Fun Mill: The Architecture of Creative Industry in Contemporary China

Fun Mill. The Architecture of Creative Industry in Contemporary China examines the economic, political, and design mechanisms used to build and legitimise creative clusters, focusing on three recurrent methods: Collecting icons, Shifting scale, and Bounding borders. It explores how architectural projects reconfigure space and outlines the broader political ambitions and cultural and socio-economic transformations that are shaping and transforming physical space.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 248 pages
Publication date: 18 July 2022
Publisher: Oro Editions

The Architecture of Creative Industry in Contemporary China delves into the transformative process of revitalizing existing real estate through the promotion of creative clusters. It explores the economic, political, and design mechanisms employed to establish and legitimize these clusters, as well as the city concepts that emerge within these spaces. The book discusses creative clusters as fertile ground for research and action involving the architectural and urban project, outlining several distinctive traits of professional and design practices in China over the past decade.

In particular, the book focuses on three recurring methods used by architectural projects to reconfigure space: Collecting icons, Shifting scale, and Bounding borders. These intervention methods were identified through a range of design experiences, richly illustrated with detailed drawings and photographs, including before and after views of the renovated spaces.

This study aims to interpret these spaces by examining specific architectures, considering them not only as documents worthy of in-depth study due to their importance as architectural artifacts, but also as "footprints to assist in the comprehension of the broader political ambitions and cultural and socio-economic transformations that are shaping and reshaping China's urban landscape."

The book explores the economic, political, and design mechanisms used to build and legitimize creative clusters, as well as the city concepts that emerge within these spaces. It discusses the role of government policies, incentives, and regulations in fostering the growth of creative industries, as well as the challenges and opportunities faced by architects and designers in China.

The book also examines the impact of creative clusters on urban development, including the transformation of neighborhoods, the creation of new public spaces, and the promotion of cultural exchange and innovation. It explores the role of architecture in shaping the identity and character of cities, as well as the ways in which creative industries can contribute to the social and economic well-being of communities.

Overall, The Architecture of Creative Industry in Contemporary China provides a comprehensive and insightful examination of the transformative power of architecture and design in shaping China's urban landscape. It offers valuable insights into the economic, political, and design mechanisms that drive the growth of creative industries, as well as the city concepts that emerge as a result.

Dimension: 300 x 210 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781954081277