Interview with Weijing Wang, A Landscape Designer / Environmental Artist

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Weijing Wang

Weijing Wang is a landscape designer and environmental artist with experience across China, Europe, and the United States. She has worked at Snøhetta in Oslo, PLACE Studio in Portland, and Zhu Yufan Landscape Atelier in Beijing, contributing to projects ranging from large-scale opera houses and gardens to installation and performance art.

1Please give us a brief bio of yourself and your design background.

My name is Weijing Wang but you can call me Lulu and I am a landscape designer / environmental artist practicing in China, Europe and the United States.

I have a diverse design background in both urban and landscape design, with a strong interest in culturally and artistically driven landscapes, as well as projects focused on sustainability.

2Tell us more about your business/company, job profile, and what you do.

I used to work at Snøhetta Oslo, Norway; PLACE Studio in Portland, the United States and Zhu Yufan Landscape Atelier in Beijing, China.

I have worked on a range of scale of landscape projects form mega opera houses and gardens to installation and performance art. Spanning three containments in my early career gives me an edge on being exposed to different culture and be sensitive to the relation between space and people.

3What does “design” mean to you?
I feel at ease while exploring in the design world, it is my way to tell stories.
4What’s your favorite kind of design and why?
Installation arts, I am always amazed by the inventive blend of material and forms.
5To you, what makes a “good” design?

Personally, I am more intrigued when a project has a good storyline and it aligns well with the representation. Projects that invites me to read.

First example that comes to my mind is the railroad park in Wudaokou, transformed from the old "JingZhang" rail, which encapsulate the old within the new.

6Describe your design style and its main characteristics.
I use my hands a lot and don’t mind getting them dirty in the process. I like to be on the design site to 'feel' it first, sketching inspirations while standing and observing. I also enjoy talking to local people and drawing inspiration from them.
7Tell us about your design process.

It depends on the type of project. Usually, there is a 'concept'—the idea and main goal I want to convey with my design. I then use sketches and draft models to quickly express the concept, which could be a system diagram for larger projects or drawings for aesthetic appeal.

We then communicate with the client (or 'imaginary client') to find better solutions and ensure the construction aligns with our mutual goals.

8Do you think your country and its cultural heritage has an impact on your design process?
Definitely. I love digging into Chinese calligraphy and arts for wisdoms especially for garden plantings and detail design.
9Congratulations! As the winner of the 2024 MUSE Design Awards, what does it mean to you and your company and team to receive this award distinction?
I am glad to receive this honor. It's a milestone for my career.
10Can you explain a bit about the winning work you entered into the 2024 MUSE Design Awards, and why you chose to enter this project?

When I browsed the photos of the explosion at the port of Alang, India, on the BBC, I was deeply shocked. The poorly planned local work processes and the harsh exploitation of natural shorelines not only cause severe marine pollution but also directly threaten the safety and health of the workers.

I began searching for a viable solution to the development dilemma in this region, where ship-breaking is a pillar industry, without introducing complicated technologies. My approach combines cotton production with ship-breaking industries to create a better, safer, and more sustainable system for the locals.

The project aims to modify the shoreline with a series of 'feather islands' extending from the coast, incorporating cotton farms and other industrial infrastructures to optimize the workflow of both industries. These 'feather islands' are designed to accommodate ships of various sizes, allowing them to be pre-cleaned and dismantled. They are also contoured to utilize tidal forces, assisting in towing ships ashore.

With its aesthetic and technical innovations, the project has the potential to significantly contribute to sustainability and, most importantly, save lives.

11What was the biggest challenge with this project?
I spent a lot of time researching waste management and making problem solving diagrams. There are quite a few struggles on finding a proper link between the two industries and optimizing the ship-breaking workflow, which is a new and challenging subject for me to learn.
12How has winning an Award developed your practice/career?
Winning this award helps me with getting more acknowledged in the field and have my work published.
13What are your top three (3) favorite things about our industry?

First, the people I love working with and have friendships with.

Second, the nuances of interpretation.

Third, creating possibilities for the public.

14What makes your country specifically, unique in the design industry?
China is a country with a rich history and ancient architecture and landscape, which makes designers easier to learn from old wisdoms for aesthetics and methodologies.
15Where do you see the evolution of design industry going over the next 5-10 years?
I feel that the industry is reaching a turning point, shifting from focusing on new projects to prioritizing preservation and restoration.
16If you were a student entering this industry or an aspiring MUSE Design Awards submitter, what advice would you give them?
Don't be afraid to submit your works! It is better not to procrastinate.
17What resources would you recommend to someone who wants to improve their skills in the design industry?
Travelling, in my opinion, is the best way to learn design.
18Tell us something you have never told anyone else.
I have had 14 cats.
19Who has inspired you in your life and why?
Egon Schiele. I greatly enjoyed his paintings while studying in Europe. I made some copies of his works to help develop my own style.
20What is your key to success? Any parting words of wisdom?
Curiosity. I would describe myself as a person who is always hungry for knowledge and craves new stimulation, it helps me to dive into anything that interests me and I find myself starting new hobbies easily.

Winning Entry

Weijing Wang / Landscape designer | 2024

Weijing Wang / Landscape designer

Weijing Wang

Weijing Wang is a landscape designer and environmental artist with experience across China, Europe, and the United States. She has worked at Snøhetta in Oslo, PLACE Studio in Portland, and Zhu Yufan Landscape Atelier in Beijing, contributing to projects ranging from large-scale opera houses and gardens to installation and performance art.


Read more about this interview with Yue Hu from the United States, the Silver Winner of the 2024 MUSE Design Awards.

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