Tamara Thiessen: Journalist Travel Writer

Architecture & Design

ARCHITECTURE & DESIGN

I am fascinated by architecture and design. Both in the creative process, and the way it contributes to vital urban planning issues and shapes the future. I am drawn to subjects around the world, which bring together sustainability with vision and humanism. Plus those at the crossover of building design and culture.

From Rotterdam’s first migration museum (and it’s floating farm!), to a replica Paris in Hangzhou China. Add to that the mission by a Chinese architect to revive traditional rural design, amid the country’s rampant urbanisation. Finally, the radical move to combat urban loneliness worldwide through high-rise housing design – from Hong Kong to London.

Building Communities with Buildings

All these subjects seem so intricately woven into the urban fibre of today, and tomorrow. Of building communities that are both sustainable and healthy. This is something that is becoming even more critical in our lives of increasing disconnect. Despite all the digital advances – or perhaps because of them – we live in some ways increasingly remote from others.

Covid did not help there – yet there are those that think one of its only positive sides, was weaving new connections … at a deeper level. Now what all that has to do with design, I have no idea! But it’s noteworthy. And brilliant designers from London to New York – featured in stories below – will continue to tackle those challenges with their incredible creative imaginations.

story on the architecture and design of the world's first floating farm in the Netherlands by Tamara Thiessen
Unbelievable ingenuity in the land of inventiveness (‘God made the world and the Dutch made Holland’), with the world’s first floating farm. An urban dairy.
Story by Tamara Thiessen on architecture and design South China Morning Post
Tackling loneliness through architecture, South China Morning Post
Tamara Thiessen architecture and design South China Morning Post Rotterdam
Cultures collide in Rotterdam, city of the future, at the future migration museum, South China Morning Post
Story on Chinese architect Wang Shu by journalist Tamara Thiessen in the South China Morning Post.
Wang Shu and his wife, Lu Wenyu, want to protect Chinese culture and history by returning to traditional building. South China Morning Post.
A story by journalist Tamara Thiessen on Chinese photojournalist and art collector Keren Su in the architecture and design section of the South China Morning Post.
A story on photojournalist and art collector Keren Su who is recreating hotels as ‘living museums’ in an effort to revive traditions.
Tamara Thiessen architecture and design South China Morning Post Paris Hangzhou
Go on! You’ve been waiting all your life to visit China to see the Eiffel Tower. Now’s your chance! South China Morning Post.
Tamara Thiessen architecture and design South China Morning Post Paris museums open in China
The Chinese are gaga for Rodin. So much so, they’ve recreated the Musee Rodin in China.