Interview with Tsung Hsien Wu

My office, G. A. O (Glocal Architecture Office) was established in 2003. The word "Glocal" is a combination of the 2 words Global and Local and is also my company's design motto. Not only does it refer to design, it also refer to my design team members who all will have their own unique international and local characteristics. G. A. O's design frequently combines the aspect of learning with practical which results in an adventurous and experimental mind. G. A. O mainly specialize in urban, landscape, architecture and interior design. Not only that, we also have a strong interest in product design. We recently completed a case where we design the interior furnitures relating to the architecture's aspects.

Design, to me, is a power which can change everything in the world. We use the power of design to not only make things better, but to add passion and imagination to create something new.

I have designed urban, landscape, architecture, interior and furniture across Taiwan and, in recent years, expanded out to China, Phillipine, and Malaysia. If possible, I am also interested in further expanding my range out to other countries. Out of all those types, I will say I like architecture design the most as can see with this silver award in architecture design.

Since I have designed in various types of design, there is one design for each that is my most favorite. For example, in furniture design, my most favorite would be the mountain-inspired table and chair. This table and chair is not only a furniture, but is also a link to one of my architectural design. Both the table and chair and architecture are related to Eastern philosophy. Not only that, this furniture further relates to my client's family business. As for interior design, I like Eastern design the most as numerous of my works uses Eastern philosophy as my design concept. An example of this is a famous ancient Chinese painting 富春山居. For urban design, I like to use geomancy as my concept in laying out the city.

The first thing that I designed for a client was a headquarters building. The successors of this building is now currently into its third generation and from this I see a humble inheritance within the client. And so, I design the building with that in mind in hopes that future generations, before walking into the building, will have understand humble inheritance and responsibilities. The main focal point of a design is the client and so as I design future cases, I hope to give the client a unique design that will inspire future generations.

I like native material, meaning that I like to use materials present in local resources. Just as my company's name Glocal Architecture suggest, we combine international aspects with local characteristics. Wherever my client is located, I will go and immerse myself in that country. In order for my design to keep up with time, we are constantly learning and incorporating new technology as like with the introduction of virtual reality. Not only technology, we also learn and incorporate the latest ideology like passive-style design tactics.

When I'm not paying attention (haha). I frequently will have an inspiration in the midst of doing other things. For example, as I talk with my clients, I will have a new inspiration. As I watch a movie, I will have an inspiration and will dig out my notebook to jot ideas down. When I'm showering, I will repeatedly mutter to myself as so I don't forget when I finish. Even in my sleep, I will have a dream and when inspiration hits, I will jump out of bed and run to the living room to fetch my notebook.

The stages to achieve a final design are numerous and long. Me, in the past, would consider everything at once and stick to it until the end. Now, I am constantly changing and revising every detail. For example, I will constantly revise the lighting and angle of view for 3D renderings, construction drawings' details, and on-site construction methods. Aside from all that, I focus the most attention on the conceptual stage. If I take my time and effort during the conceptual stage, the rest afterwards is attentive considerations for design.

Excitement. Once I have a good feeling about the design, despite the fact that this design might not be acceptable to the client, I will still be too excited to even sleep. Sometimes this excitement will continue even after presenting my design idea to the client and will have to make changes.

When my designs are realized, I will feel excited and accomplished. Even after a few years, as I look back, I will still feel emotional and touched.

There are many factors that contribute to make a design successful. These include agreement with the client, adequate funding, and experienced craftsmen. However, the most important factor is finding the right design team: just like GAO (haha)

I will consider the design concept first as the concept can be refer to as the "soul" of design. Next, I will look at the what encompasses the core. These range from aesthetics, how the design convey the style intended, the use of materials all the way to how one portray the details of the design.

As a designer, we should reduce the amount of energy used and keep the environment green. For example, reducing the use of air conditioning in a building. By reducing the use of air conditioning, designers can look for an environmental friendly approach for ventilation. This is one of our case in progress for a self-sufficient resort on a small island. It is a challenging feat in which we hope to accomplish for a better future in design.

Design is evolving to make people's lifestyle more convenient, more healthy and to make a sustainable environment.

My last exhibition was for a digital manufacture which was held early this year in Taipei where we showcase one of our furniture design. The next exhibition that will showcase our design will be at Chengdu. That exhibition will showcase works in relation to children's zodiac. However, my work is always available to view on my company's website: http://www.gaoffice-design.com/

They come from work and lifestyles. Unlike most design companies, my company do not have overtime. However, I personally am constantly working non-stop. My inspirations come from all sorts of means: for example, painting and calligraphy, movie, as well as travel. Recently on my travels, I experience something similar to cows eating the same grass twice (haha). Each time I return to the same place, I will experience something new which will help spark my inspirations. Whether it is the culture, or even a fragment of memory of the same location.

I don't have a fix design style. Style is something that takes shape involuntarily. For instance, if my inspiration comes from a zen garden, then the style will naturally form around the concept of zen and Eastern style. However, most of my design usually lean towards contemporary modern style because I am from the East. My inspirations for my work usually comes from the mysterious wonders of geomancy, Yin-Yang, classical poem, and paintings which all will contribute naturally into my Eastern style design. I spend a long process in approaching my design. I will take the time to discuss and understand the client's needs and requirements and of the things the client is fond of. I will then incorporate them into a design concept in which I will use to accomplish the design case.

I live in Taipei, the capital city of Taiwan. It is a crowded and urbanizing city where one can get anything one desire. Life on this island is comfortable and peaceful but ever since I was a kid, I never went with the flow. I seek more possibilities in my design and therefore, I started to fly back and forth frequently between Taiwan and other Asian countries. After years of flying back and forth, my design not only is affected by Taiwan culture, but that of all of Asia.

Design is a method in solving life's problems and so when encounter with the problem, I, as a designer, need to be able to communicate and understand with companies in order to come to a perfect conclusion. Therefore, I will involve myself with companies' matters. For example, naming a pet fish, updating on friend's status, arranging to play ball at a park and so forth.

Aside from working hours, let the designer go enjoy a regular and free life. The designer can get together with friends, go on dates with their special half, spend time with family, or even partake in one's hobby. Only a designer who has a better understanding of life than that of the client can design the most suitable space. When choosing a good designer, choose a designer who understands the joys of life.

When I receive a new design case, I won't immediately start to immerse myself in design. I will first go to the site to observe and to get a general feel. Furthermore, I will communicate with the client over an extended period of time. After communicating with the client, I will research and read upon on numerous case studies and images, attend exhibitions, and travel overseas. Once all those are done, I will then start to contemplate on the client's design with numerous edits and changes further down the design path

The combination of my entertainment stand with storage and display cabinet, the open design of my studio with living room, the open design of dining room, the separation of wet and dry between the 4 lavatory items, the dual side wardrobe located in the bedroom's sleeping area, make up area, and writing area. These all incorporate multi-functional design.

From the morning drive to my office to the oversea travels, everything I do is related to work. When I return home, I will then gather everything I saw throughout the day and start to think of possible design inspirations. I am continuous working. However, at the moment, I quite enjoy this type of lifestyle.

Go out and use an open perspective and open heart to see the world. If you do, you will receive the same in return. Just like my company's saying, take risk; use experimental mind and incorporate that into actual practice.

I would say the positive to being a designer is the enthusiasm in designing a self-realization of one's desire. The negative aspect will probably be designing just for the money. (haha)

My "golden rule" is to never repeat the same design. Even though the requirement and concept are the same, look for all possibilities and link them together. Don't be afraid of changes.

Imagination, ability to integrate, to solve problems are essential skills for a designer. However, the most important skill is the ability to communicate.

I mostly freehand sketch when designing and communicating with the clients on my design proposal. Surfing online is the major contributor as to where I get my inspirations as it directly connects me to different parts of the world. If necessary, I will travel there personally to get a first-hand experience of the atmosphere.

Always keep on your toes and keep moving. My cell phone is my personal assistant. I use it to keep track of time and to remind me of my next destination. Although most of the time when communicating with my client I will go past my allotted time frame. In which case, I often will stop the conversation in the middle and leave the topic until next time to continue discussion. Because of this, I am often absent-minded as my mind is somewhere else (haha).

Depending on the size of the case and communicating with the client, its hard to say for certain how long it takes to finish a project from beginning to end. In general, I have to say approximately 1-3 months for small case, and 6-12 months for big case.

Most people who come to my office ask me about my office name. "Glocal" is the combination of the 2 words "global" and "local". For all upcoming cases, no matter how big or small, far or near, that incorporates global and/or local characteristics, G.A.O is here to help.

My most important job experience I would have to say is the time period where I worked for an architecture office. During that time, I participated in numerous collaboration cases with different countries where I worked together with architects and interior designers from England, Dubai, Hong Kong, and Singapore. Afterwards, I open my own architecture office and it was from these experience I gained that allow me to be familiar working with international architects and designers and therefore help me reach a higher stage in my career

My clients are mostly businessman, however there are some that are doctors, teachers, flight attendants...etc.

Aside from design work in Taiwan, I enjoy designing for other countries or designing on a type that have not experienced before. I also enjoy designing on cases that is currently being worked on. For example, a vacation resort on a island in the Philippines, or a private villa in the ever-lasting summer Malaysia.