Berlin Aedes "A Structure of Feeling" Opening Full Recap | 25 Years of Chinese Architecture Dialogue

This is a full recording of a historic dialogue that took place at the Berlin Aedes Architecture Forum on July 2, 2026. It marks the starting point of Chinese contemporary architecture's first European debut 25 years ago and opens a quarter-century-long cultural observation between Europe and China. This video is divided into three parts: 1️⃣ Opening Speeches (00:00 - 08:00) The Aedes host, along with Professor Li Xiangning from Tongji University and curator Gao Changjun, look back on the landmark "TU MU" exhibition 25 years ago. They point out that the current exhibition, "A Structure of Feeling," is not a retrospective but a "cross-section" that presents the confident and optimistic work of a new generation of avant-garde Chinese architects. Against the backdrop of today's geopolitical tensions, they emphasize that open dialogue and the exchange of experience are far more important than grand narratives. The shift from "TU MU" to "A Structure of Feeling" is not just a change in exhibition title, but a slice of a changing era. 2️⃣ Atelier Alter Architects' In-depth Presentation (08:00 - 20:00) Zhang Yingfan and Bu Xiaojun, co-founders of Atelier Alter Architects, provide a complete explanation of their exhibited work, the "Dali Transformer Factory Theatrical District." The project is located between Erhai Lake and Cangshan Mountain in Dali, transforming an abandoned transformer factory into an immersive theater. The design is conceptualized around the "subconsciousness of the city," blending Freudian and surrealist ideas. By preserving the original industrial structures (exposed concrete, oil tanks, iron wells), it juxtaposes history, industrialization, and contemporary culture. The project integrates with the play Spectacle 2099, breaking the traditional "big box" theater model and transforming the factory space into a theatrical district that serves as a stage, auditorium, and social venue all at once. It explores how, in the digital age, architecture can evoke surrealist perception and illusion through spatial narrative and audience experience. 3️⃣ Panel Discussion (20:00 - End) Chinese and international scholars and architects confront the real challenges of the industry: the practical necessity for Chinese architects to collaborate with local design institutes, as well as global issues like urbanization vs. rural development, adaptive reuse, over-tourism, and the climate crisis. The discussion ultimately centers on the construction of "Chineseness"—how a new generation of architects, in a globalized context, can move beyond the simple appropriation of traditional symbols and instead build a truly contemporary Chinese architectural identity and "structure of feeling" by responding to local conditions and understanding their cultural context. This is not just an exhibition; it is a cross-section of a generation's shared experience. From the grand narrative of "TU MU" to the specific perception of "A Structure of Feeling," Chinese architecture is undergoing a quiet yet profound transformation. #BerlinAedes #AStructureofFeeling #ChineseContemporaryArchitecture #AtelierAlterArchitects #DaliTransformerFactory #ArchitectureExhibition #ArchitectureDocumentary