WHAT: A panel discussion on architecture, preservation and heritage

WHEN: Tuesday Sept. 24 from 7:30 PM to 9:00 PM

WHERE: The Beijing Bookworm, Bld 4, Nan Sanlitun Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing tel: 6586 9507

HOW MUCH: RMB 60 (includes one welcome drink); free for members of RASBJ or Bookworm (this does not include a welcome drink)

RSVP: 

ABOUT THE DISCUSSION:

Architecture is the soul of a city and civilization. Over thousands of years, western architectural history has never recognized the classification of Chinese or East Asian architecture until prominent architectural historians like Zhu Qiqian and Liang Sicheng, through the work of the Society for Research in Chinese Architecture, put it on the map. Throughout China, we can still see the remains of these beautiful ancient structures, some very well-preserved with support from government and civil society organizations, but others left in isolation and dilapidation.

How do we interpret the beauty and function of these ancient structures today? And more importantly, how can we continue to preserve their magnificence and dignity for years to come?

建筑是一个城市、乃至一个文明的灵魂。但上千年来，西方的建筑史从未在建筑分类中给与中国建筑或东亚建筑以其应有的地位，直到著名的建筑史学家朱启钤先生和梁思成先生通过营造学社的工作，才使这一情况得以扭转。在当代的中国，我们仍然可以在很多地方看到非常优美的古代建筑，有些是国家在资助，有些是民间机构在保护，但是还有很多被忽视而日益残破。那么今天我们该如何欣赏这些古代建筑的美，如何诠释他们的功能呢？更重要的是，我们该如何继续保育他们的价值，保持他们岁月留下的尊严呢？

This event is co-organized by the RASBJ and Beijing Bookworm, and will be moderated by foreign correspondent Melinda Liu

ABOUT THE PANELISTS:

ANNIE YANG ZHOU: Annie Zhou is Director of External Affairs at the U.S.-China Green Fund and Executive President of the corporate foundation which focuses on environmental education and action. Previously, Annie worked in financial services, a policy think tank, and founded her own strategy consulting company. She earned her MBA from University of Oxford’s Saïd Business School, MPA from Columbia University’s School of International and Public Affairs, where she serves as an ambassador, and her BBA from George Washington University. She is also on the International Advisory Committee of Miss Porter’s School.

PROF. WANG NAN: Wang Nan had received a Bachelor of Architecture in School of Architecture from Tsinghua University in 2001 and PHD in School of Architecture from Tsinghua University in 2008 with Professor Wu Liangyong as the supervisor. He had been lecturer in School of Architecture in Tsinghua University since 2009, teaching the architectural design and urban design courses. He had been the Visiting Professor in Institute of The Forbidden City in Beijing since 2019. He had been the Associate of The Chinese Art Media Lab（CAMLab）of the Department of History of Art and Architecture in Harvard University since 2019. His main research interests are History of Chinese Traditional Architecture and Proportions of Chinese Historical Architecture.

MATTHEW HU (HU XINYU): As China Representative of the Prince’s Foundation School of Traditional Arts, Matthew represents the Prince’s School in China, manages all of the School’s Chinese contacts and relationships; and coordinates the School’s activities in China.

     In November 2013, Matthew and two other friends started an educational project called “the Courtyard Institute”, aiming at increasing visibility of traditional culture education in the public, as well as exploring a new methodology for alternative education. From October 2009 to November 2014, Matthew served for five years in the Prince’s Charities Foundation (China), a sister charity of PSTA, as its China Representative. From July 2006 to March 2009, Matthew worked as the Managing Director of Beijing Cultural Heritage Protection Center (CHP). As the first professional Managing Director of the organization, Matthew set a solid foundation for its development strategy, overall project management and general administration system. In October 2015, Matthew accepted the invitation of Mr. He Shuzhong, the founder of CHP, to take up the role of trustee for the next three years. He is now also playing a leading role for reorganizing a new board for CHP. Prior to joining CHP, Matthew worked for five years in the tourism industry with WildChina Company Limited, handling inbound China travel programs for non-profit and educational institutions. A graduate of the Beijing Second Foreign Language Institute in 1997 with a BA in English Literature, Matthew has over the years developed a focus on Chinese history and religion.