Xidian Wang
Xidian Wang is a designer and researcher based in Cambridge and London. Her projects focus on feminist architectural design, minority representation, and spatial justice. She has a keen interest in interdisciplinary approaches and media. With an MPhil degree from the University of Cambridge, her graduate thesis project, "New Domesticity: The Shared Life of Low-Income Single Mother Families in Tokyo," conducted in Cambridge and Tokyo, won several awards and nominations, including the Azure AZ Awards and the RIBA Presidents Medal. She received her Bachelor of Architecture and Bachelor of Psychology from Tsinghua University, which shaped her perspective on the nuanced relationship between architectural spaces and people.
We live in a time when the unique textures of human experience are increasingly blurred, when the individuality that defines us fades into the background of a globalized world. Architectural models everywhere are populated by the same white human figures, a symbol of the homogenization driven by unequal power dynamics and the relentless spread of widespread cultural ideals. In this landscape, people are often reduced to mere data points—generalized, categorized, and stripped of their distinctiveness. Yet, I believe that architecture has the profound ability to resist this trend and to celebrate the beautiful distinctions that make us human.
Just as psychologists have moved beyond the oversimplifications of tests like the MBTI, I too have come to realize that architecture must engage deeply with the diverse realities of the people it serves. It is only through rigorous research and a commitment to understanding the nuanced lives of individuals and communities that design can truly speak for those who are underrepresented.
Central to my work is a commitment to feminist design, minority representation, and spatial justice. I am particularly interested in how architecture intersects with issues of gender and social equity, creating spaces that empower women, challenge societal norms, and address systemic inequalities. My projects often engage with underrepresented groups—victims of violence, displaced migrants, and those living on the margins of society—to explore how architecture can provide not just shelter, but opportunities for growth, connection, and empowerment.
My practice is deeply rooted in the belief that architecture is not just about creating structures; it is a catalyst for social change. By merging architectural design with insights from psychology, sociology, and environmental studies, I strive to craft environments that reflect our collective aspirations for a more equitable, inclusive, and suatainable world.
I believe in the power of participant observation as a methodology, immersing myself within the communities I design for. It's only through this deep, firsthand engagement that I can truly understand the needs, desires, and challenges of a specific group—or even a single individual. I strive to design environments that do more than just accommodate; I seek to craft spaces that resonate with the subtle connections and profound differences that define human life. In a world that often flattens complexity in favor of uniformity, my work challenges these trends, creating spaces where individuality is not just acknowledged but nurtured.
Through my projects, I aim to push the boundaries of what architecture can achieve, advocating for a practice that is as much about people as it is about buildings. I believe that by rethinking how we design and build, we can create spaces that not only meet immediate needs but also contribute to a more just and sustainable future.
Project Gallery
