Communication Critical in Design Process

Leading architects attending The International Forum on Rational Architecture Implementation in Beijing stressed the importance of efficient communications and interaction in the design process.

The forum, held on 30 March and organised by BCI Asia, heard the presentations of architects Meng Jianmin, He Jingtang, Hu Yue, Scott Kilbourn, Ren Lizhi, Silas Chiow, Wang Xiaoan and Cui Kai.

Meng Jianmin, principal and chief architect of Shenzhen General Architectural Design and Research Institute, said good communication skills guaranteed productive interaction in the design process.

“Architects should work closely with clients, planners, civic management, engineers, contractors, suppliers and supervisors in different stages of design, constantly raising questions and solving them,” he commented. “Achieving a satisfactory result is our common goal.”

He Jingtang, principal and chief architect of Architectural Design and Research School of South China University of Technology, said architectural schools should incorporate education into architectural creation, combining theoretical research with design practice. To facilitate communication and build clients’ trust, exchange platforms and digital project data base should be created.

“Architecture is the product of a certain time… it should reflect local climate, cultural and historical heritage and the time it is in,” He said.

Hu Yue of Beijing Architectural Design and Research Institute said that modern architecture was at a “dead-end”. He criticised the low efficiency, uniformity and over reliance of modern architecture design on computer technology. He proposed that a working system should be established: “Architects should switch from designing architecture to designing systems, taking a new perspective on people, life, architecture and city.”

Vice President of RTKL International and General Manager of RTKL’s Shanghai Operation, Scott Kilbourn, talked about the eight essential ingredients for successful buildings: program, schedule, resources, context, materials, sustainability, people and project management.

Ren Lizhi of the Faculty of Architectural Design and Research of Tongji University commented: “A rational way of thinking is needed to explore the possibilities of buildings… especially for China where the architectural design field is still developing.”

Silas Chiow, associate partner and China director of business development of SOM, explained his firm’s multi-disciplinary approach and its “check and balance” system to achieve design solutions that created value. Architects worked closely with project managers and engineers to produce several design plans; all the alternatives were explored before reaching a final solution, which was then resubmitted for review by a senior designer.

Wang Xiaoan, the chief architect of East China Architectural Design & Research Co. Ltd, told the audience of 300 architects: “We’re focusing too much on iconic buildings, overlooking the most basic elements and the soil for iconic buildings—ordinary buildings”.

Architect Wang called for an introspection of irrational implementation, stressing the importance of architectural technologies, design processes, working systems and social environments to architectural creation.

Cui Kai, the vice president and chief architect of China Architecture Design & Research Group, cited Lhasa Train Station and the Xicang Cultural Center as important buildings that reflected architectural territoriality and countered the trend of uniformity in architectural design.

“It does not inherit traditional architectural forms. It is the architectural creation based on the respect of local culture, the need to integrate the surroundings, the response to real life, with the help of modern technology,” he said.

The forum concluded in a three-way discussion session between representatives of developers, contractors and architects.