Pei Zhu: Interlaced Logic

Studio Pei Zhu is a young practice with fewer than 20 employees based in Beijing whose projects are an exploration of methods to connect process to product. “For us,” says Zhu, “the challenge of design is to provide practical solutions while reflecting a strong and innovative conceptual thinking and a critical outlook.” The framework for their investigation and the experimental nature of their work is formed in the context of urban China. The recent rapid development of the country has created new urban environments that can certainly be described as modern but lack the vitality and soul of older districts. One of their main concerns in design is to reconnect modern urban China to its roots, reinterpreting the vernacular in a contemporary context to create architectural devices capable of energizing urban activities. In this way they hope to contribute to a regional variance of contemporary architecture appropriate to its local context. This lecture is made possible by the Thomas J. Barrack, Jr. and Gin D. Wong, FAIA Lecture endowment. This endowment, funded by USC alumnus Tom Barrack and USC Life Trustee and architecture alumnus Gin Wong (B.Arch. 1950), provides support for a lecture to be given by a distinguished international designer. Lectures are free and open to the public. They are located in the Gin D. Wong, FAIA Conference Center, Harris Hall, on the University Park campus. No reservations are required. Parking is available on campus at Gate 1 off Exposition Blvd. USC School of Architecture