Design Philosophy:
I believe I deserve to be among the 40 Under 40 because I represent a generation of designers unafraid to explore the unknown, to challenge sameness, and to design with authenticity, empathy, and purpose.
I was raised in Shanghai’s Shikumen lanes, places where history and modernity coexist in close embrace. This unique cultural backdrop continues to shape my design philosophy: to create spaces that bridge contrasts, where tradition and innovation, logic and emotion, coexist in harmony.
Trained within a modernist architectural framework, I began my career as a devoted minimalist. Over time, however, I’ve come to realise that design’s true vitality lies in its diversity. Colour, material, and form each hold the power to express emotion and identity. Just as Shanghai thrives on its multiplicity, I strive to craft designs that are vibrant, layered, and human, reflecting the complexity of contemporary life.
I approach design with independence, clarity, and strategic intent. Yet I also believe that creativity must remain fluid: rooted in curiosity and the courage to change. Every project is an opportunity to question conventions, explore new typologies, and push material boundaries. I admire the experimental spirit of Herzog & de Meuron and the emotional sensibility of artists like Olafur Eliasson, both of whom inspire me to seek originality and human connection in every spatial experience.
As project leader and studio director at Ippolito Fleitz Group, I have led international teams to realise award-winning projects across China. My goal has always been to shape spaces that not only meet functional needs but also ignite dialogue, between past and future, between people and place.
