Building on two cultures

Dutch architect feels complementary influences in his approach.

Dutch architect John van de Water came to Beijing in 2004 with the belief that architects have a responsibility to explain to people and convince them what is good and what is not.

Now having realized more than 1 million square meters of projects in the country, van de Water relates his China experience, insight and reflection in a book entitled You Can't Change China, China Changes You, the Chinese version of which was out last year.