30 years ago cities such as Beijing consisted primarily of traditional alley ways (hutongs) with single storey housing, imperial relics and communist concrete blocks.  However across the city, the urban landscape is making space for new structures to prove that China is on the move.  When economic reforms began virtually all construction projects were, designed, administered and controlled by the state, this gradually gave way to Taiwan and Hong Kong developers winning construction contracts and more recently to foreign large powerhouse architectural companies gaining success. Before, international designers’ styles were being copied, nowadays, internationally acclaimed architects have been attracted to give the city a modern makeover.

However, while the larger firms have been increasingly successful in China, smaller firms individual architects & designers still lag far behind and have been only moderately successful. 

How do they break this trend and what can we learn from those that have already made it in China?

To address these issues, Galliard Lockings Associates plans to host a 5 day Conference & Business Event to be held in October 2010 in Shanghai and Beijing with the title theme: 'Accessing architecture and design opportunities in China'.

Against the backdrop of the 2010 World Expo and the rich source of information, ideas and creative stimuli it will showcase under the theme of “Better City, Better Life” this event will provide: key information, networking, site visits, business promotion opportunities and entry to the Shanghai 2010 Expo. Open to a limited 40 attendees.

Details of the event are to be finalised however the event will feature contributions from Chinese & British Architecture related associations, firms and individuals. Please visit our website regularly or send us an email to be put on our mailing list for future updates and details of when tickets become available online.