The “Agency as Medium” in the Xidan - Jishuitan Quarter Regeneration Project
Bohao Cui, Yingzi Tong, Junjie Zong, Dan Kong , Wei Chen
Abstract：In the conservation and renewal practice of the linear neighborhood along the Xidan–Jishuitan Bridge corridor, the traditional work paradigm centered on an “object-oriented consciousness” has proven insufficient in addressing the complex realities of highly fragmented property rights, intertwined diverse demands, and profound historical layering. Drawing on practical experience, this paper proposes that the key to effective regeneration lies in architects cultivating a conscious “agency as medium”—that is, proactively transforming their own work into a systemic medium of connection, translation, and negotiation. By acting as a “translating medium” bridging policy, expertise, and everyday life, an “integrating medium” coordinating space, technology, and implementation processes, and a “negotiating medium” forging diverse social consensus, the architect’s role shifts from “form-giver” to “process coordinator”and “system integrator.” This transition from “object-oriented consciousness” to “agency as medium” offers a new perspective for architects engaging in the practice of historic urban regeneration.
