1. Research and Disciplinary Development
The School of Architecture achieved remarkable progress in research this year. It was awarded three National Key R&D Program projects and eight national-level research projects led by young faculty members. A key project funded by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC), led by Professor Kong Yuhang, received an A-grade evaluation in the mid-term review. Associate Professor Li Yan also successfully initiated a National Social Science Fund project.
The Architecture/Built Environment subject of Tianjin University ranked 34th globally in the QS World Rankings, and the Art History subject entered the top 40 worldwide.
2.Faculty Development
The School has recruited five new faculty members, including one from France, one from the United States, and three young scholars with Ph.D. degrees from renowned international institutions.
The project Guanyin Hall Traditional Teahouse led by Professor Zhang Chunyan won the UNESCO Asia-Pacific Heritage Awards for Cultural Heritage Conservation, while Professor Xu Subin served as the editor-in-chief of the five-volume book Comprehensive Research on the Preservation System of Modern Industrial Heritage Sites in China, which earned a second prize in the Science Research Famous Achievement Award in Higher Institution (Arts & Humanities). Professor Zeng Peng’s research team received the Natural Resources Science and Technology Progress Award and was selected for the Science and Technology Innovation Talent Project. Professor Zhang Long’s project won two first prizes from the China Landscape Architecture Society. Additionally, Professor Zhu Ling and other scholars from the School were recognized and awarded funding at both the Tianjin municipal and national levels.
3. Academic Exchanges
Land-Based Rationalism: Report to Alma Mater, Tianjin University was held from October 16, 2024, to January 10, 2025, in the North Building, designed by Academician Cui Kai. “Architecture History and Contemporary Design” training program,initiated by Academician Li Xinggang and jointly organized by China Architecture Design & Research Group and Tianjin University and , was launched at the School of Architecture, Tianjin University.
The School hosted the following events:
(1) 2024 Annual Academic Conference of Spatial Planning and Governance Cooperation Alliance on the Land-Sea Coordinated Key Belt
(2) The Annual Meeting of the Community Development and Housing Committee of the Urban Planning Society of China
(3) The Symposium on Urban and Rural Regeneration between the Two Sides of the Taiwan Straits
(4) The Annual Conference of Chinese Modern and Contemporary Architectural History
(5) Related activities for the Delta Cup International Solar Building Design Competition.
4. International Collaboration
We have organized a number of important international academic events, including
(1) International Symposium on “Low-Carbon Sustainable Built Environment”, which was part of the 22nd Conference on International Exchange of Professionals
(2) An Architects Roundtable to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the establishment of China-France diplomatic.
(3) 2024 China-ASEAN Education Cooperation Week on “Smart City and Sustainable Development”.
These events attracted over 50 renowned overseas scholars, including Pritzker Prize winners and foreign academicians, who delivered academic lectures and reports.
Additionally, three faculty members assumed positions in the International Union of Architects (UIA) and the Architects Regional Council Asia (ARCASIA), further strengthening the School’s global academic presence.
5.Social Service
The School organized the “The 2nd Rural Human Settlement Forum” as the annual gathering of the Rural Development Universities Alliance, with the School of Architecture at Tianjin University serving as the host institution, alongside other universities as co-initiators. Tianjin University’s Rural Revitalization Workstation in Xiang’an was approved as a base for the practical cooperation between the local and universities.
The National Barrier-Free Environment Exhibition Hall officially opened to the public, with the Exhibition for Accessible Signage designed by Tianjin University Accessible & Universal Design & Research Center.
6. Teaching Work
The undergraduate programs in Urban and Regional Planning and Landscape Architecture have been restructured, changing from five-year to four-year degrees. Additionally, a new four-year major in Architecture has been introduced. Nine textbooks and 11 courses were nominated for national-level and provincial-level awards. Three faculty members won national-level and provincial-level prizes.
7. Student Achievements
Students from the School of Architecture have won nearly 200 awards in domestic and international competitions, including over 30 international awards, such as the “UIA-HYP Cup 2024 International Competition in Architectural Design” First Prize. In the China Newer Architect Competition, the School secured 17 out of the top 100 entries, with the highest number of finalists among universities nationwide. Planning students won the WUPENiCity International Competition First Prize in 2024. Undergraduate course projects won the Bauhaus Award, the highest international award for architectural design. Graduate works were showcased at the 62nd Milan International Furniture Fair.
8.Facilities and Environment
We have improved the overall environment of the West Garden (formerly the Hydraulic Engineering Hall) and is preparing for key projects such as the renovation of the main teaching building, to create better teaching, research, and living environments for faculty and students.
We extend our heartfelt gratitude to alumni and all those who have supported the development of the School of Architecture at Tianjin University, and we wish you a prosperous New Year!
