Dian Li has a background in product design degree in Southeast University, China. With one year’s working experience in landscape and interior design, he continued to explore the relationship between people, Architecture, and the environment in his graduate study. His enthusiasm is to design public buildings in rural regions to support the local economy and revive the local culture.
Architecture as The Third Teacher for Left-behind Children in Rural China, 2020
Pop-up Libraries for Children around Traditional Opera Stage, 2020
Ceramic modular model, 2020
Thesis Statement
Left-behind children in rural China have been a social issue since this past decade. The growing population of migrant workers split time between distant cities and the rural farming areas from which they came to secure wages in a rapidly changing world. Their children, without the necessary support and education, suffer great disadvantages. From the inadequacy of education to the stability of parental engagement and the psychological and mental health consequences that accompany, as a result, it is necessary for these children to receive the proper and equal education, family support, and environment as their metropolitan counterparts.
The proposal for left-behind children is a series of pop-up libraries consisting of several modular units. They will serve as a shared place for gathering, a hub, and an incubator of social interaction. A potential type of location will be adjacent to the traditional opera theatre. As many of these old folk buildings are endangered, bringing children’s activities to the site will also bring new life to these heritages of the village. On the other hand, the old building will help children regain confidence in their local culture.