Collaboration

The FourC Challenge: Embracing the Future with Design and, Creating a Green Habitat Life 

—— the 2023 FourC Challenge 24-hour Charrette Contest was successfully held, attracting more than 200 students from 50 universities from around the world.

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From June 10 to 11, the 2023 FourC Challenge 24-hour Charrette Contest by the School of Design of Shanghai Jiao Tong University kicked off with both online and offline content. The competition attracted more than 200 students from 50 top universities from across the world, including the Imperial College of London, the Royal College of Art, New York University, Cornell University, TU Delft, National University of Singapore, Hong Kong University, Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Southeast University, Tongji University, Tianjin University, the China Academy of Fine Arts and Shanghai Jiao Tong University. Participants included undergraduate and graduate students from design, architecture and landscape architecture as well as students with interdisciplinary backgrounds such as environmental science, cultural and creative media. In addition, a number of experts and scholars in the fields of architecture, landscape and industrial design were invited to give keynote speeches, offer guidance during the process, and provide interactive reviews. Students from all over the world met online collaborating across multiple disciplines with a production collision of cross-cultural backgrounds providing rich ingredients for their designs. Through innovative design thinking, teachers and students thought about design changes in the post-pandemic era, conceptualizing a community embracing a shared future for mankind. The meaning and connotation of the design actively demonstrated the responsibility of contemporary young generations.

At the opening ceremony, Prof. Luo Peng, Director of International Affairs Division, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Guo Liang, Deputy Director of International Affairs Division, Ms. Zhang Dandan, CPC chair of Shanghai Jiao Tong School of Design, Mr. Wang Chong, vice dean for student affairs, Prof. Cao Yongkang, Vice Dean for external affairs, Prof. Chen Ruishan, Vice Dean for research, Prof. Chang Danni, Vice Dean for education, Shanghai Jiao Tong School of Design, and over 200 faculties and students from more than 50 universities around the world attended. In addition, scholars and experts from more than 20 well-known domestic and foreign institutions and institutions were also invited to attend this event and serve as mentors and jury. The opening ceremony was presided over by Dr. Zhang Zhan,  Director of the IIDE program at Shanghai Jiao Tong School of Design. The entire competition was live streamed simultaneously on both the Voov meeting and Bilibili platforms.

Professor LUO Peng, gave an opening speech. He considered how internationalization has always been a distinctive character of Shanghai Jiao Tong. In recent years, the University has been committed to building a more active, diversified, powerful, and influential “Global SJTU” strategic plan and launched various programs focusing on the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals.

Professor CAO Yongkang delivered his opening remarks. He mentioned the FourC Challenge is a name-brand design competition carrying with it a distinctive Shanghai Jiao Tong character, and this brand might not have been able to be conceived without the huge support of the International Affairs division of the University, as well as the university’s 40 strategic partnerships, academic societies, and various social connections. He also expressed his sincere appreciation to all the experts for their presence and support.

Theme of the contest  -- "ReNewal"

By 2050, 70% of the world’s population will be living in urban areas. Therefore, sustainable urbanization and the promotion of ecological civilization through the goals of establishing peaks for carbon emissions and carbon neutrality have become top priorities. Accelerating green ecology is the most important and urgently needed focus for urban construction in the future. While urban residents’ demand for material culture is increasing, their requirements for urban environmental protection and ecological livability will also reach a higher level. Promoting sustainable development and creating a livable and workable living environment requires joint efforts. In the post-pandemic era, we are in is a future both tense and evolving. Each of is involved, and all of us can make a difference. The FourC Challenge hopes that by convening together young people from all over the world, we can connect with each other and jointly use the power of design to achieve a more sustainable future, and bring together young individuals from different nationalities and backgrounds to propose innovative, scientific, forward-thinking, and sustainable design solutions.

As urbanization sweeps across the globe, cities are grappling with a host of issues ranging from traffic jams to the scarcity of housing, and crumbling infrastructure. Simultaneously, fresh challenges, such as climate change, demographic shifts, and resource depletion, are looming large. Hence, there is an urgent need to construct communities that are inclusive, secure, and sustainable. We urge universities worldwide to unite and leverage design and cutting-edge technology to support the cause of sustainable community development and envisage a future that is sustainable for human habitation.

Topic of the contest  -- "HOME"

“HOME” is the title of this year’s competition. In the future, our new living environment will be comprised of highly intelligent systems, such as smart home appliances, intelligent healthcare and caregiving, and autonomous driving, which will shape our physical living space. Additionally, AI, 5G, robots, and other technologies will enable us to create a virtual living space. Also, there is a possibility of fusing  physical and virtual space into a unified home. How can we include more people in this home without them being negatively impacted by a digital divide?

Based on the inclusive themes of physical homes, virtual homes, or the fusion of both, students were required to conduct interactive design, product design, service design, architectural design, or environmental design.

专业大咖齐聚，共话永续设计

The four keynote speakers at the opening ceremony of this year were: Michele Bonino, Vice Rector of Polytechnic University of Turin; HUA Ying, Associate Professor from College of Human Ecology, Cornell University and the Academic Director of Cornell China Center; Zhou Hongtao, Professor and Vice Dean of Shanghai International College of Design and Innovation Tongji University, and Liu Hung-Chih, Senior Vice President of AECOM, Leader for Strategy & Development and Cities Market Sector in China. They delivered keynote speeches titled “INDUSTRIAL RENEWALS”, “Renewal: A Process to Engage and Co-create”, “/lab” and “Exploring A New Paradigm on Urban Space ReNewal”.

Keynote Speech"INDUSTRIAL RENEWALS" by Prof. Michele Bonino,Vice Rector of Polytechnic University of Turin

Professor Bonino shared many of his designs for architectural renewal in China from the perspective of industrial renewal. Industrial renewal is not only the transformation of buildings and infrastructure, but also a comprehensive project involving social, economic, environmental and cultural aspects. In the implementation process, it is important to balance the needs of different stakeholders and ensure that the renovated area provides a better living environment and development opportunities from a humanistic and social perspective.

Keynote Speech"Renewal: A process to engage and co-create" by Associate Prof. Hua Ying, Human Centered Design, College of Human Ecology, Director of Cornell China Center, Cornell University

Professor Hua Ying highlighted the crucial role of collaborative innovation in urban renewal. By engaging community residents, and other stakeholders who are among the ultimate beneficiaries of urban renewal, and involving them in the process, sustainable community planning practices can be adopted, considering aspects such as resource conservation, energy efficiency, and environmental protection. Through collaborative innovation design, urban renewal can better achieve social, economic, and environmental sustainability.

Keynote Speech"/lab" by Prof. Zhou Hongtao, Vice Dean of Shanghai International College of Design and Innovation, Tongji University

Professor Zhou described an exciting design innovation practice laboratory based on personal experiences. Through diverse co-creation, the integration of diverse thinking and innovative concepts, and an emphasis on unconventional and novel design, he advocates for "getting hands-on" and encourages participation and co-creation to drive urban renewal towards a more interesting, inclusive, innovative, and sustainable direction.

Keynote Speech "Exploring A New Paradigm on Urban Space ReNewal" by Mr. Liu Hung-Chih, Senior vice president of AECOM

Mr. Liu proposed using design and operations to enhance the productivity of urban spaces from the perspective of public services and the basic social foundations of public services. Through multidimensional design and operations of urban spaces, he aims to promote the strong flow and large circulation of resource elements. He believes that public spaces can become crucial urban assets to improve the spatial economic system, and innovative and updated design paths can create operational conditions for the assetization of public spaces.

Dr. Zhang Zhan introduced the competition rules, evaluation methods, and award settings. The competition was held in a Make-a-thon format, with each participating group conducting online live streaming creative design around the theme within 24 hours, and communicating in English throughout the entire process. The selection process adopted the methods of video presentation of achievements and online evaluation, and the competition judges comprehensively evaluated the innovation, completeness, and feasibility of the works based on factors such as innovative characteristics. The competition awards were divided into one grand prize group, two first prize groups, three second prize groups, and several winning prizes, with a total prize amount of nearly 100000 Yuan.

竞赛结果——留个悬念，上交会UNIDO DAY见！

On the morning of the 11th, after a 24-hour design marathon, all the teams finished and submitted their work to the review session. After two rounds of intensive comprehensive assessment, including Panel Presentation, Expert Q & A, comments and assessment, the first 12 winning teams and works were selected. 

（按团队序号排序）

项目名称：SHELLTER

参赛团队：Team 02 - Semijourney

参赛组员

23007   陈  程    皇家艺术学院（RCA）

23034   Lucky John TUTOR   香港科技大学（广州）

23053   张一乔  东南大学

23251   余晓菲  湖南大学

23077   成  帅  上海交通大学

项目名称：HomeyMobile

参赛团队：Team 04 - HUNDREDED

参赛组员

23030   Haotian Xue  美国雪城大学

23044   朱玲玉  同济大学

23059   舒欣宜  湖南大学

23188   姚  畅  上海交通大学

23235   王渊致  康奈尔大学

项目名称：E-TOGETHER: Conceptual Community Emotional Hub System Design

参赛团队：Team 06 - Wonder Youngers

参赛组员

23011   贾文琪  澳门科技大学

23057   任柯宇  湖南大学

23072   袁玉倩  江南大学

23205   吴雅婷  中国美术学院

项目名称：EvoPet: Your Personalized Interactive Companion

参赛团队：Team 13 - Shangri-La

参赛组员

23022   李  响  香港理工大学

23050   HU Shuying  东南大学

23074   郭行健  江南大学

23093   袁  易  东华大学

23244   何  艺  北京航空航天大学

项目名称：BOOP-BREAK THE LOOP

参赛团队：Team 14 - 3LY

参赛组员

23028   卢箫心  香港理工大学

23029   刘芯妤  法国南特大西洋设计学院

23041   杨梦石  同济大学

23054   刘凌逸  湖南大学

项目名称：Connectopia

参赛团队：Team 20 - AIII

参赛组员

23051   鲁赛楠  东南大学

23089   洪铭锟  北京航空航天大学

23115   凤羽佳  华东理工大学

23198   程  方  上海交通大学

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项目名称：Demnestia

参赛团队：Team 23 - Domnestia

参赛组员

23091   李冰倩  北京航空航天大学

23125   刘孟庭  广州美术学院

23216   王晓笑  东南大学

23239   徐思张  上海交通大学

项目名称：Family caretaker

参赛团队：Team 30 - Collaborative Catalysts

参赛组员

23179   金澄扬  湖南大学

23201   张心怡  上海交通大学

23206   陈楚怡  中国美术学院

项目名称：Community Nature AR Kids Games

参赛团队：Team 32 - WEEKEND LAB

​参赛组员

23148   柳艳辰  哈尔滨工业大学

23162   马齐晨  南方科技大学

23175   赵敏 广州美术学院

23247   张延 浙江理工大学

项目名称：EVERGREEN MEMORY

参赛团队：Team  33 - 33 is 33

​参赛组员

23107   秦泽普  西南交通大学

23127   孙  瑞  上海交通大学

23150   胡佳乐  哈尔滨工业大学

23177   刘雨杉  北京林业大学

项目名称：YANOMAMI-Third World Child Health and Growth Care Center

参赛团队：Team  37 - 4 Teens

​参赛组员

23210   于秀佳  中国美术学院

23171   朱有玉  上海交通大学

23242   任梓心  同济大学

23245   叶殊祺  北京航空航天大学

项目名称：Starkids Planet

参赛团队：Team  39 - LZWZ

​参赛组员

23068   吕若煊  江南大学

23082   詹安逸  合肥学院

23145   王楚睿  上海交通大学

23172   张春辉  广州美术学院

最终竞赛结果将在2023年6月16日FourC Challenge闭幕颁奖典礼暨第九届中国(上海)国际技术进出口交易会UNIDO DAY联合国工发主题日上现场公布并颁奖。请以上12组获奖团队成员填写线下颁奖报名链接（可点击“阅读原文”查看）。

By the midday of the 11th, after a 24-hour continuous design marathon, the works of all groups have successfully completed the online submission, and finished public review session. The final results of the competition will be announced and presented on the spot at UNIDO DAY at the 2023 China International Technology Fair as well as the FourC Challenge Award & Closing Ceremony on June 16.