Norman Foster Foundation Kharkiv Housing Challenge competition 2nd prize winner - Zigeng Wang

We’d like to take the opportunity to introduce you to the 2nd prize winner of our "Norman Foster Foundation Kharkiv Housing Challenge" competition – Zigeng Wang from China!

Zigeng Wang

Please tell us about your company (when it was founded, where it is based, how many employees, etc) Alternatively, if you do not have a company, please give us some insights on your own professional/academia background.

PILLS is a research-based architecture and art studio located in Beijing and Shenzhen, China, founded by Zigeng Wang in 2018. Focused on contemporary spatial culture, our work includes critical practices such as architecture and interior design, installation and exhibition design, urban and landscape design, cross-media production, as well as publication and cultural dissemination.

Mr. Zigeng Wang, the founder, is an associate professor and deputy head of the Department of Architecture at the Central Academy of Fine Arts. He holds a Master of Architecture from Princeton University and a PhD in Architecture from Tongji University. He is the curator for the 2025 Osaka Expo China Pavilion and serves as the chief curator and academic committee member for the 9th Urbanism/Architecture Bi-City Biennale (UABB) of Shenzhen and Hong Kong. He has also been a visiting professor at Syracuse University, a lecturer at the School of Fine Art, Beijing Film Academy, and a visiting professor at Tsinghua University. His research areas include environmental technology, architectural exhibitions, architectural media, and spatial narrative.

Brief information about the projects that you/your company have been involved with. For instance, what scale have you focused on/preferred, any significant projects where the company/ individuals have been Involved?

Our focus primarily lies in architectural design, curation, and exhibition design. Architectural projects include the Nanjing Stone City Site Museum, Shenzhen's Institute of Design and Innovation, Ant Group Global Emergency Response Center, and the 751 D·PARK Sound Installations. Curatorial efforts encompass the 2025 Osaka Expo China Pavilion, the special exhibition area for the 2025 Venice Architecture Biennale, the 9th Urbanism/Architecture Bi-City Biennale (UABB) of Shenzhen and Hong Kong, and “Casting Memories: Achievements of Urban Revitalization" at the 2018 Venice Architecture Biennale. Exhibition design projects feature the renovation of the Shenzhen Museum of Contemporary Art and Urban Planning, the China Resources Xi'an CCBD Mixc Museum, and the Shenzhen Bay Headquarters Base City Showroom.

PILLS's work has been showcased in major international exhibitions, including the Venice Architecture Biennale, Lisbon Triennale, Oslo Triennale, Seoul Biennale, Helsinki Design Week, Urbanism/Architecture Bi-City Biennale (UABB) of Shenzhen and Hong Kong, Shanghai Urban Space Art Season, Beijing Art Biennale, National Art Exhibition, Shanghai PSA Young Curators Project, and the Beijing Hyundai Motor Culture Center Young Curators Project.

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

In my view, architects are social organizers committed to improving and shaping human living environments. They require not only specialized and extensive technical knowledge but also the ability to collaborate with various social roles to carry out complex and meaningful construction activities. Therefore, the architect's mission extends beyond completing a specific physical space; it also involves systematically understanding and addressing social needs, having an ambitious vision, and possessing the capability to mobilize resources. Architects must build their critical practice on the complexities of social realities and leverage their social value within a balanced framework.

Why do you participate in architecture competitions?

We believe that humanitarian concerns transcend borders and should not be influenced by politics. Through this competition, we hope to convey our warmth and care for the people of Ukraine. We also aim to use our expertise to contribute, however modestly, to the post-war lives of ordinary citizens and to help rebuild hope for the future.

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

We are not focused on the competition's outcome, which is influenced by many factors. Our decision to participate is primarily driven by its social significance and our potential role within the international community. The competition provides us with valuable knowledge and experience, allowing us to understand the perspectives of our peers globally.