On 26 September 2023, a lecture entitled "The Power of Transscalar Architecture" was held in the lecture hall on the ground floor of the School of Architecture, Tianjin University, by Professor Andrés Jaque, Dean of the GSAPP School at Columbia University.

The lecture focused on how architecture is no longer just an objective entity, but a product of social relations, and how architects can contribute to a more sustainable and equitable future through innovative ways of designing and thinking, suggesting that architecture is a collaboratively produced system in which multiple actors, both human and non-human, interact and shape each other.

Professor Jaque further suggested that every building has a physical nature and that life is a collective product that requires mutual co-operation for collective production. He emphasises that life is distributed and needs to collaborate with each other in order to be realised. This view of his overturns traditional architectural thinking and proposes a new architectural practice.

In addition, Professor Jaque talked about the impact of ecological thinking on architectural practice. He argues that architecture is no longer just a tool for creating new realities, but rather a reconceptualisation and reintegration of already existing realities. He advocated for the interplay of various human and non-human factors to co-create ecosystems.

Turning to environmental justice, Professor Jaque emphasised the importance of environmental and territorial justice. He argued that architecture and urban planning should take into account environmental justice and that some areas should not be allowed to become landfills while others enjoy a clean environment.

In the area of waste management, Professor Jaque presented some of his projects, one of which was an experiment on waste management. He argued that waste management should be more localised to reduce the unfair burden on certain areas. He demonstrated a wastewater treatment project that treats municipal wastewater to make it drinkable, while promoting sustainable waste management.

Finally, Prof Jaque referred to the concept of eco-machines, which improve the environment and promote social justice. He showed a project on eco-machines that aims to restore the ecological balance of urban rivers so that city dwellers can better interact with nature. He also mentioned his project for a primary school in Madrid, which promotes a more sustainable and equitable future through innovative design and ways of thinking.

Professor Jaque's presentation highlighted the strong links between architecture and the environment, society and equity, and how architects can contribute to a more sustainable and equitable future through innovative design of designing and thinking. His projects and ideas provided food for thought and inspiration to better understand and shape our built environment.

At the end of the lecture, Prof Jaque actively answered questions from the students who attended the lecture and showed great recognition and appreciation for the ideas and questions raised by the students.