2006 China Prize
Li Ning

My study plan for traveling is to do research in Western countries, especially Italy. The reasons why I chose Italy are as follows:

First and foremost, my graduate paper, which I am in the process of writing, requires some study about Italian rationalist architect Giuseppe Terragni. I have been interested in rationalism for a long time. Studies about Giuseppe Terragni’s work are lacking in China (from my point of view, because he was a Fascist architect). So, I hope that through my own research and study, others can have a better understanding of this talented architect who is recognized all over the world. It will be useful to my investigation to observe his buildings in person.

Second, traveling in Italy will also help my postgraduate phase of study. During my first year, I took part in “Traditional Architecture Reconstruction,” and during my second year I joined a group on “Urban Fabric Research in Beijing.” That work not only introduced me to ideas on how to remedy heritage building microcosmically but also gave me a deeper understanding and opportunity to reflect on the development of urban Beijing macroscopically. Furthermore, in the aspect of urban protection, Italy is no doubt advanced, as the historic centers of Rome, Naples, Siena, and Pienza (all World Heritage sites) are entirely the examples of my study.

Third, Italy is the cradle of Western architecture. Especially in the nineteenth century, Italy was almost the core of Western civilization. In Italy, there exists almost all the representative architectures in all the developing periods of Western architecture since ancient Greece times, all of which are precious heritage sites of world architecture.

Finally, futurism in the twentieth century, which originated in Italy, directly influenced a series of heralded activities in the 1960s, such as Superstudio and Archizoom. These groups imposed their influence on modern architects, for example Arata Isozaki and Rem Koolhaas. The ideology of Italian architecture had a profound influence on world architecture since ancient times until today. Therefore, it is necessary to deeply understand Italian culture and Italian ideology of architecture to better understand modern architecture.

My destinations of this travel plan can be divided into the following three parts:

1. Deep investigation of the work of Giuseppe Terragni and other rationalistic architects of the period
2. Study of Italy’s architectural heritage
3. Investigation of some modern Italian architects and their work