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An interview with Architect Chen Lin of Shulin Architectural Design - The Jury of Little Big Loo 2025 Architecture Competition

Interview

12-09-2025

We would like to take this opportunity to introduce you to our jury member of the Little Big Loo 2025 Architecture Competition.

We’re delighted to speak with "Chen Lin", Founder and Principal Architect of Shulin Architecture. He holds a Master's degree from the Architecture Department of the China Academy of Art, where he studied under Professor Wang Shu. During his undergraduate studies, he interned at Professor Zhang Yonghe's Very Architecture and during his graduate studies, he interned at his mentor's Amateur Architecture Studio. He studies the relationships between nature and architecture, people and the environment, and the old and the new, and continuously explores new architectural fields through practice. He always believes that persistent thinking will resonate, and remaining true to one's original aspiration will ensure success.

Shulin Architecture founded by Chen Lin in Hangzhou in 2015, a design firm specializing in integrated planning, design, architecture, interiors, landscape, soft furnishings, branding, and product design. In 2020, the firm was named the world's best small architecture firm by the Architizer A+Firm Design Awards. Currently, the firm's projects focus on the integrated design and implementation of hotels and homestays, as well as the development of rural cultural tourism projects. The firm also explores cultural museums, exhibition halls, public spaces, urban renewal, creative artworks, and interior space design. The firm prioritizes high-quality projects, drawing inspiration from rural research, Chinese gardens, traditional culture, and artistic aesthetics.

We're excited to speak with him about his perspective on the field of architecture and his expectations from the participants of the Little Big Loo 2025 Architecture Competition. For the purpose of this interview, he would be referred to as CL in responses, however, Volume Zero is referred to as VZ.

Red Brick Public Toilet on Liuba Old Street

Red Brick Public Toilet on Liuba Old Street by Shulin Architecture

VZ- What are some of your favorite projects/projects that you worked on?

CL- I personally prefer compact and well-executed projects, like a public space, a rest station, or a public restroom. Each stage of a project has its own fascination, but what I enjoy most is seeing the building evolve day by day during construction. Witnessing it finally taking shape gives me an immense sense of pride – much like nurturing a child and watching them grow.

Mountain House in Mist

Mountain House in Mist by Shulin Architecture

VZ- What has been your most challenging project?

CL- Challenges arise in every project, though the specific circumstances differ. The project that presented the greatest challenge was undoubtedly the Shiyun Mountain Dwelling Book House. During the preparatory construction phase, the client was on the verge of abandoning the project and seeking a redesign. However, we stood firm. Ultimately, after several months of technical validation and discussions, we succeeded in bringing the project to fruition. Following its completion, the project garnered significant attention from numerous domestic and international media outlets and platforms. The client ultimately embraced and recognized the project's value and original vision.

VZ- What would be your word of advice for all the young budding students and architects who are looking to make a mark in this professional world?

CL- For young students, my personal advice is to listen to your inner voice. If architecture sparks your passion, pursue it with dedication. This discipline possesses immense depth and demands a diverse skill set – requiring countless hours of focused commitment. True growth comes from seeing your ideas materialize through built projects. Architecture is no fast-food industry; it's a craft that demands mastery passed through generations.

Riverside Restaurant

Riverside Restaurant by Shulin Architecture

VZ- What are you expecting from the proposal and the participants for the Little Big Loo 2025?

CL- I look forward to seeing participants' passion for life and the future profoundly infused into their creative output.

VZ- Is there any aspect of the brief that appeals to you the most or do you find it the most challenging?

CL- What particularly draws me in are often a project's constraints. It's precisely within these bounded parameters that design ingenuity ignites – transforming limitations into catalysts for unexpected creativity and compelling solutions.