Lose yourself to find yourself

Genesis Beijing is a public development that combines a hotel, offices, gardens and a museum by Japanese architect, Tadao Ando. It’s a new kind of urban experience in China conceived and led by our client, Dr. Whitney Duan, an academic and social policy expert.

She hopes to help repair the loss of community in Chinese society, felt since the Cultural Revolution. She wants to offer an alternative to increasing capitalism and individualism, and believes space can foster both social connection and mental wellbeing.

In line with this progressive conviction and innovative approach, Wolff Olins built a brand based on the Daoist philosophical notion of ‘wu wei’ or ‘effortless effort’. It advocates living instinctively, responding in the moment, and letting change flow. This mindset nurtures a sense of self, as well as empathy and compassion towards others.