An interview with Architect Chen Xi of Atelier Xi - The Jury of Tiny Library 2025 Architecture Competition

We would like to take this opportunity to introduce you to our jury member of the Tiny Library 2025 Architecture Competition.

We’re delighted to speak with "Chen Xi",  a member of the American Institute of Architects and a Registered Architect in New York State. He received his Master of Architecture from Harvard University Graduate School of Design and a B. Arch. from Tsinghua University (Beijing). He worked at Bjarke Ingels Group(BIG) in Copenhagen and Steven Holl Architects-New York from 2009 to 2017.  

In 2017, CHEN XI returned to China and started teaching at School of Architecture in Shenzhen University. He founded his practice ATELIER XI in New York and is currently based in Shenzhen, China. 

We're excited to speak with him about his perspective on the field of architecture and his expectations from the participants of the Tiny Library 2025 Architecture Competition. For the purpose of this interview, he would be referred to as CX in responses, however, Volume Zero is referred to as VZ.

CX- I love them all. But the one I often recall is the first — the Miniature Series (Peach Hut and Library in Ruins). It was a time when we were still inexperienced and naive, yet full of courage to face real-world challenges. We genuinely hoped design and creativity could help grassroots communities. No one expected the outcome to turn out “cool,” but there was this strong feeling of: “No one has done this before — but why can’t we?”

CX- The Serpentine Bookhouse. Time was extremely tight, and the form was highly complex. We had no choice but to rely on prefabricated, three-dimensionally curved steel structures, which were assembled on site. It placed a lot of pressure on the construction process.

CX- If you have an idea, act on it immediately. Even if it’s immature, the strength of execution will make it better and better.

CX- I hope to see breakthroughs beyond the boundaries of conventional disciplines — some attempts that intersect with other fields like the humanities, social sciences, or technology.

CX- Experience. The biggest challenge is how to evoke a rich or powerful sensory experience within something so small.

CX- On one hand, I would take a broader view — trying to understand the environment and social issues surrounding the library and use the space as a response. On the other hand, I would explore how new micro-scale technologies could expand the possibilities for spatial forms and typologies of the library. But I believe the younger participants will be even more creative than I am.