Arts Thread

Qiyue Dong is a spatial designer and artist from Chengdu, China, whose practice probes the evolving relationship between people and the spaces they inhabit. She believes that the health and safety of our built environments will be central to the future of architecture, shaping how cities respond to social and environmental challenges. Educated at the Royal College of Art, Qiyue is currently pioneering research into photocatalytic ceramics—a new generation of facade materials capable of both breaking down airborne pollutants and visually recording their presence. By enabling building exteriors to act as real-time diagnostic surfaces for air quality, her work reimagines the architectural skin as an active environmental sensor and storyteller. Her creative process bridges spatial innovation, sustainable material development, and socially engaged design. Through illustration and photography, she examines how human activity leaves subtle yet enduring traces on materials and landscapes. At the core of her research lies an inquiry into how social reproduction intersects with the built environment, aiming to integrate sustainable materials, emerging technologies, and inclusive strategies to create healthier, more equitable futures.