Dr Xiang Ren
B.Arch (1st), MA (Dist), PhD, FHEA
School of Architecture
Lecturer in Architecture
Programme Leader MA Architectural Design
School Library Leader

- Profile
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Trained as an architect, I worked for award-winning practices from China and Australia, before received my MA, PhD, FHEA qualifications from Sheffield School of Architecture.
My research and teaching lies in the search for the reinvention of the discipline of architecture from within its own traditions.
I aim to construct non-canonical theories and narratives related to the foundations of the domain of architecture and its core disciplinary knowledge, through lectures, articles, tours and exhibitions.
This is primarily based on a closer reading and thicker interpretation on the substance and process of architecture, its cultural meaning, its social construction, its varied tectonic and ritual forms, in a longer history and across a larger world.
- Qualifications
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PhD, FHEA
- Research interests
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My fundamental position is that architecture is concerned with building and larger life-worlds.
My fundamental research enquiry is about the driving force of architecture as both a profession and a discipline, on what is and will be the core disciplinary knowledge, considering the highly practice-based nature of architecture and design, and the increasing tension between building and disciplinary knowledge.
I am particularly interested in understanding form, type, use, structure, plan, composition, material, tectonics, topography, atmosphere from non-canonical architectural histories and contemporary practices, and the relationships of these topics with other intellectual disciplinary settings and professional developments.
I have also maintained a long-time interest in pre-modern architecture, settlements and historical built environment in the contemporary cities, particularly within South and East Asian historical and cultural contexts. Specific themes include architectural anthropology, ancient archetypes, contemporary vernacular architecture, living architectural traditions and practice, Modernism and its organic tradition, the East-West architectural encounter and interaction.
My PhD project focused on contemporary socially-engaged architecture and architects in traditional Chinese villages, using case study as the main method, intersecting social anthropology with design research methodologically.
I presented my research in various academic conferences and symposiums including UCD Dublin, KU Leuven Brussels, HKW Berlin, UPC Barcelona, Milano Polytechnic, University of Oxford and University of Cambridge. Two of my research works were shortlisted for RIBA Presidents Research Awards in 2014 and 2016.
PhD Supervision Interests
- Conservation and regeneration of traditional settlements and built heritage
- Architectural anthropology and design anthropology
- Vernacular, participative and socially-engaged architecture
- Non-canonical architectural history and theory of 20th century
- Modernism and its interaction with regional building traditions
- Chinese architecture and urbanism
- East-West studies in architecture and landscape
- Architectural design research, drawing and dwelling
Current PhD Students
- Abhishek Bhutoria (2021- ), PhD project – Himalayan Villages in Nepal: the impact of architecture on household, socio-cultural processes, and formation of new villages
- Xiaolu Wang (2019- ), PhD project – Mountain, Monastery, Medieval China: on the ancient Chinese architectural archetype
- Najihah Ngaimin (2019- ), PhD project – The City as a Cultural-Historical Project: Putrajaya, Malaysia
- Yang Yang (2017-, middle-stage supervisor following the leaving of Dr. Florian Kossak), PhD project – Re-discovering and Re-evaluating Public Space in Tokyo: typology and human behaviour in contemporary Japanese architecture
I also act as second supervisor for:
- Zainab A. A. Murtadhawi Qanawati (2018- ), PhD project – The Modernist School Architectural Heritage in Kuwait
- Tongfei Jin (2019- ), PhD project – Community Resilience based on Urban Micro-Regeneration in Beijing China
- Publications
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Journal articles
- Xiang Ren on reading grassroots architecture in Beijing’s conservation area - Hutong Mushroom By Han Li and Qiuye Jin. arq: Architectural Research Quarterly, 24(3), 295-298. View this article in WRRO
- Towards openness / OPEN ReAction. The Journal of Architecture, 25(5), 650-657.
- Thin mask, thick mnemonic: the idea of the wall and genius loci in two contemporary buildings. ARQ: Architectural Research Quarterly, 24(1), 37-48. View this article in WRRO
- View this article in WRRO
- Anonymous Process and Absent Architect: Behind the Scenes of Chinese Rural Regeneration. Architecture and Culture, 6(1), 145-154. View this article in WRRO
- Xiang Ren on an organic connection with China. Architecture and Ritual: How Buildings Shape Society By Peter Blundell Jones London, Bloomsbury, 2016. Architectural Research Quarterly, 21(3), 277-280. View this article in WRRO
- Rural face, urban mask: Architecture of communal form and collective practice in two chinese villages from 2010 to 2015. Architecture and Culture, 5(1), 57-76. View this article in WRRO
- Socially engaged architecture in a Chinese rural village: Xihe Village Community Centre, 2014. Architectural Research Quarterly, 20(2), 119-130. View this article in WRRO
Chapters
Conference proceedings papers
Exhibitions
Website content
Dictionary/encyclopaedia entries
- Research group
- Grants
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- 2019, ‘Architectural-Anthropological Approaches in Sustainable Regeneration of Ethnic Minorities’ Settlements’,
- French Embassy/TUOS, Grant: £2460; Sole PI
- 2019, ‘Conservation and Regeneration of Chinese Ancestral Hall in Zhejiang Province’, WUN/TUOS, Grant: £2000; Sole PI
- 2018, ‘New Building Study Tour in London, Oxford and Cambridge’, industry, Grant: £2000
- 2016, ‘Hybrid Building and Hybrid Practitioner’, RIBA Presidents Awards for Research, Shortlisted
- 2016, ‘Understanding and Transforming Chinese Rural Villages’, GBCET/UCCL, Grant: £1500;
- 2016, ‘Park Hill’, Denis Mason Jones Award, RIBA/WYSA, £150;
- 2016, ‘Writing Buildings’, CREAte (University of Kent)/Architectural Review; Grant, £250;
- 2016, ‘Habits, Beliefs, and Tacit Knowledge: Everyday Ritual in East Asian Villages’, PGR Forum Funding TUOS/FSS, Grant: £250;
- 2015, ‘Housing System’, Wohnungsfrage Academy, Haus der Kulturen der Welt, Germany, Grant: £1200
- 2015, ‘Sharing Futures’, ESRC/University of Birmingham, Grant: £100
- 2014, ‘Stereotomics, Tectonics and Material Presence’, RIBA Presidents Awards for Research, Shortlisted (national 1 of 4 finalist) following School Nomination
- Teaching interests
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I contribute to the undergraduate architectural humanities lectures at various levels, mentor postgraduate Live Projects, have a M.Arch dissertation group, and lead a MA design studio.
My design studio focuses on the design conservation and regeneration of built heritage in changing contexts, based on the deep reading and reinterpreting of the site and place.
- Teaching activities
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I have been the module leader for:
- ARC 204 Humanities 4 – Issues in Contemporary Architecture
- ARC 6874 Conservation and Regeneration: Principles and Approaches
- ARC 6986 Architectural Design Project
- ARC 6988 Thesis Project
I also give lectures to:
- ARC 103 Humanities 1 – Manifestos
- ARC 104 Humanities 2 – Architecture and Society
- ARC6983 Participation in Architecture and Urban Design
- ARC6975 Trajectories in Urban Design Practice
I supervise a large group of dissertation students for:
- ARC 322 Special Studies
- ARC 556 MArch Dissertation
- ARC 6988 MA Thesis Project
Apart from my curriculum involvements, I am a core member of the longstanding academic unit, East-West Studies in Architecture and Landscape, established by the late Professor Peter Blundell Jones with Dr. Jan Woudstra from Department of Landscape since early 2000s.
The regular East-West Seminars and newly-branded Peter Blundell Jones Memorial Lecture Series involves students across the School and the Department of Landscape, with leading academics and practitioners from China, Japan, South Korea, Vietnam and Turkey.
- Professional activities
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- Peer reviewer, Bloomsbury (2019–)
- Routledge (2019–)
- The Journal of Architecture (2018–)
- Architecture and Culture (2019–)
- Sustainability (2019–)
- Invited reviewer, School of Architecture, Building and Civil Engineering, Y2, University of Loughborough (2018–); College of Architecture and Urban Planning, M.Arch, Tongji University (2020– )
- Peter Blundell Jones Memorial Travel Grant judge (2020–)
- Peter Blundell Jones Memorial Lecture Series organiser (2018–)
- Global Architectural History Teaching Collaborative (GAHTC) member (2019–)
- European Architectural History Network (EAHN) member (2018–)
- Architectural Humanities Research Association (AHRA) member (2014–)