It is a common notion among architects worldwide that expanding their reach into China can prove to be beneficial for their business ventures. The reason is that China's development never comes to a halt, and there is always a constant flow of investment in developing cities. For architects, this presents a plethora of opportunities, not just economically but also creatively. Therefore, working in China can provide an architect with the chance to undertake more audacious projects. This is especially true for Zaha Hadid Architects (ZHA), known for its daring designs and bravery in executing them.
In a recent conversation, Sara Kolata and Satoshi Ohashi (Director at ZHA Beijing studio) discussed the potential of the global architecture practice and the unique opportunities that China presents.
Establishing ZHA in China
Zaha Hadid Architects, based in London, has a global presence now, but the firm started from humble beginnings in a small studio with a group of passionate and persistent individuals. Satoshi Ohashi recalls the early days and how their DNA has remained the same, even as the company grew. The desire to create, collaborate, and challenge themselves extends beyond architecture and into all aspects of their work. China presented a goldmine of opportunity for the firm, with its rapidly developing cities and large-scale projects.
The office in China was set up over fifteen years ago to establish a solid presence there. Over the years, numerous projects have been initiated in a country that boasts enormous scales of construction, rapid pace, and constant change. These characteristics align with the dynamics of Zaha Hadid Architects, which thrives on pushing boundaries, experimenting with creative designs, and bringing talented people together to collaborate, create, and experiment. The firm's primary focus is to develop solutions that help create better societies and environments. Inspired by these factors, the firm's work is renowned for its creativity and unconventional designs that many people initially thought were impossible. The firm currently has over 20 projects under construction in China alone, with each project being customised for the specific conditions, clients, and challenges presented.
Practice Operation in China
Satoshi also shares his thoughts on how their office in China operates. He explains that they are constantly challenged by the possibilities of economics, social and political influences, and everything that inspires or influences them. These factors play a significant role in the design process of their projects. The firm is always looking to incorporate new technologies such as scripting, AI, and social media, which have impacted not only them but the industry as a whole.
ZHA understands that every place is different and takes advantage of this by learning from the local industries. Satoshi explains their experience in China, where they had to teach the local industry how to use new software to build curved buildings. This experience allowed them to learn how to control geometry in construction and implement quality control measures.
The firm's collaborative spirit is what sets them apart from other offices. They understand the importance of bringing different people together, including those with varying levels of experience, to contribute to the common goal. The company has evolved from its early painting and drawing phase to include departments dedicated to AI, coding, environmental technology, and material experimentation.
Satoshi also notes that the firm's progress is due to the talent and hard work of everyone involved. He believes that no one person can do everything and that collaboration is essential for success. The firm's DNA is the core group of people who have worked together for over 10, 20, or 30 years but are always open to new ideas and contributions.
Disrupting the Traditional Approach
Zaha Hadid Architects prides themselves on their ability to nurture talent and push boundaries through experimentation and research. Regardless of scale, the firm is always eager to take on new challenges. They believe that seeing their designs become a reality is what sets them apart and drives them to continually question and disrupt the traditional approaches to design. Whether it be furniture, jewellery, or even a car, they use these smaller projects as a springboard to larger endeavours like building entire cities.
In China, the firm is currently working on two such projects. One is called Unicorn Island, a cluster of 24-25 Zaha buildings under construction in Chengdu, slated to be completed in the next few years. The other project is an extreme one: a science fiction museum, for which the firm won a competition in June of last year. Despite its enormity - the museum spans 60,000 square metres - the team aims to complete the entire design and construction process in just over a year.
When Zaha Hadid Architects decided to expand its business to China, there were concerns about how the innovative and quirky designs of the firm's founder, the late Zaha Hadid, would be received by a new audience. Ohashi acknowledged that establishing the brand in a new continent was no easy feat, but the firm had the advantage of an already established reputation. The challenge was finding clients willing to take risks and believe in the firm's ability to deliver projects on time and within budget. Fortunately, Zaha Hadid Architects found great clients in Soho, China, which commissioned the Galaxy Soho project and Sky Soho in Shanghai.
Designing for a Different Culture
Ohashi emphasised that every project presented different challenges, but the key to success was building trust and delivering projects within the client's time frame and budget. He cited the Galaxy Soho project as an example, which required the construction of a 333,000-square-metre building in just 30 months with a low budget. The team had to find ways to meet the schedule and quality expectations while working with a challenging labour force and construction quality.
In designing buildings in China, there are various challenges that need to be taken into account. The cultural context of China is dynamic, with a long history and tradition of belief systems such as Feng Shui. This poses a challenge when it comes to the orientation and movement of buildings, which are crucial for their success and profitability. However, Satoshi found that their designs were flexible and fluid, allowing the energy to flow through them. This helped them work around the people's cultural and religious beliefs and adjust their designs accordingly.
The movement of the sun and the wind was also taken into account when designing the buildings. Feng Shui was considered to ensure that the buildings fit in with their surroundings. The landscape and flow of the city were important factors in determining the design of the buildings. Satoshi emphasised that they responded specifically to the environment and location of the building rather than simply creating a box building decorated with traditional materials. They did not set a formula for the design of the buildings but adapted it based on the site location and requirements, which generated a flowing language that varied depending on the typology.
Despite the challenges, Zaha Hadid Architects successfully established itself in China and continues to take on exciting projects there. Ohashi's insights shed light on the importance of trust and collaboration in architecture, where creativity and innovation are constantly pushing boundaries. The firm's ability to execute projects of such scale and speed is unique to China. Zaha Hadid Architects views the country as an ideal location for realising their vision due to its unparalleled scale, speed, and typology combination. With a portfolio that includes massive and fast-paced projects, ZHA is constantly pushing boundaries and cementing its position as cutting-edge designers.
Fostering community at ZHA and beyond
In architecture, pushing the envelope is essential to stay ahead of the curve. This means utilising the latest technology and materials while keeping in mind the designs and spirit of the industry. For Zaha Hadid Architects, achieving this level of innovation and creativity requires attracting and investing in top talent and fostering a culture of experimentation and learning.
Creating a Culture of Innovation
According to Satoshi, attracting and retaining top talent is key. This involves creating an attractive workplace where talented individuals are drawn to work. However, it is not just about hiring the right people but also about fostering a culture of mentorship and teaching. The experienced architects in the office serve as mentors to the younger generation, sharing knowledge and experience to help them grow and learn.
The Zaha Hadid Architects office is set up in a way that promotes experimentation and innovation. The office is filled with models and 3D animations of past projects, which serve as inspiration for new designs. Additionally, the office has an in-house network, similar to a Zaha School, where employees can connect and access lectures and talks about building Zaha structures. This network allows for knowledge sharing and peer learning, which is critical for fostering a culture of innovation.
However, Satoshi notes that this culture of innovation can only be sustained if the employees themselves are passionate about learning and experimenting. While the office provides the resources and support needed to push the envelope, it is ultimately up to each individual to take advantage of these opportunities and put in the effort to learn and grow.
ZHA and AADRL
The collaboration between academia and practice is a topic that has been of great interest to many people, and it is a topic that has been discussed by many individuals. One aspect of this collaboration that Satoshi emphasised was the connection between academia and the ZHA office, which is like an incubation lab for many students who come from certain courses to work directly in ZHA.
Architects from ZHA have been involved in teaching at various schools around the world and observed that many of the studio graduates are often in need of a job. ZHA provides an opportunity for these graduates to work directly with the team and gain valuable experience. This connection between academia and practice has been a good example of how the two can be merged effectively.
ZHA has been particularly involved in the Architectural Association Design Research Laboratory (AADRL), which has provided students with the skills and mindset needed to work in their offices. ZHA’s presence in these education programs has helped to prepare students for the specific demands of working in their offices. This marriage between the courses offered by the AA and what Hadid's office is doing has been a good example of how academia and practice can work together.
Many students who have worked at Zaha Hadid Architects have gone on to develop their careers in a variety of ways. Some have started their own businesses, while others have continued to work as well as teach at various schools. The firm hopes that this collaboration between academia and practice will continue inspiring individuals to pursue architecture and design careers.
Satoshi Ohashi is an accomplished architect and designer who has made significant contributions to the field of architecture, particularly in his work with Zaha Hadid Architects. Ohashi joined the firm in 2003 and has been involved in several high-profile projects, including the London Aquatics Centre for the 2012 Olympic Games. Before joining ZHA, he initially worked for Future Systems, a prominent architectural firm known for its innovative and unconventional designs.
In addition to his work with Zaha Hadid Architects, Ohashi has also been involved in a number of other design projects. His work has been characterised by keen attention to detail, a commitment to sustainability, and a desire to create spaces that are both functional and beautiful.
