Elope is a learning platform which enables and facilitates interdisciplinary processes. It has proven to offer an excellent test bed for research in the field of modern teaching and learning as well as in the area of evaluation of novel learning spaces.
Together with Tongji University‘s College of Design & Innovation, the Bern University of Applied Sciences, School of Architecture, Wood and Civil Engineering (BFH AHB) takes the responsibility of organizing the course (Kick-Off weeks, review meetings, coaching sessions, debriefing, etc.) in co-operation with Fudan University Shanghai, University of Applied
Sciences Northwestern Switzerland, Academy of Art and Design (FHNW HGK) Basel, European Graduate School (EGS) in Switzerland, Technoligco de Monterrey Mexico (ITESM) and as client and co-ordinator with Studio TAO of TEKTAO, Urban Design Consulting Company Co. Ltd. in Shanghai.

The aimThe aim of this workshop is to identify and develop new perspectives for Chongming Housing by focusing on one family and their housing unit, and to initiate a change process together with the villagers. The functionality of the kitchen and its infrastructure have to be considered as well as the contemporary living habits of changing household structures and the ingredients from the corresponding agricultural lot. How can the living conditions be improved while respecting traditional habits and by taking into consideration the development of the way people will live, cook, and celebrate in the future? The Task is to rethink the kitchen as the core of the future living for the rural population of China as well as to design social, ecological, economical, technical, and functional innovation - translated into space. The definition of requirenments for a new kitchen space that keeps the values of traditional Chinese cuisine and the development of an advanced design system that solves the problem in innovative, sustainable, functional, ergonomical, economocial, aesthetical and
manufacturable way will be essential.