{"id":39300,"date":"2025-05-27T09:10:00","date_gmt":"2025-05-27T09:10:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/muse.international\/?p=39300"},"modified":"2025-05-28T05:08:21","modified_gmt":"2025-05-28T05:08:21","slug":"exploring-the-crisis-through-not-so-far-not-too-close-by-chengzhe-zhang","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/muse.international\/index\/exploring-the-crisis-through-not-so-far-not-too-close-by-chengzhe-zhang\/","title":{"rendered":"Exploring the Crisis Through Not So Far Not Too Close by Chengzhe Zhang"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Chengzhe Zhang is a landscape and urban designer at Sasaki Associates with over eight years\u2019 experience in sustainable design, urban revitalisation, and infrastructure reuse. He is driven by a passion for tackling social and environmental challenges through creative problem-solving and thoughtful design.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Q1. Congratulations on winning the Rome Design Awards! Can you introduce yourself and share about what inspired you to pursue design as a career?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

I am a landscape and urban designer at Sasaki Associates with over eight years of experience specialising in sustainable design, urban revitalisation, and infrastructure reuse.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I hold dual master\u2019s degrees in Landscape Architecture and Urban Design from the Harvard Graduate School of Design, and a Bachelor of Landscape Architecture with Distinction from Tunghai University which has equipped me with a robust foundation in interdisciplinary design approaches.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Q2. What does being recognized in the Rome Design Awards mean to you?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

I became a designer because of my deep curiosity and passion for exploring new ideas, places, and ways of thinking. I have always been drawn to the intersection of social and environmental issues, seeking ways to address them through creative problem-solving.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Design allows me to express ideas, shape meaningful spaces, and contribute to communities in a tangible way. It is a powerful tool to connect people with their environment, foster resilience, and inspire change. The ability to merge creativity with purpose drives me to continue pushing boundaries and exploring new possibilities in design.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Q3. How has this achievement impacted your career, team, or agency, and what opportunities has it brought so far?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

I am a landscape and urban designer dedicated to creating innovative, sustainable, and community-driven public spaces. My work focuses on transforming complex urban environments into thriving, resilient landscapes that serve both people and nature.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

My portfolio includes the internationally acclaimed Ellinikon Metropolitan Park in Athens\u2014Europe\u2019s largest urban park\u2014where I led the transformation of a former airport into a model for sustainable urban regeneration and this groundbreaking project has received prestigious awards, establishing it as a global benchmark for environmentally and socially responsible design.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I also gained international recognition as the Lead Designer for the \u201cReimagining Brooklyn Bridge\u201d competition, where my visionary proposal reimagined the iconic bridge as a multifunctional public space. My design was selected as a top-three finalist among 250 global entries, demonstrating my ability to merge historical preservation with forward-thinking urban innovation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Q4. What role does experimentation play in your creative process? Can you share an example?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

To me, design is a process of transformation\u2014a way to shape environments that are functional, meaningful, and resilient. It\u2019s about understanding the unique character of a place, responding to the needs of people and nature, and crafting spaces that foster connection, adaptability, and sustainability.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Design is also a form of storytelling, where every project carries a narrative that blends history, culture, and ecology. It\u2019s not just about aesthetics; it\u2019s about problem-solving, innovation, and long-term impact. A well-designed space evolves over time, embracing change while remaining relevant, inspiring, and beneficial to the communities it serves.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Q5. What’s the most unusual source of inspiration you’ve ever drawn from for a project?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

My favourite kind of design is poetic, deeply rooted in site context, and envisioned for long-term resilience. I believe the most powerful designs go beyond aesthetics\u2014they tell a story, evoke emotions, and create a profound sense of place.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A great design should emerge naturally from its surroundings, respecting the landscape, culture, and history, while offering a vision for the future. I am drawn to spaces that are adaptive and built to endure, evolving with time and environmental changes. To me, the best designs are those that feel timeless, fostering lasting connections between people, nature, and the built environment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Winning Entry <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Not So Far, Not Too Close<\/a><\/h6>\n\n\n\n

Explore the 2025 Rome Design Awards and immerse yourself in a celebration of visionary design that shapes our world. Discover the most innovative projects and creative talents pushing boundaries and inspiring change across the globe.<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Chengzhe Zhang is a landscape and urban designer at Sasaki Associates with over eight years\u2019 experience in sustainable design, urban revitalisation, and infrastructure reuse. 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