Li Xinggang

Biography

Li Xinggang (Chinese: 李兴钢) was born in 1969. After graduating from Department of Architecture, Tianjin University in 1991, he directly began to work in China Architecture Design & Research Group (CAG) China Architecture Design & Research Group until now. In 2001, he acted as the chief architect of CAG. In 2003, he established his own atelier in CAG.

Li Xinggang is always interested in the Chinese feature in architecture, so he focuses on the classical Chinese gardens & their contemporary characteristics, as well as applies the modern architecture languages – structure and form, skin and material. He intends to strengthen personal design power, and express his own value judgment and architectural philosophy on these two main routes.

He has won several architecture honors and awards, and has also been invited to take part in some exhibitions concerning architecture and art. Atelier Li Xinggang advocates the process of "Research + Design", and emphasizes the response of architecture to the specificities of context, nature, site, material, and user. Atelier Li Xingang is autosuficient being in charge of the full-process of design as well as taking control of the building, interiors, and landscape. It is an approach to contemporary architectural works with cultural depth and aesthetic affection. Atelier Li Xinggang's research team is interested in "Chinese Gardens – Settlements" and "Ancient Master’s Studies", as well as others innovations.

"To me, the enigma of Architecture exists in its longevity and antiquation – its endurance and history are the result of natural instinct and rational logic. The so-called process of "design" is the journey looking for an only and perfect solution, solely realized after analyzing the various given conditions and possibilities. Naturally, the journey and goal depend on the tendency or impressions of the architect, in this case me – a specific Chinese person." - Li Xinggang

Works

In his early works we can appreciate an interest in Chinese gardens. The design was just an expression of the fragmental feel of gardens. This influence continues during his career. Well known for his Sino/foreign cooperation in two big projects up to the moment, in Xihuan Plaza and the Xizhimen Transportation Hub, as the chief designer, he presided engineering design and particular work, cooperating with the French firm Arup it was just the beginning which gave him a basis for the Master Project of 2008 Beijing Olympic Games the design of “Bird’s Nest”, Beijing National Stadium. The dialogued with Herzog & de Meuron and the "structural" steel skin determining whether this design was in line with social demand and acceptable in China.

The development of this "skin-space" concept together with Chinese gardens gave maturity to the Office, the design of Li Xinggang seems swinging between modernism and tradition, or the combination of both. We can see several applications such as Reconstruction of No. B-59-1, Wenchuan Earthquake Memorial, Fuxing Road, Xierqi Station and Beijing Subway Line 4 Stations o Hainan International Convention And Exhibition Center in Haikou.

Publications and exhibitions

He was also invited to take part in some exhibitions concerning architecture and art, such as:

“From Beijing to London: 16 Contemporary Chinese Architects”, London (2012)

“Verso Est – New Chinese Architectural Landscape 2011”, Rome (2011)

“Chinese Regional Architecture in a Post-Experimental Age”, Karlsruhe/Prague (2010)

“Heart-Made – The Cutting-Edge of Chinese Contemporary Architecture”, Brussels (2009)

11th Venice Biennale of Architecture (2008)

“Illusion Into Reality: Chinese Gardens for Living”, Dresden (2008)

“Get It Louder”, Beijing (2007)

“Happen”, Left & Right Art Zone, Beijing (2007)

1st/2nd Shenzhen Biennale of Urbanism & Architecture (2005/2007)

“Status”: Eight Young Chinese Architects, Beijing (2005)

Selected work