About

Trained as an architect, Ling Tan is an award-winning multidisciplinary designer and artist working within the field of social engagement, technology, citizen participation and politics. Her work explores citizens’ interaction with the built environment through technology, and our collective agency and responsibility in tackling complex issues surrounding our cities. She works with diverse communities across the UK and internationally to develop participatory projects of different scales, ranging from interactive installations, performances to pop-up architecture that help them make sense of their environments, express opinions in a playful and performative way, and collectively address issues including public safety, air quality, climate change and gender safety. She designs interfaces, fabricates hardware and develops software for her work, ranging from wearable technology, interactive installations and performances to web platforms, mobile phone apps and Internet of Things (IoT) tools.

Her recent project funded by S+T+ARTS Hungry Ecocities explores developing an AI-driven cookbook platform exploring the notion of authenticity in AI and sustainable food through collaboration with European scientists, universities and architecture firms. Her environmental initiative Low Carbon Chinatown, was recently awarded a finalist award at Seoul Design Award 2023. The project premiered at Chinatown, London in September 2022 where hundreds of members of the public gathered across several days in a custom built low carbon pop-up pavilion to enjoy a series of sit down meals consisting of low carbon Chinese dishes developed by East & Southeast Asian communities, a data scientist, food writers and chefs across London. 

Ling is the creative forced behind Umbrellium as a Senior Design Lead & Creative Technologist. She is also a frequent panellist and public speaker on urban technology issues and citizen participation. Her work is exhibited internationally in places such as Centre Pompidou (France), Victoria and Albert Museum (UK), Barbican (UK), Somerset House (UK), Manchester Museum (UK), HeK (Switzerland), Liljevalchs (Sweden), Zebrastraat (Belgium), Zollverein(Germany), Fukuoka City Science Museum (Japan), Wits Art Museum (South Africa), and featured in magazines and websites across the globe such as Dezeen, Wired and Fast Company.