Serenity & Structure: Constructing Space Renewal—A UK-China Design Dialogue

In an era of deepening globalization and cultural exchange, design serves as a bridge connecting material and spirit, tradition and future, reshaping human perception and experience of space in unprecedented ways. The *2025 Cambridge Clare Hall UK-China Design Seminar*, titled “Serenity & Structure: The Construct of Space Renewal — A UK-China Design Dialogues,” aims to initiate a cross-cultural and trans-temporal dialogue in design.

British design is renowned for its rigorous structure, historical richness, and innovative spirit, emphasizing harmony between function and logic. Chinese design, rooted in the philosophy of “unity of nature and humanity,” seeks to blend spontaneity, natural flow, and poetic ambience. This seminar will focus on the distinct interpretations of “serenity” and “structure” within these two design traditions, exploring how mutual inspiration and integration can bring new possibilities to contemporary spatial design.

We invite architects, designers, scholars, and thinkers from both the UK and China to explore key questions including:

• What perspectives and philosophical ideas does your work typically express?
• How can freedom of expression and structural order coexist in spatial design?
• How might Eastern “impressionistic” and Western “realistic” design languages inform each other?
• How can sustainability and cultural heritage work together in new spatial practices?
• In the digital age, how can UK and Chinese design philosophies jointly address humanistic and ecological needs?

Through this seminar, we hope not only to build a high-level platform for academic and practical exchange but also to promote deeper collaboration between UK and Chinese design communities, redefining together the art and value of future spaces.

13:30 Sign & Social

14:00 Welcome Remarks: France Davies, Director of Clare Hall

PANEL 1

Moderator: Dr. Leren LI, London-based Design Historian

14:05-14:20 Keynote: Benedict Zucchi, Principal and Head of Architecture at BDP

14:20-14:35 Keynote: MAO Hua, Founder of EK Design and PP Design Gallery

14:35-14:50 Keynote: Alexander Giarlis, Co-founder at NEUBAU

14:50-15:05 Keynote: SONG Zhaofang, Director & Deputy Chief Architect, Lacime Architects

15:05-15:20 Keynote: Patrik Schumacher , Principal, Zaha Hadid Architects (ZHA)(TBC)

15:20-15:40 Panel Discussion: The Human Habitat: Design's Humanist Responsibility in the Future City

PANEL 2

Moderator: Dr. XIAO Ran,Senior Research Fellow at Oxford Brookes University, Founder & CEO of Planarific

15:40-15:55Keynote: Michael Collins, RIBA, ARB, RIAS sustainable Accredited Architect, Passivhaus Designer

15:55-16:10Keynote: XIAO Cheng, Founding Partner, Chief Architect of Shenzhen Huahui Design

16:10-16:25Keynote: Darren Snow, Associate Director,Sybarite

16:25-16:40Keynote: ZHOU Bo, Founder / Design Director of Berry Design Institute

16:40-16:55 Keynote: Kim Quazi, Director, Head of Transport Architecture, Arup

16:55-17:25 Panel Discussion: Design for the Future: Materials, Technology and the Circular Economy in a Carbon-Neutral Future

17:30-17:50 Networking Break