Hanxiao Liu and Luís Ricardo lead llLab., a design studio founded in 2016, focusing on the intersection of materiality, context, and cultural narrative. Based in Shanghai, Stuttgart, and Porto, llLab. spans architecture, urbanism, and art, crafting spaces that push beyond conventional boundaries through a rigorous, context-driven design approach.
Projects like San Sa Village and Bamboo Bamboo, Canopy and Pavilions, or Bamboo Bamboo Turn Turn exemplify llLab’s ability to merge local materials and traditional craftsmanship with innovative, sustainable design solutions. Their work creates dynamic, responsive environments that foster continuous dialogue between architecture, its surroundings, and its users.
Exhibited in institutions such as the Keller Gallery at MIT and BOZAR, llLab. is recognized globally for its forward-thinking practice, where each project becomes a conduit for exploration, tradition, and future possibilities.
What inspires you?
Trying to recall what inspires me, I believe that “trying hard” and “exploring limits”—these motivations, related to behaviors requiring persistence—inspire me a lot. Not really anything specific, but more inclined to a mentality subject.
What inspired you to become an architect?
It was always a determined idea since I remember having something to pursue in mind. Becoming an architect has always been the dominant motivation in my idea of pursuit. One profession, one pursuit of a lifetime interest, that brings abstract thinking to detailed physicality, and then generates abstract ideology for potential development in many subjects again.
How would you describe your design philosophy?
To always situate ourselves on unknown ground to begin the design with, then nurture the design with a collection of different mindsets, allowing design solutions or design phases to arrive at stages that could be understood by the general public to foster an interesting social and conditional evolution of their own.
What is your favorite project?
I do not have a favorite project. Specific projects have specific things that we like very much about, based on different contextual relationships and at different times. However, refreshing visions and controversial arguments really stimulate design to evolve. Something that the general citizens oppose, the social timeframe refuses and criticizes, but is received and perceived later—such inspiring movements and manifestos are really attractive and meaningful.
What is your favorite architectural detail?
I wouldn’t say I have a single favorite architectural detail, but I’m particularly drawn to the creative use of materials and how they can tell a story. For example, using reclaimed or locally sourced materials not only adds sustainability but also creates a connection to the site’s history and identity. I find it fascinating when a material choice can evoke emotion or reflect the culture of a place while also serving a functional purpose.
Do you have a favorite material?
To answer this question, it actually has to go from the other direction. We normally do not have a favorite material, and we encourage having in mind a range of them, with great flexibility. This helps us to ground ourselves on a very initial design origin, where we could find anything inspiring to be potentially created. This intangible ideology really helps us to find a very naturally formed composition of material palettes for our projects.
What is your process for starting a new project?
Usually, we go from erasing all relevancies when starting a new project. We certainly collect opinions and examples to discuss and explain internally with different minds and ways of perception, to be able to develop design into more physically readable ideas. However, the starting point is usually to return to a quite clean base, to regenerate immature arguments, and to stimulate something that could possibly be surprising.
How do you balance function and creativity in your designs?
Balancing function and creativity starts with understanding the core needs of the project—how the space will be used and the practical requirements. Once the functional framework is clear, I see creativity as the bridge that transforms those practical elements into something inspiring and unique. It’s about ensuring every creative decision enhances the functionality, not competing with it.
How does the environment influence your work?
The environment greatly influences our work, as we aim to create designs that respond to both the immediate context and the broader surroundings. We approach this with a sensorial comprehension of space, considering how physical components like light, materials, and textures are experienced, while also ensuring the design resonates with the distant view and the larger landscape. To us, it is about harmonizing these layers of perception with the environment, enhancing not just functionality but the emotional and sensory experience of the space.
How do you collaborate with clients to achieve their vision?
We normally start a project with a vision. We talk about thoughts, argue about things that ambiguously float around, or stop when we do not have any constructive opinions to inspire each other. That one vision usually needs to become our common pursuit, which fosters persistent creative actions to nurture an even longer-term vision. For a fruitful collaboration, the vision must be a shared one.
What inspired Bamboo Bamboo | Turn Turn?
The inspiration behind this Pop-Up Store at HKRI Taikoo Hui was deeply rooted in exploring the sustainability and versatility of bamboo as a material. Drawing from Element’s sustainable branding philosophy, we aimed to push the boundaries of bamboo’s applications—moving beyond its traditional uses to create an unprecedented spatial experience. The design of the Bamboo Bamboo | Turn Turn integrates the fluidity of bamboo with the site’s context, forming an ethereal landscape of flowing bamboo just 3mm thick, embodying its resilience and flexibility. This project also bridges macro and micro perspectives, inviting visitors to experience bamboo not just as a material but as a dynamic, evolving entity. From its natural fibers to engineered forms, it reflects our ongoing journey to reimagine bamboo’s potential in architecture.
How did materiality shape the design and sustainability of Bamboo Bamboo | Turn Turn?
This project ties into llLab.’s larger material research on bamboo, serving as the third phase of an exploration that began with Bamboo Bamboo in Yangshuo and Bamboo Clouds in New York. Each phase builds on the last, expanding our understanding of bamboo’s properties and its capacity to transcend geography, scale, and perception. With that said, materiality played a central role in shaping the design of Bamboo Bamboo | Turn Turn by exploring bamboo’s unique properties. Its flexibility and resilience were key in creating an ethereal, flowing landscape that not only speaks to the material’s natural qualities but also embraces sustainability. The design uses bamboo in its engineered form, testing its practicality and expanding its applications in architecture. By integrating bamboo into the space in new, innovative ways, we were able to create a sustainable and visually dynamic experience while remaining true to the material’s traditional roots.
What advice would you give to young architects?
My advice to young architects would be to always stay curious and open-minded. Architecture is not just about design; it’s about understanding people, places, and the environment. Embrace the challenges and complexities that come with each project and never stop learning.
