Deconstruction of here-and-now-s: Exploring the time-space process of regionalist practice through the case of He Duoling Studio by Liu Jiakun

In the context of globalization, regionalist theory has become a crucial issue in architecture. Traditional regionalism theory, with its focus on static and ontological discussions, is unable to effectively address the complex and dynamic factors in reality, such as technological advancements, ecological deterioration, capital domination, and power discipline. The design concept of “here and now” has been widely accepted in the field of regionalist architecture, with many architects using it to express their reflection on the generic architecture which ignores context. Liu Jiakun is the most representative figure and has proposed a specific methodology. However, the application of this concept is currently too generalized, lacking systematic academic sorting and theorization. How can we re-examine the ambiguity of time and space scales in the“here-and-now” concept? What contributions will the deepening of the “here-and-now” concept make to the development of new epistemology and design methodology for regionalist architecture? This study aims to fill these gaps by providing an in-depth analysis of the “here-and-now” concept and its significance for regionalist architecture. This paper adopts Derrida’s “deconstruction” as the core methodological approach, in conjunction with Lefebvre's theoretical framework of the production of space. More specifically, this study introduces deconstruction into the “time-space-place” framework, expanding the production in design to release the diverse productions during the whole lifetime. The study focuses on the case of He Duoling Studio (1994-2023), a classic contemporary Chinese experimental architectural practice designed by Liu Jiakun, using a post-occupancy evaluation (POE) perspective to conduct space-time deconstruction analyses. Through interviews, field investigations, and literature reviews, the study presents the complexity of this case from multiple dimensions and over time. This study constructs a fourfold deconstruction path: design, behavior, ecology, and power. Design deconstruction focuses on the diverse sources of the design language and the value stance it reflects. Behavior deconstruction examines the diverse usage patterns and the displacement of subjects, behaviors, and time-space during the life cycle, revealing the transformation from “function-space” to “behavior-field”. Ecological deconstruction analyzes the ruination process of the studio, revealing how local ecology deconstructs the original time-space order, and proposes a possible vision for integrating cultural production and ecological production. Power deconstruction analyzes the changes in the urban-rural context over thirty years and the production and reproduction of spatial power behind it, revealing the aspect of social power discipline mechanisms which are often neglected by regionalism. The fourfold deconstructions together form a dynamic field where multiple elements interact in different time-space horizons. The study reveals that “here-and-now” is not a static concept but a dynamic process evolving with time and space. First, “here-and-now-s” possess plurality. “Nows” are the interweaving of pluralistic time processes, and “heres” are the coexistence of pluralistic spatial scales across domains. Second, “here-and-now-s” possess processuality. The differential transformation process of time and space can be called the “time-space process”. Plurality and processuality together point to a time-space system where continuity and rupture dialectically coexist. Based on this, the study proposes a new cognitive perspective—“here-and-now-s in the time-space process”, viewing it as an overall network of extraterritorial connectivity and flow on various time-space levels, reflecting on the previously solidified global-regional cognition. This study promotes a deeper understanding and practical application of the “here-and-now” concept and provides a reflective perspective of “extraterritorial channel network” as an epistemology and design methodology for regionalist architecture. It also offers a post-occupancy evaluation framework focusing on the evolution of time and space.