The International Joint Teaching Work Camp co-organized by School of Architecture of Hunan University (HNU) and its counterpart of University of Ljubljana of the Republic of Slovenia came to its final procedure of design appraisal on April 20 and accomplished on April 25.

More than 10 Chinese and overseas scholars and experts were invited to judge the designs, including Prof. Ales Vodopivec, vice dean of the Faculty of Architecture of the University of Ljubljana, Prof. Wang Lu from School of Architecture of Tsinghua University, Prof. Wei Chunyu from School of Architecture of Hunan University.

This work camp was initiated by School of Architecture, HNU, who also provided the subject and vennue. Since the second half of 2014, the two universities had organized students to simultaneously start design on the appointed subject, and provided a network platform to exchange information and respective progress. All the works were gathered at Hunan University for final appraisal.

The subject was the Design of Graphical Information Center of Xiyuanbei Lane, one of Changsha’s historically and culturally significant alleys. Designers were required to interpret their understanding in their works, offering local residents enough space for public activities while reserving the historical and cultural elements of the locals to vitalize this ancient urban site.

The participants worked on their design for half a year, and illustrated their ideas in the final appraisal by means of drawings, videos, models and brochures. The Chinese and Slovenian students’ different ways of thinking in design were the highlights of the event which deeply impressed and inspired the both sides.

Translated by Ouyang Xing