NAN was founded in 2014 in Shanghai by Nan Xu, specializing in architecture, bridges, urban planning, interior design, and industrial product design. We are dedicated to pushing the boundaries of architecture and structure by deeply integrating modern technology to drive structural innovation and deliver sustainable and cost-effective spatial solutions. Each of our designs is a contemporary interpretation of materials, structure, and form, showcasing the new possibilities that technological advancements bring to architecture. We view structures not only as the physical support of buildings but also as a medium of artistic expression, shaping unique spatial experiences.
Nan Xu, Class 1 Registered Architect (China), holds a Master of Architecture from the Illinois Institute of Technology and a Bachelor of Architecture from Harbin Institute of Technology. He has worked at prominent firms such as Atelier Deshaus (Shanghai), SOM (Chicago), and 10Design (Shanghai/Hong Kong). In 2014, he founded NAN Architecture.
Nan Xu also has extensive academic experience, having served as a thesis advisor for the Urban Design program at the China Academy of Art in 2016, a mentor for the Pioneer Architects Studio at Shanghai Jiao Tong University in 2017, and a design instructor at Tongji University's College of Architecture and Urban Planning in 2019.
His achievements in the design field are remarkable, including winning the “Best of Best” award at the American MasterPrize in both 2019 and 2023, the Iconic Awards Best of Best in 2021, and the First Prize in Chongqing’s Excellent Engineering Survey and Design Awards that same year. In 2022, he received the Jury Chair's Prize at the Golden Brick Awards, followed by the Platinum Award at the London Outstanding Property Awards (OPAL) in 2023.
Nan Xu’s works have been featured in renowned international and domestic publications and media outlets, including ArchDaily, Designb
