One of the first members of the Sino-Russian Union of Architecture and Civil Engineering Universities, on March 10, 2024, the Constructing Chang'an: The Clash between the Classical and the Modern - Xi'an Forum & Exhibition of the Model of the Palace of the Soviets, hosted by the School of Architecture of Chang'an University and the School of Architecture and Art of Beijing Jiaotong University and organized by the School of Architecture of Chang'an University, was successfully held in Xi'an, Shaanxi. The guests included Professor Han Linfei, a doctoral supervisor of the School of Architecture and Art of Beijing Jiaotong University and a foreign academician of the Russian Academy of Architecture and Construction Sciences, and his team, experts from universities such as Xi'an University of Architecture and Technology, Xi'an Jiaotong University, and Northwestern Polytechnical University, as well as leading experts from well-known enterprises in the construction industry such as the China Architecture Design & Research Group, China Northwest Architecture Design and Research Institute, and Xi'an Urban Planning and Design Institute. More than 300 teachers and students from the School of Architecture of Chang'an University participated in this grand event.
The opening ceremony was presided over by Professor Hou Quanhua, the dean of the School of Architecture. Tao Jidong, the deputy secretary of the Party Committee and secretary of the Commission for Discipline Inspection of Chang'an University, delivered a welcome speech. Subsequently, the unveiling ceremony of the exhibition of the model of the Palace of the Soviets was held. Professor Han Linfei introduced the purpose and overview of the exhibition, and the attending guests took a group photo.
Group photo at the opening ceremony
The academic report session of the forum was chaired by Professor Liu Qibo, vice dean of the School of Architecture. Professor Han Linfei from Beijing Jiaotong University, with the title of "Exploration of the Path from Tradition to Modernity", sorted out the process of architecture evolving from tradition to modernity, deeply reflected on the underlying causes and problems therein, elaborated in detail on the winning plan of the international competition for the Palace of the Soviets and its huge impact on later generations, demonstrated the exploration during the transitional period from the classical to the modern in the history of world architecture, and raised developmental issues worthy of consideration.
Professor Han Linfei shared and exchanged ideas
Xu Jiansheng, the chief architect of China Northwest Architecture Design and Research Institute Co., Ltd. and the director of Qu Peiqing Studio, with the title of "Inheritance and Innovation in a Specific Contextual and Cultural Setting", explored from a historical perspective the landmark buildings in the ancient capital of Xi'an and the typical models of current regional architectural creation. Through a wealth of works, he demonstrated the concept of local architects represented by China Northwest Architecture Design and Research Institute, who organically integrate Xi'an's cultural heritage and urban context, as well as their cultural perseverance and confidence.
Xu Jiansheng shared and exchanged ideas
Jiang Yan, the dean of the Famous Historical and Cultural Cities Institute of Xi'an Urban Planning and Design Institute, with the title of "The 40th Anniversary of Chinese Famous Cities - Exploration of the Protection and Inheritance of Xi'an's Historical Culture", expounded from the perspective of the inheritance of Chinese civilization on the uniqueness and carriers of Xi'an's historical culture as an ancient capital. He meticulously sorted out the process of protecting Xi'an as a famous historical and cultural city, summarized the methods and paths of planning compilation and research, and formed the Xi'an experience in the protection and inheritance of famous historical and cultural cities.
Jiang Yan shared and exchanged ideas
The roundtable forum session of the forum was moderated by Professor Han Linfei. Well-known scholars and experts from the political, industrial, and academic fields were invited, including Wang Jun, the chairman of China Northwest Architecture Design and Research Institute, Lei Zhendong, the dean of the School of Architecture at Xi'an University of Architecture and Technology, Gou Jidong, the secretary-general of the Xi'an Municipal Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, Cui Haidong, the deputy chief architect of China Architecture Design & Research Group, and Hou Quanhua, the dean of the School of Architecture at Chang'an University. During the forum, Chairman Wang Jun stated that under the background of the centenary goal and the digitalization of carbon peaking and carbon neutrality, and with the national policies of urban renewal and rural revitalization, it is especially important to determine what architects should do at this crucial time node of the great changes unseen in a century. Professor Lei Zhendong expressed that architecture should not develop in a fixed pattern but should be a pluralism with multiple forms coexisting, which is diversity and innovation. Secretary-General Gou Jidong took Xi'an as an example to elaborate on the importance of the urban planning discipline, especially for the future development of the city and the protection of the famous historical and cultural city. It is very worthy of exploration on how to make a city with a good image also possess good vitality. Chief Architect Cui Haidong pointed out that the competition for the Palace of the Soviets was a choice of history, and we cannot judge it as right or wrong. To find a balance between innovation and tradition requires us to have a more tolerant and open attitude towards various styles. Professor Hou Quanhua said that each era has its own products. When doing design, whether it is architectural style, spatial design or values, diversity must be maintained. Architecture has developed to the present and also needs to enter a new era and keep up with the development and needs of the era.
Guest Roundtable Forum
This forum and model exhibition are important academic activities held by the School of Architecture of Chang'an University in line with the school-running concept of openness and exchanges, which are of great significance for promoting the high-quality development of the school's majors, disciplines, scientific research and so on.
