Our case analysis was sent on multicultural life. We are two architects invited to design for the 15th National Game Venues for People's Republic of China. China. I'm Li Wei, an architect born and raised in China. Architecture is an expression of values. I value Chinese traditional culture. I'm Liu Ming. After finishing my studies in the United States, I'm now returned to China to work as an architect to ensure the international standard of the event.

We've also invited a world-class American architect. Hi, I'm Karen, an American architect. To me, architecture is the mirror of life. I focus on efficiency and practicality. Alright, alright, without further ado, let's get the work started. First, let's talk about the athlete's dormitory. I propose that every athlete should have a private room with an en suite bathroom. US venues prioritize privacy. Athletes need space to to relax alone after training. This is personal boundary, no negotiation.

Yeah, but China is different. Look at the picture. China's courtyard. The courtyard unifies the family with public place. If athletes go back alone and live in separate rooms, how to build team cohesion? Cooking noodles and chatting is what a team should be, so we should add shared lunch. But share space with efficiency. Athletes need to train from day to night. When do they have time for small talks?

Well, Karen values privacy to respect individuals. Li Wei wants share space to unite the team. How about private bedrooms plus share a tea station? It protects privacy and allows casual chats without losing efficiency. A tea station doesn't take up much space. I think it works. And in the tea station, we can add white and blue porcelains on it, adding Chinese flavor.

Yeah. Next, I'd like to go to the construction site to verify some details. Shall we? Yeah, let's go. Wow, what a huge venue. Thank you. It reminds me of the Michigan Stadium in America. Okay, now for the spectator zone. We need straight channels.

US venues calculate crowd flow to avoid conjecture. Yeah, but Guangzhou is the city of flowers. So I want to set up a roundabout with the lotus patterns in the middle of the channel. When spectators go around, they can feel the local cultures of the host city up close. Without it, the stadium is just like a concrete box. But their roundabout will cause conjectures.

It delays evacuation in emergencies. We can't sacrifice safety for symbolism. Why not combine the flower with an arch? Shape the floral arrangement into an arch and place it around entrance just like a door frame. This design not only guarantees efficient crowd movements, but also presents an unmistakable emblem of local culture.

Right. It shows the flower city and doesn't block the way. And no extra steps. It works. Now let go this way and check on the competition zone After discussing about athlete dorm and spectator room I truly believe we will cross the threshold of understanding each other cultural backgrounds and design philosophies. Yes, look at these safety signs on the wall.

They are clear to recognize and fully up to the international standards. But I couldn't help but think, they are missing out the cultural soul that Li Wei talked about, all function, no warmth. Yeah, Karen, you are right. That's what has also been on my mind. At the beginning, I just want to add the cultural elements directly, like painting lotus patterns or sticking Canton Tower posters.

But if we do so, the safety sign will be overshadowed, and it will go against the safety principle and the practicality you value so much. Ah, it's really a tough sport. Wait, but that's exactly why I'm so glad that you are no longer moving in parallel lines. Both of you are considering each other's priorities and not just sticking to your own ideas.

Wait a second. I have an idea. What if we use a recheckable screen printed with low-tidness and canton tower? That's brilliant! During competition, we can roll it up and slide it aside. Then it won't block the safety signs and exits. And when the game is off, we lower it down in front of the wall. It will keep the safety sign intact and add the Chinese and cultural warmth that we want.

And that's a win-win! After consistent efforts for several months, here comes to the opening ceremony. Good job!

What a beautiful melody! It's so soft and serene! Siren is Jasmine Flower, a classic Chinese traditional folk song. Jasmine Flower is a perfect example of cross-culture communication. It's originally a Chinese folk song, but it's played in different versions around the world and loved by people of all cultures.

Goethe once says, architecture is frozen music. The three sets of design we'll be adjusting these days are just like this song, not keeping culture to itself, but letting it blind and be accepted. First, let's talk about privacy versus community in the athlete's dorm. Karen, could you tell us how this design fits the theory?

Of course, this reflects Hofty's individualism versus collectivism dimension. We keep American individualism to expand personal boundary and integrate with Chinese collectivism to build team cohesion. So private bedroom plus shared tea station is the perfect combination of the two cultures. Exactly. This balance is perfect.

Now, let's talk about best practicality versus Chinese symbolism. Li Wei, could you tell us why symbols like lotuses are not unnecessary decorations? Of course, practicality focuses on functions. But traditional symbols are the inference of cultural identity Guangzhou is a city of flowers and the cloud arc have some flower elements Lotus is a kind of symbol of Chinese traditions We do not just place them here we blend them with American efficiency Just like the Chinese courtyard, which are both useful and have some cultural and local characteristics.

That's right. Your dedication to weaving in Chinese traditional culture isn't just about aesthetics. is about giving the venue soul. And the retractable screen in the competition zone is the best example of culture localization, not moving elements blindly but adapting them. That's true. We initially thought of painting lotus or sticking Canton Tower posters directly on the wall. That's like seeing jasmine flower in only one way. But the retractable screen is like moving it into the venue seamlessly. We can roll it up during competitions to ensure safety and lower it down after competition to add cultural warmth. Localization is not just about placing cultural elements dogmatically, it's about letting them fit

seamlessly into the new context. Just like the retractable screens, it doesn't block the safety sign so it fits into the main function of the stadium, meanwhile keeping cultural elements. In fact, Li Wei and Karen's different sets of cultural backgrounds have never been a matter of choosing one or the other. Practicality is the bone of value, supporting safety and efficiency.

Symbolism is the soul of the value, hiding the charm of Guangzhou. Neither can be missing. So, it is neither a Chinese design nor an American design. It is a cultural bridge. We use theories to understand differences and we turn differences into cultural highlights. The 15th National Game Venue. Born from differences, made for everyone.

Thank you.