Hang Chen

LEGENDARY INTERVIEW

Design Legends ("DL") had the distinct honour to interview legendary designer Hang Chen ("HC") 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?

HC : I’m a national registered urban and rural planner, landscape engineer, and outstanding interior designer in Guangdong Province, China. In my past design work, I have served as the project leader of Turenscape, the creative design director of SWPD, and the planning and design director of Shenzhen Kaichuang Architectural Design Co., Ltd. My clients include Authority of Qianhai Shenzhen-Hong Kong Modern Service Industry Cooperation Zone of Shenzhen, Poly Development Holding Group Co., Ltd., Handan Fuxing City and Transportation Construction Investment Co., and Qiubei County Xingyu Urbanisation Investment and Development Co., etc.

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

HC : I became a designer because I believe that well-crafted spaces can transform how people live and interact with the world around them, marrying creativity with purpose.

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

HC : I chose this path out of a genuine passion for shaping environments that resonate with people and nature, rather than out of any external compulsion.

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

HC : Urban & Rural Planning, Architecture and Landscape Design.

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

HC : Young designers should immerse themselves in diverse fields, practice relentlessly, and strive to innovate instead of simply replicating existing solutions.

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

HC : A good designer fulfills client requirements competently, whereas a great designer anticipates emerging needs and creates experiences that transcend expectations.

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

HC : The standard I judge a good design is that it creatively solves the corresponding problems, such as being suitable for users, creating social value, having an impact on promoting social development, and having a beautiful and fashionable appearance.

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

HC : I believe that good design is important for creating an ideal living environment, which can make people's lives better.

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

HC : If time permitted, I would design inclusive cultural centers that serve underrepresented communities, focusing on sustainability and social impact.

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

HC : My dream project is a zero-carbon, self-sufficient floating city prototype that addresses climate refugees and rising sea levels.

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

HC : My secret ingredient is empathetic observation—truly understanding human behavior and environmental context before sketching a single line.

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

HC : I draw inspiration from figures such as Thomas Heatherwick, Zaha Hadid, and Christopher Alexander for their innovative approaches to materiality, form, and human-centered patterns.

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

HC : I admire Vincent Callebaut’s “Lilypad” floating city concept for its ecological vision and Oceanix City by Bjarke Ingels Group for its scalable resilience to climate change.

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

HC : My biggest design work is City Fields Complex Functional Urban Area. I started from the original value of the city, respecting the characteristics of itself, and integrated the elements of mountain, water and fields into the urban design of the high-speed railway station area, creating a charming place where people can intuitively perceive the characteristics of the city as soon as they come out of the high-speed railway station. Some people only see the city in terms of monetary value, but I tried to make them understand the value of the city from multiple perspectives, such as ecology, economy, culture and urban vitality, and finally got the approval. It is a monumental and comprehensive project, and I will continue to improve myself to maximize the comprehensive value of the design practice with "smart construction" as the guide.

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

HC : To improve, one should study broadly, seek hands-on experience in different cultures, and constantly refine both conceptual thinking and technical skills.

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

HC : If not a designer, I likely would have pursued environmental research or industrial design to continue problem-solving on a broad scale.

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

HC : Design is the art of balancing functional necessity, aesthetic expression, and social responsibility to create meaningful experiences .

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

HC : I think my biggest supporters are my clients. I see them as partners.

DL: What helped you to become a great designer?

HC : Exposure to diverse cultural contexts and mentorship from established architects helped me refine my vision and sharpen my problem-solving abilities.

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

HC : Major obstacles included limited access to advanced tools early on and the challenge of convincing stakeholders to embrace unconventional solutions.

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

HC : Designers should present their work through clear storytelling—combining concise narratives, immersive visualizations, and user-centered reasoning.

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

HC : Next, I am developing a modular housing prototype aimed at rapid deployment in disaster-prone coastal regions, emphasizing both resilience and community engagement.

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

HC : My ultimate goal as a designer is to create an ideal living environment, to promote the benign development of cities and to pay attention to the fairness of existence beyond human beings.

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

HC : People expect a visionary approach, thoughtful innovation, and solutions that balance aesthetic quality with real-world impact.

DL: How does design help create a better society?

HC : Design fosters well-being and equity by addressing human needs, environmental sustainability, and social cohesion through thoughtful spatial interventions.

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

HC : I am particularly excited about a pilot project for a floating ecopolis that integrates renewable energy, aquaculture, and communal spaces to address future climate migrations.

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

HC : Projects that deeply engaged local communities—transforming underutilized urban areas into vibrant cultural hubs—have given me the greatest satisfaction because they created lasting social value.

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

HC : I would like to see a shift toward full-spectrum sustainability—where social equity, circular economies, and resilient technologies become standard practice rather than optional add-ons.

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

HC : Design is evolving towards the field of maximizing integrated value. The future of design must consider not one-sided value, but a better life and a more livable environment through integrated means.

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

HC : The typical timeline from concept to finalization spans 18 to 24 months, depending on project complexity and regulatory processes.

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

HC : I begin with comprehensive research—site analysis, stakeholder interviews, and precedent studies—before sketching any conceptual ideas.

DL: What is your life motto as a designer?

HC : The best design work is always the next one.

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

HC : I believe it’s reciprocal: innovative design often sparks new trends, while existing cultural and technological trends also inform emerging design solutions.

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

HC : It is a tool to achieve a purpose.

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

HC : I rely on industry-standard BIM and parametric modeling platforms, but always emphasize conceptual sketching and physical model-making over any single software.

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

HC : By skillfully integrating color, materials, and ambient factors, designers can create harmonious and immersive experiences that align with the intended purpose and evoke desired emotions. The interplay between these elements enables the design to communicate effectively, enhance functionality, and create a unique identity.

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

HC : I wish people would ask how the design enhances daily life and fosters community resilience, rather than simply focusing on its aesthetic qualities.

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

HC : I immediately consider its impact on user behavior, environmental footprint, and potential for adaptation in different cultural contexts.

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

HC : My ideal partner is someone equally versed in technical rigor and creative exploration—yes, co-design accelerates innovation by blending diverse perspectives.

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

HC : Mentors who emphasized human-centric principles—such as Christopher Alexander’s pattern-based approach—have profoundly influenced my work.

DL: Which books you read had the most effect on your design?

HC : “A Pattern Language” by Christopher Alexander and “Design Thinking” by Tim Brown have fundamentally shaped my understanding of user-centered and iterative processes.

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

HC : Through continuous practice, cross-disciplinary collaboration, and ongoing reflection on built precedents, I honed my design intuition over decades.

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

HC : I would choose Vitruvius to discuss timeless principles of spatial harmony and material honesty that remain relevant today.

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

HC : Awards are gratifying acknowledgments of collaborative effort, but maintaining focus on genuine impact is more challenging than securing accolades.

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

HC : I favor earth-tone palettes, coastal settings, simple grain-based meals, autumn’s gentle light, tactile materials like raw timber, and brands that champion sustainable innovation.

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

HC : During a community meeting to discuss a new urban development project, I found myself in a comical situation. As the lead architect, I was presenting the proposed design to a room full of passionate residents. They had diverse opinions and were eager to share their thoughts. As I began explaining the design, one particularly enthusiastic individual raised their hand with great enthusiasm. Assuming they had a question, I called on them, only to be met with a sudden burst of enthusiasm. They leaped out of their chair, shouting, "I love it! This is going to be amazing!" and started clapping vigorously. The room fell into an awkward silence as everyone turned to look at this unexpected outburst. Trying to maintain composure, I thanked the individual for their enthusiasm, but asked if they had any specific questions or concerns. To my surprise, they simply replied, "Nope, just wanted to let you know how excited I am!" and continued clapping. The room erupted in laughter, breaking the tension, and soon everyone was joining in on the applause. Though it was an unusual moment, it brought a lighthearted atmosphere to the meeting. It also served as a reminder of the impact that design can have on people's emotions and the importance of engaging with the community in a meaningful way.

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

HC : A day is great when collaborative sketches spark fresh ideas, and I stay motivated by continually exploring new cultures and design philosophies.

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

HC : As a child, I was always fascinated by how spaces made me feel, but the path to becoming a “great” designer unfolded over years of dedicated study and practice.

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

HC : In the distant future, a thousand years from now, the world will be a wondrous place of awe and marvels! Picture a world where technology has advanced beyond our wildest dreams, where flying cars zoom through the skies like colorful birds, and buildings soar into the clouds, defying gravity with their magnificent designs. In this future, environmental consciousness will be at the heart of everything we do. Cities will be adorned with breathtaking green spaces, where towering trees intertwine with skyscrapers, creating an urban jungle like no other. We'll have found ingenious ways to harness renewable energy, with buildings covered in shimmering solar panels and sleek wind turbines gracefully spinning in the breeze.

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

HC : My design ethos centers on empathy—every project is an opportunity to connect people, culture, and environment in meaningful ways.