A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between the Architectural Design and Research Institute of Tsinghua University (THAD) and Pei Partnership Architects in Beijing on Nov 17.

Li Chung (Sandi) Pei, one of the founding partners of Pei Partnership Architects, signed the MoU with Zhuang Weimin, dean of THAD.

According to the MoU, for common development purposes the two parties will establish a strategic partnership for resource exchange and academic collaboration to carry out projects based on their respective advantages, including marketing and product design.

They will organize joint exhibitions, seminars, and teaching programs to promote their respective architectural brands globally.

Pei Partnership Architects is a New York-based company established in1992. It is a full-service, international firm focusing on excellent design. Founding Partners Chien Chung Pei and Li Chung Pei are sons of I.M. Pei, a 100-year-old Chinese-American architect.

Pei Partnership Architects has been engaged in the design of high-rise towers, healthcare facilities, institutional buildings, museums and concert halls as well as large-scale urban master plans and waterfront parks. The Al-Turki Business Park in Dharan, the Museum of Islamic Art Park in Doha, the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China Headquarters in Beijing and the BMW Xingdebao 5S Dealership in Beijing were all recently completed by the firm.

THAD is a national architectural design institute founded in 1958. It relies on the academic, scientific research and teaching resources of Tsinghua University and is the academic and practice foundation of several of the university’s faculties, including the School of Architecture and School of Civil Engineering.

The institute is responsible for the design of Zhongshan Station, Changcheng Station and Kunlun Station, three of the four Chinese Antarctic scientific research stations. It has participated in the development of a number of national and local industrial standards and established a full-time professional degree postgraduate culture base.

THAD has been approved by the China National Accreditation Service for Conformity Assessment and the United Kingdom Accreditation Service.