Mr. SHINJI, Wataru (進士渉)
Practitioner-in-residence, Professional Consultant
Introduction
Wataru Shinji is a designer whose interests lie not only in architecture but also looking for a comfortable space for other living beings on the planet. He and his partner, Lily Zhang, teach at the Chinese University of Hong Kong, in the School of Architecture’s inaugural Practice in Residence programme. His work and teaching have brought him to many places around the world, often relocating for research and studies into various environmental conditions and processes in order to redesign the natural environment itself.
Shinji earned his Bachelor of Arts in Architecture from the University of California, Berkeley and afterwards joined junya.ishigami+associates in Tokyo. He refined his architectural philosophy during his practice, as Senior Designer + Project Lead for nearly eight years while leading a number of international award-winning projects, notably the Park Vijversburg Visitors Center in Tytsjerk, Holland. He has previously taught at Harvard University, Princeton University, Rice University, Mendrisio Academy of Architecture, The Oslo School of Architecture and Design, and Chulalongkorn University.
Research Interests
- Design environment
- Human and non-human living space
- New possibilities in architecture
Publications
Shinji, Wataru, and Lily Zhang, Crafting Environment, Bangkok Design Week, Chulalongkorn University, 2020.
Shinji, Wataru, and Lily Zhang, Crafting Environment, Samyan Mitrtown Gallery, Chulalongkorn University, 2020.
Shinji, Wataru, “Park Vijversburg Visitors Center,” with Junya Ishigami, Shinkenchiku 07:2019, July 2017.
Shinji, Wataru, “Park Vijversburg Visitors Center,” with Junya Ishigami, GA 148, July 2017.
Shinji, Wataru, “Park Vijversburg Visitors Center,” with Junya Ishigami, GA Document 143, August 2017.
Shinji, Wataru, “Park Vijversburg Visitors Center,” with Junya Ishigami, Domus 1018, November 2017.
Shinji, Wataru, “Park Vijversburg Visitors Center,” with Junya Ishigami, Architectural Record, August 2017.
Honours and Recognitions
Theodore U. Horger ’61 Artist-in-Residence, Finalist, Lehigh University, Bethlehem, USA, with Lily Zhang, 2020
Young Architects Competition, Finalist, New Sports Citadel, Bologna, Italy, with Lily Zhang, 2019
European Union Prize for Contemporary Architecture – Mies van der Rohe Award, Shortlisted, Park Vijversburg Visitors Center, with Junya Ishigami, 2019
ARC Detail Award, Winner, Park Vijversburg Visitors Center, with Junya Ishigami, 2018
Building of the Year Award, Nominated, Park Vijversburg Visitors Center, with Junya Ishigami, 2018