Wind Blows, Water Rises

Water plays a key role in times of the climate change – both as an essential resource and as a potential threat. Rising sea levels, floods, and droughts demand innovative approaches in architecture and urban planning. Wind Blows, Water Rises is dedicated to the research-based work of Doreen Heng Liu and her office NODE, which focuses intensively on the Pearl River Delta in China – one of the world’s most densely populated metropolitan regions. The exhibition showcases 13 projects that highlight the rapid urban transformation and the challenges in managing infrastructure and public space. A highlight is the research project Water and Urbanization, which was initiated by Liu at Shenzhen University. It explores water ecosystems and offers concrete solutions for how water can be used as a driving force for sustainable urban development in other regions as well.

Following Shenzhen-ness (2018), Wind Blows, Water Rises is the second exhibition initiated by Doreen Heng Liu at Aedes Architecture Forum.

The Pearl River Delta, on the South China Sea, has been shaped by both natural forces and human intervention, with water being a core element. Today, it is one of the fastest-growing, most densely populated urban areas in the world, facing significant challenges, particularly in balancing urban space. Shenzhen, one of the region’s most dynamic cities, exemplifies this transformation. Since the 1980s, it has experienced rapid population growth, now home to around 20 million people.

The Chinese idiom "Wind Blows, Water Rises" reflects the interaction between natural forces and human influence. Wind represents change, while water signifies the growth that follows. The phrase suggests that these forces can combine to foster prosperity and sustainable development. In Doreen Heng Liu’s work, it addresses the complex relationship between rapid urbanisation, water management, climate change, and sustainable urban growth. The aim is to design processes where these forces reinforce one another, achieving a balance between growth and sustainability.

Opening: 7.2.2025, 6:30 pm
Speakers: Hans-Jürgen Commerell, Aedes
Xinggang Li, Member of Chinese Academy of Engineering, Beijing
Doreen Heng Liu, NODE Architecture & Urbanism + GBA Lab/SZU, Shenzhen