MArch/BLA/MLA/MUP/MAUD Options Studio fieldwork report: The Urban-Industrial Complex, Re-envisioning the China-Singapore Suzhou Industrial Park, Suzhou

From 24 February to 1 March 2025, the Suzhou option studio engaged in fieldwork led by Koon Wee and Jason Ang Kwang Lin. The one week visit included excursions to Shanghai arts hubs, local companies, Suzhou Industrial Park (SIP, 苏州工业区), and a workshop co-hosted by Xi’an Jiaotong Liverpool University (XJTLU, 西交利物浦大学). The fieldwork locations were planned entirely by students, who come from our architecture, landscape, planning and urban design programs.

The studio spent the first two days in Shanghai, exploring the arts area of the M+ Creative Hub, Bridge 8 Art Space (八号桥艺术空间), and the up-and-coming West Bund arts industrial area. This experience allowed for the interdisciplinary character of the studio to flourish, enabling each student to discuss ideas with each other in place. Next, the studio visited industrial partners, Marie Art Supply R&D and Production Factory (上海马利画材股份有限公司研发生产基地). These companies provided the students with an insight into the production and business practices within companies of various scales. Guest lectures were kindly conducted during the visit to Neri&Hu Design & Research Office (如恩设计). They gave a brief introduction of past projects, providing the students with an opportunity to interact with local design professionals and understand the design and construction perspectives of each project. Lastly, a guided tour within Singapore-owned, Ascendas Xinsu Business Park (腾飞新苏工业坊) allowed students to understand the inner workings of a modern-day industrial park.

In sum, the Suzhou Industrial Park is an important site for learning as it was constructed with both Chinese and Singaporean expertise. Many of its urban typologies and spaces have been adapted from Singapore planning practices. Through fieldwork, the students came to understand the unique relationship between Suzhou and Singapore.