Bio:

Li Ren is a licensed architect in the District of Columbia with a LEED Accredited Professional. He has excellent enthusiasm for community-based design and urban regeneration. His research/practice targets urban regeneration, knowledge-oriented architecture facilities, and future architectural strategy within three focus areas — technology, sustainability, culture — emphasizing community hotspot spaces such as new neighborhood libraries, senior living facilities and community service centers.

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How did you first learn about architecture and when did you decide that built environment profession was an area of interest for you?

I have been interested in architecture since the 2008 earthquake that happened in my hometown. The most severely damaged buildings owned by local farmers without professional design made me learn architecture and help the reconstruction.

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What do you do?

I am devoted to community-based design and community engagement, providing affordable and volunteer professional service to the local community. My practice focused on senior living, affordable housing, and community service design.

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What excites you in the work you do? Who or what inspires you professionally?

The conversation and cooperation with residents, volunteers, and government officers excite me. Thanks to the diverse cultural environment in each different community, I am learning and sharing inclusive values from them.

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Who or what inspires you professionally? What is your proudest professional accomplishment or achievement?

My service experience in the AIA and NCARB significantly inspires my professional ideas and career development. In the platform provided by those two, I have a chance to learn from different stories and conversations that target hotspot topics.

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What is your proudest professional accomplishment or achievement?

I received the Emerging Architect Award in the 2021 AIA|DC Design Fête. This award recognizes individuals of all ages who have shown exceptional leadership and made significant contributions to the profession early in their architectural careers.

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Featured Project Name: 

Woodridge Neighborhood Library

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Featured Project Location: 

Washington D.C.

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Featured Project Completion Date: 

2016

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Role in Featured Project: 

Project Designer

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Featured Project Description:

The Woodridge Neighborhood Library in was conceived as an elegant treasure chest that orients library patrons towards the verdant Langdon Park behind the site. This is a library with functioning outdoor spaces: a terrace on the first floor and an accessible green rooftop. The welcoming entrance opens into a central circulation area bathed in natural light and offering views towards the park. The building is orientated to ensure that over 90% of all interior spaces receive natural daylight.

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Photography Credit:

Ema Peter