Interview with Xiyao Wang

Xiyao Wang ("XW") interviewed on Saturday, 10 May.

Could you please tell us about your experience as a designer, artist, architect or creator?

XW : I’ve spent over 10 years in architecture and design, crossing disciplines from large-scale urbanism to sculptural art installations. My experience spans roles from designer to associate principal at firms like KPF, where I’ve led international projects in Shanghai, New York, and Miami. I've also established my own studio, Extended Play Lab, through which I experiment with conceptual design and material narratives. My academic path began at Tsinghua University and continued at Harvard GSD, which solidified my foundation in both theoretical rigor and practical innovation.

How did you become a designer?

XW : My path into design began less with a single moment and more as an accumulation of visual curiosity—from watching scaffolding rise on Beijing’s ever-changing skyline as a child to my teenage sketches of imagined cities. There was no one influence, but a sustained internal urge to mediate between form and life. Design became my way to make sense of the world, and architectural education allowed me to sharpen that language.

What are your priorities, technique and style when designing?

XW : I prioritize spatial empathy, contextual sensitivity, and narrative integrity. My work often begins with tactile sketching or modeling before transitioning into digital parametric workflows. Whether I’m designing a tower or a sculptural stair, I try to maintain a human-centered logic behind the form, integrating environmental responsiveness, layered symbolism, and experiential sequencing.

Which emotions do you feel when designing?

XW : Design feels like controlled surrender—a mix of anticipation, frustration, and subtle joy. I especially enjoy the moment when disparate ideas begin to cohere, like solving a puzzle with no fixed edges. There’s a satisfaction not in finality, but in discovering that the solution can carry layers of meaning while remaining functional.

What particular aspects of your background shaped you as a designer?

XW : Living between cultures—China and the U.S.—has taught me to navigate contradiction and hybridity, which directly informs my design language. Beyond that, my interest in cinema and literature has helped me understand rhythm, framing, and atmosphere in space-making. I believe designers need strong narrative intuition and interdisciplinary openness to truly resonate with users.

What is your growth path? What are your future plans? What is your dream design project?

XW : My trajectory is increasingly hybrid: merging large-scale architecture with conceptual art and spatial installations. I’d love to design a memorial park or an immersive museum where architecture dissolves into narrative and emotion. I’m also interested in building a research-based think tank within my studio to explore design's socio-political agency.

What are your advices to designers who are at the beginning of their career?

XW : Understand that ambiguity is your ally—clarity comes later. Don’t rush to find your “style”; instead, sharpen your values. Be skeptical of trends, but not closed to evolution. My biggest lesson: take care of your mental health; creative burnout is real. The best advice I received was to treat every project as a question, not an answer.

You are truly successful as a designer, what do you suggest to fellow designers, artists and architects?

XW : Design is less about ego and more about synthesis. Seek collaborations that challenge your assumptions. Study deeply—philosophy, ecology, history—and let that inform your aesthetics. And always return to the user’s lived experience. A successful designer is not the loudest but the most attuned.

What is your day to day look like?

XW : My day usually starts early with a moment of quiet—often journaling or reading before the first meeting. Mornings are for deep design work or critiques; afternoons are usually packed with client reviews or team coordination. I try to carve out an hour in the evening to sketch freely or walk. Coffee breaks and spontaneous conversations with my team are the best moments.

How do you keep up with latest design trends? To what extent do design trends matter?

XW : I treat trends more like background signals rather than directions. I follow academic journals, attend exhibitions, and talk with younger designers to understand emerging concerns. Still, I try not to let trends dictate my work. Instead, I aim for a timeless quality shaped by context and cultural resonance.

How do you know if a product or project is well designed? How do you define good design?

XW : A well-designed project quietly improves life. It doesn’t need to shout to be recognized—it simply works, emotionally and functionally. I look for clarity in concept, sensitivity to context, and a certain poetic quality. If it leaves a lasting impression and invites return visits, it’s likely well designed.

How do you decide if your design is ready?

XW : Readiness in design feels like a deep exhale—when the form and function align and the narrative flows. I know a design is ready when every change starts to feel cosmetic, not essential. That said, I often revisit old work mentally, and some ideas quietly evolve in later projects.

What is your biggest design work?

XW : Each project has its own weight, but Urban Symbiosis stands out for how it balances scale with subtlety. It's an urban green spine that merges infrastructure, public space, and ecology in a seamless loop. It was challenging to orchestrate systems, programs, and user flows while keeping the experience intuitive and uplifting.

Who is your favourite designer?

XW : Two names come to mind: Louis Kahn and Daniel Simon. Kahn’s work taught me the profound power of silence in architecture—how light, material, and geometry can evoke a sense of the eternal. His buildings aren’t just functional; they feel spiritual. On the other hand, Daniel Simon—though from the world of concept vehicles and speculative design—has influenced my imagination profoundly. His futuristic visions are cinematic yet believable, grounded in form logic and material storytelling. Their work sits on opposite ends of the spectrum, but both remind me that great design transcends time.

Would you tell us a bit about your lifestyle and culture?

XW : I split my time between New York and Beijing, which constantly reminds me how fluid urban identity can be. Music, especially ambient and experimental, is a companion during design phases. My upbringing in China instilled a respect for ritual and collective memory, which shows up in my projects—even if abstractly.

Would you tell us more about your work culture and business philosophy?

XW : At Extended Play Lab, we emphasize dialogue over hierarchy. My philosophy is simple: rigor with empathy. We’re collaborative but critical, always pushing boundaries while supporting each other’s voice. I value curiosity and resilience in collaborators. What can’t be forgotten in our work culture is that experimentation is non-negotiable.

What are your philanthropic contributions to society as a designer, artist and architect?

XW : I mentor younger designers through university crits and online platforms and occasionally take on public or low-budget community projects that align with my values. I see design as a form of service—our spatial decisions influence behavior, memory, and justice. That’s a responsibility I don’t take lightly.

What positive experiences you had when you attend the A’ Design Award?

XW : Participating in the A’ Design Award has opened up new dialogues with an incredibly diverse global community. The recognition lends credibility when advocating for more experimental projects. Three key benefits for me: increased visibility, networking with thought leaders, and the motivation to continually elevate my work. Being named Designer of the Day was an unexpected but deeply appreciated affirmation of the path I’ve chosen.

Xiyao Wang Profile