Qianyi Lin and Dongzi Yang are Chinese designers and co-founders of Various Associates, a Shenzhen-based interdisciplinary design studio established in 2017. With a background in architecture and interior design, the duo leads a practice recognized for spatial innovation, structural clarity, and an emotionally driven approach to materials. Various Associates works across cultural, commercial, and retail typologies, drawing inspiration from site-specific constraints to craft environments that are conceptually rigorous and sensorially rich. Standout projects include the Future City Exhibition Center in Shenzhen, which reinterprets local urban textures through a gold anodized aluminum façade carved with historical maps; J1M5 Boutique in Qingdao, designed as a kinetic retail space inspired by a traveler’s suitcase; and the award-winning Voisin Organique Restaurant, where a controlled palette of metal, stone, and timber defines an immersive dining experience. Through each commission, Lin and Yang blend practical logic with architectural precision, reinforcing Various Associates’ position as one of China’s leading contemporary studios.
What inspires you?
Qianyi Lin
Life experiences provide me with inspiration on multiple levels.
What inspired you to become a designer?
Dongzi Yang
I have studied art and calligraphy since childhood. These traditional art forms have profoundly influenced me.
How would you describe your design philosophy?
Qianyi Lin
Practicality and distinct identity, approached from an architectural perspective, using material combinations with enduring aesthetic appeal to define the project’s tone.
What is your favorite project?
Dongzi Yang
For us, each project is a unique experience. I always believe the next one will be the best.
What is your favorite architectural detail?
Qianyi Lin
I prefer architectural details in which structure and cladding are clearly distinct and require no secondary decoration. It would be best if they could be demountable and reusable. Traditional Chinese architecture, for example, embodies these qualities remarkably well.
Do you have a favorite material?
Dongzi Yang
I’ve always been fascinated by materials, particularly Chinese ceramics. It is even named after the country itself. It’s a remarkably versatile material with a long history of use in China.
What is your process for starting a new project?
Qianyi Lin
I typically approach new projects from two perspectives. First, I communicate with the clients to understand their practical needs for the space, as well as the specific problems they want to solve through the design. We believe design should optimize functionality to better express the core of the brand. In addition, we explore the inherent conditions of the project to uncover new possibilities. Many of our projects start with challenging existing conditions—an unusual layout, significant variations in ceiling height, etc. We specialize in transforming such challenges into highly distinctive and defining features—a signature aspect of our design language.
How do you fuel your creativity?
Dongzi Yang
Travel and maintaining curiosity about everything are the wellsprings of my creativity.
What inspired FUTURE CITY Exhibition Center?
Qianyi Lin
This is an exhibition center for urban renewal design. Rather than being perceived as a commercial real estate exhibition space, we aimed to create a place where the community can feel hopeful about urban development. We incorporated elements evocative of the city—such as facades engraved with the city’s historical urban fabric, a gray-toned historical exhibition hall, and a future gallery with a dynamic gradient sky backdrop. Through material combinations and spatial design, we invite visitors to immerse themselves in the city’s narrative of past, present, and future.
How did materiality shape SND Taikoo Li Qiantan?
Dongzi Yang
SND prefers to present rational and low-key restraint in its retail spaces, so when designing this store, we aimed to express the essence of SND through pure structural relationships and selective use of stone, highlighting the dialogue between art and texture.
What advice would you give a designer?
Qianyi Lin
Balancing creativity and commercial demands is incredibly challenging. To become a creative yet commercially viable design firm, you must persevere, consistently maintain professionalism, and nurture your passion for design.
