About Shishang Design and Architecture

Shishang Design and Architecture was founded by Lea Chen PhD. In 2004 the studio opened its doors as one of the first tenants in the now iconic 798 Art District in Beijing, China.

From the beginning, Shishang was an integral part of the lively Beijing art scene and has designed galleries, studios, workshops and private residences for some of China’s most significant contemporary artists. While it is still well known for its artistic approach and proximity to the world of Chinese art, Shishang has over the years grown into a respected and highly awarded full-service practice, working on a range of projects across China, South-East Asia and Europe.

The art of living

Over the years Shishang has built a strong leadership role in high-end residential design and luxury living. Many of China’s most influential personalities from the world of film, music and business work with our design teams to create comfortable, smart and stunning living spaces. Our designers and project managers have extensive experience in designing small, large and very large living spaces. We understand the meaning of luxury living in China. And we are able to translate our client’s lifestyles, personal experiences and requirements into exceptional homes.

Good design is good business

Good design differentiates, creates identity, improves an experience and simply makes us feel better. Design and creativity are the most important factors to win in today's commercial world. And our design does just that: it helps our clients to win the heads and hearts of customers, visitors, guests and employees. We are lucky to have worked on some of the most influential cultural spaces in China. We have designed large and small headquarters and office spaces. We created innovative retail experiences and showrooms. And our work for hotels and restaurants has been internationally recognized and featured across many magazines and online publications.

Great stuff in, great stuff out

There is a theory that says "you are the average of the five people you spend the most time with”. This is especially true when it comes to ideas and creativity. You have to surround yourself with interesting people and absorb as many new and fresh ideas as possible. Because our creative output is defined by our creative input. Over the past few years our design team has grown to include diverse talent from different regions and backgrounds. We work with trained architects and interior designers as well as graphic designers, installation artist, sculptors and experience designers from China, Europe and the Middle East. Our leadership and senior design team have traveled extensively and bring deep local and international experience to the table. We are regular visitors to the world’s most important design events, we explore new and noteworthy hotels, shopping experiences and pop-culture events from Asia to Europe and to America.

Designing a better future for everyone

This is our vision. At Shishang Design and Architecture we develop projects that add positively to our environment and social fabric of the communities, cities and countries in which they are located. We actively research and use new materials that have a smaller environmental foot print. We are committed to use new construction methods that minimize ecological impact. And we design commercial, work and living spaces with high standards for health, hygiene and happiness. We are also propagators and experts in new technology, ranging from smart living solutions to virtual reality designs.

MEDIA

TEAM

Lea Chen

PhD Founder, CEO and Chief Designer

Lea Chen PhD founded Shishang Design & Architecture in 2004 as a boutique design and architecture studio. She has since grown the studio into a leading design practice in China, Asia and beyond. Due to her iconic work and profound contribution to the industry, Lea is celebrated as the leading female architect and designer in China. She is regularly featured in design and lifestyle media, she teaches creativity to young designers and judges many industry awards.

Dirk Eschenbacher

Creative Director

Dirk joined Shishang in 2012 with a background in graphic and communication design. Prior to Shishang, Dirk worked as executive creative director for top advertising agencies Ogilvy and DDB. His unique skills allow him to see projects in a larger conceptual framework and design solutions for business, social or cultural problems. Dirk is an expert technologist and in his career has collected many global creative awards.

AWARDS AND RECOGNITION

2020 - DNA PARIS DESIGN AWARD
2019 - 100 TOP ARCHITECTURE AND DESIGN TALENTSIN CHINA
2019 - MULAN AWARD · Asia for her design of Ridge beams
2018 - 2019 A’ DESIGN AWARD & COMPETITION
2018 - ANNUAL INTERIOR DESIGN FASHION AWARD - JIN TENG AWARD
2018 - APDA Grand Prize of Asia-Pacific Space Design - Person of the Year
2017 - A’ DESIGN AWARD & COMPETITION - INTERIOR SPACE AND EXHIBITION DESIGN CATEGORY
2016 - JIN TANG AWARD BEST SPACE AWARD

2015 - 100 TOP ARCHITECTURE AND DESIGN TALENTSIN CHINA
2015 - THE PERSON WITH ATTITUDE AWARD
2014 - TRENDSHOME LIFESTYLE AWARD
2014 - JIN TANG AWARD EXCELLENT PUBLIC SPACE DESIGN
2013 - JIN TANG AWARD EXCELLENT PUBLIC SPACE DESIGN
2013 - 100 TOP ARCHITECTURE AND DESIGN TALENTSIN CHINA
2013 - JIN TANG AWARD PUBLIC SPACE DESIGN