ABSTRACT
In the past two decades, the private practice of architects working as independent “individuals,” as entirely different from the operation of state design institutes, has emerged as a leading voice in architecture of contemporary China. From the “experimental architecture” of the 1990s to today’s diversified and pragmatist practices, these architects have made their marks on local and international stages. This chapter traces the trajectory of the development and reveals their design strategies in response to the social, political, and cultural contexts of China today. Opportunities and challenges brought about by the latest new technologies and social mutations are also examined.
