Blueprint Beijing

Blueprint Beijing is the architectural section of the first Beijing Biennial, curated by Ma Yansong and co-organized by MAD. Opening in January 2023, the exhibition brings together architects, artists, and collectives from around the world to explore the future of Beijing through models, installations, photography, and film.

The exhibition juxtaposes historical visions of the city with speculative ideas that reimagine its future. It features 20 invited architects and artists presenting site-specific works, eight collectives showcasing archival research, and four Chinese science fiction films that offer alternative urban narratives. Through this diverse collection, Blueprint Beijing fosters dialogue between past and future, tradition and innovation, local and global perspectives.

The blueprint, both a record of history and a tool for imagining what lies ahead, serves as a central theme. Architecture shapes cities over time, and this exhibition highlights how visionary thinking can transform urban life. It examines the tensions between preservation and development, individual and collective identity, and the evolving role of architects in shaping culture.

The exhibition’s concluding video installation poses fundamental questions about architecture’s role in connecting history with the future. Blueprint Beijing is both a reflection and a provocation, offering an open-ended platform for international dialogue on the city’s future while inviting broader participation in shaping a more inclusive and livable Beijing.