Chen Su

The Hutong Renovation in Beijing: Reimagining Tiny Spaces in a Historic Neighbourhood

October 16, 2020

For centuries, Hutongs have been recognized as one of the most treasured types of vernacular housing in China. Witnessing the cultural and historical transformation in Beijing ever since the Yuan Dynasty (1271 – 1368), the name Hutong is derived from a Mongolian word that means ‘water well’. In fact, this term was given to small streets that originated during the Yuan Dynasty when the emperor attempted to organize the urban fabric in a grid-like pattern in order to manage properly property ownership and to form an efficient transit system.

Micro-Hutong / standardarchitecture

March 08, 2020

+ 44

Architects: standardarchitecture
Area: 30 m²
Year: 2013

Color in Architecture: 11 Projects that Use the Pantone 2020 Tone

January 22, 2020

+ 7

Pantone Color Institute™ has announced the color that would set the trends of 2020: a tone that "inspires calm, confidence and connection" in a process of transition to a new era. The PANTONE 19-4052 Classic Blue Color, which was described as "timeless and durable," is reminiscent of the sunset sky and "helps focus thoughts."

Renovation of Xi’an South Gate Plaza / China Northwest Architecture Design and Research Institute

January 10, 2018

+ 18

Architects: China Northwest Architecture Design and Research Institute
Area: 69000 m²
Year: 2014
Professionals: Beijing Lighting Dream City Cultural Development

“Reporting from the Front” in China: A Talk with Zhang Ke of ZAO/standardarchitecture

May 09, 2016

As an architect, no matter how much support you have got, you always feel you are fighting by yourself. – Zhang Ke

The recent turning point experienced by the Chinese economy will probably be treated in future studies as the sign of a new coming era in China. The slowest growth rate in 25 years has already caused profound echoes in the architectural field. As one of the three Chinese participants in the central exhibition, “Reporting from the Front,” at the 2016 Venice Architecture Biennale, in this interview architect Zhang Ke discusses his insight into the architectural front line in China, reflecting on architects’ social responsibilities and his vision of tomorrow’s Chinese architecture.

+ 9

Yaluntzangpu River Terminal / ZAO/standardarchitecture + Embaixada

October 20, 2015

+ 29

Architects: ZAO/standardarchitecture + Embaixada
Area: 430 m²
Year: 2008

Aedes Architecture Forum Highlights ZAO/standardarchitecture

January 26, 2015

Berlin's Aedes Architecture Forum will mark the beginning of its 35th Anniversary Program by continuing its focus on Asia and China. With the architect Zhang KeofZAO/standardarchitecture from Beijing, Aedes presents one of the most promising protagonists of a young group of Chinese architects and urban planners with the exhibition 营造 Contemplating Basics. This follows on from the 2001 exhibition TU-MU, in which Aedes presented for the first time, and with global success, the first generation of independent architects in China. At that time, the architects and artists introduced in the exhibition - Yung Ho Chang, Liu Jiarkun, Ai Wei Wei, Wang Shu, Lu Wenyu - were fully unknown in the West, while some have since gone on to become Pritzker Prize winners or internationally renowned artists.