On the evening of December 1, 2018, The Peninsula Shanghai on the Bund was bathed in brilliant lights and graced with distinguished guests. The grand award ceremony for the 2018 Architectural Design Awards by the American Institute of Architects (AIA) Shanghai Chapter was held here. More than 360 architects, critics and industry guests from across the globe gathered to witness this glorious moment for China’s architectural community.

The jury panel for this year’s awards boasted an illustrious lineup, comprising 9 internationally renowned experts including the preeminent American architectural critic Reed Kroloff and German architect Regine Leibinger. From 160 shortlisted entries submitted from the Greater China region, the jury ultimately selected 27 nominated works to compete for awards in 7 categories: Public Architecture, Commercial Architecture, Residential Architecture, Historic Architecture, Unbuilt Projects, Urban Planning, and Interior Design.

Among them, Behind the Cloth, a work by Liu Weibing, Principal Architect of Chengdu-based Dawei Architectural Design, was awarded the grand prize in the Unbuilt Architecture category for its profound cultural heritage and innovative spatial narrative.

The Behind the Cloth project is located at No.21 Buhou Street, Jinjiang District, Chengdu, a renovation case of an old courtyard compound covering a floor area of 3,558 square meters. Rooted in the historical lineage of the backyard of the Provincial Administration Commissioner’s Office of the Qing Dynasty, the project preserves the urban cultural texture while reinterpreting the renewal path of Sichuan’s architectural culture through a contemporary design language. Rejecting fleeting design trends, it organically integrates tradition and modernity, industry and culture, aiming to create a composite cultural space that blends creativity, art and daily life into one cohesive whole.

In his acceptance speech, Liu Weibing stated: "Architecture should be a vessel of time, embracing the memories of the past, the vibrancy of the present and the hopes for the future." Precisely through the interpretation and reconstruction of the historical layers of the old courtyard, Behind the Cloth weaves culture, art and fashion creativity into a space imbued with the unique charm of Chengdu, unleashing the expressive tension of contemporary art within a traditional structural framework.

As a representative architect who has long practiced the philosophy of "integrating architecture with culture", Liu Weibing attached paramount importance to the continuation of urban context and the expression of humanistic spirit in the design of Behind the Cloth. Centering on Sichuan culture, he preserved and innovated the courtyard layout to reshape a new landmark that embodies artistic quality, market value and traditional significance. This not only breathes new life into the historic building but also passes on the spirit of the place.

Founded in 1857 and headquartered in Washington, D.C., the American Institute of Architects (AIA) is one of the world’s most influential professional organizations in the architectural field. Established in September 2014, AIA Shanghai Chapter is one of the 7 AIA chapters outside the United States, dedicated to providing a platform for exchange and learning for architects practicing in China and advancing higher standards of design and professionalism.

The AIA Honor Award is hailed as a top-tier accolade in the architectural industry, with winning works across its seven categories representing the highest level of architectural creation in the respective year. Dawei Architectural Design’s triumph at this award not only demonstrates the international influence of China’s local architectural design strength but also brings world-renowned glory to architectural creation in southwest China.