On December 12 – 14, DJSER, in collaboration with IM Sinoexpo, hosted a ‘Design Awards’ event at Hotel & Shop Plus Shenzhen. The awards aim to recognise outstanding design concepts by enabling designers to transform visions into reality.
Benoy Project Director Yejia Zhu was invited to speak at the event, addressing the challenges and opportunities in a transforming industry under the theme “Shaping Future Design.” Her presentation, titled “Cross-disciplinary Collaboration in Public Spaces,” emphasised the evolving needs of urban development and the role of adaptive design in fostering sustainable futures.
Focus on regeneration and sustainability
In her speech, Yejia highlighted the importance of aligning commercial design with the dynamic demands of urban growth, promoting architectural regeneration to create spaces that not only serve commercial purposes but also enrich public life. She illustrated these principles through the Suzhou Central Project, an ongoing Benoy-led project developed by Hongkong Land.
Located in the heart of the world-class Jinji Lake waterfront cultural and commercial corridor, the Suzhou Central Project combines the romance and poetry of the lake’s natural beauty with urban innovation. Featuring the Mandarin Oriental Hotel, Suzhou Contemporary Art Museum, Suzhou Eye Ferris Wheel, and Right Bank Living Room, the project extends urban vitality to the lakeside. Designed as an open urban living room, it blends leisure, social, and cultural spaces with nearby retail and commercial areas, creating a vibrant interconnected city hub.
Collaborative design for a holistic vision
Yejia emphasised that creating impactful public spaces requires collaboration across disciplines to achieve a shared vision. She advocated for harmonious coexistence between commercial design and urban development, ensuring long-term sustainability and community value.
Celebrating innovation in design
The event brought together local and international architecture firms, including CREDAWARD winners. Hosted by IM Sinoexpo, part of the global Informa Group, the event reaffirmed the company’s commitment to advancing the design industry. With a portfolio of over 70 brand exhibitions in the Greater China and a total annual exhibitions area exceeding 1.62 million square metres in 2023, IM Sinoexpo continues to lead the way in creating opportunities for industry innovation and growth, particularly in the Greater Bay Area, embracing new trends and navigate a rapidly changing world.
