How Rapid Changing Chengdu Sparked a Career in Architecture for Anqi Wang

My name is Anqi Wang, and I am an architectural designer at NBBJ in Los Angeles, originally from Chengdu, China. I work on large-scale international projects across cultural buildings, workplaces, and high-end residential architecture. My journey in design was sparked by growing up in Chengdu and witnessing its rapid transformation.

When I was young, Chengdu was quiet, simple, and modest in its design. Then, almost overnight, the city evolved dramatically—subways emerged, streets blossomed into green avenues, and buildings were rejuvenated.

This profound change showed me how much power design holds, not just to beautify but to shape the way people live, interact, and experience their cities. That experience inspired my passion and set me on the path toward architecture.

This recognition means a great deal personally and professionally. It feels like an affirmation that the long nights, creative struggles, and experiments have resonated with others. More than validation, it motivates me to keep exploring, to continue refining my voice, and to trust the process of creative discovery.

Winning the London Design Awards has certainly raised my profile, allowing me to become more involved in competition phases and strategic discussions at my firm. It’s opened doors to new conversations and given me greater confidence to share and advocate for innovative ideas.

This achievement has become a stepping stone to more ambitious, creative explorations.

Experimentation is fundamental to how I approach design. My project Tender Towers is a perfect example. I questioned conventional high-rise forms by proposing ten slender towers closely grouped, creating a vertical community rather than isolated structures.

Through experimentation, I developed interlocking L-shaped cubes that gently shift, forming terraces, balconies, and social spaces that reimagine density in an urban context. These playful explorations gave the project its unique identity and human-centric quality.

One particularly memorable inspiration came from observing simple movement and circulation. In a culinary school project, I looked at ramps not merely as connectors, but as a narrative sequence guiding visitors through an entire food cycle—cultivation, cooking, dining, and waste management.

Inspired by Le Corbusier’s museum ramps, I explored how spatial transitions could tell stories and shape sensory experiences.

I wish people understood that inspiration isn’t always a magical spark. It can be a quiet, methodical process that emerges through iteration, logic, and exploration. Often, great designs evolve from simply experimenting with massing or form, patiently allowing ideas to mature rather than expecting immediate, brilliant revelations.

I always prioritise understanding and respecting client expectations first, as it’s ultimately their project. However, I view my role as one of thoughtful guidance, carefully introducing innovative concepts that align closely with their goals.

Effective design balances practicality and creativity, and I approach this dialogue with openness, clear communication, and genuine collaboration.

My greatest challenge was finding the right conceptual direction. Ideas don’t always come quickly or easily. For Tender Towers, I worked through countless sketches, models, and iterations before finally uncovering the concept that felt right.

Patience and perseverance helped me overcome these moments of uncertainty, trusting that clarity would eventually emerge from continuous exploration.

I take a break and step away completely—sometimes I'll go hiking, run errands, or just shop for groceries. Allowing my mind to wander freely, without pressure, often leads to unexpected inspiration. It's surprising how stepping back can help the ideas return naturally, refreshed and clearer than before.

Empathy and curiosity are deeply rooted in my design approach. Growing up in a transforming city taught me the importance of sensitivity toward how spaces affect people’s emotions, movements, and interactions.

My designs reflect that empathy, aiming to create experiences that feel thoughtful, intuitive, and meaningful to those who use them.

Stay curious and explore intersections between different arts and topics. Often, the most innovative ideas come from combining seemingly unrelated disciplines. Keep experimenting, stay open-minded, and never lose your enthusiasm for discovering new ways of thinking and creating.

I would love to collaborate with Zaha Hadid. Her boldness, visionary approach, and fearless exploration of form have always inspired me. Zaha’s architecture pushes boundaries, creating spaces that seem impossible until realised.

Collaborating with her would be an extraordinary experience, a chance to witness firsthand how she transformed radical ideas into iconic, expressive architecture that transcends convention.

I wish people would ask, “What emotions do you hope your spaces evoke?”

For me, design is deeply emotional, not merely functional. I strive to create spaces that inspire calm, connection, and quiet joy—spaces that encourage users to pause, notice, and feel a subtle yet profound sense of belonging.