Bill Yen is the Founding Partner and Director of MRT Design in Shanghai, where he leads a multidisciplinary team delivering impactful work across architecture, interior, and spatial design. With a Master of Architecture from Harvard University and a dual degree in Economics and Studio Art from Duke University, Bill brings a rare synthesis of design sensitivity and strategic thinking to his practice.

In addition to his professional work, Bill is a committed educator, having served as Professor and Thesis Advisor at Fudan University’s School of Visual Arts, and as Assistant Professor at Hong Kong University (Shanghai Campus). His academic background spans landscape architecture, urban planning, and spatial design.

Bill’s work has received numerous accolades, including recognition from the Design for Asia Awards and multiple Top 50 Interior Design Works citations in Shanghai. As a judge for AYDA’s Interior Design category, he brings a global perspective shaped by both practice and pedagogy, inspiring emerging talents to craft spaces with purpose and innovation.

Gu Yi is the founder of Not a Studio Architect, an innovative architecture and design firm established in Shanghai in 2016. After spending over a decade in Africa, Gu Yi returned to China, bringing a unique global perspective to his work. His design philosophy is rooted in restraint and minimalism, emphasizing thoughtful spatial experiences across various typologies.

Not a Studio Architect’s diverse portfolio spans tea aesthetics, commercial spaces—including restaurants, retail environments, and boutique hotels—as well as public art spaces, residential projects, and offices. The firm has successfully delivered projects of varying scales, seamlessly blending cultural narratives with contemporary design.

Notable works include:

• The Container
• Duo Yun Bookstore (Shanghai, Chengdu, Suzhou)
• Shanghai Longhua Temple
• Pagoda Shadow Space
• Yongfu Temple Zen Museum of Art
• Suzhou Hanshan Temple
• Tea Space
• Atour Hotel 4.0 R&D
• Fotile Commercial Retail, and more.

Gu Yi’s commitment to timeless aesthetics, cultural sensitivity, and refined minimalism continues to shape distinctive architectural and interior spaces that inspire and engage.