The Wind in the Field: WKU’s Architecture and Design Graces the “Ideal Village”

Jijiadun 120°55‘15.805''E, 31°9'7.672"N

Students from WKU’s School of Architecture and Design participated at the Jijiadun Ideal Village in Kunshan, Suzhou, with their exhibition titled “The Wind in the Field.” More than ten architectural, design, and installation artworks were presented to the public.

According to the curator, "The Wind in the Field" means listening to the wind from the fields and feeling nature in the countryside.

The exhibition venue is in JiJiadun Ideal Village, the first rural integrated complex and rural life co-creation cluster in China. It is a typical case of the innovative influence of China's rural cultural industry, which retains the architectural features of the original Jiangnan water town villages and incorporates modern elements. Several well-known architectural firms have participated in the renovation of rural homestays.

The exhibition allows WKU students to collaborate with local architects to boost rural and urban development, while expanding their professional knowledge and broadening their career horizons. This initiative gives students a solid foundation to pursue future careers in architecture.

Along with the opening of the art exhibition, a series of events are also planned in the Ideal Village, including village tours, lectures, and roundtables themed on Building a Sustainable Rural Community.  

Architectural designer representative Mark Liu gave a lecture, explained the planning and construction of the Ideal Village, and recognized the work of WKU students. Liu hopes that more young architects will join the practical construction activities in the future.

The connection between space, the lives of people in different fields, and the awakening of young people's self-awareness combine to allow students to create an increasing number of content in rural areas.

Mr. Vincent Peu Duvallon, Executive Director of the School of Public Architecture at Wenzhou-Kean University, and Zhang Keming, Head of WKU AlAS hopes that collaboration with other architects in the Yangtze River Delta will take place in the future. Architecture and design students are stepping out of the campus to showcase their perspectives on architectural space and design art. Students seek a balance learning and career development as they move closer to their careers in urban and rural development.

The College of Architecture and Design at WKU will continue to collaborate with domestic and foreign architects to provide students with networking and career opportunities to meet new challenges and opportunities inside and outside the industry.

Text: WKU AIAS

Proofreader: Abbigail Ajim, Wenwei Xiang