Docu-dramas presents contemporary architects talking about their work, through the kinds of images they would normally exclude from a lecture: ordinary documents like contracts, budgets, estimates, SMS and chat messages, research and administrative files. Narrated, these dull objects can become evidence for the complex and contingent reality of architectural practice embedded in a messy world.

We invited five contemporary practices active in different contexts and at different scales of project and budget to present their work through the documents they would normally not show. Each practice is also joined by a special guest: one of their clients.

People’s Architecture Office was founded in 2010 in Beijing by Zang Feng, He Zhe, and James Shen. Since then, they have opened an office in Boston. The practice aims to help build a more connected and inclusive society through design. Their work includes the use of prefabrication and mass production for building public schools, low-cost housing, and modules that plug-in to dilapidated buildings, helping regenerate historic areas.

The event is free and no registration is needed. It will be streamed on the CCA YouTube channel and on Facebook. James Shen will be joining our live chat on YouTube to answer your questions.