Li Xiaodong

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 book