MONUMENT OF HOPE

Li, Xiaodong graduated from the School of Architecture at Tsinghua University in 1984, where he currently chairs the EPMA program. He went to do his PhD at the School of Architecture, Delft University of Technology between 1989-1993. He is a practicing architect, educator and researcher on architecture. Focused on small, often self-initiated projects, Li Xiaodong (born 1963, China) develops propositions about an appropriate ‘Chinese architecture’ that brings together traditional and contemporary modes of expression, technical knowledge and artistic judgement. His architecture combines a spiritual exploration of ideas with rational thinking and is based on a continuing inquiry into the underlying concepts of space in the Chinese context, first explored in his book Chinese Conception of Space (1991). He has won both national and international awards, including most recently winning the inaugural RAIC Moriyama Prize. In addition he has been winner of the AR (review) for emerging Architecture award in 2009 for his design for Bridge School in Fujian Province and the Aga Khan Award for Architecture in 2010. He was also awarded the Honorary Fellowship by AIA and won the Culture category of WAF in Singapore for his Liyuan Library in 2012. Other notable awards include the Architecture of Necessity Award, Sweden in 2013, UNESCO Jury Award for Innovation for his Yuhu elementary school, EDRA/Places annual design awards in United States, AR+D awards, United Kingdom, ARASIA Gold Medal and Business Week/Architectural Records China Awards for best Public Building. He also teaches architecture and has won prestigious teaching awards such as RIBA tutor’s prize in 2000 and SARA tutor’s prize in 2001 for his inspirational teaching at the Department of Architecture, National University of Singapore. He is currently the chair professor of the architecture program at the school of Architecture, Tsinghua University, in Beijing. He is also a researcher who has published in articles and books in both English and Chinese. He covers topics from cultural studies, history and theory of architecture to urban studies. Li Xiaodong was awarded man of the year in China (best designer) in 2011 by GQ magazine.

Sheila Sri Prakash is an internationally acclaimed Architect, Urban Designer, and Sustainability Expert, who founded Shilpa Architects Planners Designers in 1979. Builders, Architects and Building Materials (BAM), in association with CII Real Estate & Building Technology Exhibition, has conferred upon her the Lifetime Achievement in the field of Architecture Award 2019 for her outstanding achievements and contribution to sustainable design thinking and the growth of Indian real estate sector. She has been recently awarded the “Bene Merenti” (2017) Medallion by The University of Architecture and Urbanism, Bucharest, Romania (est. in 1952) and the Ministry of National Education and Scientific Research. This award is part of the global acknowledgement she receives for championing the cause of Sustainability in international forums like the World Economic Forum, Global Environment Fund and The UN Habitat III. In July 2016, Professor Klaus Schwab, Founder and Executive Chairman, The World Economic Forum has invited her to be part of the 25-member Global Future Council on the Future of Environment and Natural Resource Security. She formulated the Reciprocal Design Index, in 2013 when she was part of their Global Agenda Council for Design Innovation to establish, document and incentivize sustainable design of cities. She is widely consulted on matters of urban sustainability by several governments and is closely associated with the Chennai Smart City (board of the SPV), as an Independent Director and Urban Expert.