Interviews med Yu Lin Hsu

Columbia University M.S.AUD

Taiwanese Licensed Architect

These Design Award of National Cheng Kung University Bachelor of Architecture

It’s a way to shape how people live, move, and feel in space. I became a designer because I’ve always believed that space holds emotion and I wanted to learn how to translate that into form.

Growing up in Tainan, surrounded by texture, material, and slow-paced urban life, I developed a sensitivity to space early on. That sense of atmosphere stayed with me.

I design across scales from interiors and architecture to urban strategies. I wish to engage more with public-facing designs that integrate social infrastructure and cultural narratives.

Design is a long game, and those who continuously ask “why” tend to create meaningful work. Learn to listen deeply to materials, to people, to places.

A good designer solves problems; a great designer uncovers unseen potential. The difference is often empathy and courage.

It resonates beyond function. A good design reveals layers the more you interact with it.

Good design shapes how we experience the world. It brings dignity, efficiency, beauty, and inclusivity into our everyday lives.

For people who don't have the power and money.

A decentralized public infrastructure system across multiple cities that blends urban design, clean energy, and community rituals.

Calm observation. I listen to what the site, client, and context are saying.

Herzog & de meuron, for how they design with materials.

Richard Rogers, for how he treat people and the world with empathy.

I have too much in mind.

JLs' home. I like the interaction and trust in the process.

Travel and expose yourself to different scales and fields. I went from interiors to infrastructure, which made me more holistic in thinking and flexible in execution.

maybe doctor.

Design is a way of caring. It’s how we organize form to reflect meaning, experience, and possibility.

My family and friends.

Empathy, consistency, and the willingness to see through ambiguity.

The reality.

With clarity and conviction.

I have multiple things going on, and some of the recent works are residential interior design, but I'd love to try something bigger scale.

To shape systems and spaces that empower people.

To lead with clarity, uplift others, and bring beauty and intelligence into built form.

Design gives structure to values. It can amplify care, justice, and resilience in how we live together.

I was working on a mobility justice project in Niterói, Brazil, which reimagines transit infrastructure to better serve caregivers and marginalized communities. It’s a chance to blend urban design with equity and climate awareness.

The project with clients' full trust.

I hope design is no longer seen as the “aesthetic finish,” but as an integrated strategic tool from the start.

Toward systemic design where spatial design intersects with social equity, sustainability, and urban resilience.

It depends on the scale, but I believe in designing through every phase from concept to construction. For interiors, 3 to 6 months; for architecture, up to 2 years; and for urban design, even longer. Good design takes time to listen, test, and refine.

I always start with the people and the place. Who will use this space? What stories does the site already hold? These two layers shape the design far more than just program and form.

Stay curious, grounded, and humble.

Designers who deeply observe culture often set trends. True innovation comes not from reacting to fashion, but from responding to deeper shifts in how we live and think.

It helps me visualize ideas faster, coordinate across disciplines, and test spatial decisions.

Revit and Enscape the most.

They are the emotional voice of the design. Materials speak to memory and tactility, color sets tone and mood, and ambient light breathes life into space.

I wish they would ask, “What did this space hope to achieve?” Because design isn’t just about aesthetics, it’s about shifting perception, comfort, and use.

I think about what was left out. Great design often involves restraint - what not to say, not just what to show.

My ideal partner is someone who brings a different lens, questions deeply, and enjoys the process as much as the outcome.

My mentors in both Taiwan and the U.S., who taught me how to balance practicality with imagination. Also, project managers I worked with in the public sector for they shaped my understanding of responsibility and execution.

A Place for All People: Life, Architecture and the Fair Society - Richard Rogers

By staying in motion between scales, between disciplines. From running my own practice to managing public works, and studying urban design at Columbia, each layer challenged and sharpened me.

Herzog & de meuron.

Recognition is an honor but it’s not the goal. I take it as encouragement that the values I believe in.

Food: anything warm and brothy.

When I see an idea become tangible—when a sketch becomes a form, or a space receives someone’s joy, that keeps me going. I motivate myself by reminding myself that design can make someone’s life even slightly better.

Maybe not “obvious,” but I think I’ve always been drawn to form, rhythm, and space.

Design is how we leave traces of care in the world. Whether big or small, every act of design is a chance to shape experience, so be careful.

I’m calm, curious, and determined. I believe beauty can be strategic and that good design, at its best, is both poetic and practical.

Because I have been learning calligraphy since childhood, I have a great passion for art and aesthetics. Additionally, I believe that good design can lead to a better life for people, which is why I decided to become an architect.

The core concept of our studio is to value our clients' needs and budgets, boldly try new materials, and provide comfortable and elegant spaces.

For me, design is the medium and perspective through which we, as architects, can make the world a better place.

Mainly residential spaces, but in recent years, we have also started working on clinics and commercial spaces.

The award-winning project 'Green Nest' is my favorite recent project. Not only was the design process very enjoyable in collaboration with the owners, but because the owners are my good friends, seeing them comfortably living in it after completion made me feel, 'This is the best wedding gift I could give them, and it will accompany them for a very, very long time.'

Understand their brand history and future development.

Any high-quality, natural materials.

During travel and hiking, especially while immersing in nature.

User comfort, spatial aesthetics, and human scale.

Full of futuristic imagination.

It feels very touching, especially when I see the owners actually using it and their satisfied expressions. For me, every project has a deep emotional connection with myself.

Empathy and care for humanity and the environment.

Whether it meets the users' needs and whether it can inspire those who come into contact with it aesthetically.

Understanding that what we do consumes a large amount of Earth's resources and the clients' money, we handle every decision with care.

For me, design is a medium to make life better, and of course, it is also a way for an architect to express their views on the world. But for me, every architect and designer should understand that all we do relies on a significant amount of resources, and we must approach it with a humble attitude.

I have not yet held an exhibition of my own works. Or rather, in this era of advanced internet, holding a physical exhibition might require a greater motivation.

I usually draw inspiration from nature, often starting with materials and the spatial atmosphere.

Comfortable, elegant, and full of natural texture.

I grew up in Tainan, Taiwan, then moved to Taipei for work, and now I am in New York. These are three completely different cities. I am very grateful for my upbringing in Tainan, which is Taiwan's most important cultural ancient capital, with many historical sites from different periods. Observing how materials change over time and through the use of different ethnic groups has deeply influenced my ideas about architectural design.

Understanding the other party's work culture and extensive communication.

First, understand the other party's design approach and whether their work and company culture can complement your own. Once decided, trust your architect and designer.

Understand the other party's needs and culture, envision the spatial atmosphere and texture, practically test materials and spatial conditions, and engage in extensive discussion.

Lighting fixtures, ceiling, materials, storage cabinets, chairs.

Extensive communication, making coffee to relax and think, walking, sketching and testing on the computer, and searching for new materials.

I think I also belong to the category of young architects, haha. But if I have to say, I believe it's very important to find what matters most to you in your design.

The advantage is that if you have a strong connection with people, the moment the work is completed, you'll feel very touched and accomplished, which is a rare experience in other jobs. The downside is that it's really tiring.

From a human perspective.

Care for humanity and the environment, and an intuition and talent for aesthetics.

Drawing pens and sketch paper, and the main computer program is Revit.

This requires experience and continuous adjustments.

Not necessarily; it usually depends on how much time the client has. However, we definitely cannot accommodate very rushed projects.

How is the design fee calculated?"

I once had the opportunity to work with Álvaro Siza. What impressed me the most was that he personally drew many sketches and worked on the design. There would still be some proposals along the way, but in the end, he would only show the client one version, rather than giving multiple versions for the client to choose from. This requires very precise design skills and confidence.

Former colleagues, friends, and people who have made introductions.

Spaces that can be designed to be very simple and serene.

I am currently pursuing an MS in Architecture and Urban Design at Columbia University, and I hope to develop global markets in the future.

Usually developed independently.

There is currently an ongoing residential project.

Through Instagram or email.

No, thank you.