Alumna Tang Wei Showcases Thesis at International Design Exhibition in Taiwan

M.Arch alumna Ms Tang Wei (Class of 2024) has made NUS proud by being invited to exhibit her thesis project at the prestigious international showcase, ‘10X10｜A Hundred Visions Beyond 10 Perspectives’, in Kaohsiung, Taiwan. This exhibition highlights some of the most influential and award-winning works from recent years, featuring ten renowned domestic and international designers—each chosen by a ten-member jury panel representing four design disciplines—to foster inspiration and dialogue among emerging designers. The event is held in conjunction with the annual Youth Design Festival in Taiwan, the premier graduation showcase for the nation’s design students. This year’s festival features participation from 103 departments across 55 schools, with more than 1,200 works submitted.

“I’m glad that I participated in the International Exhibition of Architecture Graduation Design (IEAGD) in Taipei last year as suggested by Assoc Prof Tsuto Sakamoto. It was a great experience for me to engage with local students and broaden my horizons in architectural design, and it was there that my thesis—alongside another project from Japan—was recommended for the design exhibition by renowned Taiwanese architect Shu Chang Kung, who is one of the ten members of the jury panel. I am deeply honoured to have received this opportunity and to set up my work in Kaohsiung for this exhibition,” said Tang Wei.

Many cities owe their growth to periurban areas, yet these regions are often overlooked when considering urban development. Tang Wei’s thesis, supervised by Dr Victoria Marshall, explores the complexities of periurban communities—particularly how ecotourism, although seen as a catalyst for economic growth in Southeast Asia, can paradoxically lead to environmental degradation and inequality. Focusing on Bonjeruk, a village in Lombok, Indonesia, the project critiques the urbanising effects of ecotourism. Through the innovative use of local knowledge and operational drawing techniques, Tang Wei demonstrates how communities can challenge dominant narratives of urbanisation, proposing alternative, ecologically sensitive strategies for growth.

The project posed the question, “Whose future should be envisioned?” addressing local politics of landscapes, territory, and the human and nonhuman ecology. Thus, the periurban could be rethought as an independent yet connected ecology, reshaping urbanisation in cities and beyond.

If you’re in the area and interested in the intersection of design and urbanisation, you are strongly encouraged to visit this exhibition and experience these thought-provoking works firsthand. It runs from 1 May 2025 to 7 September 2025 at The Pier-2 Art Center, Warehouse C5, Kaohsiung. ‘10X10’ showcases ten distinct perspectives across various design fields, fostering intersection, dialogue, and creative challenges. Through this dynamic exchange, hundreds of unique design visions emerge. The exhibition features some of the most influential works by young designers in recent years—spanning graphic, spatial, industrial, and curated design. By presenting these works through ten different viewpoints, the exhibition redefines their impact and unleashes new levels of creative energy.

Find out more about the exhibition here: https://en.pier2.org/exhibition/info/1582/