James Lu

RAIC, LEED AP
Principal, Managing Director, Shanghai

Born in Taiwan but grew up in Canada, James completed his education and began his career in North America before moving to Shanghai where he has resided for many years. This experience gave him a global perspective and the ability to merge values from Western and Chinese cultures in his work.

Since his school years, James believes that design has the power to transform people’s lives and the planet. This belief is shown in his career and projects and is why he is passionate about his work.

Besides indulging in the creative process of design, he enjoys mentoring staff, building high-caliber teams, and constantly improving platforms for creative ideas and people to thrive. James is a frequent speaker with a good sense of humor and down-to-earth attitude. He now lives with his wife, two girls and two cats.

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James at AIA banquet night
James Lu at work
Guiwan School is a new build K12 school in the heart of Shenzhen’s Qianhai District.
Qianhai Guiwan School
Shenzhen, China
Huzhou Central Hospital
Huzhou, China
Huzhou New Hospital is a 1,500-bed new build public hospital in the suburbs of Huzhou – a city located approximately 2hr drive from Shanghai.
“There is so much excitement in what we do as architects and designers. We feel thrilled and obliged to make the world a better place through knowledge, expertise, and passion.”
The Nepalgunj Orphanage is a pro-bono design project in Nepal providing a boy’s home, a girl’s home, an education center with dorm rooms, and a residence for the pastor’s family.
Nepalis regionalism
Nepal
mission trip
Giving back

Giving back to society is important for James and his family. Recently, they spent one holiday in the slum of Nepal to help socially disadvantaged kids living there. They taught and spent time with the children in a slum school and initiated a scholarship fund to support a child to attend university. It’s just one of the many volunteering experiences James and his family have had. Being a giver allows him to see the world in different angles and to rethink how design can help build a better world for all people.

James's Featured Work

Hangzhou School
Work
Hangzhou School
Hangzhou, China
Shanghai Natural History Museum
Work
Shanghai Natural History Museum
Shanghai, China
Huzhou Urban Planning Museum
Work
Huzhou Urban Planning Museum
Huzhou, China
Huzhou Central Hospital
Work
Huzhou Central Hospital
Huzhou, China
Wenzhou Kean University, Student Learning Activity Center
Work
Wenzhou Kean University, Student Learning Activity Center
Whenzhou, China
American International School of Guangzhou Science Park Campus
Work
American International School of Guangzhou Science Park Campus
Guangzhou, China
Duke Kunshan University Phase II Campus
Work
Duke Kunshan University Phase II Campus
Kunshan, China
Beijing Performing Arts Centre
Work
Beijing Performing Arts Centre
Beijing, China