【Lecture 22.05.2025】 Transforming Cities Into Places of Tomorrow
Release time:2025-05-16
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Lecture Introduction

For a long time, cities have grown and evolved, driven by economic growth and technological advancements. However, we believe that the most critical factor shaping the future transformation of cities is always the people who live in them. People's needs, experiences, interactions, behaviors, and overall wellbeing give cities their meaning and vitality. At UNS, we are dedicated to creating spaces that center around people, and this has always been a core value at our 37 years of practice. In turn, people's behaviors and needs shape and transform the way we approach design. In this lecture, Ben van Berkel will discuss four key strategies that influence design and redefine the role and function of buildings within the ever-evolving urban context. In response to changing needs and urgent urban issues, he will address the profound transformation of the essence of a building’s function.


 Lecturer Introduction

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Ben van Berkel

Founder and Principal Architect of UNS

Ben van Berkel, Founder and Principal Architect of UNS, is renowned for his cutting-edge design, dedication to sustainability, and deep understanding of the impact the built environment has on health and wellbeing.  His unconventional approach, which investigates the interconnections between culture and commerce, consistently breaks new creative ground and works to solve real world problems.  He brings creative and visionary thinking to an expanding set of expertises within the fields of health, sustainability, technology and economics, delivering evermore value to clients and partners.

After studying at the Rietveld Academy in Amsterdam and the Architectural Association in London, in 1988 he and Caroline Bos founded the Van Berkel & Bos Architectuurbureau, realising iconic projects like the Erasmus Bridge and the Mobius House. In 1999, they established UNS, a global network specialising in design and consulting.  Pivotal projects currently include the Lyric Theatre Complex in Hong Kong, the ChamartÍn Station masterplan in Madrid, FOUR, a large-scale mixed-use project in Frankfurt, the Wasl Tower in Dubai and the Austin Light Rail in Texas.

Committed to education, Ben has held the Kenzo Tange Visiting Professor’s Chair at Harvard GSD where he continues to run a studio on health. He also serves as MArch Thesis Chair and sits on the Advisory Board at IE School of Architecture and Design in Madrid.


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国浩18T Mansion_©Kris Provoost

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海威安铂中心_©海威置业

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华为太古里旗舰店_©华为

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马德里查马丁车站_©bucharest.studio



Moderator:

Wang Yi

Director, Department of Architecture, College of Architecture and Urban Planning, Tongji University

Time

Thursday 22nd May at 18:30 

Venue:

Lecture Hall, 2nd Floor, Yifu Building, Tongji University