Shengzhe Shen

Specialized in Architecture Design.

Shengzhe Shen

About Shengzhe Shen

Shen Shengzhe, Founder and Chief Architect of Zen-in Architects. Master of Architecture, Central Academy of Fine Arts. He has mainly engaged in the construction of the integration of traditional culture and modern civilization, committed to the transformation of old cities, ancient villages, historical blocks and industrial heritage areas, to meet the functional requirements in the new era, and to explore the continuation of intangible cultural heritage in urban and rural life.

  • Winner of the A' Design Award.
  • Specialized in Architecture Design.
  • Original Design.
  • Creative, Diligent and Innovative.
  • All Designs
  • Architecture
Zenstay Hotel

Zenstay Hotel

Architecture Design

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Interview with Shengzhe Shen

Could you please tell us more about your art and design background? What made you become an artist/designer? Have you always wanted to be a designer?
Before I went to university, I tried to be a musician. Because of an accident later, however, my fingers couldn't play the piano smoothly any more. I began to study the "frozen music".
Can you tell us more about your company / design studio?
“Zen-in”, it means intervention and concealment in Chinese, just like our attitude to architecture. We focus on the impact of architecture on the environment and living.
What is your most favorite design, could you please tell more about it?
It's Zenstay hotel at this stage. Please pay attention to the related reports of A-Design Award and Competition.
From your point of view, what are the responsibilities of a designer for society and environment?
Society and environment are unity of opposites. Architecture designers should face them at the same time and try to reconcile
How do you think the "design field" is evolving? What is the future of design?
The "design field" has been being subdivided inside and crossover outside. There will be more individual designers in the future. Each one will have his excellent points and become the main force together as a whole in the design field.
Where does the design inspiration for your works come from? How do you feed your creativity? What are your sources of inspirations?
Inspiration comes besides architecture，which could be a movie, a painting or a conversation. I'm not sure about the exact sources. But I have to get more information from various aspects and comprehend by analogy.
How would you describe your design style? What made you explore more this style and what are the main characteristics of your style? What's your approach to design?
Regional keeping and artistic intervention. It started from the time I studyed in the Central Academy of Fine Arts. During that time, I often went to remote villages with artists for research and practice. While feeling the local culture and style, I also began to try to improve it through artistic means. And keep the old and new growing together.
What are your suggestions to companies for working with a designer? How can companies select a good designer?
Every one, no matter a designer or a company boss, should always be calm and sincere.
Can you talk a little about your design process?
Architectural design is a complex process. I'm afraid it couldn't be told by a little words even if 500 characters.
What are 5 of your favorite design items at home?
IKEA bookshelf, round LED droplight, TOTO automatic toilet, Huge sofa for work, DIY computer.
Which tools do you use during design? What is inside your toolbox? Such as software, application, hardware, books, sources of inspiration etc.?
I have no toolbox. But I think electronic devices and the Internet have become increasingly important and useful for design.
What was your most important job experience?
Follow my supervisor to study and practice in remote villages of China.
What type of design work do you enjoy the most and why?
I enjoy challenging the work which restrictive condition is harsh. Because the difficult point may bacome the bright point usually.
What are your future plans? What is next for you?
As the old Chinese proverb says, " A journey of a thousand miles begins with the first step."
Do you have any works-in-progress being designed that you would like to talk about?
Architectural design is a work that consumes a lot of communication time. At the beginning of contacting proprietors, we usually spent much more time to prove that other methods may not work. With the deepening of our understanding, most proprietors could thank for our patience and responsibility and stick to the right choice.

Designer of the Day Interview with Shengzhe Shen

Could you please tell us about your experience as a designer, artist, architect or creator?
I got a master's degree in architecture from the Central Academy of fine arts and have been working for 10 years. My clients include private owners, artists and property developers city investment company.
How did you become a designer?
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.
What are your priorities, technique and style when designing?
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.
Which emotions do you feel when designing?
Design work makes me feel complete and safe. Because design is a process of self consistent thinking. Finding appropriate rules can make design work by itself.
What particular aspects of your background shaped you as a designer?
Architectural design is an artistic creation after rational reasoning and analysis. The study of science and engineering makes me form the habit of rational thinking. The further study of the Academy of fine arts makes me have the ability of perceptual artistic modeling.
What is your growth path? What are your future plans? What is your dream design project?
Do every project in a down-to-earth manner. If possible, I want to design a small airport or high-speed railway station in a remote area.
What are your advices to designers who are at the beginning of their career?
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.
You are truly successful as a designer, what do you suggest to fellow designers, artists and architects?
My teacher told, "Simple techniques, used to the extreme, are masterpieces".
What is your day to day look like?
I have to work every day and get used to combing my thoughts before going to bed.
How do you keep up with latest design trends? To what extent do design trends matter?
Design trend is a false proposition, and good design has no effectiveness. Therefore, it is important to stick to your ideas and style
How do you know if a product or project is well designed? How do you define good design?
Well design is to solve problems and reflect the formal beauty of the designer's personal tendency on the basis of a complete understanding of the user's intention and making full use of the existing conditions
How do you decide if your design is ready?
When it is inappropriate to change a small part of a drawing because every detail is linked and every idea is advanced layer by layer.
What is your biggest design work?
Focusing on the integration of local traditional culture and new contemporary art.
Would you tell us a bit about your lifestyle and culture?
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.
Would you tell us more about your work culture and business philosophy?
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.
What are your philanthropic contributions to society as a designer, artist and architect?
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.
What positive experiences you had when you attend the A’ Design Award?
Architect is not a profession widely understood by the public, which needs more opportunities to preach his ideas and show himself.

Extended Interview with Shengzhe Shen

How did you become a designer?
Follow and promote the relationship between man and environment, man and culture.
Which emotions do you feel when designing?
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.
What is your growth path? What are your future plans? What is your dream design project?
A good designer create the scheme itself, while a great designer make rules and keep schemes working on their own.
You are truly successful as a designer, what do you suggest to fellow designers, artists and architects?
Good design makes rules or system that keep the schemes working and balancing on its own.
What is your day to day look like?
I would try to design a little airport or high-speed railway station for a remote town.
How do you keep up with latest design trends? To what extent do design trends matter?
Design a little airport or high-speed railway station for a remote town.
How do you decide if your design is ready?
Every designer who expresses his own views and has consistent logic.
Who is your favourite designer?
An artistic experiment named Mowa, a new application of traditional materials, has been exhibited, on sale and applied to actual projects.
Would you tell us a bit about your lifestyle and culture?
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.
Would you tell us more about your work culture and business philosophy?
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.
What are your philanthropic contributions to society as a designer, artist and architect?
Design is a process of self consistent thinking. Finding appropriate rules can make design work by itself.

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