WHAT IS THE FUTURE FOR CHINA’S ARCHITECTS
Markus Schaefer was interviewed by Brendan McGetrick for Domus China.
“Ten years into the new century, large parts of the world seem to be coalescing into two distinct but not completely dissimilar camps, neither of which appears to have much need for architects. On one side, in the developing world, years of rural-to-urban migration is producing cities without urban plans or architectural oversight, ad-hoc megalopolises that mutate according to need, independent of the infrastructure once considered essential to urban life. On the other, in world’s most modern societies, the importance of the built environment is steadily diminishing as new technologies entice more and more residents into a virtual realm that requires no physical proximity and minimal physical infrastructure. In both cases, the notion of the architect as an essential member of society, a provider of shelter and urban coherency, is growing more tenuous.
China, as is often pointed out, has a foot in each camp. It is simultaneously poor and rich, developed and developing. Here the architect is ascendent; his services are needed and, for the most part, appreciated. But for how long can this continue? How long before China’s architects face the threat of irrelevancy that now confronts their peers abroad?
For its 2010 interview series, Domus China will examine how developments in technology, ecology, and politics will alter the way cities work. Over the next twelve months we will speak with scientists and urbanists, academics, entrepreneurs, and inventors. The conversations will vary in subject but will retain a single focus: the future of architecture and urban life. Our hope is that, by imagining radical change advance, architects can prepare themselves. By focusing on current innovations and future forecasts, we can make change less surprising, develop strategies, and recognize modernity’s inevitable disruptions as a source of opportunity rather than pain.” Brendan McGetrick
Domus China, no. 049, December 2010, p. 112-129
Herrliberg-Feldmeilen station, 2020 –
Current state: framework plan
Haus Myrte, Wädenswil, 2022 –
Current phase: tender
House Renovation, Geneva, 2021 –
Current phase: ongoing
Airport Engadin, St. Moritz, 2020 –
Current phase: construction project
Cooperative Housing, Wetzikon, 2020 –
Current phase: tender
Fabrik.sg, 2020 –
Current phase: Project phases design to operation
ZHA, Boulevard, Hönggerberg Campus, 2020 –
Current state: ongoing (with Studio Vulkan)
Wilhelmsburg Rowing Club, 2020 –
Current phase: execution planning
Primary School Christoph Merian, Basel, 2019 –
Current phase: construction project
Station Square and Roof, Herisau 2015 –
Current phase: tender
MEWA-Areal, Wädenswil, 2018 –
Transformation Project from the former industrial estate to the mixed-use development with housing
Current phase: framework plan
Viererfeld, Bern, 2018 –
Housing
Current phase: on hold
Bahnhof Romanshorn, 2022 –
Current state: study (with Sudio Vulkan)
Kaserne Aarau, 2022 –
Current state: urban framework
Areale Wittenbach, 2022 –
Current state: urban design commission
Stiftungsareal Neumünster, 2022 –
Current state: study
Kieler Schloss, 2022 –
Current state: Public think tank on usage and architecture
Campus Heidelberg, 2021 –
Current state: Masterplan process, in-depth studies
Otterbach Süd, 2020 –
Current state: urban framework plan
Innovation Park Bergedorf, 2020 –
Current state: urban framework
Station Area Dietikon, 2019 –
Current state: urban framework plan
Campus Bochum, 2018 –
Current state: project support
Metalli, Zug, 2017 –
Current state: project support
Bahnstadt Nürtingen, 2017 –
Current state: project support
Areal Neugasse Zürich, 2016 –
Current state: completion of master plan, public consultation
Elbinselquartier Wilhelmsburg, Hamburg, 2015 –
Current state: project support
Tech Cluster Zug, 2015 –
Current state: transformation plan
Station Herisau, 2013 –
Current state: areal development
KNZ Wil West, Thurgau / St. Gallen, 2011 –
Current state: project support
Metaverse, 2022 –
Current state: ongoing
Entwicklungskonzept Würzenbach, 2022 –
Current state: ongoing
ESP Hochdorf, 2021 –
Current state: spatial-urban as well as use- and circular-based development concept
Deep Urbanism, 2021 –
Current state: ongoing
cividi gmbh – civic data intelligence, 2019 –
Digital tools for the analogue city
Current state: ongoing