics of community grassroots governance, the concept of emotional spatial politics, the daily life practice of residents in informal settlements, and the demands and conflicts of original residents in design and construction, in an attempt to analyze the power operation and social impact of urban renewal. The moderator, Li Geng, and the reviewer, Ji Yingying, fully interacted with four scholars, Guan Yongkang of Nankai University, Yang Sampan of Nanjing University, Zhao Yue of Beijing University of Technology, and Shi Yunqing of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, and conducted in-depth exchanges on the dilemma in the process of urban renewal.
The "Community Building" sub-forum discussed topics such as the generation of community consciousness, the practice of creating livable communities, and the research on community participation system. Moderator Zhong Xiaohua and commentator Shi Yunqing discussed with scholars and community practitioners such as Ji Yingying from Shanghai University, Liu Yingjie and Du Huiyan from Tong Xing Architecture, Liu Xiao from Macau University of Science and Technology, Sun Shuting from the University of Tokyo, and other scholars and community practitioners to create a more livable community environment and improve the quality of life of residents. Through community practices and experience exchanges from Tokyo, Shanghai, Shunde and other places, the scholars demonstrated the in-depth interaction between community governance and residents' participation, and also revealed the complexity and contradictions behind community building.
Sub-topic C: Heritage, Memory and Reconstruction
Sub-topic C "Heritage, Memory and Reconstruction" covers a wide range of topics and demonstrates a wide range of interests in heritage and anthropological studies. Includes 5 sub-forums.
The "Presentation of Memory" sub-forum attempts to build a connection between the past and memory. Tan Jinhua from Wuyi University, Qiu Yue from Nanjing University, Zhao Xiaomei and Zou Yiwen from Fudan University, and Luo Jing from the Central Academy of Fine Arts discussed the conservation and revitalization of architectural heritage from the perspective of anthropology, the memory of the "old county" from space to media, the memory construction of three urban heritage sites in New York, and the positioning, dislocation and reset of the belief and customs space in the context of urban renewal in the context of urban villages. Moderator Liu Chaoqun and commentator Li Guanghan put forward their own views on the presentation, such as, how does heritage display construct memory, how can media reproduce the place of memory, how can faith and Xi continue in the current countryside and city, and scholars had a full discussion together.
Session C1 "The Presentation of Memory"
The sub-forum "Values and Practices" presented a reflection on a variety of heritage types: analyzing the impact of urban industrial wilderness on public perception, recognizing the natural and cultural blending value embedded in traditional landscapes, figuring out the motivations for exploring industrial ruins, and sorting out the interweaving of forces in heritage conservation and utilization. Under the organization of moderator Ou Xuanzi and commentator Zhang Guangwei, scholars such as Wei Fang from Beijing Forestry University, Xu Tong from Beijing Forestry University, Wang Yuchen from University of Science and Technology Beijing, and Zhu Anqi from Beijing Jiaotong University made reports respectively, and the discussion of heritage inevitably returned to people's lives, perceptions, and needs.
Session C2 "Values and Practices"
The sub-forum on "Production and Reconstruction" went into the social space of different regions and cultures, from the Hakka mansions in western Fujian, the streets and alleys of the western border to the villages on the Mediterranean coast. Liu Chaoqun from China Agricultural University, Gu Li from the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, Li Shuangning and Shen Yi from the Politecnico di Milano respectively shared their views on the spatial reconstruction of tourism and clan society in Hakka Ancient Village in western Fujian, the interactive game and dynamic checks and balances of multiple subjects in the process of reshaping the "traditional style" of Kashgar Old Town, and the observation of the Cinque Terre in Italy from the perspective of survival and life. Together, these cases focus on the interventions and changes brought about by tourism, as well as the conflicts and harmonizations between the past and the present.
Session C3 "Production and Refactoring"
The sub-forum "The Practice of Rituals" focused on the social significance of rituals and explored the close relationship between local rituals and group cohesion and local identity. Xiang Lanlin from Beijing Forestry University, Wang Yao from Xiamen University of Technology, and Wang Xinyue from Southeast University respectively presented the research on the relationship between the ritual and the sense of place in the lower god from the perspective of embodiment, the study of the material politics of the architectural form of Peitian Village, and the cultural anthropology of the ritual space in the middle of the Tanjia boat in Lingnan. Under the organization of the moderator Luo Jing and the commentators Sun Jing and Liu Chaoqun, the scholars discussed the relationship between ritual and reason.
The "Crafts of Construction" sub-forum discussed the multi-faceted understanding of crafts and craftsmen. Jiang Zheng from China University of Mining and Technology (Beijing), Ren Congcong from Beijing University of Civil Engineering and Architecture, and Ou Xuanzi from China Institute of Science Popularization respectively focused on the investigation and research methods of surface processing traces of early building wood components, the social connection from people to things embodied in construction techniques, and the social mechanism of construction accidents from the perspective of technical process. The moderator Xu Tong and the commentator Yu Lina shared their views, extended and supplemented or improved suggestions, such as the investigation and analysis of wood processing traces, the various rules of craftsmanship, and the care for the life protection of construction workers.
Sub-topic D: Spatial and social theories and methods
The sub-topic "Spatial and Social Theories and Methods" covers a broader multidisciplinary discussion of theories and methods, covering architectural anthropological perspectives from spatial layout to social impact. There were 5 sub-forums.
The sub-forum of "Theory and Methods of Space" focused on topics such as the shift from ontology to anthropology, the multiphase "concept" of landscape anthropology, and the information mining methods of traditional settlement images. Wang Yijia from China Agricultural University, Shi Jiacheng from Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hou Jianwei from Tokyo Metropolitan University, and Cai Xuanhao from Tongji University respectively reported on contemporary spatial research and practice in the context of ontological turn, from Watanabe Shino's folk feng shui to Kawai Yoshang's landscape anthropology, and the evolution of settlement morphology in Guifeng Village, Fujian Province. The moderator, Zhang Hui, and the reviewer, Pan Xi, exchanged views with the scholars from the perspective of interdisciplinary research.
The sub-forum "Methods of Everyday Research 1" discussed topics such as the association between spatial perception traits and usage rate, the characteristics of spatial diurnal differentiation, vertical spatial patterns and climate adaptation, and community supportive environments. Ding Linan from Beijing Forestry University, Shen Yangdong from Yunnan Normal University, Bi Siqi from Sichuan Fine Arts Institute, and Kim Sookyung from Shanghai Jiao Tong University respectively reported on the relationship between the spatial perception characteristics and the utilization rate of urban waterfront trails in downtown Shanghai, the diurnal differentiation characteristics and influencing factors of mobile vendor space in Beihai City, the vertical spatial model and climate adaptability of Bayu Mountain Town, and the construction of community supportive environment for healthy aging. The moderator, Zhang Ziqi, and the reviewer, Wang Yijia, put forward comments and suggestions on the research.
The sub-forum "Methods of Everyday Research 2" focused on topics such as feminism and architectural anthropology, the process of urban renewal of ancient cities, the transformation process of architecture from virtual to physical, and the spatial interaction and imaginative construction of physical practice in the virtual world. Han Shurui from Nanjing Normal University, Li Shuangning from Politecnico di Milano, Song Hongyu from Yunnan University, Gao Ying from Zhejiang University, and Chen Zongxi from Tsinghua University respectively presented their anthropological observations on the life and commercialization of Baixian Noodle Restaurant in Songyang Old Street and the ancient city of Dukezong in Shangri-La, as well as the anthropological observation of three-dimensional digitization of architecture, and the interactive experience system of human environment in virtual space. The moderator and commentator Yang Gang commented on the above topics, and the pluralistic vision of feminism sparked a heated discussion among the scholars present.
The sub-forum "Technological and Anthropological Methods" focused on ethnic craftsmen, ancient structures and traditional construction tools. Abraham Zamcheck from Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Liu Mengying from Guangxi University for Nationalities, and Sun Bowen from Shanghai Business School shared their views on the history of architectural technology, such as the anthropological investigation of architecture based on forked hands, the writing career and twilight glory of contemporary Dong drum tower palmers in the context of Confucian communication, and the etiquette, beliefs and legends of traditional Chinese construction tools. The moderator, Yan Aibin, and the reviewer, Dong Shuyin, emphasized the rich connotation of technology in their comments, and carried out in-depth exchanges with the scholars present.
The sub-forum "Architecture and Ethnology" discussed topics such as language and architecture, local knowledge, tradition and modernity. Scholars such as Dong Shuyin of Guangzhou Academy of Fine Arts, Lai Yunfan and Zhang Shuya of Trinity University Dublin, Huang Wen and Hu Dongwen of Southwest University for Nationalities, and Zhang Jing of Chengdu University of Technology respectively reported on the topics of watchhouses and tea castle dialect in the Chabao River Basin in Jiarong Tibetan area of western Sichuan, the path exploration of traditional knowledge and spatial symbiosis in the Tibet-Yi Corridor, and the modern life practice inside and outside the Garan houses. The moderator, Ding Linan, and the reviewer, Ju Lang, combined their own research experience to have a dialogue with the scholars present, and jointly looked forward to the aspects of architecture from a national perspective.
Thematic Roundtable: Teaching Heritage in the Applied Humanities
Initiated by Associate Professor Zhao Xiaomei of the Department of Cultural Relics and Museology of Fudan University, the roundtable on "Heritage Teaching in Applied Humanities" brought together experts who preside over heritage courses and care about the development of heritage disciplines to exchange teaching experience and confusion, and talk about the positioning of heritage teaching and the construction of curriculum system.
In the sharing session, Zhao Xiaomei from Fudan University, Li Guanghan from UNESCO World Heritage Training and Research Center for Asia and the Pacific (Beijing), Guo Ping from Tianjin University, Sun Jing from Quanzhou Institute of Cultural Heritage and Fu Shulan from Zhejiang University shared their teaching experiences and reached a consensus on the construction of basic knowledge system as the basis of the curriculum. In the curriculum design, the addition of heritage speculation, the emphasis on practical links, and the reference of multidisciplinary methods are all considered by teachers based on the characteristics of the subject. In addition, the teaching format of the interdisciplinary workshop was repeatedly mentioned, and its role in entering the real context, stimulating the collision of ideas, cultivating problem awareness, and exercising leadership skills was unanimously recognized.
In the discussion session, Professor Du Xiaofan and Professor Liu Shourou of Fudan University, and Director Zhao Wei of Jinhua Institute of Cultural Relics Protection and Archaeology respectively expounded their views from the perspectives of discipline leaders, academic affairs leaders and grassroots cultural preservation workers. It is emphasized that the general education curriculum should be further set up on the basis of the existing teaching system, pay attention to the long-term impact of the curriculum on students, and strengthen students' concept of heritage protection and their willingness to take root at the grassroots level. The interdisciplinarity, practicality, and reflective nature of heritage are fully reflected in this teaching roundtable.
Closing Special Forum: "The House Society, the Urban House: An Elegant Discussion Inspired by Architectural Design"
On the afternoon of the 3rd, an "elegant gathering" of anthropology and architectural design was launched under the name of "Family Housing Society, Urban Family House", guided by the renovation project of the School of Design Building of Jiao Tong University, consisting of keynote reports and two roundtable forums, with Architectural Journal as the supporting media. This special forum demonstrates the original intention of this conference to bring urban issues and design issues into the context of architectural anthropology discussion.
In the keynote speech, Ruan Xin, Guangqi Chair Professor of Jiao Tong University and Dean of the School of Design, shared his thoughts in the design and construction process as the chief architect of the School of Design building. He mentions many interesting details in the design process, such as the overlapping and occlusion of the spaces, the different personalities and feelings of the rooms, the control of light, and the idea of turning the lecture hall into a theater. Through the design of the building, he explores the natural hierarchy and relationship of space, and how the house as an academic concept influences design, and then in turn affects people through design. He mentioned that architecture is a gift and a natural theater that is open and accommodates all kinds of different events. It is this interest that makes the building have the meaning of "home".
The next two roundtable discussions were held in the lobby of the School of Design, and the discussion on design also shifted from drawings to real "presence". The relaxing scenery and warm lighting make the lobby feel like an urban theater waiting for academic debates.
The first roundtable forum was chaired by Professor Wang Junyang of Nanjing University. Starting from the reading of anthropologist Lévi-Strauss and architectural historian Rickwater, he explained the long-term significance of architectural anthropology in architectural design, and called for a re-examination of current architectural practice through the idea of returning to the basics; Li Xinggang, academician of China Architectural Design and Research Institute, shared his in-depth thinking on the moving aspects of design buildings, and he believed that architecture should move people's hearts at multiple levels such as façade, space and decoration, and create a sense of pleasure for users; Professor Qing Feng of Tsinghua University proposed that architecture should be factual and The metaphorical and philosophical aspects emphasize the diversity and versatility of large space design, and provide profound thinking for the discussion of comprehensive anthropology and architecture. The problems of urban development and the building itself, and related these questions to the historical knowledge system of architecture, forming a complete list; Liu Yichun, the chief architect of Dashe Architectural Design Office, emphasized the radiation effect brought about by the design of the building, and the legitimacy of transforming the existing building through classical techniques, emphasizing the concern for the quality and taste of the building; Professor Ge Ming of Southeast University thought deeply about the relationship between anthropology and architecture, mentioning Semper, Luce, Rickwater et al.'s discussion of anthropological temperament calls for architecture to take the relationship between anthropology and architecture seriously, and calls for anthropology to focus more on the "tangible" problem in architecture, and to explore how to construct the relationship between the house and the public space.
The second roundtable forum was chaired by Zhuang Shen, a professor of the School of Design and the architect of Akemi Star Architects. Starting from the value of design in the contemporary environment, he proposed to explore how to reflect the needs and changes of contemporary society through the form and space of architecture. On this basis, Professor Wang Mingming of Peking University shared the experience of singing in Baima Tibetan Middle School, expressed the perspective of world integrity from the perspective of family houses, and called on architects and anthropologists to pay attention to the spatial research of public life through the discussion of the family house and public nature of the design building. The details of the building are discussed from the perspective of the perception of a warm atmosphere; Yu Ting, the principal architect of Lab, emphasized the key role of concept in architecture with the help of the interpretation of the form of Afang Palace and ancient Chinese architecture, and pointed out that the formation of concepts can give architecture a deeper meaning, further shape people, and present a perspective of the relationship between architecture and anthropology; Professor Wei Chunyu of Hunan University mentioned the switch between the identities of designers and architectural theorists, as well as the analysis of the concept and internal logic of architecture, and explained that design should pay attention to architecture and people, culture, Juzheng Huang, Executive Editor of Architectural Journal, shared his views on design, arguing that it is difficult to appreciate the scale of the site and the realism of the construction through photographs, which is a common challenge for architectural design, as architecture often requires hands-on experience to fully understand. He believes that the design building is a "knowledge-gathered" building, with a deep theoretical foundation and practical experience, presenting the possibility of multi-level interpretation of architecture.
After the two roundtable forums, Professor Ruan Xin gave a brief response and discussion to the comments of the guests from the perspective of architects. He argues that the house society is the starting point, the urban house is a conclusion, and that the Renaissance country house can be seen as an idealization of the Italian city to a certain extent, and he also discusses the problem of "archetypes" that are of concern to architects, citing the anthropologist Émond Leach's definition to elaborate on the relationship between pattern and type. The atmosphere of the on-site seminar was relaxed and warm.
At the closing ceremony, the main conveners of the forum, Associate Professor Huang Huaqing, Associate Professor Zhao Xiaomei, and Associate Professor Li Geng, briefly reviewed the highlights and achievements of the conference, affirmed the expansion of architectural anthropology from rural to urban, from traditional to contemporary, and expressed sincere gratitude to all the guests who participated in the forum and the teachers and student volunteers who assisted in the conference affairs. The two-day forum was successfully concluded in a warm and warm atmosphere.