RESEARCH BACKGROUND
Hands-on Design Experiments
CONTACT US
• The Localisation of Inclusive Design in China: Current Realities
• Research in Academia
• From Theory to Practice: How Chinese Universities Are Advancing Inclusive Design In Practice
•The Opportunities and Challenges of Inclusive Design
• A Hands-On Method of Design — Practice and Reflection in the Chinese Context
•The International Value of China’s Social Design
Zhou Zishu
Zhou Zishu is a pioneering social designer, researcher, and Associate Professor at the School of Design, Central Academy of Fine Arts (CAFA), Beijing. He is best known as the founder of Digua Community, an award-winning social design initiative that transforms underutilized urban basement spaces in Beijing into vibrant community hubs fostering social interaction, economic opportunity, and cultural exchange.
Key Focus Areas & Practice:
Social Design & Urban Regeneration: Specializes in activating marginalized urban spaces through participatory design, empowering local communities and migrant populations.
Community-Centered Innovation: Develops models for inclusive community building, co-creation, and sustainable micro-economies within dense urban environments.
Design for Social Impact: Focuses on design’s role in addressing social inequality, spatial justice, and fostering grassroots resilience.
Design Research & Ethnography: Employs deep ethnographic methods to understand community needs and co-design solutions.
Significant Project:
Digua Community : Founded in 2013. Transformed neglected basement spaces in Beijing's residential compounds (e.g., Chaoyang District) into multi-functional community centers featuring shared kitchens, co-working areas, libraries, childcare spaces, and micro-business incubators. This project became a globally recognized case study in bottom-up urban regeneration and social innovation.
Education & Background:
Holds a Master's degree from Central Saint Martins, University of the Arts London (UK), where his research focused on social design and urban transformation.
His background includes design strategy, research, and community engagement.
Recognition & Impact:
Digua Community received the prestigious DFA Design for Asia Awards Grand Award (2015).
Named to the "China Design Power 100" list in 2016.
His work has been exhibited internationally and featured in major publications and forums on social design, urbanism, and innovation.
Serves as a frequent speaker and advisor on social design, urban intervention, and community development.
Current Roles:
Associate Professor, School of Design, Central Academy of Fine Arts (CAFA), Beijing.
Founder & Lead Designer, Digua Community.
Active researcher, curator, and advocate for socially engaged design practices in China.