Biography
Tssui was born inPhilosophy and style
Tssui believes nature to be an incomparable educator, with knowledge of design and construction borne of the necessary adaptation to constantly evolving systems. Exploring the hows and whys of nature's workings, and looking at the active and reactive relationships of organisms with the surroundings are some of the driving forces behind Tssui's designs. According to Tssui, humans are students of nature, who is the educator. In order to create efficient and sustainable living spaces and lifestyles, architecture must draw from nature to achieve the optimum solution to a given problem. Tssui searches for design elements that work to place the responsibility of environmental and human health back into the daily conscience and behaviors of human life. This outlook must then be expressed in the building's spaces, both interior and exterior, as well as in the detailing and relationship with the site. Tssui also underlines the desire to create responsive buildings which not only work in tandem with and prevent further damage to the environment but also restore damage that has already been done. From this philosophy, Tssui's work derives a biomimetic aspect, which he initially discussed in terms of evolutionary architecture and has in more recent years begun to refer to as ''biologic design''. Deriving from the Latin ''bio'', meaning alive or natural, and ''logic'', meaning well-reasoned, Tssui's conception of biologic architecture asks the question "What would nature do given this context, requirements, and functional goals?" The goal of this approach is to make buildings that take into account challenges of the environment and apply the "knowledge" exemplified by other natural organisms inhabiting the site—in this way preparing for the environment, and ultimately deflect normally disastrous calamities. Some key aspects of Tssui's biologic design include: *structures that take into account the surrounding area, including materials on-hand and challenges presented by the environment *high strength-to-weight ratios, structures strong in tension and compression *aero/hydrodynamic shapes which distribute and relieve stress on the structure and minimize materials needed to build *interior design that encourages exercise, health, and fitness *efficient ventilation, insulation, and temperature control systems that depend on natural circulation *endurance to weather and other environmental changes *using non-imported materials for construction *production of structures whose exterior design and interior workings create no adverse effects on the environment From these aspects of design, the resulting architecture works in tandem with the environment, drawing inspiration from the ecosystems around the structure to produce a sustainable and adapted building. As a result of these tenets, Tssui derives a distinctive style of architecture which makes use of curvilinear forms, sails, "wings," egg-and-sphere-shaped structures, closing wall and roof systems, and other elements which are highly reflective of the natural world. Those who have lived in Tssui's spaces have spoken of the design exuding "freedom and energy," and ultimately encouraging creativity.Built projects
Tssui's built designs include the Watsu School at Harbin Hot Springs ("a series of five spherical buildings connected by a string of hallways and surrounded by a trough of cooling water"), his firm's headquarters in Emeryville, and several residential homes embodying his ecological principles. Headquarters for Tssui's company, Tsui Design and Research Inc., began development in 1991 and its final phase of construction completed in 1998; the design utilized recycled materials for manufacturing, and was built with energy conservation in mind. The now defunct office building was subsequently sold in 2007 and demolished, as it was deemed "too unusual to rent." His design for his parents' house in Berkeley, California, is known for its unusual round shape and its structural concept. The home, sometimes called "Proposals and city planning projects
* The DNA Tower combines business and government offices with vertical gardens to grow food, windmills, and stairwells that act as ventilation. * The Eye-in-the-Sky Lookout Tower was once designed to be both the tallest tower and greatest renewable energy project worldwide. Measuring 2,340 feet high (710 m), it will be 2 times the height of the Paris France's Eiffel Tower or, similarly, over 3 times the height of Seattle Washington's Space Needle, if built. The viewing deck at the top of the twisting, helix-shaped incline tower would be 5-stories tall with sweeping views for hundreds of miles in every direction, weather permitting. Two additional structures at its base (the "Crystal Exhibition Hall" and the "Globe" which includes a waterfall) were planned with organic food-based restaurants, educational/exhibition halls, and auditoriums for public and private events in mind. Outdoor plazas also afforded live music and movies to the anticipated 10 million tourists the Eye-in-the-Sky was anticipated to draw annually. Equipped with 92 eggbeater wind turbines and 700,000 sq. feet of photovoltaic solar panels, it would generate enough energy to sustain itself and provide the city of Oakland, California, where it had been proposed, with one-fourth of its power needs. It had also been proposed to the city of Shenzhen, China, and carried a price tag of $600 million dollars to build for either at the time, yet estimated to generate $400 million dollars in revenue annually. To note, in Oakland, the base of the tower would be "two square (city) blocks" in size while in Shenzhen, it would be built on an artificial island in the center of the bay. There, surrounded by mangrove trees, windmills would aid in filtering the polluted waters of the city while continuing to consider the health of the environment and local ecology. * The Nexus Floating Sea City would be in length and in width and have the ability to accommodate 100,000 people. Planned for the coast of Florida, the Floating Sea City would be capable of traveling along the coastlines of major continents and have the ability to grow its own food. The sea city is designed with an open bay area and residential neighborhoods accessible by boat or plane. A curved mountain region at the front end of the city will act as a massive concussion-absorbing block to mitigate the destructive forces of tidal waves. Twenty-seven underwater propulsion jets will be powered by propane gas or methane gas and electricity generated by windmills on the surface. The Trilobite shape of the city will minimize drag-effect through the water. The entire city will be able to pivot to face tidal waves head-on with little or no damage. This city design is currently waiting for funding from a client in Florida to begin further design development and construction. * The Strait of Gibraltar Floating Bridge, which is intended to span in length, includes a floating island replete with business and leisure centers at its midpoint. Measuring wide, the man-made island includes a marina, hills, and waterfalls to accommodate individuals wishing to engage in outdoor recreational activities. Equipped with wind-powered and underwater turbines, it is capable of powering most of Morocco and southern Spain. At 24 lanes wide and a price tag of $10 billion, the nicknamed "Afro-tunnel" would connect the continents of Europe and Africa. Its segmented design, reminiscent of a vertebral column, would be partially submerged to a depth of 650 feet to allow the continued use of the Strait of Gibraltar for shipping and commerce. * Telos Window of the World, a 12,000-square-foot two-story guitar-shaped residence. The project was approved by the Planning Department of the city of San Pablo. The construction budget was $650,000 with a suggested plan of completion for February 2015. * The Tourist Village in Guizhou, China, is a $14 million project dedicated to assisting the indigenous people of the area, the Yao, in the cultivation and maintenance of their traditions and values. While offering a revolutionary type of lifestyle for its proposed 35,000 occupants, the ecologically conscious city would tether traditional views to their modern counterparts. By creating a new type of township in which successive generations would have no need to seek economic opportunities away from their home, a stabilizing effect on the society would ensue. The Yao, in a departure from modern technology, deliberately avoid using such things as motorcars and cellular telephones. The proposed city's architecture is not only reflective of their choices and practices but also incorporates the local folklore and art. Buildings (like schools and museums) would mimic spider webs in appearance and chimneys (resembling water buffalo horns) can ventilate and cool them naturally. Novel water collection systems via rooftops also contribute to the nature-inspired collective. In totality, the village functions without the use of motorized/mechanical or electrical power in order to maintain the respect of native ideology. The development is anticipated to draw visitors from around the globe, designating the area a cultural and economic zone by the Chinese government. * The Two-mile HighTeaching
Tssui has worked in professorial duties and as a lecturer at a number of schools and universities, including: * UC Berkeley as a Senior Lecturer * Harvard University as a research scholar * Ohio University as a Thomas Ewing Visiting Professor *Clothing, fine art, and furniture design
Tssui's clothing designs include prototypes with sequin-like solar panels which would allow the wearer to charge and power their personal electronic devices. The designs have appeared in magazines such as Mondo 2000 and Hyphen. The 2008 Winter cover of the magazine Hors Ligne also features one of his garments. His work is described as "moving architectural clothing" and reflects the biologic principles found in his architecture, in that his designs are meant to adapt to the wearer's physical activity as well as protect from the elements. Some of the stylistic influence of his architecture also bleeds over into his fashions, with ridges, spines, and wings all featuring in his designs. In his furniture design, Tssui uses principals of maximum strength using the least amount of materials: similar principles which are found in his biologic style of architecture.Media appearances
Tssui was the subject of the film ''TELOS: The Fantastic World of Eugene Tssui,'' which premiered at the Architecture and Design Film Festival in Los Angeles on March 13, 2014. The film held screenings at various locations in the United States as well as abroad. Caren JaoBibliography
Books and periodicals
* ''Evolutionary Architecture: Nature As A Basis For Design'' (Wiley and Sons, 1999 ) This book features a foreword by Louis L. Marines, who was president of the American Institute of Architects, and an introduction by Tssui's mentor, Bruce Goff. * ''The Urgency of Change'' (China Building and Construction Press, 2002 ) * ''The Architecture of Eugene Tsui'' () * ''Learning from Nature Before it's too Late'' () * ''Nature Leads Us to the Future: Leave No Trace'' () * ''Beyond Green Building: Transformation of Design and Human Behavior'' (China Science Publishing and Media, Ltd. 2015 ) * ''Sustainable Development'' (World Architecture Review magazine, January, 2000) () * ''Improving the world through Biomimicry'' (Taylor Francis Online, October 2022)Other
* Eugene Tsui, Architectural Drawings Print Portfolio (1990) * Evolutionary Architecture: The Drawings and Plans of Eugene Tsui 1992 (Pomegranate Calendars and Books, 1992) * Evolutionary Architecture: The Drawings and Plans of Eugene Tsui 1993 (Pomegranate Calendars and Books, 1993)References
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