Today, global architectural design is developing rapidly, and hence the problems faced by architects are also becoming more diverse and complex, which are no longer limited to the basic problems of traditional design science. Therefore, we can only have a good grasp of the changes in architectural design when we stand on a higher ground.
Glocalization
In 1992, British sociologist Roland Robertson put forward “Glocalization”, which was coined from “Globalization” and “Localization”. It means the co-presence of both universalizing and particularizing tendencies.
In the era of globalization, the design context changes greatly. The relationship between countries, cultures as well as individuals no longer constitutes a hierarchical relationship, but rather a diverse, equal, heterogeneous one in which all voices can be heard.
Globalization is accelerating, and there are signs of cultural convergence on a global scale. When it comes to architectural design, “all cities look the same”. Designers are obliged to actively explore the similarities and differences in the features of design cultures around the world and adopt local experience, traditional techniques, materials, etc., to create original regional designs based on the cultural background of a specific project.
In fact, there are traces of glocalization’s influence on architectural design. For example, Mexican architect Luis Barragán and Spanish architect Rafael Moneo, etc., attached great importance to and show respect for local culture to give buildings unique local attributes based on the its natural and economic conditions, cultural traditions and construction techniques.
San Cristobal Stable by architect Luis Barragán
Tlalpan Chapel by architect Luis Barragán
National Museum of Roman Art in Mérida by architect Rafael Moneo
Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels by architect Rafael Moneo
Think global, act local
In the process of globalization, the cultures of all countries and nations promote each other to develop harmoniously. Each nation or region has a different cultural pattern because of cultural diversity and they contribute to a diverse and harmonious world culture by preserving their cultural characteristics. Then G+AWARDS (GLOBAL+ DESIGNER COMPETITION) was born. It was initiated and organized by influential international design organizations from countries around the world. The first countries to join in the large-scale global design culture exchange and development program in 2021 include China, the United States, Italy, Singapore, and the United Arab Emirates, and they jointly put forward the “Think global, act local!” initiative for designers around the world.
In 2021, five professional design organizations from those five countries will create a global design competition G+AWARDS, which solicits outstanding space design projects designed by excellent designers around the world and encourage them to look at diversified design cultures and practices featuring glocalization from a global perspective. Judges will review internationally recognized masterpieces of design to select excellent designers and explore their innovative design concepts and opinions to present their design values – pursuit of a better life for all mankind — to the world.
Global large-scale design culture exchange and development program
G+AWARDS (GLOBAL+ DESIGNER COMPETITION) is a global large-scale design culture exchange and development program, committed to promoting the exchange between international cultures and designs for mutual development. It builds a diversified competition platform for designers to communicate their design value, communication and interaction for global designers, so as to promote exchanges and cooperation in creative cultural industries and fields related to design works, increase dialogues between different cultures, find a path of innovative development and build a larger cooperation platform.
Professional design organizations from China, the United States, Italy, Singapore and the UAE joined the program
The first countries to join in the program in 2021 include China, the United States, Italy, Singapore, and the United Arab Emirates, whose professional design organizations can get a glimpse of the connotation of “glocalization” and “a diverse world expressed by local attributes”.
United States: Inclusivity
The buildings of US, a nation of immigrants, are deeply influenced by a variety of styles, and they are tend to be inclusive, diverse and internationalized. While inheriting the realism and rationality in the Western architectural concepts which emphasize graphics and the sense of order, American architectural design also incorporates elements such as freedom, innovation, environmental protection, and people-oriented philosophy.
China: Blending past with present
As an independent and complete system in world design, Chinese design, especially traditional Chinese design has extensive influence in the East. Thanks to the interaction and collision between Chinese and Western cultures, Chinese design has blazed a trail of its own, which not only preserves its traditional and national characteristics, but also embraces modern techniques, cutting-edge theories and aesthetic consciousness.
Italy: Humanism
The European Renaissance began in Italy. Despite the passing of time, general features of Renaissance such as rationality, scientific rigor and human dignity are preserved, and humanism and classical style are still the hallmark of modern buildings. Italians live in cultural relics and breathe in the history.
Singapore: Practicality first
Land-starved Singapore is a densely populated island city-state, which determines its architectural feature “practicality first”, meaning pursuing maximum functionality to meet people’s needs. In addition, as architectural concepts evolve, energy conservation, emission reduction, harmonious ecology and sustainability have also been incorporated into its design vocabulary.
UAE: ideal vision
A number of luxurious buildings, such as “the world’s tallest building”, “the world’s largest shopping mall”, and “the world’s most luxurious hotel”, in the UAE has repeatedly become myths of global architectural design, and to some extent they project people’s wish for a better life.
Global launch ceremony is ready
As a major global cultural exchange and development program, the G+ AWARDS has attracted the attention of the industry. This launch ceremony invited a number of influential people in the field of architecture and design, and they will have in-depth interaction with the global designer based on the new context of “local globalization”, to think and explore the new possibilities of current and future design together.
The essence of the design cultures of the five countries
An epitome of the age of globalization
May 7, 2021
G+AWARDS Global Launch Ceremony
To be held in Shenzhen, the “City of Design”
2021G+AWARDS will be launched globally
We sincerely invite you to join us!
Global large-scale design culture exchange and development program
Special thanks to our strategic partners——GANI
With a global perspective, GANI promotes the communication and development of global designer, and is committed to building a platform for communication and learning among designers. With multi-dimensional content and professional spirit, GANI promotes the development of global design industry and Chinese aesthetics.
Disclaimer: The views, suggestions, and opinions expressed here are the sole responsibility of the experts. No Sahyadri Times journalist was involved in the writing and production of this article.
