Prof. Shu-Chang Kung

Professor Shu-Chang Kung studied architecture and design at the Harvard Graduate School of Design and in 1997 established AURA Architects & Associates in Taipei. He is currently professor at the Institute of Architecture of National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University (NYCU), Taiwan, and a co-head of the Public Service Design department of Taiwan Design Research Institute (TDRI). He won the 8th Outstanding Architect Award of the Republic of China in 2007 and was the winner of the 24th Taipei Culture Award in 2020. His works have received many international awards. Shu-Chang Kung has represented Taiwan at the Hong Kong & Shenzhen Bi-City Biennale of Urbanism/Architecture and at the Next-Gene 20 of the 11th International Architecture Biennale in Venice, both in 2008. He was also the chief curator of the Taipei Pavilion at the Hong Kong & Shenzhen Bi-City Biennale of Urbanism/Architecture 2011/2012, the Harvest Blessings Pavilion at the 2018 Taichung World Flora Exposition and 2021 & 2022 Creative Expo Taiwan.  

Red Dot: What characterises good spatial communication?
Shu-Chang Kung: Good spatial communication comes from good storytelling. It has to profoundly touch people and change our future for the better.

How has this design field changed in recent years?
Recently, I was deeply moved by a series of diverse and outstanding works that integrated interdisciplinary thinking from creative technologies with human sensibilities to respond to the critical challenges the environment and our society face.

Where do you expect to see the greatest changes in future design degree courses?
The most important future challenge for design is to maintain the essence of human sensibility and interactions.