We, as the Designer Interviews ("DI") had the distinct pleasure and opportunity to interview award-winning, most creative and innovative Wu Gang ("WG").
Founder and principal architect of WSP ARCHITECTS, Wu Gang graduated from Master of architecture program of Tongji University & Master of architecture program of Karlsruher Institut für Technologie in Germany. Gang is the professor of Architecture College of The Chinese University of Hong Kong, tutor of masters, external tutor of graduate students of Huazhong University of Science and Technology, member of Architects Regional Council Asia, deputy chief executive of National Federation of industry and Commerce Design Alliance, deputy CEO and distinctive town consultant of National Real Estate Manager Alliance，the initiator of the international Chinese American architect club, the founder of the Architects Inn group, China, the expert consultant on urban development in Yilong new area. Gang was selected as one of the most influential architect in China in 2004, awarded the most influential designer in China's real estate industry in 2008 and honored Readesign China Architectural Design Award in 2015.
Wu Gang Designs
We are pleased to share with you original and innovative design work by Wu Gang.
Designer Interview of Wu Gang:
DI: Could you please tell us more about your art and design background? What made you become an artist/designer? Have you always wanted to be a designer?
WG : I got my Bachelor’s degree in Landscape Architecture, in Tongji University, and Master in Architecture, Technical University of Karlsruhe, Germany.Work experience:1994 Architect in Architecture Department, Siemens Real Estate Management Co.,Ltd. Munich, Germany, Head designer and project leader of Asian projects,1997 Partner in WSP Architects and Engineers Munich, Germany,1999 Principal Designer and General Manager in WSP Beijing, China.The works and papers of me have been widely published in various professional magazines and public media and exhibited in Dutch Design Week 2008, Architectural Biennial in Beijing 2004, China Modern Construction Exhibition in Duesseldorf, Germany 2003 and WA Chinese Architecture Award in Beijing 2002. Under my leadership, WSP ARCHITECTS has been awarded the title "Most Valuable Design Institute of China 2008-2009". I am the member of AA Asia, and I am also elected as one of the Ten Greatest Architects in China" in 2005, and one of the "100 Most Influential Chinese Architects" in 2004. I serve as associate professor at the Department of Architecture of The Chinese University of Hong Kong and the visiting professor of the architecture department in NanJing University and Southeast University.
DI: Can you tell us more about your company / design studio?
WG : WSP Architects is an international comprehensive design firm. WSP was founded in Munich, Germany in 1996. Thanks to the steady development in these years, WSP has established offices in Munich, Beijing, Shanghai, Hefei with over 100 planners, architects, landscape architects and interior designers. It has become one of the leading design institutes in the industry, holding rich management experiences for large-scaled projects and maintaining partnerships with many successful clients.All four principal architects and landscape designers——Mr. Wu Gang, Ms. Zhang Ying, Mr. Chen Ling and Mr. Knud Rossen possess European education background and practice experience. Directed by these talents, WSP has been well recognized by the public and the professionals of its creativity, its advanced design concept and its exploratory spirit which are well displayed in their urban planning and design, high quality residential, city complex, industrial/ office park, hospitality, cultural, landscape and interior design projects.The core advantage of WSP comes from its multi-disciplinary, multi-cultural and multi-national group of principal designers and its design team. Based on this advantage, WSP has buWilt up a work model that allows experts of various disciplines, engineers, manufacturers as well as clients to join force to work for the best quality. This unique work method and process ensure the flourish of ideas, the innovation of the designs and the final success of every project.
DI: What is "design" for you?
WG : It means everything to me.
DI: What is your most favorite design, could you please tell more about it?
WG : Every design I made is like my kid to me, it’s hard to tell which my favorite is.
DI: What kind of emotions do you feel when you design?
WG : I feel full of energy when doing my design.
DI: What kind of emotions do you feel when your designs are realized?
WG : I am more than excited to see it is realized.
DI: Where do you live? Do you feel the cultural heritage of your country affects your designs? What are the pros and cons during designing as a result of living in your country?
WG : I live in Beijing right now and there are full of cultural heritages of this ancient city/country which surely affects my design, but it is hard to say the pros and cons, everyone has the unique opinion.
DI: How long does it take to design an object from beginning to end?
WG : It depends on the project.
DI: Who are some of your clients?
WG : BIDU Inc. , Vanke, Infineon, LEGEND HOLDINGS, Hangzhou Normal university....
DI: How can people contact you?
WG : You are always welcomed to find me through our website/wechat account or by emailing pr@wsp.com.cn.