Impressions of China and "Artificial Nature"

The long history of cultural exchange between Penn and China in the realm of architecture saw another milestone this summer with the launch of a multi-prong partnership with Southeast University (SEU), where the School of Architecture was co-founded in part by two Penn alumni.

In late May, 36 Weitzman students traveled in China to take part in a workshop in Nanjing on the theme “Artificial Nature”—specifically, how to overcome the opposition between what is generally understood as “artifice” and “nature.” Joined by 37 SEU counterparts, they were asked to observe, sketch, photograph, and talk to people in Jiangnan—a densely populated, industrialized area stretching south from Shanghai along the Yangtze River—to create a portrait of the region. In addition to Shanghai and Nanjing, students visited the cities of Suzhou and Yangzhou. (CCTV followed along on an excursion and spoke to Weitzman students for a televised report.)

The program was coordinated by Yadan Luo (MLA’15), the creative director of the landscape and urban design firm YHLAB and a lecturer in the Department of Landscape Architecture. It coincided with the opening of two public exhibitions at SEU: Design With Nature Now, and Blueprints: The First Generation of Chinese Architects from the University of Pennsylvania, which remain on view until July.

The participating students represented the master’s and PhD programs at Weitzman, and all four of the School’s built environment departments: architecture, landscape architecture, city planning, and historic preservation. Some of their impressions are collected below.

Miranda Lili Organic Ayres (Bethesda, Maryland)
Master of City Planning Student

Traveling to China with Penn was an interesting and memorable experience. I am very grateful for the opportunity to immerse myself in a new culture while meeting and working with design students from Southeast University in Nanjing, Jiangsu Province. Going to China has added a deeper understanding to my study of urban design, urban history, and the built form. We visited many beautiful traditional Chinese gardens, memorials, and urban parks in Shanghai, Nanjing, Suzhou, and Yangzhou. 

I am particularly interested in public space in urban environments and the relationship between the built and social realm. I was really impressed with the tree lined streets of Nanjing and the way the tree canopy is seamlessly integrated within the urban fabric. 

The best part of the experience was making friends with SEU students and faculty, and other Penn design students. My peers inspire and excite me as an incoming urban designer and planner. I’d love to return to China again in the future. Thank you Penn and SEU!

Brianna Belo (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania)
Master of City Planning Student

I appreciated this workshop because it was the interdisciplinary, cross-cultural educational experience I had been craving since my arrival to Penn. As an individual studying planning with a personal interest in design and it’s impact on quality of life and social cohesion, I love learning from all types of case studies and disciplines. I was specifically interested in learning about design practices outside of the US context. China felt like a great opportunity to understand urban design, architecture, and landscape outside of the western gaze. Additionally, such a large portion of our cohort comes from China, so I was hoping this trip could help close some gaps in understanding differences in our cultural contexts. 

Not only was I able to learn from, connect and bond with students in architecture, landscape architecture, and historic preservation at Penn, I was able to build similar bonds with the students at SEU. I am also taking away from this experience that bridging social and cultural gaps with my international peers starts with me. I believe this was a great way to kick-off the relationship between the schools, and I hope the program will continue to evolve and serve as a mutual exchange of knowledge, culture, ideas and care moving forward.

My favorite sites were the Tiger Hill Garden, the Lingering Garden, the Humble Administrator's Garden and the Suzhou Museum.
 

Basak Eren (Istanbul, Turkey)
PhD Architecture Student

The two-week workshop was my first opportunity to visit China, and it was a unique experience guided by SEU students. It allowed me to deeply engage with Chinese culture and architecture, transforming my perception to a level that I could not have achieved on my own.

Visiting the serene beauty and intricate layouts of the Chinese gardens in Suzhou deepened my understanding of their philosophical and aesthetic foundations with their holistic design. The level of design using natural elements in the Humble Administrator's Garden and Lion Grove Garden was unlike anything I’ve ever seen: the stone craftsmanship, the use of water, light, and reflection. These gardens demonstrated the power of designing with nature, showing how a private garden can evolve into an urban oasis over time and highlighting the different approaches to the relationship between landscape and architecture in another part of the world.

The trip was truly incredible and eye-opening, expanding my horizons to places and perspectives I was not familiar with.

Anwen Kelly (Chester Springs, Pennsylvania)
Master of Environmental Studies Student (Center for Liberal and Professional Studies)

As a University of Pennsylvania graduate student pursuing a Master of Environmental Studies concentrating in Sustainable Design, the symposium and exhibition theme of Design with Nature Now could not be more pertinent to my studies. I also have a passion for travel to experience new cultures but have never been to Asia, so the opportunity to travel and study in China was irresistible.

Southeast University did an amazing job coordinating site visits to Chinese gardens and towns that held onto their unique history through the historic preservation of their architecture, landscape, and culture. The lectures given by professors and doctorate candidates from both institutions taught us how we can do better for people and the planet by designing with nature rather than against it, ensuring resilient and alluring built environments.

Seeing the passion that exists from such esteemed professionals gave me a great sense of hope for our future.
 

Anusha Khansaheb (Charlotte, North Carolina)
Master of Science in Historic Preservation 2024

The Southeast University - University of Pennsylvania 2024 Summer School was an incredible opportunity to not only learn extensively about Chinese history, culture, and design, but also to meet students from all over the world, across all the design disciplines.

It was very interesting to see how Chinese heritage and culture was preserved through the traditional Chinese Gardens we visited in Suzhou. Not only have those gardens been persevered, including its view sheds which is something difficult to achieve when faced with the threat of development, but these elements continue to be translated in modern Chinese design.

Though we learned so much through lectures, site visits, and tours, it was ultimately the students of SEU who taught us the most about China. They taught us about Chinese culture beyond design, such as which food was specific to certain provinces, how to celebrate Chinese festivals and their significance, what each region or city was known for, and during our free time they would even volunteer to take us to see urban development projects or other historic sites not part of the summer school tours. The students were our tour guides, translators, leaders, and most importantly they became our friends. 

The collaboration between Chinese students and Penn students who come from all backgrounds and disciplines made this program incredible fruitful. The opportunity to actually visit China and see the gardens and projects we have learned about in class is a rare opportunity and I am forever grateful for. It was an incredible way to end my two years at Penn.

Rob Levinthal (Wynnewood, Pennsylvania)
PhD Candidate, Department of City & Regional Planning

The Southeastern University x University of Pennsylvania Summer Workshop was a phenomenal experience. Graduate students of all ages from the United States were introduced to their Chinese counterparts, and meaningful relationships were quickly formed between the two. Traveling as a group with lecturers from both schools, we had a jam-packed itinerary with visits to gardens and ancient and new architectural wonders. My favorite site, Tiger Hill, provided valuable insight into designing with nature.

As a landscape architect and city and regional planning PhD candidate working in this realm, I believe that both my research and practice were directly impacted by this exchange. Additionally, I made a friendship that broadened my understanding of Chinese culture and may one day lead to future collaboration.
 

Andreina Sojo (Caracas, Venezuela)
(Master of Landscape Architecture/Master of Architecture Student)

Before starting the workshop in China, I was interested in the connections between landscape and architectural design in Jiangsu province. During the workshop, I learned that cultural heritage is crucial for addressing social, environmental, and economic issues through interdisciplinary design.

Over two weeks, we visited mausoleums, traditional gardens, cultural centers, and water infrastructure projects, and attended interdisciplinary lectures with SEU and Penn faculty. This experience broadened my academic knowledge and personal perspectives. I realized that, as designers, we aim to create identity by enhancing physical spaces to bring people together. In China, this meant integrating ecological beauty with functional spaces, blending architecture and nature.

This eye-opening experience underscored the importance of local values and traditions in community-focused design. Now, I am eager to apply these insights and new strategies to my projects in my final year as a dual-degree candidate (MLA/MArch) at the Weitzman School of Design.