Yi Qian

In 2024, the CREDAWARD has completed its ninth year, and I am fortunate to once again participate in the jury for the tenth edition. As someone who has been part of this journey for a decade, I feel both gratified and concerned. From our initial hopes for real estate design to today’s sense of mission, with the collective support and efforts of all colleagues, CREDAWARD has became a guiding light in the industry, setting the direction for design development.

We have never forgotten our original aspirations, and this platform always opens a window for us to see the future. It also opens a door for us to embrace all ambitious builders and fellow professionals worldwide, contributing to the grand goal of China’s modernization.

Here is a stage for communication, learning, progress, and hard work. It’s also a safe haven for us to reflect and sum up experiences. In the current context of real estate regulation policies, we must always remember our mission and responsibility, fully understanding that “houses are for living in, not for speculation.”

After many years of ups and downs in the real estate market, we have accumulated a wealth of experience and tempered our determination. This has led to the maturation of our design standards and philosophies. In the midst of the market’s regulatory environment, let us slow down, focus, and continue to deliver excellent works for the benefit of consumers.

I hope that through the CREDAWARD, we will further integrate Chinese cultures and ideas into Western ones, carry forward the traditional Chinese culture, promote the healthy development of real estate industry in China, expand communicating scope in the professional fields, and actively guide the direction of mainstream development of real estate products, contribute a positive effort for Chinese people to live in eco–friendly and high–quality houses and to enjoy a better life.

The success or failure of real estate development hinges on “two ends”:

“One end” refers to the initial stages of the project, including land acquisition, positioning, and design. Design plays a crucial role in guiding the overall direction and core aspects of the project.

“The other end” pertains to the market sales value. This reflects the ultimate outcome and financial success of the project in the market.

A real estate architect not only fulfills the role of design but also needs to grasp the entire real estate industry chain, and sometimes even the urban development process. Compared to architects or designers in regular design firms, real estate architects shoulder more extensive responsibilities and obligations.

I hope that through the CREDAWARD, we will further integrate Chinese cultures and ideas into Western ones, carry forward the traditional Chinese culture, promote the healthy development of real estate industry in China, expand communicating scope in the professional fields, and actively guide the direction of mainstream development of real estate products , contribute a positive effort for Chinese people to live in eco–friendly and high–quality houses and to enjoy a better life.

Reform and Opening-Up have brought about 40 years of development in China’s real estate sector. Through housing system reforms and multiple rounds of market regulation, China has established a comprehensive market system in the real estate industry. It can be said that the achievements in China’s economic development have been contributed to by the real estate industry, and economic growth has also promoted the enhancement of China’s real estate industry system. Facing the complex and ever-changing global situation and economic challenges, China’s real estate sector is at a crossroads as it enters a new normal. In response to the development issues it faces, we need to study and understand the guidance and principles provided by the Party and the country for the real estate industry, adhering to the principle that “housing is for living, not for speculation.” We should grasp the trends and directions of real estate development and fully understand that achieving common prosperity is the overarching goal of our society after the 20th National Party Congress.

I recommend that we start researching the future housing and lifestyle needs of the middle-income group in an olive-shaped social structure. We should continuously improve the industrialization of residential construction technology, establish a complete independent housing industrialization system, and work on filling gaps. With increasing economic downturn pressure and financial regulation, it is suggested to continue to focus on projects related to old city renovation, urban renewal, sponge cities, green industries, and new rural planning. Especially, we should innovate and enhance design capabilities in the fields of green environmental protection, ergonomics, smart homes, community-based elderly care, public healthcare, comprehensive logistics, community neighborhood centers, and new retail formats.

Through eight sessions of the CREDAWARD’s evaluation, I feel that the level of work by our country’s designers is continually improving. Especially in the areas of large-scale commercial complexes, residential planning, and landscape design, we have fully aligned with international standards and even surpassed them in terms of ideology. However, we should also recognize that there are still gaps and challenges in the industrialization system of construction, such as the application of new construction materials, construction technology levels, and technology transfer, compared to developed countries. We need to have cultural confidence as well as a crisis awareness.

We must continuously strive to integrate our design works closely with Chinese cultural connotations. In moments of crisis, our designers must endure solitude, immerse themselves in research, and embrace our profession with the spirit of relentless dedication, appreciating the cultural, regional, and spiritual aspects of architectural works.

Each generation has its own mission and responsibilities. Let us contribute to the development of China’s real estate sector through the platform of the CREDAWARD.