Leisure is the key driver. Whether it be architects, designers or property developers, there’s a major growth in interest in this area
– Ross Urwin

There are more opportunities for leisure architects and designers working in China and Hong Kong than ever before, according to the creative director of the annual Design Shanghai event.

Ross Urwin told CLAD that “leisure is undoubtedly the area of expansion in China at the moment.”

“I have worked with different hospitality brands here, and their lifestyle offerings are changing massively,” he said. “Leisure is the key driver. Whether it be architects, designers or property developers, there’s a major growth in interest in this area. You see it all around the different hotels and resorts that are having major revamps over here.

“There is a hunger to create truly special places, and that is very different from when I first arrived here over a decade ago.”

Design Shanghai, which takes place every March, is one of Asia’s leading international design events. It showcases design brands from across the globe and provides a platform for architects and designers, particularly from Asia, to network and establish partnerships with retailers, property developers and private buyers.

Urwin revealed such collaborations have grown significantly since the event launched four years ago.

“I hate using the word ‘trend’, but the real trend over here is the collaboration between designers and clients from across the world, and the meeting of western and eastern design philosophies,” he said. “We work with emerging local designers at the show, and it’s great to see how amazing their products and ideas are, and how they’re being picked up by international brands and developers to work in both Europe and within Asia.

“Craftsmanship is key. Some designers exhibiting at Design Shanghai are given a brief for an installation, and have three months to produce something for the show. It was striking this year how many were influenced by the past and the craft of their country. Even though the end products are very contemporary, there is a story behind them influenced by the heritage of craftsmanship and technical skill. That is very appealing to retailers and developers both at home and abroad.”

Urwin said that despite a well-publicised state directive from the Chinese government banning “bizarre” architecture, the country is investing money and resources into large-scale, boundary-pushing leisure architecture, such as in cities like Shenzhen. As a result, he claimed there is a new optimism among many architects and designers working in the region.

He said: “Ten years ago I struggled to find young designers from Hong Kong and China who were excited about the future. If they had trained in Europe or America, once they came back they felt they had to comply with the norm and not be too avant garde in their designs and ideas. That has changed. Now they’re very hopeful and excited for the future. Instead of thinking they can only work abroad, they believe they can have leave their imprint here.

“Similarly, European designers are also finding a lot more opportunities to do great leisure design work in Asia. So it’s working in both directions, and that’s very exciting to see.”

Urwin and his business partners hope to expand Design Shanghai to feature more brands and designers and to host more events and talks across the city over the course of its two week running time.

“Looking forwards we will continue celebrating the city of Shanghai, celebrating great design and offering a platform to facilitate even more collaboration,” he said. “We’re developing an edge and a point of difference from the other design events out there.”