I have been engaged in architectural creation for more than 30 years. After graduating, I was assigned to work at the Design and Architecture Institute of Hebei Province, China, where I was introduced to architectural projects in the frontier areas of reform and opening up, which laid a solid professional foundation for my future career.

In 2005, I joined JIU YI ZHUANG CHEN, during which my work reached a peak, involving projects in the fields of hospitality, commercial spaces, high-quality housing, culture and tourism, and business offices. Over the years, with the love and support of many, I have been honored with titles such as 'Hebei Province Master Architect' and 'Outstanding Young and Middle-Aged Expert of Shijiazhuang City.'

It is passion. When I first entered this profession, I was inexperienced, but over time, as I gained more experience, my understanding of what it means to be an 'architect' deepened. This profession has taught me the importance of responsibility, and it has brought me a sense of achievement, honor, and passion that I have not found in anything else.

Founded in 2002, the company was listed on the New Third Board in 2016, becoming the first design enterprise in Hebei Province, China, to enter the capital market.

Since joining the company in 2005, I have been drawn to its free and pleasant working atmosphere. In this environment, every dedicated designer is able to fully unleash their imagination and creativity. My creative inspiration reached its peak during this time, leading to the creation of various architectural projects, such as Villa In Clouds, Shijiazhuang Art Museum, Chang'an Biotechnology R & D Center, Zhejiang Building, and others of different scales and types under JIU YI ZHUANG CHEN.

Initially, my focus was on individual buildings and the character they conveyed. However, after years of refinement, my attention gradually shifted to the city, the environment, and the site on which the building is constructed. I believe that design should be something that makes the city more harmonious.

The sustainable architectural design concept of 'low tech, high art' perfectly combines environmental protection with innovative thinking. It not only pursues a harmonious symbiosis between architecture and nature but also strives to create long-term environmental benefits. This approach makes the building a carrier of green principles, making it not only beautiful and functional but also socially responsible, leaving a sustainable living space for future generations.

Good design balances functionality, aesthetics, sustainability, and user experience. It should meet the basic needs of users while considering environmental impact and utilizing sustainable materials and technologies. Additionally, good design should be innovative, evoke emotional resonance, enhance quality of life, and retain its value and meaning over time and across different contexts.

Characterized by 'low-cost, high-quality' principles, it achieves high-quality buildings within budget through simple, practical design, cost-effective material selection, and innovative thinking.

By focusing on functional rationality, comfort, detail refinement, and environmental adaptability—combined with the principles of sustainable design—it not only embodies regional characteristics but also ensures long-term environmental benefits. This approach allows the building to save costs without compromising on quality and aesthetics.

My design process begins with project research, progresses through concept generation, program development, and design refinement, and culminates in project delivery through client communication and construction coordination.

This process emphasizes teamwork, addresses user needs, and fosters continuous innovation to ensure that the design meets both functional and aesthetic criteria while remaining sustainable.

China's cultural heritage, particularly its traditional architectural styles and intangible cultural heritage, provides me with rich inspiration for design. The coexistence of man and nature guides me to incorporate regional characteristics and cultural symbols into modern architecture, emphasizing natural harmony and community interaction. I am dedicated to creating works that possess a sense of modernity while preserving the essence of tradition.

This was our first experience with international awards, and winning a gold medal on our initial submission is incredibly inspiring for my team and me. It demonstrates that our work has a truly global perspective. Additionally, this recognition significantly enhances our company's brand communication, allowing more people to acknowledge our company and appreciate our professional expertise.

The VILLA IN CLOUDS project, as the first three-dimensional garden pilot project in Shijiazhuang City, China, has become a necessary product iteration in response to new market challenges and policy conditions. The designer's most fundamental starting point is to fully leverage policy advantages to enhance product strength, create market value, and improve the quality of living.

Establishing a shared value system through thorough communication with the client is the designer's greatest motivation. On this foundation, breaking away from conventional thinking and embracing innovative design concepts is a challenge that designers are most eager to accept. In many ways, the creation of VILLA IN CLOUDS is the inevitable result of the right time, place, and collaboration of the right people.

The difficulties encountered in the design process of this project mainly involved two aspects:

1. How to handle the three-dimensional courtyard while addressing the need for double-height spaces and improved spatial continuity within the household, in order to create a more valuable spatial experience, rather than simply treating it as a mechanized extension of the balcony.

2. How to solve the challenge of balancing economy and aesthetics in the structure, particularly in the design of the large-scale courtyard extension.

The award is merely a comma in my career, inspiring me to continue creating works that resonate with people. At the same time, I will place greater emphasis on studying the works of overseas and next-generation architects, which will help me stay attuned to current architectural trends.

The first is innovation and creativity—every design represents a leap in thinking, leading to the creation of new spaces and experiences. The second is the allure of cultural heritage, where the essence of local culture is integrated into the design, achieving a harmonious dialogue between history and modernity.

The third is the impact of design on society—witnessing how architecture shapes and enhances people's living environments, giving physical form to social values. All these aspects fascinate me and reinforce my mission and passion as an architect.

China's architectural design industry holds a unique position on the international stage, thanks to its rich historical and cultural heritage, spirit of innovation and fusion, rapidly growing economy, and the dual forces of policy and market. Designers have skillfully combined tradition with modernity, and the blend of multiculturalism and technological innovation has infused new vitality into the design, creating a Chinese style that is both nationally distinctive and internationally appealing.

In the next 5-10 years, the architectural design industry will evolve towards sustainability, intelligence, adaptability, health, modularity, community participation, and cultural preservation.

The focus will be on creating green buildings that harmonize with nature, integrating smart technologies, promoting the adaptive reuse of old buildings, prioritizing occupant health, applying prefabricated technologies to enhance efficiency, and fostering community engagement, all while preserving and passing on cultural heritage.

When entering the design industry, it's essential to study theories in depth, be creative, integrate local culture, adhere to sustainability principles, master technical tools, pay attention to details, communicate actively, and benchmark against award criteria.

When submitting entries for the MUSE Design Awards, you should be able to tell a compelling design story, continuously practice and reflect, grow with curiosity and enthusiasm, and treat every project as a stepping stone for self-challenge and progress.

To enhance your design skills, you can utilize online education platforms such as Coursera and Skillshare, read professional books, follow industry magazines and blogs like Dezeen, join design communities such as Dribbble, watch software tutorials like those offered by Adobe, and participate in professional certifications and local university courses.

These resources will help you refine your skills, stay current with trends, and expand your network.

Architects often find themselves in the midst of contradictions, striving for "perfect" design while facing the need for appropriate trade-offs and concessions. The fullness of ideals meets the harsh realities, making innovative problem-solving the key. Sometimes, it's important not to be overly demanding; taking even a small step in the right direction is still a victory for designers.

The architect's sense of responsibility is the source of my inspiration. Architecture is not only the fusion of art and technology but also a witness to social progress. In every design, architects are dedicated to addressing community needs, solving environmental challenges, and enhancing the quality of life.

Each architectural design is infused with a deep understanding of human nature and a forward-looking vision, transforming this sense of social responsibility into a powerful driving force for innovation and the improvement of living conditions for humanity.

Architecture is the mirror of the times, the carrier of culture, and the stage of life. As architects, we should embrace innovation as our core, social responsibility as our foundation, and cultural preservation as our mission.

Together, we must strive to create harmonious, sustainable, and meaningful spaces. In our pursuit of excellence, we should never forget our original intentions—explore with courage, listen attentively to the voices of nature and people, and create architectural art that can withstand the test of time.

I am deeply honored to win in the MUSE Design Awards and sincerely thank the jury for their recognition, as well as my peers for their encouragement. Behind this award are our team's collective efforts and unwavering commitment to our design concepts.

Architecture is not only an art and a science but also a continuation of culture and a vessel for emotions. We will use this recognition as motivation to continue innovating and dedicating ourselves to creating more harmonious and sustainable living spaces, honoring both this award and the mission of architects. Thank you all!