July 14-15, 2011
Thursday-Friday, 9am-5pm
CES/AIA LU 14 units
China presents unique opportunities to design and build innovative architecture for the 21st century, but also many challenges in new ventures. This program is focused on how best to meet these challenges and will feature current case studies that illuminate a range of practical issues. It will help participants better comprehend the local regulatory environments and the process of contemporary development in China–especially outside of major cities, such as Beijing and Shanghai—by providing actual urban discovery opportunities. You will learn how to choose a target market, how to find and negotiate with Chinese clients/partners, how to work with the Chinese government, how to protect your investments, and finally, how to create a successful and profitable practice in China and Asia. In addition to lectures, case studies, seminars, field trips, and golf tournaments, participants will obtain an in-depth understanding of fundamentals necessary to develop a design business in China. Highly experienced and expert faculty and speakers will offer unique and focused insights on initiating a successful practice in China.
Coordinators: Click the names for more info
Li Zhe established Canada LVC International Investments Inc. (now renamed Riverside Investment Group) in 1997 to initiate Chinese enterprises in Canada and founded the Canadian Chinese Chamber of Commerce. Now based in Beijing, the Riverside Investment Group has developed over 300 acres of real estate projects. These include The Riverside Noble (1.5 million square feet), Riverside La Vie (3.2 million square feet), Riverside Square (2.2 million square feet), Bailongtan National Forest Park (1 million acres), Jinghaihu-Beijing (8.5 square miles), Qingdao Abalone Island Yacht Club (12 square miles), among others. The Riverside Noble residential project received two International Garden Community Gold Awards (in 2006 and 2007)—the first community to receive such an honor. In 2008, Mr. Li was elected chairman of Beijing Chinese Business Association. He is the rotating president of China Real Estate Chamber of Commerce, the councilman of China Council for the Promotion of Peaceful National Reunification, and the committeeman of Beijing Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference.
Qingyun Ma is a designer and educator. Named one of the world’s most influential designers by BusinessWeek, Ma’s experience and involvement on an international level make him a leader in the design community with a great understanding of the contemporary issues in global urbanization.
Ma earned his bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering in Architecture from Tsinghua University in Beijing in 1988, and in 1991, he received his Master of Architecture from the University of Pennsylvania. Through his academic and professional experience, he developed a keen business sense centered on design intelligence, which culminated in his establishment of MADA s.p.a.m in 1996. MADA s.p.a.m. has designed and built modern buildings and urban communities, garnering worldwide recognition. Ma was the chief curator of the 2007 Shenzhen Hong Kong Biennale, and he is frequently invited as a speaker and juror, including for the prestigious Rome Prize and the 2010 Shanghai World Expo.
In 2007, Ma became the dean of the School of Architecture at the University of Southern California, where he has enhanced the program by developing the School’s ties with China and launching a number of global initiatives, particularly the USC American Academy in China, a base for visiting scholars to facilitate their research and foster academic exchange.
- Learning Objective 1: Participants will be able to better comprehend the local regulatory environments and the process of contemporary development in China.
- Learning Objective 2: Participants will learn how to choose a target market, how to find and negotiate with Chinese clients/partners, how to work with the Chinese government.
- Learning Objective 3: Participants will receive information on how to protect their investments, and finally, how to create a successful and profitable practice in China and Asia.
- Learning Objective 4: Participants will receive in-depth understanding of fundamentals necessary to develop a design business in China.