Weiping Lin, monthly FRAME Awards winner and founder and design director of Lin Wei Ping Design, discusses how the Awards platform helps push the sustainability agenda forward and the importance of contextualizing hospitality projects in their locality.

What drove your interest in spatial design and ultimately led you to establish your own practice?

WEIPING LIN: Through comprehensive consideration of aspects such as environment, structure, functionality and aesthetics, we can create unique spaces that meet people's needs. The process of this creativity fascinates me, and I enjoy using design to present my understanding and expression of life. A well-designed space can profoundly impact people's emotions, behavior and experiences. For example, a warm and comfortable home can give a sense of security and belonging, and a creatively inspiring office can ignite employees' inspiration and work enthusiasm. Therefore, I believe that design is not only a pursuit of beauty but a way to create a wonderful life for people. I hope to put my passion and design philosophy into practice through my works and give clients a space where beauty and practicality coexist.

Weiping Lin.

As a FRAME Awards jury member, submitter and winner, what importance do you see in awards platforms and how do they benefit the spatial design industry?

I think the importance of an awards platform is first and foremost reflected in its fairness, transparency, and openness. Everyone can see each submitted project, along with the scores and evaluations given by each judge. It embraces diverse global cultures and professions by not only selecting judges from specific regions, but rather from various countries and different professional backgrounds to participate in the scoring process. The platform allows more spatial designs to be widely disseminated, ensuring that talented designers and projects gain recognition and visibility both within and outside the industry.

Tea Story, the winner of the March 2023 FRAME Awards, incorporates the remnants of a former tea factory into its new 4,000-sq-m multi-purpose space.

They push topics like sustainability forward. Renovating old buildings and utilizing previously owned furniture and materials is one form of sustainability. The significance of sustainability in spatial design is not only reflected in environmental preservation but also encompasses a concern for inhabitants, communities and future development. It is an essential consideration in architecture and spatial design, contributing to the creation of a healthier, more livable and sustainable future.

Your project Tea Story was named winner of the month, first and second honourable in the March FRAME Awards across three categories. The space saw the revitalization of a disused tea factory into a cultural and hospitality space. What role did preserving and sharing the local culture play in the project?

First of all, I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to the owner for placing trust in me, so that I had the opportunity to realize this works that combines old and new. Secondly, through communication with the owner, we gained insight into the local culture. Building upon this foundation, we created a unique cultural display area using old tea bags and newspapers. Through these aged tea bags and newspapers, we preserved memories and heritage from the bygone era. We sought out a substantial collection of ceramic jars, vats and various antique pieces of furniture from the homes of local residents. We preserve and share the local culture by placing these aged furniture pieces in different areas across the entire site. Everyone is welcome to explore and appreciate the space, with the hope that, upon visiting the space, visitors from afar and local residents alike will come to understand, remember and carry forward these cultural traditions.

Cover and above: In the Curve of Time house, the designer removed almost all internal separations, using only smooth curves to delicately divide the space and its different functions.

Why is it important for designers to manage the cultural context of the space, especially in the hospitality sector?

Eastern culture places a strong emphasis on human-centric design, highlighting restraint and understatement. It tends to utilize natural elements and traditional craftsmanship to create a subtle and tranquil spatial ambiance. Additionally, it pays attention to details and etiquette, making guests to feel respected and cared for. Western culture emphasizes practicality and convenience. It often employs modern technology and materials to create clean and bright spaces. Additionally, it places a strong emphasis on openness and communication, making guests feel comfortable and free. When designing hospitality spaces, designers should first gain a deep understanding of the cultural context in which the space is located, and then proceed with creative design; create a welcoming hospitality space that caters to the needs and expectations of users, thereby providing guests with an enjoyable experience.

A vertical vestibule-like space with a skylight distributes natural light throughout the house, around which the home was designed. Interior windows open up to the central light source, maintaining connection and brightness.

How does this feed into sustainable practices?

In the design of hospitality spaces, considering environmental factors is equally crucial. Using sustainable materials and energy-saving equipment, the design can be well integrated with the natural environment and reduce the negative impact on the environment. While respecting traditional culture, there is also an encouragement for innovation. Incorporate modern elements into the design to revitalize traditional culture will attract a wider audience. Maintaining close communication with clients helps them understand the significance of cultural background in design and encourages active participation in the project. This collaborative approach ensures that the design truly reflects the client's needs and values.