Editors’ Choice

2018 Skyscraper Competition
He Jianqiao

China

Socialist Zygmunt Bauman introduced the idea of liquid modernity; he described its characteristics as ?increasing feelings of uncertainty and the privatization of ambivalence?. It is a kind of chaotic continuation of modernity, where a person can shift from one social position to another in a fluid manner. Nomadism becomes a general trait of the ‘liquid modern’ man as he flows through his own life like a tourist, changing places, jobs, spouses, values and sometimes more?such as political or sexual orientation?excluding himself from traditional networks of support, while also freeing himself from the restrictions or requirements those networks impose. Take the modern China as an example, its status quo of society accords with the descriptions accurately, 50% urbanization rate is far below saturation point and thus, enormous vacancy exists for half billion people converting their identity from farmer to worker. Due to the regional revenue discrepancy and family-gathering tradition, the largest scale human transmigrant tide in history is happening annually during Chinese Spring Festival. Together with the property right redistribution and reform brought by IT companies such as Airbnb or Uber, the world is turning into a deeper degree at liquid modernity for a certainty. Meanwhile, architects in this era should cease being tools for capitals or utilizing architecture as a shelter or bastion fo...