Wanze cheng
Architecture MA
Royal College of Art
Specialisms: Architecture / Digital Design / Film & Animation
Location: London, United Kingdom
Wanze cheng
First Name: Wanze
Last Name: cheng
Specialisms: Architecture / Digital Design / Film & Animation
Sectors:
My Location: London, United Kingdom
University / College: Royal College of Art
Course / Program Title: Architecture MA
About
Zoe (Wanze Cheng) is a multidisciplinary designer exploring spatial narratives across architecture, art, and digital media. Her work focuses on social inclusion, addressing marginalized communities' spatial relationships through innovative design, while also examining traditional culture's contemporary role. Through virtual technologies, her works critically reflect on reality while poetically reimagining future ways of living.
In Beijing's abandoned, soon-to-be-demolished hutongs, a dual “Chinese utopia” emerges. In the physical world, the project proposes an "occupiable framework" strategy for the homeless day labourers. By granting them autonomy to build, using collected materials to continuously reshape abandoned spaces, they gain identity and belonging. In the virtual world, online players collaboratively collect nostalgic objects to construct a surreal dreamcore museum. This collective act serves as both self-healing and romanticised resistance - escaping into virtual dreams to resist harsh realities. Through “accumulation”, the project bridges both physical and virtual worlds, examining belonging and identity reconstruction. Whether through physical construction or virtual co-creation, it reflects “cruel optimism” - persisting in hope despite adversity. Ultimately, this hybrid space becomes a shared shelter for societal outcasts and digital nomads.
Competitions
