As one of China’s leading platforms for art and design education, FutureLab brings together top institutions such as the China Academy of Arts, New York University in Shanghai, East China Normal University, the Chinese University of Hong Kong (Shenzhen). UNNC’s participation showcases innovative student work that merges technology, sustainability, and cultural reflection.

The exhibition “Future in the Past” explores how our roots and histories can guide us toward technologies, solutions, and cultural expressions that address global challenges like climate resilience, sustainable cities, and responsible consumption.

Architecture students present outcomes from their “Architectural Design Studio” module in Year 2, their explorations in space, form, and construction. By integrating traditional craftsmanship with digital fabrication and eco-friendly materials like bamboo, their designs reinterpret sustainable principles aligned with UN Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 12: Responsible Consumption and Production.

Product Design and Manufacture (PDM) students showcase a range of forward-thinking exhibits, unveiling prototypes that fuse tradition with innovation to promote wellbeing and environmental stewardship. Projects range from modern interpretations of acupuncture and massage, to a pioneering VR gamepad designed for healthy human interaction, and an interactive biodigester converting organic waste into usable gas, witnessed through AR and 3D modelling—advancing SDGs related to health, clean energy, and climate action.

Third-year architecture student Ruy Sun, whose work “Icemark Cabin” was selected for the exhibition, shared: "Returning to this project a year later has given me new perspectives on design. By incorporating both precisely shaped artificial ice and irregular natural ice packs, the structure reflects a dialogue between human intention and natural forces."

According to Dr Giaime Botti, Assistant Professor in Architecture and Built Environment, "By exhibiting our students’ work in a prestigious Shanghai venue, alongside pieces from other leading Chinese and international universities, the exhibition fosters a stronger sense of attachment and belonging to UNNC. It also cultivates students’ pride in their achievements, highlighting the value of their work within an international academic and professional context.” UNNC continues to embed the UN SDGs into its teaching, encouraging students to combine theoretical knowledge with practical problem-solving.

By tying tradition to innovation and technology to sustainability, the exhibition prompts all its audiences to consider their collective role in achieving the SDGs. Visitors are invited to imagine new futures where creativity, responsibility, and global sustainability go hand in hand.