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.