Introduction: This interview is part of the “Echoes for the Future” exhibition, which primarily features video interviews with architects. In 2008, architect Che Fei and international curator Yao Jing co-initiated a series of interviews themed “The Beijing Olympics in Architectural Discourse.” In 2018, we revisited the same nine architects, bridging the fields of media, research, and education to illuminate reflections on the built environment and future visions. For this first installment, we delve into the “past, present, and future” of Li Hu, founding partner of OPEN Architecture.

Past

ArchDaily (Han Shuang): In 2008, China successfully hosted the Olympic Games, which brought about massive changes for Chinese architects. Now, a decade later, how do you think the intellectual landscape of contemporary Chinese architecture has evolved in comparison? More specifically, has the architecture of Beijing changed?