Shawn Bai

Victoria University of Wellington

We are happy to share our conversation with Shawn Bai (He/Him), a 2nd year student from Victoria University of Wellington. Shawn shares his appreciation for different cultures with designs which have Chinese, Japanese, and Māori influences!

SANNZ: Hi Shawn! What is your preferred medium for design?

Shawn: Architecture is a sequence of decision-making, and drawing is the same. I use pencil, pen and a Wacom Tablet. Every line you draw by pen cannot be erased, whereas with a tablet the possibility to undo increases.

Even though we have such powerful computers, drawing, and modeling by hand is still a large part of training in architecture school and my in work. I realised that drawing or modeling something physically speeds up the digital workflow because you need to think ahead which makes you work more efficiently.

SANNZ: Who are your architectural influences, and how do you relate to their work or processes?

Shawn: I take Tadao’s work as precedent. The appearance and materiality are different from my work, but the architectural methodologies behind the buildings are similar. This is about preserving and restoring the unity between house and nature, with very limited decoration.

My goal in architecture studies is to create simple and poetic buildings but retain the architectural features and value, while still activating people and space. The project below is about designing a community for Māori locals. As a Chinese I am always interested in different cultures and keen to know how people interpret the world.  The Māori worldview (Te Ao Māori) acknowledges the interconnectedness and interrelationship of all living & non-living things.  Hence, I try to create a building that can bridge non-living and living things.

In my design, during wind or rain, the facade shuts to maintain a warm and comfortable space for iwi to stay and learn. In good weather sliding doors and bifold windows open to encourage individuals to go outside to embrace nature. Local iwi can enjoy and learn from the best gift of nature.

SANNZ: What is your favourite piece from your portfolio, and when do you make it?

Shawn: I think the first page is my favourite. In order to interpret other cultures, I think it is important to understand yourself.

I drew this illustration in February 2021 which reflects the life I experienced and the person I want to become. There are four flowers in the drawing, Plum, Orchid, Bamboo, and Chrysanthemum, which stand for tough, gentle, energy, and harvest. Those are my beliefs, be strong, be humble, be diligent and be joyful!

The small houses in the illustration show where I am currently living (an international hostel called Kia Maia). I spent 14-days quarantined there in early 2020 and I had a wonderful time! Everyone is kind and caring, especially the manager. I feel I have a strong connection with this land, Aotearoa now.

SANNZ: How did you find having to quarantine and how have you found lockdowns in general?

Shawn: New Zealand issued a travel ban to China in early 2020. So, I needed to be self-isolated for 14 days, and I appreciate the people that I met!

Lockdown affects us all, but it offers more time to think about yourself and your work.  For me, I unlocked new skills such as cooking and developed my concept design skills! So maybe to work efficiently through them it is important to spend some time on something besides architecture too.

SANNZ: You talked about the connection you feel to New Zealand, can you talk about that and why you’re in Wellington?

Shawn: I came to New Zealand for my Bachelor’s degree. I finished my diploma in Auckland, and I worked as an Architectural Technician for two years. I then decided to continue pursuing architecture studies.

I feel that studying at Victoria was the best option for me as the school’s style suits mine well. I feel Vic’s architecture is between theory and practical. It is a place that can lift up your design thinking while enhancing your practical skills.

SANNZ: Thank you for sharing your work and your passion for different cultures - good luck with the rest of your degree! Where can we see more of your work?

Shawn: You can find my portfolio here!

Interview by Cameron Rossouw

Photographs and work supplied by Shawn Bai