On Monday March 17th, the event ‘Polito Studio. International exchanges in architectural practice’ at Toolbox Coworking, organized by the Association of Architects of Turin in collaboration with the Polytechnic University of Turin. The meeting offered an important opportunity to discuss the topic of internationalization in architecture, exploring global dynamics and opportunities for collaboration between professionals and institutions at an international level.
The dialogue, introduced by Michele Bonino and Marta Bottero (Polytechnic of Turin) and Peter Jaeger (Councillor of the Order of Architects), focused on the rapid changes in the Chinese market and society. The topic was explored by Giada Messetti, sinologist and journalist, who offered an overview of social and architectural developments in the country. Messetti highlighted how, despite the challenges, China is trying to maintain its technological leadership, with a focus on self-sufficiency and greater openness to international collaboration, especially with Europe.
Francesca Spigarelli, director of the China Centre at the University of Macerata, then went on to discuss China’s economic policy, which has evolved from a model centered on manufacturing to one that promotes technology and innovation. In this context, the university plays a central role in the process of local development and the promotion of co-created knowledge, particularly in the fields of architecture and technology.
Giada Messetti pointed out that China still perceives itself as a great global power, managing to recover quickly from historical difficulties and adapting quickly to change. Francesca Spigarelli also anticipated the release of the new ‘China 2035’ document, which includes a focus on technological innovation, artificial intelligence, creativity, and sustainability. China, she explained, wants to become a leader in global innovation, but it will also do so by focusing on more inclusive and sustainable growth, to ensure social welfare that accompanies economic development.
In the second part of the meeting, Professor Valeria Federighi gave an overview of Polito Studio, a model created to promote internationalization and offer professionals and researchers new opportunities across borders. The three multidisciplinary teams, made up of designers registered with the Order and Politecnico professors, and researchers, illustrated the projects carried out in recent years in the external markets of China and Latin America, with concrete results. In closing, Professor Francesca De Filippi of the Turin Polytechnic turned her gaze on Africa, in particular Ethiopia, the next market where the Polito Studio model will be applied.
SUN Cheng, Dean of the School of Architecture at Harbin Institute of Technology, introduced how Computational Design Practice, an innovative approach integrating advanced technology and computational design, can be applied to architectural practice.
