M.Arch, Yale School of Architecture, New Haven, CT
A.Arch, School of Architecture, Tsinghua University, Beijing
Biography
Na WEI is the Founding Principal of WEI architects (aka. Elevation Workshop), a design firm originally founded in New York and currently based in Beijing since 2009.
The idea of the genius loci is very particular in Na WEI’s work. She professes a keen interest in developing a sympathetic, place-based architecture. With her exquisite perception, WEI’s thoughtful designs blend art, architecture and interior. Standing for Emotive Architecture, WEI derives concepts from emotions in order to create an atmosphere-driven synergy that highlights the interaction between people and the built environment.
Beside her distinguish professional practice, Na WEI is active in academic. Prior to joining the faculty at Penn, Na has been teaching and lecturing in many universities, including Tsinghua University, Central Academy of Fine Arts, Yale School of Architecture, Syracuse University and University of Cincinnati. She also develops her online design courses called “Emotive Design” series since 2017. Na WEI is currently holding associate professorship in architecture at Tianjing University.
Na WEI is the author of Suffused Space published by China Architecture & Building Press, Beijing, 2019 and 2020.
In 2016, People's Daily featured her as "one of the most influential female architects in Beijing." Na WEI and her works has been featured in many publications and exhibitions worldwide, including the book New Chinese Architecture: Twenty Woman Building the Future published by Thames & Hudson in 2019, Beyond the West: New Global Architecture published by Gestalten in 2020, A Retrospective on Ten Years of Practice in Eastern Contexts exhibited at Yale School of Architecture in 2018, and the 17th Venice Architecture Biennale in 2021.