Alex Ching-Chen Liu

Alex Ching-Chen Liu (he/him) is a Taiwanese registered architect currently pursuing the Master of Science in Advanced Architectural Design at Columbia University GSAPP.

Building upon a solid foundation in architectural practice, his work approaches architecture as an act of integration—engaging urban context, site history, and environmental conditions to reorganize the relationships between built space and human activity. Prior to joining GSAPP, he worked as a senior architectural designer at JJP Architects + Planners, one of Taiwan’s leading firms, contributing to projects including industrial adaptive reuse, office complexes, and university laboratory buildings. Through both built and speculative work, he continues to explore architecture as a tool for addressing environmental and social issues.

Beyond architectural practice, he actively explores graphic and visual approaches to representing design ideas. Through drawing, photography, publications, and mixed media, he continues to challenge conventional modes of architectural representation.

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 I & II, 2025-
Student Photographer, 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

Publications

Among Things, B-SIDE(Columbia GSAPP), 2025
Production Editor

The Ideas of Ordinary Objects, Studio Tngtetshiu, 2020
Research Contributor

License
Registered Architect of Taiwan, 2024-

Contact
Email / alexchingchenliu@gmail.com
LinkedIn / Ching-Chen Liu
Instagram / alexdoublechen

© Alex CC Liu 2026

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.