From May 21 to 22, 2026, the “Cultural Heritage and Cultural Relic Conservation” Seminar Series was successfully held in the conference room on the fifth floor of the South Building of Qiangongyuan, Southeast University. The seminar series was organized by the School of Architecture, Southeast University, the Key Laboratory of Urban and Architectural Heritage Conservation of the Ministry of Education, and the Institute of Architectural History and Theory of Southeast University. It was chaired by Professor Li Haiqing. Professor Thomas Coomans of the University of Leuven, Associate Professor Chen Yunlian of Gunma University, and Professor Zheng Hongbin of Shantou University were invited to deliver lectures. The three scholars shared their research on topics including the relationship between construction history and building archaeology and their research methods, the globalization of modern architecture in East Asia, and the name, introduction, and popularization of granite plaster craft in modern Shanghai. The three lectures provided students and faculty with rich and wide-ranging opportunities for academic exchange. This seminar series was supported by the General Program of the National Natural Science Foundation of China (52378006) and the Special Program of the National Social Science Fund of China for Cultural Heritage Conservation and Inheritance (24VWB031).

On the evening of May 21, Professor Thomas Coomans of the University of Leuven delivered a special lecture titled “Construction History and Building Archaeology: Methods, Differences and Overlaps.” He discussed construction history and building archaeology as two areas of research, noting that they differ in their objects of study, sources, and working methods, while also sharing certain overlaps. He also pointed out that both are of great significance to the conservation and restoration of historic buildings. Drawing on several case studies, the lecture illustrated the importance of combining the study of buildings as physical objects with historical documentary research. He emphasized that understanding architectural heritage should not rely on a single perspective. Instead, a comprehensive understanding should be developed through the study of building fabric, historical documents, material techniques, and social contexts. The intersection of construction history and building archaeology helps provide a fuller understanding of the historical value of architectural heritage.

On the afternoon of May 22, Associate Professor Chen Yunlian of Gunma University delivered a special lecture titled “The Globalization of Architecture in the Modern East Asia: A Study on Architectural History of the British and Foreign Bible Society.” Taking the architectural activities of the British and Foreign Bible Society in East Asia in the early twentieth century as a starting point, the lecture examined architectural examples in Shanghai, Guangzhou, Tianjin, Hankou, Yingkou, Yunnan, Kobe, and Seoul, and discussed the spatial characteristics and transmission mechanisms involved in the globalization of modern architecture in East Asia. Using historical drawings, photographic archives, correspondence, and field research, she analyzed the site selection, spatial composition, architects’ backgrounds, and cross-regional movement of building materials related to the architectural complex of the British and Foreign Bible Society. The lecture presented multiple aspects of modern East Asian architecture, including cross-cultural exchange, the transmission of building technologies, and adaptation to local environments.

Professor Zheng Hongbin of Shantou University delivered a special lecture titled “On the Name, Introduction and Popularization of Granite Plaster Craft in Modern Shanghai.” The lecture focused on granite plaster craft in modern Shanghai, tracing the development of this architectural decorative technique from the perspectives of its name, technical sources, introduction routes, and dissemination. Drawing on historical documents, newspaper materials, construction cases, and existing buildings, the lecture analyzed the introduction and dissemination of granite plaster craft in modern Shanghai. It pointed out that granite plaster was not only an architectural decorative technique, but also reflected the internal connections among modern building materials, construction techniques, and urban development. The lecture also highlighted the characteristics of modern architectural technology in its cross-regional dissemination and localized application.

After the lectures, students and faculty engaged in discussions with the three scholars on topics such as research methods in cultural heritage conservation, the cross-cultural transmission of modern architecture, as well as the conservation and reinterpretation of modern material techniques. The successful convening of the “Cultural Heritage and Cultural Relic Conservation” Seminar Series promoted academic exchange in the fields of architectural history and cultural heritage conservation. In the future, the relevant research team will continue to organize academic activities focusing on cultural heritage conservation and inheritance, architectural history, and built heritage conservation.

In addition, the guests visited the Auditorium, the University History Museum, Zhongda Yuan, and the Asian Architecture Archive Center at Southeast University. Through these visits, they gained a deeper understanding of the development of Southeast University’s architectural discipline and its teaching and research environment. They also exchanged views with faculty and students on topics including architectural history and theory, the exploration and organization of architectural archives, and cultural heritage conservation.