Interview with Ziye Wu

The three founders of Mix Architecture studied architecture at university, and then we became professional architects after years of learning and practices.

I Choose to become a designer.

The majority of our works includes renovation projects, plus village projects, hotels and public architecture. I like design works of medium and small public architecture, such as library and art gallery. These projects have less limit on profit and function, so there can be some experimental attempt and renovation.

Watch, experience and think more.

A good designer can meet the client's needs, adn a great design can make a history.

Whether it has solved the problem.

Architectural design is a diversified and social work. So when we judge whether a design is successful, it relates to the function and constructive purpose. It may be economic benefits, social concern or community activation. When the client’s demands are fully met and they got positive feedbacks, we can conclude that it is successful design.

I like design works of medium and small public architecture, such as library and art gallery. These projects have less limit on profit and function, so there can be some experimental attempt and renovation.

Adjust measures to local conditions and simplify the complex problems.

It must be He Garden in Yangzhou. I like oriental space form, where architectural form is weakened and hidden in the "artificial" nature, which is rich in living and literati feelings. Different from other traditional Chinese gardens, there is a two-story cloister in He Garden, and it has some modern architectural space treatment there. For a Chinese architect who is deeply influenced by modern architectural concepts, He Garden is a special case of Chinese architecture.

It is Teshima Art Museum by Ryue Nishizawa. It differs from the ordinary architecture and it is awesome from its design concept to construction methods and to the space experience.

Currently, it is Jiangshan Fishing Village Rernovation project. In this project, mirror surface is used on the connection between the old and new materials, which fulfill the idea of contrast and boundlessness of the old and new in space experience and design logic. It presents a good result at last.

We are inclined to study the traditional and local materials and technology. We tried to use traditional materials in a new way, or remodel new materials in an old technology. It seems contradictory, but the way to integrate the old and new is what we’re focusing at present.

Design is a creative solution which brings diversified sense of participation and immersive experience to the end users.

Mr. Zhang Lei, my teacher in Nanjing University. Two of my partners are students of Mr. Zhang, and we all once worked in his studio. His thinking method has influenced us a lot.

Based on the feedback village renovation practice, we plan to continue our practice on this field. In the same time, we’ll try digitized wood architecture in some small public architecture, as well as modularization space reconstruction based on 3D printing.

In my opinion, architecture is a conservative and comprehensive discipline. Its development is based on the development of disciplines such as culture, science and technology. Therefore, the meaning of architecture is to materialize the change of world. It plays the role of expressing the change of life.

In the current stage, the development of the Internet brings broader thinking and information explosion, which I think has greatly affect people's lives, and thus affect the construction field.

It usually takes about a month to design an object from beginning to end.

Deeply understand the client’s needs, examine the site, have a knowledge of the local culture and requirements on buildings. Then we discuss and work on the design concept with the help of models.

Adjust measures to local conditions and simplify the complex problems.

I think trends set the designs. Design is a way to showcase the changing world.

Technology makes design more effective and ensures more posibilities for design idea.

Most are traditional tools like AutoCAD, Sketch up, Rhino and handmade model.

My design team members.

Thanks to the recognition from A' Design Award & Competition. It is a great encouragement to our studio as a platinum award winner. It will encourage us to make more exploration in design in the future.

My favorite color is black.

My day is mainly about work. And I think design is very interesting, and every day is unknown and uncertain.

I decide to become a designer only after years of study in univesity and practice in society.

Design is a relatively conservative discipline. The evolution of design is along with the change and update of science and technology. We can’t assert what is the future of design, but it should follow the changing time. We need to consider what the new technologies can bring to human being, and how will they affect us. The meaning of architecture is to convey the change of world to people in the way of designs.

Mix Architecture was founded by three partners in 2016 based in Nanjing, China. They try to build new space experience from a different perspective. Their works include new emerging industry, city renovation and village renaissance, creating the ideal space for society.

Design is a creative solution which brings diversified sense of participation and immersive experience to the end users.

The majority of our works includes renovation projects, plus village projects, hotels and public architecture.

It is Teshima Art Museum by Ryue Nishizawa. It differs from the ordinary architecture and it is awesome from its design concept to construction methods and to the space experience.

It is an urban renovation project located in Nanjing. The original building is an abandoned building with only the concrete structure. We finally made it a show center of a commercial residential project.

We do not have any specific preference. We are inclined to study the traditional and local materials and technology. We tried to use traditional materials in a new way, or remodel new materials in an old technology. It seems contradictory, but the way to integrate the old and new is what we’re focusing at present.

when we examine the site after we understand the client’s demands. There will be a conversation between the designers and the site; sometimes you have realized what’s the best scene to be built when you are at the site.

We focus more on interaction, experience, the logic of construction and the true express of material.

With a clear logic and restrained emotions, we try to find the solution to problems and make each complex problem easier. The most important part should be shown in the clearest way, so that highlighting the design philosophy.

We feel delighted but regretful. It always takes a long time to realize an architecture, so it is a happy and good thing to make it built. However, designers can always find the faulty part of a building, and this regretful feeling inspires us to make better design in the future.

Architectural design is a diversified and social work. So when we judge whether a design is successful, it relates to the function and constructive purpose. It may be economic benefits, social concern or community activation. When the client’s demands are fully met and they got positive feedbacks, we can conclude that it is successful design.

Whether it has solved the problem.

I think that designers just need to do their own job well. On one hand, the design should inherit tradition and bring a cultural charm to the local; on the other hand, the design should show a better lifestyle and living idea.

Design is a relatively conservative discipline. The evolution of design is along with the change and update of science and technology. We can’t assert what is the future of design, but it should follow the changing time. We need to consider what the new technologies can bring to human being, and how will they affect us. The meaning of architecture is to convey the change of world to people in the way of designs.

We’ re a young design studio, and we haven’t got enough works for exhibition. Hope we have the chance in the near future.

Most of the inspirations come form accumulation in everyday life. Some are based on the learning on the classic design works, and some other more come from thinking and observation on life and national culture, as well as way of thinking.

We emphasized more on locality and experience, which is more a design idea than style. Because we are a young team, we don’t like to set a particular style. We aim to a diversified way of expression in a relatively complete design.

I live in Nanjing, China. And my partners have lived in other areas of China, where the geography and culture are quite different. our experiences formed our thinking of design. In the basis of eastern thinking mode, It is suited to local conditions

I think communication is every important. It is the most effective way when work with companies.

Different designers have different design expectation and career plan. Companies prefer the designer whose design expectation is in line with companies’ goal and design philosophy. And companies should meet the designer’s need of career plan. It is a win-win deal.

Deeply understand the client’s needs, examine the site, have a knowledge of the local culture and requirements on buildings. Then we discuss and work on the design concept with the help of models.

They are the design assignment of university, my daughter’s painting assignment, my mother’s handwork, a small vase bought in Tokyo and a small model of kettle designed by Frank Gehry.

My day is mainly work. And I think design is very interesting, and every day is unknown and uncertain.

Watch, experience and think more.

Being a designer, we can feel the beauty of world better, but design is too close to life. I mean the work and life are connected too closely.

Adjust measures to local conditions and simplify the complex problems.

A clear think system and sensitive perception and judgment.

Most are traditional tools like AutoCAD, Sketch up, Rhino and handmade model.

Make the order of priority according to project stage and problems to be solved. Mark deadlines in the early period of design, so as to control the project schedule.

It usually takes about a month to design an object from beginning to end.

Why do architects always wear in black?

It is my job experience in AZL Architects, which is founded by my teacher Zhang Lei in Nanjing University.

Our clients include private client, real estate companies and government who need urban renewal demand.

I like design works of medium and small public architecture, such as library and art gallery. These projects have less limit on profit and function, so there can be some experimental attempt and renovation.

We hope that more better projects can be built in the future.

We work as a team.

Based on the feedback village renovation practice, we plan to continue our practice on this field. In the same time, we’ll try digitized wood architecture in some small public architecture, as well as modularization space reconstruction based on 3D printing.

You can contact me by email mix_architecture@163.com. And our office address is Room 1111, No. 88, Chuangyi Rd. Jianye District, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China.

Thanks to the recognition from A' Design Award & Competition. It is a great encouragement to our studio as a platinum award winner. It will encourage us to make more exploration in design in the future.