Alex Ching-Chen Liu

Alex Ching-Chen Liu (he/him) is a Taiwanese architect currently pursuing the Master of Science in Advanced Architectural Design at Columbia University GSAPP. His work explores architecture as a continuum bridging past, present, and future, with a focus on adaptive reuse, urban regeneration and climate consciousness. Before joining GSAPP, he was a senior architectural designer at JJP Architects + Planners, one of Taiwan’s leading firms, where he contributed to a wide range of projects, including industrial adaptive reuse, office complexes, and sustainable laboratory designs. Beyond architecture, he is also an passionate photographer, using the lens as another medium to explore space, memory, and everyday life.

Education
Columbia University GSAPP (New York)
Master of Science in Advanced Architectural Design, 2025-2026
National Cheng Kung University (Tainan, Taiwan)
Bachelor of Architecture, 2016-2021

Experience
Columbia University GSAPP (New York)
Teaching Assistant for Architectural Drawing and Representation, 2025-
JJP Architects + Planners (Taipei, Taiwan)
Senior Architecture Designer, 2022-2025
Zhaoyang Architects (Dali, China)
Architecture Design Intern, 2019-2020
AMBi Studio (Taichung, Taiwan)
Architecture Design Intern, 2018

License
Registered Architect of Taiwan, 2024-

Contact

Email / cl4735@columbia.edu

LinkedIn / Ching Chen Liu

Instagram / alexdoublechen

© Alex CC Liu 2025

NTU Geosciences Building

Year
2024-2025

Project Type
Professional Work (JJP Architects + Planners)

Design Phase
Schematic Design, Design Development

Site Location
Hsinchu, Taiwan

Project Architect
Joshua Jih Pan (FAIA), Jong-Yu Cheng, Wei-Shi Xie

Team Member
Yen-Chih Tseng, Min Chiu, Zheng-Wen Fu

How can a research institute establish its identity at the newly-planned university campus?

For National Taiwan University’s new Hsinchu campus, the Department of Geosciences required expanded core repositories and advanced laboratories. The design responds with a rock-like building form, symbolizing the study of stones and giving the department a distinct, recognizable identity.

As the lead designer of the project, I was in charge of site analysis, programming, concept design, 3D modeling & rendering, plan drawing and detail development.

Campus Masterplan

Connecting to The Eco-Campus
Located at the northwest corner of the 22-hectare campus, the Geosciences Building is conceived within an eco-friendly masterplan of low-density buildings and natural landscapes. The design emphasizes strong connections between research spaces and the surrounding green campus environment.

Maximizing Ground Floor

Stacking & Dividing Programs

Stone-like Facade

Flowing Wind & Sunlight

Widened Views

Extending Green Space

Establishing Sustainable Framework
Sustainability shaped the design: sun shading and cross-ventilation prevent overheating, while rainwater harvesting and recycling systems reduce water use. Ecological and recycled materials are applied to façades and interiors, lowering construction carbon emissions. Together, these strategies establish a sustainable framework for the new campus research building.