Yale student Glenn Albrecht (right) presents his project to a panel that includes Patrick Lau (left), head of the architecture department at the University of Hong Kong.

Architects in training tackle Shanghai project in China Studio

A unique collaborative program challenging students from the School of Architecture, Hong Kong University and Tongji University in Shanghai to come up with a redevelopment plan for a riverside district in Shanghai had its grand finale this week at Yale when students presented their plans for the renovation. The program focused on the redevelopment of a declining industrial area along the Suzhou Creek, at the northern edge of Shanghai's center. Students were asked to take into consideration the historical, commercial and environmental context of the neighborhood; its relation to the whole city and local traditions, as well as global trends in urban development. The China Studio was set up as a semester-long venture. Beginning this fall, a team of 10 Yale architecture students began an in-depth study of the designated site, concentrating on -- among other relevant themes -- the role rivers play in various cities around the world. Their counterparts in Hong Kong and Shanghai did similar work at the same time. In October the Yale team, accompanied by Architecture School Dean Robert Stern and Professor Alan Plattus, the program coordinator, traveled to Hong Kong to meet and discuss their project with the other students in the program. In addition to taking tours of the city and attending lectures and workshops connected to their program, the New Haven delegation was feted by the Yale Club of Hong Kong. Joined by students and faculty from the University of Hong Kong, the Yale group continued to Shanghai for a "live" view of a city most of them only knew virtually. Here they and the Shanghai students reviewed the site slated for development and exchanged ideas in a mid-term review. In the final event of this semester's program, students and faculty from Hong Kong University joined the Yale students in New Haven the week of Dec. 6 for a review and juried critique of their proposals. Alternating pairs of Chinese and Yale students took turns presenting their scale models and two-dimensional plans to a jury that included Stern, Plattus and Yale faculty Sheila de Bretteville and Michael Haverland; visitors Deborah Gans and Andrea Kahn; and Leslie Lu and Patrick Lau from the University of Hong Kong's department of architecture. The Suzhou Creek Corridor, the district of Shanghai to be developed, includes a wholesale rice market, small self-contained factory "towns" encapsulating residential buildings and the riverfront itself. The area is ringed by a group of high-rise apartment towers that ring the study area. In developing their projects, the students were challenged to consider both the abstract concepts that underlie all efforts at urban redevelopment -- private vs. public space, preservation vs. demolition of old structures and vertical vs. horizontal expansion -- as well as the area's unique characteristics. "Let's not forget that there are real people living there," Sheila de Bretteville, chair of the graphic arts department, reminded one student. Her comment elicited a lively discussion among jury members about some of the perplexing and paradoxical issues architects grapple with as they consider the construction of urban dwellings. "We have this sentimental idea of happy people living in four-story houses," Stern said. "But the reality can be quite different. "Look at Coop City," he commented, referring to a high-tower complex of residential apartments on the outskirts of New York City. "It looks awful to us, but given where the people were coming from, they're pretty happy there." Addressing the issue of an extremely tight housing market, Yale student Glenn Albrecht conceded in his presentation that he "moved the river a little bit to gain space" for residential buildings. Whether or not he gets to realize his plan is academic at this point. When asked whether any of the proposals put forth by the participants in the China Studio might come to fruition, Leslie Lu expressed the hope that Shanghai's urban planners would at least consider some of the plans. -- By Dorie Baker T H I SW E E K ' SS T O R I E S Yale boasts three Rhodes Scholars Bulldog coach, players cited for championship season Interior Secretary will push to expand U.S. parks Finding sheds new light on the alphabet's origins Squash courts refurbished with alumnus' gift Sons' gift establishes visiting professorship Mandelbrot is appointed Sterling Professor Former YSN dean is new master of Silliman College McCain vows to reform government, military as president Gary Hart warns of impending attack on U.S. mainland Exhibit features children's books by Connecticut authors Art Gallery exhibit explores mysterious prints Students' new creation protects children from loaded handguns Former tennis star wins prestigious Silver Anniversary Award Former Bulldog urges Bears to enjoy life off playing field Film expert's book tells of 'Scrooges' past and present Architects in training tackle Shanghai project in China Studio Nathan Jacobson, noted for work in abstract algebra, dies Sheffield Fellow to discuss 'Internet Learning' Community invited to help build labyrinth Study questions who is choosing oophorectomy option Grant from HHMI will support graduate education in sciences Talks will explore relationship between faith and science Sights of the Season Security Procedures for Recess . . . 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