Architecture competition Gauja National Park Footbridge Honorable mention - Wang Fan

We’d like to take the opportunity to introduce you to the winner of the Honorable mention of our “Gauja National Park Footbridge ” competition - Wang Fan from China!

Wang Fan from China

I work in academician Man-Chung Tang 's studio of T. Y. Lin International Engineering Consulting Co, which is the world famous engineering consulting group, leading in bridge and transportation infrastructure. T. Y. Lin International Engineering Consulting (China) Co founded in 1994, headquartered in Chongqing, with more than 1,000 employees.

Our company has hosted many large bridge projects, such as San Francisco New Bay Bridge and Twin River Bridges in Chongqing. I have been responsible for the design of more than ten urban landscape bridges with a span of more than 100 meters, and presided over the design of a bridge across the Yangtze River (China's largest river).

What does architecture mean to you and what is the role of an architect in your society?

As a special kind of building, a bridge is different from other types of buildings. It is a kind of building form that pays special attention to structural stress, which also limits its architectural form to a great extent. In China, architects seldom participate in the design and construction of bridges, but mainly bridge engineers are in charge of the design and construction work. But I think the bridge is also a part of the building, and it also changes the appearance of the city. It should also be beautiful. Therefore, some bridge engineers in China consciously study and try the architectural aesthetics of bridges and build them between bridge engineering and architectural aesthetics. And I am one of them.

Why do you participate in architecture vision competitions?

I am a bridge engineer. I am trained in the mechanics and engineering of structural engineer system, but I have not received the orthodox study of architecture. I try to study bridge architectural aesthetics through self-study, investigation and project practice. I want to discuss and communicate with architects all over the world through this competition, and express a reasonable and beautiful understanding of bridge scheme as a bridge engineer through my work.

What advice would you give to individuals who struggle to decide whether it would be beneficial for them to participate in architecture vision competitions?

No matter what country you are from, what major you are studying, how old you are, as long as you have good ideas, I suggest that you all take part in such a fair and open competition. Enjoy this way of communicating your ideas to the whole world in a special language, and learn from people of different countries, different fields of specialty, but the same world, which is full of imagination about the same project.