Jim Spear, a designer and architect from the United States, has called China home for over 40 years. As a young man, he was captivated by the Great Wall during President Richard Nixon’s historic visit in 1972. Inspired by this monumental structure, Jim dreamed of one day owning a house beneath it.
In 1994, that dream became a reality when he purchased a home in Mutianyu Village, nestled in the shadow of the Great Wall near Beijing. Not content with just living there, Jim embarked on a mission to revitalize the local community. He began a renovation project that transformed an abandoned primary school into a vibrant space housing a restaurant, an art glass shop, and a gallery.
His passion for design and community development didn’t stop there. In 2006, Jim rented a disused glaze tile factory in nearby Beigou Village and converted it into a hotel. Through these projects, he not only preserved historical structures but also breathed new life into the villages.
Jim’s journey raises questions about what motivated him to leave his homeland and invest so deeply in these Chinese villages. His design philosophy appears rooted in a respect for local culture and a desire to bridge communities through architecture. The stories connecting him to Mutianyu and Beigou are tales of collaboration, cultural exchange, and shared dreams beneath the Great Wall.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
