Between the founding of the People’s Republic of China in 1949 and the start of Reform and Opening Up policies in 1979, architecture played a key role in shaping China’s vision for socialist modernity. The book reconsiders the architectural production of China during this period as a site of innovation, negotiation, and creative agency.

Through essays, archival materials, and multimedia documentation, it sheds light on the overlooked microhistories behind design institutes, architects, and everyday users, revealing a complex and diverse architectural landscape shaped by shifting ideologies, technical ingenuity, and transnational influences, challenging enduring misconceptions.