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World-renowned architectural firm Aedas was founded in Hong Kong in 1985 and opened its first mainland office in Beijing in 2002. It has since then been leading the industry in designing large-scale mixed-use commercial developments and high-rise buildings for the last 15 years.
According to the WA100 2017 ranking by UK’s Building Design magazine, Aedas ranked world’s No.9 and topped China region with its 788 registered architects,13 offices worldwide and an annual revenue of US$230 to $290 million. Aedas’ success and its legendary rapid development is closely linked to its tailor-made design solutions and efficient project execution. ArchDaily was pleased to interview Dr. Andy Wen, Aedas Global Design Principal, to share the operational wisdom of the large international firm.
AD: Over the last 15 years since Aedas entered into mainland China market, the company has achieved big success in a relatively short period of time. What important milestones had occurred which have far-reaching impact for the company’s later development?
Andy Wen: I’ve joined Aedas for nearly a decade now, by that time Aedas was already a rather successful large architectural firm. During the time the economic development was rapid and we had numerous projects at home and abroad. Initially Aedas mainland offices were mainly responsible for project execution. By the time I joined after teaching at Tsinghua University and Taiwan, our Chairman and Global Design Principal Keith Griffiths thought it was the best time to change the direction of the company to design-led. It was around that time that I joined the Beijing office and experienced the changes. Very quickly and smoothly we transformed into a design-led architectural firm in China. The process took 15 years and I was fortunate to witness the past 10 years.
As a large international design company, we have always believed in the idea that we need to bring the designers to where the project is located. That was why Aedas set up large offices in Beijing, Shanghai, Chengdu, and more recently in Shenzhen, in addition to our Hong Kong office which handles a large number of projects. We have competent architects in every office, including talented young architects who work on projects under seasoned architects. Aedas also has offices in New York and London, but with offices in Mainland we do not need to bring projects in China to the UK or USA to design. This ensures that designers truly understand the local culture and needs and design appropriate solutions.
I think this is a very crucial moment to transform the established image of our company, market position and industry reputation as a large international, design-led large company as it is today. The design-led business model has defined the Aedas brand.
AD: You just mentioned that the design-led model is key to Aedas’ success. However, Aedas not only achieves great success in design, but also business success. What do you think have attributed to this?
Andy Wen: Design is everything. There are two reasons why clients trust and love Aedas: our excellent delivery and more importantly, Aedas’ exquisite design. Clients often demand very high-end designs. Our rich project experience proves our deep understanding in commercial architecture. Design is our primary focus to ensure high-quality outcomes.
Aedas has a pool of creative architects in different design fields, each with unique personality and style that actively responds to the diverse needs of different clients and this is a key factor for which Aedas continuous success.
Different from traditional firms where clients choose the firms’ overall design styles and ways of doing things. At Aedas, apart from our high-quality design and project delivery, you may work directly with me, or with many other great design directors. Clients with different requirements can work with different design directors to fulfil the design needs. Such diversified services may not be available at other architecture firms.
AD: As the market and policies change tremendously, what do you think are the main drivers that will ensure Aedas’ continued long-term success?
Andy Wen: At Aedas, we also have ongoing discussions on these changes in market environment, government policies and clients’ requirements, including the evolutionary changes in building types that we have always taken into account and carefully addressed in our design. We have been very busy with our projects. A large number of projects have been completed or will be completed soon. People can see our designs. Whenever we complete a project, it is often recognised by the industry in view of its design quality, design intent and project implementation. Our success lies not only on our design but also our strong execution ability. Afterall details determine everything eventually.
AD: What is the reason for Aedas’ strong project execution ability? It is always a challenge in China.
Andy Wen: At Aedas we have a lot of experienced architects, like in the Beijing office many of them have accumulated strong design experience even before they joined Aedas. At Aedas, we encourage communication and collaboration between talented young designers and experienced architects. I appreciate and value the attitude and passion of young graduates. Before joining Aedas, I was a professor of architecture in the United States, Taiwan and Mainland China. These young people bring fresh elements to the design, and by working with experienced designers we come up with great design through collision of thoughts.
AD: You joined Aedas at the time of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games was taking place, what changes have China’s buildings made since then?
Andy Wen: The Olympic Games brought world’s attention to China, which also helped adding many stunning event venues and buildings to the territory. Since then, Chinese and foreigners looked at the country differently. In the past in China, the word ‘architecture’ meant more about ‘construction’. Since 2008, the perception changed, architecture is more than construction. We need more design and more creativity – architecture tells stories.
Andy Wen is currently leading several projects at Aedas, including Hengqin International Financial Center in Zhuhai (jointly designed with Executive Director Ed Lam), Zhuhai Hengqin Headquarters Complex (Phase II) (jointly designed with Global Design Principal and Chairman Keith Griffiths), Chongqing Xinhua Bookstore Group Jiefangbei Book City Mixed-use Project etc, which are expected to be completed in 2018, 2019 and 2020 respectively.
