Wang Shu became the first Chinese citizen to receive the Pritzker Architecture Prize in 2012. Operating from his base in Hangzhou, he integrates traditional Chinese building techniques with modern industrial requirements. His practice critiques the rapid, large-scale urban demolition common across the People's Republic of China, emphasizing instead the preservation of cultural memory and local heritage through architecture.
Academic Foundation and Early Practice
Born in Ürümqi in 1963, Wang studied at Southeast University, where he completed his bachelor's degree in 1985 followed by a master's degree in 1988. He later earned a PhD from Tongji University in 2000. During the 1990s, he relocated to Hangzhou. His initial architectural project was a youth centre in Haining, finished in 1990, after which he experienced a hiatus from commissions until 1998.
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In 1997, Wang and his wife, Lu Wenyu, established the Amateur Architecture Studio. The firm's name serves as a deliberate response to what they describe as the soulless, professional architecture prevalent in China. This philosophy informs his academic career, as he requires students at the China Academy of Art to master fundamental carpentry and bricklaying skills, believing that an intimate understanding of raw materials is essential for artistic creation.
Notable Built Works
Wang’s portfolio features several major projects, including the Library of Wenzheng College at Soochow University and the Ningbo Museum of Art. The Ningbo Museum, completed in 2008, earned the 2009 Lu Ban Prize. Its facade utilizes salvaged bricks from demolished buildings, illustrating his focus on environmental sustainability and regional context. His other significant works include the Xiangshan campus of the China Academy of Art and the Old Town conservation project on Zhongshan Street.
Global Recognition
The 2012 Pritzker Architecture Prize jury lauded Wang for his capacity to evoke historical resonance without direct imitation. Beyond this honor, he received the Global Award for Sustainable Architecture in 2007 and the Schelling Architecture Prize in 2010. He maintains a dual role as a practicing architect and a dean within the School of Architecture at the China Academy of Art.
Fast facts
- Born: 1963, Ürümqi
- Citizenship: People's Republic of China
- Primary Firm: Amateur Architecture Studio
- Notable Work: Ningbo Museum
- Pritzker Architecture Prize: 2012
- Education: Southeast University, Tongji University, China Academy of Art
- Current Position: Dean, School of Architecture, China Academy of Art
- Languages: Chinese
Questions readers ask
What is Wang Shu's design philosophy?
He prioritizes using traditional materials and techniques to create modern structures that respond to their specific cultural and environmental context, often salvaging elements from demolished buildings.
Was Wang Shu the first Chinese architect to win the Pritzker Prize?
Yes, he became the first Chinese citizen to receive the award in 2012.
Achievements
- Pritzker Architecture Prize — 2012
- Notable work: Ningbo Museum
- Affiliated with China Academy of Art
- Educated at Southeast University, Southeast University and Tongji University
- Worked as architect, pedagogue and university teacher
