Shengzhe Shen

LEGENDARY INTERVIEW

Design Legends ("DL") had the distinct honour to interview legendary designer Shengzhe Shen ("SS") for their original perspective and innovative approach to design as well as their creative lifestyle, we are very pleased to share our interview with our distinguished readers.

DL: Could you please tell us a bit about your design background and education?

SS : Architecture MA of Central Academy of Fine Arts.

DL: What motivates you to design in general, why did you become a designer?

SS : Follow and promote the relationship between man and environment, man and culture.

DL: Did you choose to become a designer, or you were forced to become one?

SS : Following my heart.

DL: What do you design, what type of designs do you wish to design more of?

SS : I engaged in adaptive renovation design of historical cultural blocks, traditional villages and industrial heritage areas, as well as the integrated design of architecture, interior and landscape of boutique hotels，homestay, cultural and artistic spaces. That is always what I wish to design.

DL: What should young designers do to become a design legend like you?

SS : Focus attention and divergent thinking.

DL: What distinguishes between a good designer and a great designer?

SS : A good designer create the scheme itself, while a great designer make rules and keep schemes working on their own.

DL: What makes a good design a really good design, how do you evaluate good design?

SS : There is no best design, only the most appropriate design.

DL: What is the value of good design? Why should everyone invest in good design?

SS : Good design makes rules or system that keep the schemes working and balancing on its own.

DL: What would you design and who would you design for if you had the time?

SS : I would try to design a little airport or high-speed railway station for a remote town.

DL: What is the dream project you haven’t yet had time to realize?

SS : Design a little airport or high-speed railway station for a remote town.

DL: What is your secret recipe of success in design, what is your secret ingredient?

SS : Focus attention and divergent thinking.

DL: Who are some other design masters and legends you get inspired from?

SS : Every designer who expresses his own views and has consistent logic.

DL: What are your favorite designs by other designers, why do you like them?

SS : Peter Zumthor's. His design is deep and focused.

DL: What is your greatest design, which aspects of that design makes you think it is great?

SS : An artistic experiment named Mowa, a new application of traditional materials, has been exhibited, on sale and applied to actual projects.

DL: How could people improve themselves to be better designers, what did you do?

SS : I think architects should be flexible, experience more and be able to transfer knowledge, and transform all kinds of information into the logic of design. A painting, a performance, a popular app and a cold knowledge can trigger the thinking of future design. Future contact owners also come from all walks of life. At the same time, with a large amount of information and more useless information, we should learn to think rationally. Design is the artistic processing after rational derivation. This is really important. Grasp the essence of the problem, find a main clue to promote the design, and then divergent thinking to collect the material and basis of the design.

DL: If you hadn’t become a designer, what would you have done?

SS : Musician. In fact, I am a musician with a certain audience. I think there are similarities between music and architecture creation. There are some simple rules and logic, but there are countless changes at the same time in these two fields. Therefore, different styles have been formed in the exploration of predecessors. I will also find ways to organize and shape architectural space by analyzing great classical music works or contemporary pop music works.

DL: How do you define design, what is design for you?

SS : Design is a process of self consistent thinking. Finding appropriate rules can make design work by itself.

DL: Who helped you to reach these heights, who was your biggest supporter?

SS : My teacher and family.

DL: What helped you to become a great designer?

SS : Rich life experience, not limited to design.

DL: What were the obstacles you faced before becoming a design master?

SS : Finding partners to work with.

DL: How do you think designers should present their work?

SS : Step by step, not bluff.

DL: What’s your next design project, what should we expect from you in future?

SS : Let's imagine together. Unexpected and reasonable.

DL: What’s your ultimate goal as a designer?

SS : Do every project in a down-to-earth manner. Keep going, never stop.

DL: What people expect from an esteemed designer such as yourself?

SS : Integrate design into life.

DL: How does design help create a better society?

SS : My projects usually include in some remote villages and underdeveloped areas. My work will bring some contributions to the local economic development and the improvement of people's livelihood, retain and develop the local architectural culture and give people some self-identity. In this case, profitability is no longer the main purpose.

DL: What are you currently working on that you are especially excited about?

SS : During the pandemic, we continued to complete high-quality projects, making eorts for local economic recovery and livelihood improvement.

DL: Which design projects gave you the most satisfaction, why?

SS : The design is all regrettable, there is no most satisfactory one.

DL: What would you like to see changed in design industry in the coming years?

SS : Get more recognition and due design fee.

DL: Where do you think the design field is headed next?

SS : Smarter, more caring, and more environmentally friendly.

DL: How long does it take you to finalize a design project?

SS : 3 months to 1 year.

DL: When you have a new design project, where do you start?

SS : Starting by looking at the venue and reading the assignment.

DL: What is your life motto as a designer?

SS : Simple things, to the extreme, are great.

DL: Do you think design sets the trends or trends set the designs?

SS : Design trend is a false proposition, and good design has no effectiveness. Therefore, it is important to stick to your ideas and style.

DL: What is the role of technology when you design?

SS : The core of design is the idea, and the sense of form is the final presentation of the idea. Any technology is a tool to solve problems and present a sense of form. It should not be the core of design.

DL: What kind of design software and equipment do you use in your work?

SS : Computer, Cad and Su.

DL: What is the role of the color, materials and ambient in design?

SS : Color and material are costumes, and environment is a congenital condition.

DL: What do you wish people to ask about your design?

SS : Let people ask no questions and forget the design itself.

DL: When you see a new great design or product what comes into your mind?

SS : What is his internal logic.

DL: Who is your ideal design partner? Do you believe in co-design?

SS : I like a relaxed and open working atmosphere, just like a workshop or classroom. I respect the creative enthusiasm of each partner. My requirement for my work partner is to be a geek first, which is outstanding in the design process. The second is to understand what others are doing, have a full understanding of the whole work, and put forward unique opinions from their own field.

DL: Which people you interacted had the most influence on your design?

SS : Every designer who expresses his own views and has consistent logic.

DL: How did you develop your skills as a master designer?

SS : Sill comes from practice.

DL: Irrelative of time and space, who you would want to meet, talk and discuss with?

SS : Louis Isadore Kahn.

DL: How do you feel about all the awards and recognition you had, is it hard to be famous?

SS : I'm relieved. I hope it will not hard in the future.

DL: What is your favorite color, place, food, season, thing and brand?

SS : White, home, rice, winter, furniture and Jil sander.

DL: Please tell us a little memoir, a funny thing you had experienced as a designer?

SS : Because of trust, I once helped the government persuade the villagers to adopt the transformation plan.

DL: What makes your day great as a designer, how do you motivate yourself?

SS : Maybe it's because I liked studying problems, being quiet, and being curious about all kinds of new things when I was a child. At the same time, it was influenced by the family in terms of aesthetics.

DL: When you were a little child, was it obvious that you would become a great designer?

SS : Maybe it's because I liked studying problems, being quiet, and being curious about all kinds of new things when I was a child. At the same time, it was influenced by the family in terms of aesthetics.

DL: What do you think about future; what do you see will happen in thousand years from now?

SS : In the future, people will find a better way to balance the world.

DL: Please tell us anything you wish your fans to know about you, your design and anything else?

SS : If possible, please remember my name and nationality. Thank you.