Interview with Yi Jian Architects

YI JIAN is a design brand I founded after I left Tsinghua University as a post-doctoral fellow. We want to do research-based design. We hope to discover the best features of a project through research, and combine them to create a project that is unrepeatable.

Design for me is a process of discovery. If a project gives the answer when it is first designed. Then that design solution must not be a best solution. During the design process, we keep asking ourselves, can it be better?

Go and see the project site to discover the qualities of the venue.

The Suzhou Shantang IV Historic District Renewal Project is one of my favorite projects. This project is far more complex than new construction. It requires the architect to first evaluate the current state of the historic district and decide what is worth preserving. Then removing the falsehoods and restoring the authenticity of the historic buildings to their original splendor. Subsequently, it is also necessary to consider implanting suitable businesses to give the space new vitality. This type of project will also involve the departure and retention of world heritage, heritage buildings, and residents, requiring architects to have very comprehensive knowledge.

Go and see the project site to discover the qualities of the venue.

We love understated, rustic architecture. Brick, wood, and plain concrete are my favorite materials. They are rustic, understated, and can emphasize the power of a space.

Projects are especially creative when they are related to history and culture. I hope to use modern architectural language to express the traditional Chinese spatial mood.

The relationship between architecture and nature, and the relationship between architecture and the site's culture. The relationship between new buildings and preserved buildings.

Excitement and pleasure.

Like the moment you see your daughter grow into a woman. It is gratifying and pleasurable.

Architects not only need to work with the owner's side, but also need to think with the builders and operators to solve the project's problems.

The essence of architecture is to be a container that carries a variety of people's behaviors and activities. Whether the space meets the needs of function. Architectural design that only pursues modeling has no sustainable vitality.

Passive energy efficient design and sustainable design concepts need to be integrated into every design to reflect social responsibility.

在后疫情时代，亲自然的设计受到了广泛关注。

The most recent exhibition was at the annual China Architecture Conference in Shaoxing, China. Hope to see A Design's 40*40 exhibition in New York.

The work is inspired by the project site and the culture of the city. The history of the city is learned through extensive reading. Through interviews with the site and ordinary residents to understand their visions for the project.

An architect's design style is like a person's dress code. Some people wear different outfits to different occasions, while others always wear the same style of clothes. We want our designs to fit the place. 䫅 So in different places, our architecture will present a style that fits the place. But what remains unchanged is our architectural philosophy that space is the main character of architecture. We hope to use simple materials to emphasize the power of space.

I live in Shanghai, China. Vin China is an ancient civilization with a long history. Cultural heritage will have a great influence on our design. The advantage of China's design is that the government centralizes its efforts to do big things, so the construction will be fast. The challenge is that because of the speed of construction, sometimes there is a lack of events to do more in-depth research and innovation.

After thorough discussion and team brainstorming, I will determine the direction of the design. Then divide the labor and work with the team to complete it.

Collaboration between companies and designers can take a cue from making movies. It's up to the project architect to pick the right designers to put together a great team based on the project. There is no need to be limited by the staffing of different firms. Firm During the design process, each designer can utilize his or her best strengths.

Explore the site first to get an impression of the site. Then brainstorm and decide on the direction of the project. Then the work is divided, with several discussions in between, and finally it is summarized and presented.

Sunlight, ventilation, interior flow and views from windows. As well as chairs, tables, sofas and such ergonomically related furniture.

On my days off I like to go to museums and see exhibitions.

Observe life more and watch people's behavioral patterns. Read more and learn about regional cultures.

The advantage of being an architect is that you are creating the space that hosts people's lives. This space will also guide people's behavior. A lot of stories happen in the spaces you design. This is very interesting. The disadvantage is that the pace of your life will be controlled by the pace of the project.

Space is the soul of architecture.

For architects, it is the ability to communicate and integrate. Architects need to integrate the views of all parties, through communication, seeking common ground to find the optimal solution of the project, rather than the owner, the construction side or the operator's unilateral optimal solution.

Sketches are the most important tool for architects, and related software is there to help present them.

Make a plan and schedule it. Go ahead and optimize the time schedule by constantly reviewing it.

For architects, it typically takes 2-3 years from design concept to building completion.

What style is this building?

Discussing with the operator during the conceptual design phase is a very important project experience and the basis for the success of the project's later operations.

Government departments, developers and private owners.

Cultural buildings and historical updates are the projects I enjoy the most out of them. Because expressing traditional culture in modern architectural language is something I am very interested in.

We hope to take on more projects to renew historic buildings. The next such project is the Sauce Garden on Shantang Street in Suzhou.

I work with a team.

The ongoing Suzhou Shantang Street Sauce Garden project is our second historic district renewal project. The challenge of this project is that it has a very mixed mix of businesses, a more diverse flow, and a more diverse approach to building preservation and restoration.

Our Email is yijianarch@qq.com. Customers can be contacted by e-mail. My cell phone is +86 18221610958.

Being an architect is a very challenging profession that requires both creative and logical thinking. We love this profession and enjoy it very much.