The Wenzhou-Kean Design Lab/ 温州肯恩设计实验室/ WKDL, is a platform for design and design-research; for horizontal projects of design practice realised through collaboration with local government, industry and communities.
WKDL was established in 2021 in the transitional peripheral/rural context of Wenzhou. Here, processes and strategies are underway of transformation-through-demolition, rural-revitalisation, green-development/ecological-civilisation building, and the curation of intangible-cultural-heritage. WKDL seeks to study these processes and to contribute through new strategies.
WKDL is non-profit and is currently engaged in art, culture, landscape and infrastructure projects in Wenzhou villages and the rural context of Zhejiang more broadly. Recently, WKDL projects have received international design awards for architecture, landscape, and sustainability innovation. To discuss a project of design or design-research, contact us at wkdl@wku.edu.cn.
Office
WKDL is based in GeHekai Hall on the campus of Wenzhou-Kean University, Zhejiang, China, and has an international partner through its sister design-lab in the west— K-LAB at Kean University, USA. The lab works through collaboration with the academic practitioners, researchers, and students of the School of Public Architecture and the Design School.
WKDL Director, Architect (United Kingdom), Associate Professor
David Vardy is a British Architect and academic based in China since 2018. He is a member of the Royal Institute of British Architects China Chapter (RIBA), an Associate member of the American Institute of Architects Shanghai Chapter (Assoc. AIA), a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (SFHEA), and Distinguished Associate Professor of Wenzhou-Kean University Michael Graves College. His design, thinking, teaching and research, have been recognised through awards, exhibition and publication, and include first prizes in international open competition. David teaches in the School of Public Architecture masters programme, teaching an integration of architectural practice, theory, research, and sustainable-building-systems.
Email: dvardy@wku.edu.cn
WeChat: David_Vardy
Xu Jiayi / Kyra
WKDL Architectural Research Assistant (China)
Xu Jiayi graduated from the Wenzhou-Kean University Michael Graves College School of Public Architecture with a Bachelor of Arts in Architectural Studies, and with the highest GPA. Following graduation she gained experience in practice as an Architectural Assistant within a design institute, developing skills of architectural production, design, management and communication. She joined WKDL in 2022 as the first full-time Architectural Research Assistant to the lab, and is responsible for the daily operation of the labs projects and collaborations. She has an interest in the integration of artificial intelligence with future architectural practice.
Email: xujiayi@wku.edu.cn
Telephone: 15258681990
Zhao Weiyuhan / Stella
WKDL Research Assistant (China)
Zhao Weiyuhan graduated from the Wenzhou-Kean University College of Liberal Arts with a Bachelor of Arts in Communication (Public Relations). Following graduation she gained practical experience working across diverse fields. She joined WKDL in 2023 as the second full-time Research Assistant to the lab, and is responsible for the labs research, writing, publishing, and exhibition. She has an interest in design-research, exhibitions as research, and creative practice inquiry in architecture and design.
Email:
Telephone: 13002697217
Zhao Weiyuhan / Stella
WKDL Research Assistant (China)
Zhao Weiyuhan graduated from the Wenzhou-Kean University College of Liberal Arts with a Bachelor of Arts in Communication (Public Relations). Following graduation she gained practical experience working across diverse fields. She joined WKDL in 2023 as the second full-time Research Assistant to the lab, and is responsible for the labs research, writing, publishing, and exhibition. She has an interest in design-research, exhibitions as research, and creative practice inquiry in architecture and design.
Email:
Telephone: 13002697217
Li Yuchen / Kaia
WKDL Intern(China)
Li Yuchen is studying a BA Architectural Studies at the School of Public Architecture, Wenzhou-Kean University. She is undertaking a WKDL Internship as an Architectural Research Assistant within the lab, gaining practical and project-based experiences in architecture, design, and design-research. She intends to continue her studies in Hong Kong and to pursue a future career as a practicing Architect.
Email:1193864@wku.edu.cn
Telephone:13250971608
Chen Zhixuan / Xavier
WKDL Intern (China)
Chen Zhixuan is studying a BA Architectural Studies at the School of Public Architecture, Wenzhou-Kean University. He is undertaking a WKDL Internship as an Architectural Research Assistant within the lab, gaining practical and project-based experiences of architecture, design, and design-research. He is a member of the Wenzhou-Kean University Chapter of the American Institute of Architects Students (AIAS). He has an interest in sustainable architectural design and the relationship between people, nature and architecture.
Email:1235828@wku.edu.cn
Telephone: 13696861479
Zhang Weiyi / Ivy
WKDL Intern (China)
Weiyi Zhang is studying a BA Architectural Studies at the School of Public Architecture, Wenzhou-Kean University. She is undertaking a WKDL Internship as an Architectural Research Assistant within the lab, gaining practical and project-based experiences of architecture, design, and design-research. She had studied in Canada and gained experience in project-based architectural practice in previous internships. She intends to pursue a future career as a practicing architect.
Email:1196955@wku.edu.cn
Telephone: 13002697217
Fidelia Purnama
WKDL Intern (Indonesia)
Fidelia Purnama is studying a BA Graphic Design at the School of Design, Wenzhou-Kean University. She is undertaking a WKDL Internship as a Graphic Design Assistant, practicing both hard and soft skills needed for a career in design through real-life projects. She has interests in design for publishing and advertising.
Email:1235992@wku.edu.cn
Telephone:19817584343
Hua Jinbo / Ossian
WKDL Intern (China)
Hua Jinbo is studying a BA Architectural Studies at the School of Public Architecture, Wenzhou-Kean University. He is undertaking a WKDL Internship as an Architectural Research Assistant within the lab, gaining practical and project-based experiences of architecture, design, and design-research. He is a member of the Wenzhou-Kean University Chapter of the American Institute of Architects Students (AIAS). He has a interest in modern architecture and the relationship between culture and architecture as well as narrative architectural design.
Email:1234956@wku.edu.cn
Telephone: 15669953259
Acknowledgment of Contribution
Lin Yixuan/ Grace
Yuzhang Su/ Kyle
Yang Jiayi/ Lucas
Xuanrun Yi/ Eason
Siqi Xiong/ Vickey
Jinyu Li/ Vickey
Mengshi Yan
Tianyu Qiao
Li Zheng
Yuling Lu
Wang Xinyu/ Shipley
Xiaoyu Zhang/ Nancy
Ye Sun
Yu Feng