7 Things to Know about Designing for Chinese Multifamily Developers

Designing for Chinese real estate clients can be financially rewarding, but U.S. architecture firms have to be aware of important cultural differences in dealing with these clients.

by Lu Zhang, Johnston Architects

Chinese multifamily and mixed-use developers, property owners, and investors have become more active in the U.S. over the past two decades, prompting architects to consider the unique cultural differences in the way we work and how we design apartment and condominium projects for these clients. 

At Johnston Architects, I have had the opportunity to share my understanding of these nuances, enabling the firm to develop more successful, deeper relationships with our Chinese clients. Many of the differences are related to a different understanding of roles and the structure of the relationship, while others are based in tradition.

You can read Lu’s seven insights here, on the Building Design + Construction website.

KIRIN ARE CHIMERICAL CREATURES IN CHINESE MYTHOLOGY / IMAGE BY RAFAEL SOLDI