About Atelier Li Xiaodong

Focused on small, often self-initiated projects, Li Xiaodong (born 1963, China) develops propositions about an appropriate ‘Chinese architecture’ that brings together traditional and contemporary modes of expression, technical knowledge and artistic judgement. His architecture combines a spiritual exploration of ideas with rational thinking and is based on a continuing inquiry into the underlying concepts of space in the Chinese context, first explored in his book Chinese Conception of Space (1991). DIGEST OF ARCHIEVEMENTS Li Xiaodong shares with the classic caon that it is the responsibility of the architect to strive for the highest order of the human environments. Each project is unique and should add uplifting spiritual characteristic to the built environment. The design should reflect an overall balance of aesthetic quality, tectonic order, precise detailing according to the demands of the program.; Li Xiaodong’s design strategy starts with a careful analysis of the program, the specific site conditions, and the relation to the local resources that will all play a key role in the overall integration of ideas. The concepts are induced by both a cultural and climatic context and seek to capture the spiritual essence of “place”. The designs strive for tranquility and harmony suggested by space, light and structured order. Fixed architectural styles are avoided , as they limit potentials to be unique and creative. However, precedents of past experiences and previously obtained knowledge are important to study to provide a solid background to solve new problems in hand. Li believes that a good design product is the result of spiritual exploration of ideas complemented with critical rational thinking, he engages with both technical knowledge and artistic judgment, the richness of a good design rely on how the matrix of detail, scale, proportion and commonsense is carefully orchestrated. Li, Xiaodong graduated from the School of Architecture at Tsinghua University in 1984 and later went to do his PhD at the School of Architecture, Delft University of Technology between 1989-1993. He is a practicing architect, educator and researcher on architecture. Li Xiaodong’s design work ranges from interior, architecture to urban spaces. His build projects are few, because his dedication to the projects requires enormous devotion. And this devotion has lead him to win both national and international awards, including most recently winning the inaugural RAIC Moriyama Prize. In addition he has been winner of the AR (review) for emerging Architecture award in 2009 for his design for Bridge School in Fujian Province and the Aga Khan Award for Architecture in 2010. He was also awarded the Honorary Fellowship by AIA and won the Culture category of WAF in Singapore for his Liyuan Library in 2012. Other notable awards include the Architecture of Necessity Award, Sweden in 2013, UNESCO Jury Award for Innovation for his Yuhu elementary school, EDRA/Places annual design awards in United States, AR+D awards, United Kingdom, ARASIA Gold Medal and Business Week/Architectural Records China Awards for best Public Building. He also teaches architecture and has won prestigious teaching awards such as RIBA tutor’s prize in 2000 and SARA tutor’s prize in 2001 for his inspirational teaching at the Department of Architecture, National University of Singapore. He is currently the chair professor of the architecture program at the school of Architecture, Tsinghua University, in Beijing. He is also a researcher who has published in articles and books in both English and Chinese. He covers topics from cultural studies, history and theory of architecture to urban studies.