Finding Coincidences: A Poetic Possibility of Structurescape
Liu Yichun, Atelier Deshaus
Weedon Lecture in Asian Architecture
Monday, October 28
5:00pm (ET)
Campbell 153

Selected work by Atelier Deshaus
Exhibition 
Thu, Oct 17–Sun, Nov 3
CAMPBELL dean's gallery

Architecture is a discipline that requires the synthesis of various aspects, including the status quo, knowledge, culture, and technology. Each project presents the opportunity to incorporate site integration, structural response, material choices, and cultural influences, resulting in a building that harmoniously integrates these considerations. In particular, the integration of a building's structure with other architectural elements embodies an original and poetic sense of coincidence.

The word coincidence (巧合) in Chinese consists of "skillfulness" (巧 qiao) and "fit" (合 he), signifying wisdom in construction activities. Coincidence includes borrowing existing conditions and the subtle combinations arising from them. It suggests the approach of one effect with many causes, looking for opportunities in seemingly difficult conditions or even deliberately seeking a contrary approach to Dao to achieve unconventional yet reasonable effects. This lecture will provide a concrete analysis of Atelier Deshaus' recent projects to examine and support the above thesis.

This event will be recorded and made available on the School of Architecture's YouTube Channel.

ABOUT THE DESIGNER

Liu Yichun is the cofounder and principal architect of Atelier Deshaus and guest professor at Tongji University. His most representative project, the Long Museum in Shanghai’s West Bund Artistic Center, won the Architectural Review’s Award for Emerging Architecture, the Honor Award Best in Show for Architecture 2019 from AIA’s China Chapter, and the Gold Prize of ARCASIA Awards for Architecture 2020. In 2021, the studio's Modern Art Museum of Shanghai won the RIBA International Award for Excellence. His work has been included in many international exhibitions, including Alors, La Chine? at Centre Pompidou in 2003, Eastern Promises at the MAK Austrian Museum of Applied Arts in 2013, the Venice Architecture Biennale in 2018, and Reuse, Renew, Recycle: Recent Architecture from China at MoMA in 2021. In 2020 and 2023, Atelier Deshaus held its solo exhibition In RIBA Practice Space in London and Aedes Architecture Forum in Berlin. Liu Yichun has lectured at the Harvard Graduate School of Design, the University of Hong Kong, Tongji University, Southeast University, the Architectural Institute of France, and Ecole Nationale des Beaux-Arts de Lyon, among others.

This lecture and exhibition are made possible with support from the Weedon Endowment in Asian Architecture.