Organized by the Embassy of Switzerland in China, the exhibition 'Smart & Sustainable Solutions' consists of two parts, namely, Constructive Alps: a series of prize-winning works on sustainable architecture projects in Switzerland and the Alpine region, currently concluding its China tour; and Can Tech Save the World: examples of technological innovations from Switzerland designed to address environmental challenges.
At the opening forum, Chinese architects and scholars with extensive practical experience and research results in architecture, including Zhang Li, Liu Heng, Bao Li, Dong Hao, and Wang Shuo, discussed the application of innovative technology in architecture, adapting design to the particular regional environment conditions, and the positive role architecture can play in environmental protection and sustainable development, drawing from examples in Switzerland and China.
The ‘Constructive Alps Architecture Prize’ is awarded every two years in Switzerland to highlight innovative and sustainable architectural projects across the Alps, with an exhibition of its winning entries sent now to tour globally. The Constructive Alps exhibition, designed by the Swiss Alpine Museum in Bern, was brought to China this year with the support of the Embassy of Switzerland and its Consulates, In April this year, the exhibition was first shown in Lijiang, Shangri-La, and Guiyang which are also in mountainous regions. It was then successfully exhibited in Chengdu, Hangzhou, Jiaxing, Shanghai, Hong Kong, Aranya and Guangzhou.
The Constructive Alps exhibition showcases examples of environmentally-friendly architecture in the Alps and sheds light on five aspects of sustainable architecture: longevity, positive energy balance, sobriety, use of natural materials, and respect for the landscape.
The exhibition Can Tech Save the World presents Switzerland’s cutting-edge technologies and solutions in a wide range of fields, including clean water, biodiversity, sustainable agriculture, emissions-free mobility, effective waste management and disaster risk reduction. The exhibition is co-designed by Presence Switzerland, FDFA, CleantechAlps and swisstech.
“Architecture and technology are two good windows into Switzerland. Swiss innovation and sustainability are well illustrated in both fields,” said Thomas Stähli, Deputy Head of Mission of the Embassy of Switzerland in China, “The limited territory and the lack of natural resources in Switzerland are some of the push factors behind our drive to seek creative solutions to environmental challenges. Our sense of responsibility to future generations might be another reason that let researchers, policy-makers and the private sector invest in environmental innovation.”
“The solutions presented in these two exhibitions showcase part of Switzerland’s efforts to achieve a more environmentally and sustainable development. Working with partners across the world, including China, will be key to further innovating, and then scaling, these solutions.” added Mr. Stähli.
The ‘Smart & Sustainable Solutions' exhibition will be open to the public as part of the Beijing Design Week Program, from September 19 to October 7 at 27 Courtyard, Neiwubu Jie, Dongcheng District in Beijing.
