2067

Architect John van de Water set off in 2004 to a China that was modernizing at a furious pace. His intention was to put the European, conceptual way of thinking of NEXT architects into practice in China. Five turbulent years ensued, with projects being built on Chinese soil. A whole range of emotions sprang up in the space between Western and Chinese architectural incomprehension, confrontation, misunderstanding, acceptance, awareness, understanding and, eventually, advantage. You Can't Change China, China Changes You is a personal reflection of his experience. In it, the development of architectural thinking is described, researched and tested.