Resort Community, Beijing, China

Years of experience designing a variety of commercial projects prepared me for my biggest opportunity yet: Conceptualize and create a resort community north of Beijing, China. After traveling for 20 hours, I was dropped off in an undeveloped area 150 miles outside of the Great Wall and simply told, "Please design vacation homes!"

The surroundings reminded me of Montana and Wyoming, much different from China’s existing seaside resorts. But I took on the challenge and drew from the local fascination with American West and cowboy culture. We named the development Jackson Hole, and using the landscape as inspiration, I created a delightfully rustic retreat with lodge-look comforts, colors and charm.

It was a grass roots project--nothing like it existed before in China. But the results are fantastic and inspirational! My clients had no experience with American-style architecture, so I served as teacher and guide through every step of the project.