The era and the microcosm

This segment features the speeches delivered by Chinese architects at the international symposium “Studies on Materialistic Historiography” (Shanghai, June 2025). Perspectives in Architecture and Urbanism will publish both the edited transcript of each speech and a brief critical review on the architect. These essays will serve two purposes: to establish the essential context for the architects’ remarks and to provide international readers a specific vantage point from which to understand contemporary Chinese architectural practice. By highlighting the distinct characteristics of each architect, the reviews aim to showcase different facets and challenges within China's current architectural landscape. This essay examines the professional trajectory of Xinggang Li, Chief Architect of the China Architecture Design & Research Group, framing his 34-year career as a “microcosm” of contemporary China's rapid urbanization and evolving design culture. Li's practice is defined by a consistent pursuit of cultural identity, emphasizing the essence of traditional Chinese aesthetics over formal imitation. Crucially, he demonstrates resilience and clarity in navigating institutional constraints, leveraging the mega-institute platform for complex engineering projects while maintaining a studio-like spirit of experimentation in projects driven by pure idealism.