When we say we choose a city life, what exactly are we choosing?
For an architect, what is the ideal living environment?
Ten years ago, Tom, an architect, moved from New York to Shanghai. He wanted to experience a new kind of life, but never thought he’d find a city that would give him inner peace. During the 10 years he lived in Shanghai, he was inspired by the city's energetic vibe and exciting opportunities for new experiences. On the other hand, biking through the old city’s streets taught him how to breathe. This balance made Tom delay his departure again and again. Shanghai had become a home for him.
Home isn’t just a space. It’s also a spatial concept that supports mental well-being. In Tom’s apartment, nearly every object expresses his values and philosophy for life.
A minimal lifestyle makes him feel relaxed. The only reason he’ll accept an object without a clear function is if it’s a gift from family. It was inspiring to hear him explain how he deals with his parents’ hoarding habits while remaining a minimalist.
His story showed us that every individual is complex and has the ability to adopt personal habits that differ from the lifestyles of their loved ones. The habits we develop and the lifestyle we choose don’t have to separate us from our family.
01
STAY OR GO
Q: When you first came to Shanghai, how long did you think you would stay?
A: When I first came here, I thought I would give myself five years max and would return to the States. I didn’t know I would love it here so much.
I didn’t have any expectations. I was the first to return to Shanghai after my family immigrated to the US in the 90s.
It feels like a dream. I bike nearly every day now, something I never did in the States. It was a ritual of mine in Guangdong and reminds me of my childhood in that city. That's how I used to get around. It was a freedom that I felt as a kid and something I feel now.
Q: Have you thought about when you will return to the US?
A: I’m not sure if I’ll go back to the States. My favorite food is Chinese food, or rather Cantonese. So in Shanghai, the food is great and the city is safe. Biking makes it easy for people to get around the city, which is nice. The airport is also much better now than what it was when I first came.
Q: Really? So you plan on staying here forever?
A: [laughs]. I don’t know, hopefully. If I find my significant other, I’m open to letting her convince me.
But honestly, I‘m flexible. I miss my family that currently lives in the States. I think I miss them more than actually living in the States.
Shanghai has potential. Things are changing so fast. Every time I consider going back, I experience a sort of reverse culture shock.
Shanghai is becoming more like New York — a top city that can provide you with the best resources and experiences, like art museums and exhibitions. I lived in NY for a couple of years and it is much more crowded there.
Since I’m renting a place here, I have more space now than when I was in Brooklyn. I think those cities are just too crowded for me. I came from Houston, Texas and everything is bigger there.
That’s why I like Shanghai, you know? Instead of being crowded, it’s a little bit like Texas. It’s not crowded but still has the excitement of a city like New York.
Shanghai is a lot better today than what it was 10 years ago. You see a lot of things happening. And there have been a lot of interesting exhibitions in the last couple of years, despite COVID.
02
CAREER
Q: As an architectural leader in one of the top design firms, you likely experience stress in the workplace. How do you deal with that stress in the city?
A: Yes, it is certainly stressful. For instance, over the past four months I worked on a few big projects. I left the office between 11 pm and 1 am every day. But still, I gave myself some “me time” during the weekend. I can work overtime, but not every day. Otherwise, I’ll get burned out.
If I constantly think about work, I’m unable to sleep. That's why the park nearby is so important. I can walk around and have time to exercise in the morning and play basketball. I have to sweat and I don’t worry about anything. I ignore text messages and never check emails. I think that this time is necessary to give my brain a break.
Resting for me means no thinking. Cooking and maybe just a walk in the park are also ways I rest. Even reading, watching movies, and drawing without an idea in mind helps me rest.
For me, especially during my resting time, I prefer pictures rather than words. We are visual people. Words are visually boring. Sketching can also be a visual break.
Q: Is there a special reason why you chose a design career?
A: I was working in the financial industry, but it really didn’t hold my interest. So I changed my career and pursued architecture. I decided to stay because it’s one of my passions.
As humans, our time is limited. So when you really put all of your energy into something you're passionate about and really push the industry forward, it’s all worth it.
In our industry, personal fulfillment is not a priority. Evey designer dreams of having their own designs built in the perfect location. But it’s rare to have the luck and resources to do that. Too many outside factors become barriers.
03
LIFESTYLE, FURNITURE, PRODUCTS
Q: Since we are a lifestyle, furniture, and products channel, could you share more about you and your beliefs about the relationship between human lifestyle, furniture, and products?
A: As an architect, I understand the limits of space. Because of this reason, I must be selective as I begin to acquire designer pieces.
Looking at that Carl Hanson Chair, it took a while to ship it here. Maybe eight months or so. I love the chair because it's movable and I like bringing it with me when I move. Even if I move back to the States. Because it’s foldable.
Oh, the side table is from HAY.
The only corners here that have random products are those photos and gifts from family and snacks from my sisters. My sister makes sure I have enough food. Back home in Texas, we had hurricanes so she and my mom would stock up on food to survive. We could go a month or two without electricity. That’s why I still store food.
I used to live with my mom. She likes owning many things. I think I have become the opposite of my mom. I throw away stuff I do not need. Their habits are understandable due to their life experiences.
My mom usually brought our old furniture into every new home we moved to. I feel nostalgic thinking about growing up with the same furniture. For instance, a cheap-looking foldable table we couldn’t get rid of we just laid down in our backyard.
In some ways, we are emotionally attached to it.
sharing with us two products
1.coffee plate
Maybe this coffee plate from IKEA. I got it 10 years ago when I just moved here. It has been with me for 10 years and I’m still using it.
2.small ceramic calligraphy ink container
And the other thing is this small ceramic calligraphy ink container from Jingde Town.
…
City life is somewhat complicated. It changes people. And diverse people live in the city.
Every time we visit a city, we want to know if the people who breathe the same air with us experience the same feelings we do. Why do they choose to stay here? How do they fit their own life into this place? Do they feel cramped? Anxious? Excited? How do they spend their “me” time here?
“City Talk” is an idea that we came up with to start conversations with people across the city, whether in coffee shops, parks, or in a friend’s apartment, drinking tea. We can enjoy talking while biking slowly in the old town of Xuhui. No matter how our conversation starts, we’ll keep it friendly, relaxed, and down-to-earth. We want to share stories about different lifestyles with everyone.
TICKLE QUO