Internationally renowned architect and USC Department of Architecture professor Jimenez Lai, who represented Taiwan at the 2014 Venice Biennale, was invited by the Taiwan Tech’s Department of Architecture and the USR “I-Villages: Mobility for Change” project to visit Taiwan Tech from December 18 to 20, 2024. During his visit, he guided the final reviews for fourth--, third-, and second-year architecture students, as well as the final reports for the graduate-level Complex Systems course. On the final afternoon, he gave a public lecture titled “Fictions and Architectural Monsters”, sharing his work and thought processes. The entire event was conducted in English. Many students who participated in the reviews remarked that Jimenez’s feedback was truly enlightening, offering them direct exposure to international ideas and providing a fresh perspective on the meaning of “architectural design”.

Jimenez (first on the left) guides Taiwan Tech’s Department of Architecture third-year students.

Jimenez (second from the left) shares international design trends with fourth-year students of Taiwan Tech’s Department of Architecture.

Born in Taiwan and raised in both the U.S. and Canada, Jimenez Lai stated that this was his first close engagement with Taiwan’s architectural community since the 2014 Venice Biennale. He expressed high regard for Taiwan Tech students’ personal development and the architecture program’s faculty. Whether the students presented in English, Taiwanese, or a mix of Chinese and English, their presentations were not only confident and visually sharp but also demonstrated a passionate commitment to architecture, leaving a strong impression on him. He looks forward to future visits.

At the end of his lecture, Jimenez responded to the students’ enthusiasm with words of encouragement, highlighting the rarity of this academic exchange. He acknowledged the students’ dissatisfaction and frustration with the current state of urban and social issues. While uncertain whether young people can look forward to the future, he remains optimistic, stating that the youth are the future. He urged them not to give up on the pursuit of beauty and not to become numb to the injustices of the present, as the world will ultimately be reshaped through their efforts.

Jimenez delivers a public lecture at Taiwan Tech’s Department of Architecture.

After the lecture, several students approached Jimenez for further guidance.

This exchange event was organized by Professor Yun-Shang Chiou of Taiwan Tech’s Department of Architecture, who is serving as a visiting scholar at USC in early 2024. Professor Chiou explained that Jimenez Lai is highly regarded in Western architectural and cultural circles. In addition to his diverse practical experiences in Europe and the U.S., he is building a unique architectural discourse through multiple interpretations of spatial reality, surrealism, and hyperreality. His work is closely tied to contemporary art, with supporting institutions such as the Graham Foundation, Princeton Architectural Press, MOMA, SFMOMA, the Art Institute of Chicago, and Art Basel, all of which are top international art sponsors. Jimenez regularly teaches architecture design courses at prestigious U.S. institutions, including USC, UCLA, Cooper Union, and Columbia University. This year, he is also the Co-Coordinator for the MArch Design Program at USC. For the talented students of Taiwan Tech’s Department of Architecture, this level of international academic exchange represents a rare and invaluable learning opportunity.

Jimenez (left) and Taiwan Tech’s Department of Architecture Professor Yun-Shang Chiou (right) took a photo in front of the main visual of the lecture.