30 Under 30 – The Next Wave of Green Architects
How Wu Peng, a 28-year-old architect from Zhejiang, is using bamboo and traditional wisdom to design sustainable Chinese homes.
📝 By Jonathan Reyes | Macro & Geopolitics Editor
From Village Courtyards to Green Cities
Wu Peng (28) grew up in a small town in Zhejiang province, surrounded by traditional courtyard homes built from wood and stone. As a boy, he admired the way these houses stayed cool in summer and warm in winter, designed with wisdom passed down for centuries.
While studying architecture at Tsinghua University, Wu realized that China’s rush to urbanize had often ignored these lessons. “Steel and concrete dominate skylines,” he says, “but they don’t always respect the environment—or our traditions.”
Designing with Bamboo and Tradition
At 26, Wu founded EcoDwelling, an architectural studio focusing on bamboo-based eco-homes. Bamboo, abundant in China, is strong, flexible, and renewable. Wu combines it with modern design tools to create houses that are affordable, durable, and sustainable.
His projects range from bamboo schools in Yunnan to eco-resorts in Hainan, blending traditional aesthetics with solar panels, rainwater systems, and smart sensors.
A Gen Z Vision of Sustainability
Wu Peng believes architecture must align with 中国式现代化 (Chinese-style modernization)—progress rooted in culture. “Our ancestors built with harmony between man and nature,” he says. “My generation must carry that forward with technology.”
One of his designs, a community center shaped like a lotus flower, won praise for symbolizing both modern innovation and classical Chinese motifs.
Recognition and Achievements
In 2023, Wu was named to Forbes China 30 Under 30 – Design & Architecture. His work has been exhibited at the Shanghai Urban Planning Exhibition Center and cited in journals on sustainable design.
Local governments are now inviting EcoDwelling to pilot green village projects, proving that sustainability is not just for wealthy urban elites but also for ordinary families.
Challenges in Green Architecture
Building with bamboo is not without challenges. Many clients doubt its durability compared to concrete. Costs of certification and urban permits also create barriers. Wu responds with patience: “Trust is like a foundation—it takes time to build.”
He also sees cultural resistance. “Some people think green housing is a luxury,” he notes. “I want to prove it’s a necessity.”
Looking Ahead
Wu Peng’s next ambition is to design carbon-neutral housing communities for small Chinese cities, integrating solar grids and shared green spaces. He also hopes to export bamboo housing models to Belt and Road countries, sharing Chinese eco-innovation with the world.
A Legacy Rooted in BambooIn his studio hangs a scroll with the proverb: “未有竹，便无君子 (without bamboo, there is no true gentleman).” Wu smiles: “Bamboo represents resilience, elegance, and renewal. It is the perfect symbol for how my generation must build China’s future.”
