Paradigm shift: a case study of transnational collaboration for a high-profile design competition in Shanghai, China

Abstract

The topic of this paper centers on the paradigm shift in transnational design collaboration for high-profile design competitions which are fiercely contested in major Chinese cities. In view of the fact that most writings on design competitions prefer some successful stories rather than the equally instructive ones telling why others fail, this paper will look at the issues from a different perspective by providing an unusual case of collaboration. The intention is to offer some original insights into understanding the emerging situation which probably constitutes one of the future trends in design competitions. By reviewing the current performance of design competitions which greatly influence the development of collaboration paradigm, this paper investigates a collaboration case with an emerging form, a controversial process and mixed outcomes. Questionnaire survey and case study are used in this study. Despite a single case investigation, there are strong reasons to believe that it serves as a precursor of a major shift over the coming decades in the evolution of transnational collaboration in high-profile design competitions in China.