Peiwen Yu
landscape architect, urban designer, and avid world traveler.
She is particularly interested in urban placemaking that promotes socially resilient public space and a forward-looking lifestyle.
As the lead landscape architect, Peiwen has personally directed major urban transformation projects at firms including SWA, A&N+ (Los Angeles) and Studio P+D (Houston). The firms she worked with in past 20 years also includes EDAW (San Francisco) and Beijing Tsinghua Urban Planning and Design Institute. In 2015, Peiwen founded Ren Chi Space as a Design Philosophy and Think Tank; conducted research and writing projects on a framework and methodology that can apply to urban projects in any cultural context. One of her highly celebrated constructed work includes the six-kilometer-long Shenzhen Bay Shekou Postindustrial Promenade, which has been featured on Chinese Central TV station as “the most beautiful urban coastline”. Her recent built work includes a riverfront landscape design for the 21-kilometer-long Shenzhen Longgang River Blueway Project, which seeks to transform a problematic drainage channel into a vibrant and sustainable public space for a city of 17 million people.
Click here to see Peiwen’s aspiration of work and travel in a short video.
With an academic background in architecture, urban design, and landscape architecture fields, Peiwen holds B Arch, MUP, and MLA degrees. She attended the prestigious Tsinghua University, one of best global universities in China. At leisure time, Peiwen enjoys travel, photography, reading, and independent films.
Professional Affiliation
Member, American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA)
Professional Awards
ASLA Texas Chapter Award of Excellence, Design Constructed Public Category, Sanshan Hillside Park, 2023
ASLA Texas Chapter Merit Award, Design Unrealized Public Category, Guangzhou Waterfront Design, 2023
The 5th China Real Estate Award, Landscape Design Merit Award, Shenzhen Bay Shekou Promenade, 2019
ASLA Texas Chapter Merit Award, Design Constructed Public Category, Shenzhen Bay Shekou Promenade, 2018
2017 Winner, International Design Competition – Nanhai Guicheng Riverfront Parks System Planning and Design
ULI Urban Open Space Award Winner, Nanhai Thousand Lantern Lake Park, 2015
First Place Winner, Shenzhen Bay Park Extension Landscape Design Competition, 2014
Top Three Winning Proposals, Shenzhen Bao’an West Dynamic Coast Urban Design International Competition, 2014
ASLA Texas Chapter Award of Excellence, Design Category, Nanjing Kylin Eco Campus, 2015
ASLA Texas Chapter Honor Award, Planning Category, Zhuhai Qiao Ecotourism Island, 2014
CIHAF Design China, Gold Award in Landscape Category, Shenzhen Bay Waterfront Park, 2013
IFLA Asia Pacific Award of Excellence, Shenzhen Bay Waterfront Park, 2012
ASLA Texas Chapter Honor Award, Design Category, Nanjing AVIC Town Development, 2012
ASLA Texas Chapter Honor Award, Constructed Public, Shenzhen Bay Waterfront, 2012
ASLA Texas Chapter Merit Award, Planning & Analysis, Nanjing Hexi New Town Development, 2010
ASLA Texas Chapter Merit Award, Built Residential, Vanke Mountain Living Community, 2010
International Awards for Livable Communities, Silver Award – Vanke Mountain Living Community, 2008
TSA/AIA Design Award (Texas Society of Architects) – Westchase Long Range Plan, 2005
Publications
Picture Window Courtyard, Beijing CRLand West Mountain Living Space Place Making, September 2016
Edge, Complexity and Informality in shaping places for 528 Art Village, ARCHIDOGS, May 2015
Observations on Tourism Development Trend in China and example of Zhuhai Qiao Eco Tourism Island, Tongji University Journal of Tourism Development and Planning, April 2014
Connected Terraces for Mountain Living – Beijing Hillside Community, Sina Weibo, July 2013
Vanke Mountain Living Community Design, World LA Magazine, July 2013
Beijing Hillside Community Design, World LA Magazine, July 2013
Forward for China Landscape Top 100, September 2012
Lectures
Live Broadcast, Revitalization of Urban Waterfront Practice and Case Studies, Landscape Weekly, March 2021
Presentation, Shekou Promenade – a Cultually Resilient Public Space Honoring Shekou’s root, The 5th China Real Estate and Design Award, Shanghai, China, May 2019
Presentation, Creative Studio of Postindustrial Urban Placemaking, Asian Chamber of Commerce, Executive Program, Houston, Texas, November 2018
Lecture, Landscape Design and Urbanization – International Young Architect Forum, ISA, Beijing China, June 2013