(“Text as submitted by architect”)
Leo Hu
Leo graduated from the China Academy of Art in 2003. He has experience working for PROSHIMA in Japan. As the design director and project manager of GOA, he cooperated with the Pritzker Prize-winning architect Renzo Piano’s first project in Mainland China and served as the technical manager.
In 2014, he founded the WJ Studio and established a sustainable design approach to the built environment. As an energetic and passionate team, under the leadership of its founding partner Hu Zhile, it has won many international design awards. Hu believes that design is a way of thinking. He concentrates on not only the continuity and creative thinking of the interior/exterior space design but also the expression of design – form has a deeper meaning, and design needs to confront the nature of spatial intent. Starting from the architecture, context, and core elements of the product, Hu is adept at creating spaces that are extended in time. He has earned his reputation in the real estate field and many partners like Greentown, China Resources, Sunac China, and Xifang Real Estate Group. His work is also spoken highly of by the customers like IDG, VISION CAPITAL, ROKID, VPGAME, LEFIT, etc.
Practice Ideology
WJ STUDIO pays attention to the links and scenario-based thinking of the interior/exterior space. Starting from top-level thinking, WJ STUDIO explores the connection between space, human, nature and society, and creates practical and personalized interior and exterior space for users.
WJ STUDIO specializes in full process design, using professional resources in planning, architecture, interior, landscape and operation, and has rich practical experience in commercial, real estate, office, hotel and special exploratory projects under EPC+O Mode. They not only have an international global design vision, but also have the spirit of exploring the integration of local architecture regionalism and modernization, and have a solid follow-up ability in rural construction and old renovation projects.
At the same time as design practice, WJ STUDIO has set up PRO-LAB, which emphasizes interdisciplinary research and design innovation.
Through multi-dimensional and interdisciplinary thinking and research on specific social issues, PRO-LAB has always been based on the boundary of design and observed design from an external perspective – an industry closely intertwined with humanity and society.
As a young, energetic and passionate team, by the leadership of its founding partner Hu Zhile, WJ STUDIO has won many international design awards including World Architecture Festival WAF/INSIDE (2017-2022), Good Design Award (2022,2018), Andrew Martin International Interior Design Awards(2022), Architizer A+ Awards(2022), Paris Design Award (2022), Asia Pacific Property Awards(2022-2023), International Design Awards(2021), Berlin Design Awards (2021), Outstanding Property Award London(2020), AD100 (2019,2017), etc.
