Tune in to PATALKS #54, where we discussed with Winka Dubbeldam, the co-founder of Archi-Tectonics and the Chair of Weitzman Architecture at the University of Pennsylvania, her journey in architecture, recent projects, and the role of architects in future cities.
Almost 30 years ago, Dubbeldam founded her architectural office called Archi-Tectonics, which operates globally and across all building types. In the meantime, Archi-tectonics has headquarters in New York, Amsterdam, and Hangzhou in China, the latter resulting from their masterplan for the Asian Games in Hangzhou – big projects are often used by architectural offices to expand and develop new headquarters.
There is the Asian Games Hybrid Stadium / Concert Hall, which is the 365,000 sf Table Tennis Stadium with 6,000 seats. They designed this hybrid inspired by the region’s heritage, the Cong, to become a destination not only for the Games themselves but for residents and guests from around Asia long after they end.
And there is Valley Village Shopping, Archi-Tectonics won this invited competition for the 2023 Asian Games in Hangzhou, China. The project faced three major challenges. First, it had to transform a barren 1.6-kilometer site bisected by a major road into an active public landscape. Second, the design had to offer facilities tailor-made for the Games events that would remain useful after they ended, as well as a 30,000 sf fitness center and community center. Third, it had to set the course for sustainable, ecologically conscious development in Hangzhou, one of China’s densest and fastest-growing cities.
Hosted by Hamid Hassanzadeh, founder and creative director of PA, the PA Talks interview series brings together the brightest minds in architecture and design. These captivating conversations explore the lives, careers, and visions for the future of these individuals.
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