America.
AIA Headquarters.
When they received Xia Xiaolan’s letter of complaint and protest, AIA didn’t take it seriously – they were more annoyed than anything else.
A Chinese student daring to question AIA’s judgment?
What gave this Chinese student such courage – was it Kissinger, the partner at GMP New York office?
So they notified Monde Dawson.
If the Chinese student and Kissinger wanted to escalate the matter, AIA wasn’t afraid. Stealing someone else’s design wouldn’t embarrass AIA – if Kissinger refused to admit his mistake, he would only face greater shame.
Of course, out of caution, AIA still questioned Monde about Lisa’s preparation for the lawsuit.
Lisa was naturally confident, insisting it was her work, refusing to compromise with a “thief,” firmly believing justice would prevail in court.
While annoyed, AIA largely ignored this protest letter.
AIA was busy – since it was heading to court anyway, they’d just wait for the court’s judgment.
But just two days later, AIA received a second protest letter.
This letter carried far more weight than the first – it came from Cornell’s School of Architecture, a joint protest letter led by Professor McCarthy, thoroughly criticizing AIA.
The letter stated that AIA’s judgment severely damaged Xia Xiaolan’s reputation and harmed Cornell Architecture School’s reputation, demanding AIA retract their hasty judgment and apologize.
What?!
What nonsense.
A Chinese student’s reputation was one thing – barely acceptable, though AIA doubted a Chinese student could have much reputation – but damaging Cornell Architecture School’s reputation?
“Is she a Cornell student?”
“She was an exchange student at Cornell Architecture School for a year.”
So, just an exchange student – had Cornell Architecture School gone mad?!
Every year, many students graduate from Cornell University. Under the prestigious school’s halo, some still choose crime. Does the school stand up for every student claiming their innocence?
So what made this Chinese student different?
AIA headquarters sensed something wasn’t right.
Investigation revealed that while Xia Xiaolan spent only one year at Cornell Architecture School as an exchange student, she wasn’t anonymous during that time.
She was a student who could handle the most eccentric and strict professors.
While other students hoped for an A, she earned an A+ in the same course!
She led a team in the C·W Architectural Design Competition jointly held by the Architecture School and Wilson Hotels. Though a small-scale competition, considering she was only a sophomore competing against senior students, winning first place was remarkable.
This victory led to her internship recommendation at GMP.
During her internship, she participated in designing Wilson Hotel’s Washington branch. The Broadway theater renovation was her second project at GMP.
This was an impressive resume.
Following this path, she could make her mark in New York’s architectural circle within two years.
New York Metropolitan’s influence radiates across America, and America influences the world – she was truly a promising new architect!
GMP New York office wanted to accelerate this newcomer’s path to fame-
Damn, she was also an “equality fighter,” firmly demanding Mrs. Dawson apologize for discriminating against Chinese students at the school.
Which Mrs. Dawson?
Monde Dawson’s wife.
Hell, discovering this, something seemed amiss.
The review panel for “AIA Rising Star Architect” was no longer so certain about who created the theater renovation plan. Regardless, given Xia Xiaolan’s prior conflict with the Dawsons, Monde’s initial comments might not have been impartial.
Everyone has personal biases.
Monde might simply have disliked this Chinese student, questioning her professional ability.
As a Pritzker Architecture Prize winner, Monde had every right to do so.
But it was AIA’s review panel that ultimately canceled her qualification and attributed the work to architect Lisa!
This was awkward – AIA might have taken the fall for Monde Dawson.
If a Chinese exchange student wasn’t exceptionally talented and wasn’t outstanding enough to make Cornell Architecture School’s professors cherish her talent, why would they sign the protest letter?
The review panel was now in a difficult position.
Admit their mistake?
That would destroy AIA’s credibility.
AIA’s rashness would invite ridicule.
Monde did nothing – AIA made their own mistake… Even pushing everything onto Monde and Lisa wouldn’t save AIA’s face:
“Mr. Monde Dawson is the AIA review panel’s vice chairman.”
What choice did AIA have?
AIA wished they could hide this fact from Monde.
Previously, not making an industry-wide announcement seemed like saving face for the GMP office, now it felt somewhat fortunate. Without completely burning bridges, both sides might still reconcile.
“Perhaps we should invite Kissinger to headquarters for a discussion.”
They didn’t necessarily need legal proceedings – how about a settlement?
AIA could reassess the theater renovation plan’s ownership. If it truly belonged to Xia Xiaolan, they could quietly reinclude this work in this year’s “AIA Rising Star Architect” selection… No, inclusion this year would be too obvious. Perhaps next year, during AIA’s second Rising Star Architect selection, they could give Xia Xiaolan some favorable consideration.
After all, she was still several years away from the 28-year age limit set for “AIA Rising Star Architect” – they could wait until they were more certain before pursuing this award.
While AIA was still in heated internal discussion, before they could approach Kissinger about settlement terms, Huaqing University’s protest letter arrived.
Distilling the diplomatic language, the message was: Huaqing University, one of China’s top institutions, aims to cultivate professional talents across industries. The school never lowers standards for students’ professional abilities and maintains extremely high requirements for professional ethics…
To summarize more:
AIA wronged Student Xia Xiaolan.
AIA must investigate the truth and correct this error.
AIA should apologize to Student Xia Xiaolan and restore her reputation.
Well, after Cornell Architecture School spoke up for Xia Xiaolan, Huaqing University’s stance wasn’t surprising. Honestly, this was beyond my control through personal connections. If a student could get two schools to speak up for her, her personal quality must be exceptional.
Personal quality here meant not just professional ability but also professional ethics.
If she had any questionable history, the schools wouldn’t risk supporting her without good reason.
Along with Huaqing University’s protest letter came the Chinese Architecture Association.
“…He claims to be a director of the Chinese Architecture Association and wishes to speak with the review panel chairman.”
Shit!
How did AIA get caught up in such an unfortunate situation?
If only they’d ignored Monde Dawson’s casual remarks about his pleasant conversation with Lisa.
AIA isn’t a court – why determine work ownership for others?
AIA should just focus on awarding prizes!
GMP office’s submitted work might not even win the Rising Star Architect award… If Lisa felt it unfair, she could take Xia Xiaolan and GMP to court.
“Put this director’s call through…”