Interview with Pengfei He

When I was a child, I watched an interview with the renowned Chinese-American architect I.M. Pei. I was deeply impressed by the Louvre Pyramid designed by Mr. Pei, and since then, I have been fascinated by architectural design. I hope to become a great architect like him in the future.

The design of top architects is a multi - dimensional balance of "function × technology × humanity": starting from user needs and social values, breaking through physical boundaries with innovative technologies, and finally interpreting the deep relationship between architecture and nature, as well as between people and cities with a unique stylistic language (either implicit or avant - garde). This makes the works not only have the 前瞻性 (forward - looking nature) of the times but also bear the sustainable values of culture and ecology.

When designing, I feel the thrill of inspired ideas, focus on refining details, and a sense of achievement when projects come to life. The design journey excites me most. I love solving problems with creativity and seeing ideas materialize, finding happiness in creating value and aesthetic resonance, and enjoying the fun of breakthroughs and exploration.

My background in psychology and anthropology deeply shapes my design approach, emphasizing empathy and cultural context. Non-design skills like critical thinking (solves complex problems), effective communication (aligns stakeholders), and adaptability (navigates evolving client needs) are pivotal. Storytelling, rooted in literature, helps me craft narratives within designs.

For designers starting their careers: stay curious and keep learning. Master foundational tools, but also study psychology, sociology, or art to fuel creativity. Observe daily life—design solutions often hide in ordinary needs. Embrace feedback; it refines ideas and builds resilience. Don’t fear failure; every misstep teaches. Build a portfolio showcasing process, not just results, to highlight critical thinking. Finally, stay passionate—design thrives on those who care deeply about solving problems and creating meaningful experiences. Persist, and let your unique perspective shine.

True success as a designer is creating meaningful experiences that solve problems and inspire. For peers: stay curious, embrace challenges, prioritize user needs, and balance technology with humanity. Let purpose drive your craft.

I follow design blogs, attend industry talks, and engage with platforms like Behance. Trends inspire me, but I prioritize timeless functionality and user needs. They influence my process as a source of fresh ideas, not rigid rules.

A well-designed product/project meets user needs seamlessly, enhances experience, and solves problems efficiently. Good design balances functionality, aesthetics, and sustainability, while being intuitive, timeless, and emotionally resonant. It’s honest, ethical, and improves lives subtly yet meaningfully.

My favorite work is the Louvre Pyramid designed by I.M. Pei. It has a modern appearance, combining glass and metal, with smooth lines and transparent light. Although its style contrasts with the ancient Louvre, it is magically integrated, setting off the elegance of the historical building. As the main entrance, it optimizes the flow of people. The underground space creates rich light and shadow effects through the light. It is extremely charming both during the day and at night, and it is a model in terms of aesthetics, functionality, and cultural integration, having a profound influence.

I embrace a minimalist lifestyle, blending nature and technology—often drawing inspiration from travel and observing daily rhythms. Culturally, I’m rooted in Eastern philosophy’s harmony with nature, fused with global design influences. This fuels my focus on sustainable, human-centric solutions that marry simplicity with depth.

I contribute through pro bono projects like designing affordable housing for underserved communities and public spaces for social inclusion. I also advocate for sustainable design, mentoring emerging designers on ethical practices to create equitable, eco-friendly solutions that uplift society.

When I was a child, I watched an interview with the renowned Chinese-American architect I.M. Pei. I was deeply impressed by the Louvre Pyramid designed by Mr. Pei, and since then, I have been fascinated by architectural design. I hope to become a great architect like him in the future.

I am an architect, mainly engaged in architectural design. I prefer to design public buildings on challenging sites.

If young designers want to become design legends, they need to cultivate innovative thinking, break through conventions and propose unique solutions; improve their aesthetic standards to create visual beauty; exercise their communication and collaboration skills to ensure the smooth progress of projects; adhere to the pursuit of excellent design; and maintain the exploration of and passion for the integration of architecture and art.

A good designer can skillfully apply professional skills, meet the basic functional and aesthetic requirements of a project, and design good works. However, a great designer is not only highly proficient in professional skills but also possesses a strong innovative spirit. They can break through conventions, create pioneering and far-reaching influential works, and lead the industry trend. They have a profound understanding and persistent pursuit of design, attach great importance to humanistic care, and can enable their design works to coexist harmoniously with society and the environment.

Architectural design, on the one hand, involves issues related to factual judgments such as technology, usage, construction, and budget. On the other hand, it involves issues related to value judgments such as human thoughts, emotions, philosophy, and aesthetics. For the former issues, there are right and wrong answers, while for the latter issues, there is no standard answer. A good building should not only be a correct building but also a building that touches people's hearts.

Utilize innovative thinking to solve practical problems, persistently pursue excellence, explore the integration of architecture and art, and pay attention to the social environment as well as humanistic care.

My favorite work is the Louvre Pyramid designed by I.M. Pei. It has a modern appearance, combining glass and metal, with smooth lines and transparent light. Although its style contrasts with the ancient Louvre, it is magically integrated, setting off the elegance of the historical building. As the main entrance, it optimizes the flow of people. The underground space creates rich light and shadow effects through the light. It is extremely charming both during the day and at night, and it is a model in terms of aesthetics, functionality, and cultural integration, having a profound influence.

I personally think that my greatest design is the Dongtou Passenger Port project. It fully reflects my design philosophy: the integration of tradition and modernity, as well as the symbiosis of nature and architecture. Situated at Tantou Mountain Bay in Dongtou, this site serves as a link between the urban area and the scenic zone. Under the guidance of the concept of "Symbiosis of Mountain and Sea", the terraced setback buildings and vegetated slopes combine the mountain and the sea, creating a three-dimensional space. It connects the mountains and the coastline longitudinally, integrates an 800-meter commercial-waterfront belt transversely, and zones the transport, commercial, and ecological corridors vertically, thus shaping a low-carbon symbiotic entity.

I have a deep love for painting, maybe I will become a painter.

It stems from the love for design and the persistent attitude of pursuing excellence, with an emphasis on exploring the integration of architecture and art, and paying attention to the social environment as well as humanistic care.

Design can contribute to creating a better society in many ways. Through reasonable space planning, design can create a livable environment, integrate nature and humanity, and enhance the quality of life. Design can also pay attention to the needs of vulnerable groups, promote social equity, and drive sustainable development.

Social welfare projects: Projects such as barrier-free facilities or community centers designed for vulnerable groups. When seeing that the design can effectively improve the living environment of disabled people, the elderly and other groups, meet their special needs, and enhance their living convenience and happiness, one will deeply feel the social value of the design and thus obtain a strong sense of satisfaction.

Firstly, in terms of technology, technologies such as AI should be deeply integrated with design and applied in a standardized manner, assisting designers in creating better works and ensuring originality. Secondly, in terms of concepts, more emphasis should be placed on sustainable development, integrating the concepts of environmental protection and low carbon throughout the entire design process. At the same time, it is necessary to deeply explore cultural connotations to promote cultural inheritance and innovation. Thirdly, in terms of talent cultivation, attention should be paid to the cultivation of interdisciplinary abilities, enabling designers to possess knowledge in multiple fields and enhancing their comprehensive qualities.

AI will be deeply integrated into design tools, shifting from being an assistant to an end output provider. This will greatly enhance the efficiency of designers.

Always maintain a curiosity about the world and a keen sense of insight.

Design and trends influence and promote each other, and it is difficult to simply determine which one leads the other. On the one hand, with innovative concepts, unique styles, and a forward-looking insight into future trends, excellent designs are able to create brand-new aesthetic paradigms and ways of life, thus leading the trends. On the other hand, trends can also provide inspiration and direction for design. The trend tendencies formed by factors such as social culture, economic development, and technological progress prompt designers to create in line with these changes.

Colors can create an atmosphere and convey emotions; materials determine the texture, performance, and sustainability; the environment affects the suitability of the design. The three elements jointly shape the function and experience of the design.

When seeing a new great design or product, I will think about its innovative points, aesthetic value, the practical problems it solves, and the possible impacts on the industry and people's lifestyles.

In the next thousand years, technology will lead to earth-shaking changes in human society.
In the field of technology, artificial intelligence will be deeply integrated with humans and become an important partner in both life and work. Quantum computing technology will mature, providing powerful computing power for scientific research and solving complex problems.
In terms of lifestyle, cities will be built with new materials and become more intelligent and ecological. There will be a transformation in transportation methods. High-speed maglev trains, flying cars, etc. will become popular, making travel convenient and efficient. In education, with the help of virtual reality and augmented reality technologies, personalized and immersive learning will be achieved. Entertainment methods will become more diverse, and immersive games, space tourism, etc. will become the norm.
The social structure will also change. The degree of global integration will be higher, national boundaries will become blurred, and a close global community will be formed.

Simo Architectural Engineering Design Co., Ltd. is a pioneering Chinese design firm with global vision, anchoring its architectural philosophy in the diversified lifestyles of contemporary society and the emotional essence of place. Committed to human-centric values, the studio harmonizes rational analysis of land with sensitive interpretation of cultural narratives, dedicated to creating enduring architecture that responds to human needs and withstands the tests of time and urban evolution. works have garnered international accolades including the MUSE Design Awards Gold Prize (USA), American Good Design Gold Award, and French Design Award Gold Prize.

Design is a process of solving problems such as those related to the site and requirements. It is a means of communication that conveys stories and emotions, and it has the ability to create spaces that enhance people's quality of life.

Buildings that combine tradition and modernity in a natural way and can blend seamlessly with the surrounding environment.

My favorite work is the Louvre Pyramid designed by I.M. Pei. It has a modern appearance, combining glass and metal, with smooth lines and transparent light. Although its style contrasts with the ancient Louvre, it is magically integrated, setting off the elegance of the historical building. As the main entrance, it optimizes the flow of people. The underground space creates rich light and shadow effects through the light. It is extremely charming both during the day and at night, and it is a model in terms of aesthetics, functionality, and cultural integration, having a profound influence.

The collision between traditional building materials produced locally and modern glass, such as rubble stones, bamboos and so on.

When one is alone in the dead of night, it is at this moment that inspiration is most likely to strike.

How can a building blend naturally with its surrounding environment?

When my design comes to life, my heart is filled with excitement and pride. From the initial concept to the lines on the blueprint, and then to the building that stands tall in reality, I have poured my heart and soul into every step of the process. Seeing it blend harmoniously with the surrounding environment and being used and recognized by people, I experience a joy of having my dream come true. I also deeply feel that all my efforts have been meaningful.

When judging whether a design is good or bad, I will first consider its functionality, that is, whether it can meet the actual needs of users. For example, whether the spatial layout is reasonable and the circulation flow is smooth. Secondly, I will consider its degree of integration with the environment, to see if it can coexist harmoniously with the surrounding natural and cultural environments. Moreover, I will consider its innovativeness, that is, whether it has unique concepts and forms of expression. At the same time, I will take into account its sustainability, evaluating the utilization of resources and the impact on the environment.

At the social level, designers should meet the needs of different groups of people through design, improve the quality of life of the public, promote social equity and inclusion, and inherit and carry forward culture. In terms of the environment, it is necessary to adopt sustainable design concepts, make rational use of resources, and reduce waste and pollution.

The design inspiration for my works comes from a wide range of sources. The breathtaking natural landscapes, the unique cultural customs of different regions, the distinctive charm of historical buildings, and even the little details in daily life can all inspire me. To stimulate my creativity, I will travel more to personally experience the charm of different environments. I will also read various books to draw nourishment from knowledge, and communicate with people from different fields to broaden the boundaries of my thinking.

My design style is the integration of tradition and modernity, as well as the symbiosis of nature and architecture. The exploration of this style stems from my love and reverence for traditional culture, as well as my firm belief in the harmonious coexistence of architecture and nature. The main characteristics of this style include concise and dynamic lines, the use of natural materials, and open and fluid spaces.

My design process first involves in-depth research on the project site conditions and user needs, covering aspects such as the surrounding environment, climate, and functionality. Subsequently, I collect a large amount of information, draw inspiration from historical, cultural, artistic and other fields, and find an entry point. Then, I use sketches and models to conceive the design scheme, and continuously deepen and optimize it until an ideal plan is determined. Throughout the entire process, I maintain close communication and collaboration with team members, clients, and relevant professionals to ensure that the design can be smoothly implemented and achieve the expected results.

The most important skills for a designer include creativity and innovative thinking, which are used to propose unique solutions; the ability to solve practical design problems; a good sense of aesthetics to create visual beauty; communication and collaboration skills to ensure the progress of the design scheme; and research and analysis skills to provide a basis for decision-making. All these skills are interrelated and jointly support excellent design.