Dr Xiang Ren

B.Arch (1st), MA (Dist), PhD, FHEA

School of Architecture

Lecturer in Architecture

Director of Space, Cultures and Politics research group

xiang.ren@sheffield.ac.uk
+44 114 222 0359

Arts Tower

Full contact details

Dr Xiang Ren
School of Architecture
Arts Tower
Western Bank
Sheffield
S10 2TN

Profile

I practise architecture from the late 2000s, started from the Stone Museum in Soochow and then completed several educational and workplace buildings as the project architect before receiving my PhD under the late professor Peter Blundell Jones at Sheffield.

My research and teaching lies in the search for the reinvention of the discipline of architecture from within its own traditions and contemporary ruins, that is centred on place and heritage, often with an East-West comparative study and an architectural-anthropological close-reading.

I serve as an international editor for the RIBA's Journal of Architecture, external examiner for PhD upgrade at the Architectural Association, and external panel for the Hong Kong Research Grants Council.

Research interests

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 both the practice-based nature of architecture and design, and the increasing tension between building and disciplinary knowledge.

I aim to construct non-canonical theories and modes of practices related to the foundations of the domain of architecture and its core disciplinary knowledge, through publications and practices. This is primarily based on a close reading and thick 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.

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 heritage, Modernism's other 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. During my PhD 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

Modernism's other and non-canonical architectural history and theory of 20th century
Architectural, cultural and built heritage
Architectural anthropology (partly delete 'and design anthropology')
Vernacular, participative and socially-engaged architecture
Conservation and regeneration of traditional settlements
Chinese architecture and urbanism (full to delete)
East-West studies in architecture and landscape
Architecture and minority spaces

Current PhD Students

Omid Ebrahimbaysalami (2022- ), PhD project – Repositioning the contemporary and the vernacular in Iran
Abhishek Bhutoria (2021- ), PhD project – Himalayan Villages in Nepal post-earthquake: 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 (2017-2022), PhD project – Re-discovering and Re-evaluating Traditional Public Space Hiroba in Tokyo

Publications

Journal articles

Ren X (2022) The Lyth Building, Nottingham, by Evans Vettori. Architects' Journal.
Ren X & Kong D (2021) The Drum Tower: Architecture and Collective Practice. AA Files, 78, 53-59.
Ren X (2021) CHINESE ANCESTRAL HALL: SOCIO-SPATIAL TRADITIONS, RITUAL ARCHITECTURE FORM, AND DECAYING CLAN COMMUNITIES. Traditional Dwellings and Settlements Review, XXXIII(I), 33-33.
Ren X (2021) Huxi Library, Tanghua Architect & Associates. The Architect, Sri Lanka Institute of Architect, 397-402.
Ren X (2021) Huxi Library by Tanghua Architect & Associates. The Architect, Sri Lanka Institute of Architect, 397-402. View this article in WRRO
Ren X (2021) China’s Architecture in a Globalizing World: Between Socialism and the Market, by Jiawen Han. London: Routledge, 2017. xi+196 pp. US$153.75 (cloth), US$49.95 (paper).. The China Journal, 85(January 2021), 200-201. View this article in WRRO
Ren X (2020) 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
Ren X (2020) Towards openness / OPEN ReAction: Li Hu and Huang Wenjing San Francisco, CA: Applied Research & Design, 2017 ISBN: 9781940743226 $35.00, Pb, pp. 287Li Hu and Huang Wenjing Beijing: China Architecture & Building Press, 2015 ISBN 9787112180646 RMB 128.00, Pb, pp. 245. Journal of Architecture, 25(5), 650-657. View this article in WRRO
Ren X (2020) 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
Ren X (2019) An 'other' concinnitas : temporality and renewability in the Yuanlin Zhang Gallery. Scroope Journal(28), 61-73. View this article in WRRO
Ren X (2018) Anonymous Process and Absent Architect: Behind the Scenes of Chinese Rural Regeneration. Architecture and Culture, 6(1), 145-154. View this article in WRRO
Blundell Jones P & Ren X (2018) Padley Mill: A Question of Interpretation. Heritage Architecture, 3(1), 71-82.
Ren X, 康健 & 萨特温德萨姆拉 (2017) 深度勘查，图绘转译和设计介入：英国谢菲尔德大学建筑学专业硕士研究型教学解析. 城市建筑, 2017(10)(No.261), 18-23.
Ren X (2017) 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
Ren X (2017) 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
Ren X (2017) Architecture and Ritual, Peter Blundell Jones. Heritage Architecture, 2(4), 112-113.
Ren X (2016) Clan-Community Hall. The RIBA Journal.
Ren X (2016) Architecture as Catalysts. Xin Jianzhu: New Architecture.
Ren X (2016) 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
Ren X & Qiao J (2016) Archi-infrastructure as Urban Patchworks & Generators: The Ongoing London Crossrail (2008-2019) Project. Time+Architecture, 32(2).
Ren X & Kang J (2015) Live, Social-engagement and transformative value -- Research-led teaching in the first year at the Sheffield School of Architecture[任翔, 康健（2015）活性，社会参与性和转变性--英国谢菲尔德大学建筑学院本科一年级研究型教学解析. 世界建筑导报,5期 (总 165)，45-47页]. World Architecture Review(5), 45-47.
Ren X (2014) Hybridization, Landform, and Catalyst Buildings -- Interpretation on Two Libraries Designed by Schmidt Hammer Lassen Architects. Architecture Technique & Art, 04.
Talhof J & Ren X (2014) The Elementary School at Arnulfpark in Munich by Hess Talhof Kusmierz Architekten. Xin Jianzhu: New Architecture, 152.
Ren X & Chen J (2014) Reflection on Le Corbusier: an interview with Peter Blundll Jones. Xin Jianzhu: New Architecture, 02, 14-16.
Ren X (2011) The Absence of Pictorial Characterization and the Presentation of Regional Imagination: Notes on the Design of No. 45 High School in Hefei City. Architecture Technique & Art, 12.

Chapters

Ren X (2021) A Form of Resistance: A Barefoot-architect’s Own House In Gosseye J & Doucet I (Ed.), Activism at Home: Architects’ Own Dwellings as Sites of Resistance. Leipzig, Germany: Spector Books.
Ren X (2020) Tailor, Mason, Intellectual, Peasant: An Alternative Architect towards Sustainable Regeneration in Rural China In Zuo J (Ed.), Bi Shan Beijing, China: Chinese National Geography - CITIC Press.

Conference proceedings papers

Ren X (2014) Translating Vernacular Hybridity into a Living Matrix -- Reflections on the production and occupation of a School Building. Architecture and Education, 3 September 2014 - 5 September 2014.

Exhibitions

Ren X (2019, May 24) Form of Silence: Tanghua Architects, 12 Built Projects. The Arts Tower, University of Sheffield.
Ren X (2015, February 20) Whisper of the Rural Vernacular: Drawings, Designs, Buildings. The Bridge Gallery, University of Westminster’s Marylebone Campus, London, 20 February - 15 March 20.
Ren X (2011, October 21) Provincial Bureau of Construction New Workplace Building Design and Research. Provincial Bureau of Construction, Hefei city, China, 21 October - 21 November 2011.

Website content

Ren X China’s ‘barefoot architects’ are transforming left-behind rural villages, August 22, 2019, THE CONVERSATION.

Dictionary/encyclopaedia entries

Ren X (2020) Haobo Wei, Consumption. In Encyclopaedia of Vernacular Architecture of the World (2nd ed). London, UK: Bloomsbury.

Research group: Space, cultures and politics research group

Grants

2021, Peter Blundell Jones Library, TUoS, Grant: £1250, PI
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

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

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

Academic reviewer

Bloomsbury (2019); Routledge (2019); The Journal of Architecture (2018; 2020;
2021; 2022); Architecture and Culture (2019); Home Cultures (2021); Sage OPEN
(2021); Journal of Asian Architecture and Building Engineering (2021); European
Planning Studies (2021)

Design reviewer

University of Loughborough, Part 1 (2018; 2020); Tongji University, B.Arch (2021); Zhejiang University and Xi’an Jiaotong Liverpool University, MA (2021); Nanjing University, M.Arch (2021)

Invited lecture

Chinese University of Hong Kong (2021); Ecole Nationale Supérieure d'Architecture de Paris-La Villette (2021) Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (2022) China's Central Academy of Fine Arts (2022)

Design consultancy

Georgetown University McCourt School of Public Policy, Washington D.C (2019);
Horizon new Headquarter, China (2020)

Academic organizer

Peter Blundell Jones Memorial Travel Grant (2020–);
Peter Blundell Jones Memorial Lecture Series (2018–);

Academic membership

Global Architectural History Teaching Collaborative (GAHTC) member (2019–);
European Architectural History Network (EAHN) member (2018–);
Architectural Humanities Research Association (AHRA) member (2014–);