ABOUT

TDR TEAM & BIOGRAPHY

Our Philosophy:

Know that “mistakes,” if approached as an integral process of perfecting an idea, are not mistakes at all but, instead, are an important stepping stone to the final goal. There really is no such things as a “mistake,” only insights to move forward towards the final conclusion–the final, perfected, goal.

Our Music:

Prelude for Elisabeth

Our Mission:

What is the primary focus at Tssui Design & Research?
Eugene Tssui and his team at TDR are focused on not only the design but also the implementation of nature-based architecture. We provide specific concepts for buildings, landscaped environments, public art spaces, urban centers and the various personal accruements necessary for the twenty-first century citizen.

How does nature inspire TDR’s work and what is the firm’s mission?
At TDR, we create innovative community environments that are directly inspired by the forms and functions that one finds in nature. Nature is our great teacher. Our mission is to solve the challenges of modern society by utilizing the lessons that abound in nature. We view these challenges as abundant creative opportunities.

How does TDR build a viable working project team?
TDR works closely with engineers, landscape designers, biologists, ecologists and other leaders in the field of evolutionary architecture

What is Evolutionary Architecture?
Evolutionary Architecture found its genesis in the architectural theories and practices of people like Antonio Gaudi, Frank Lloyd Wright and Bruce Goff. In time, this nature-base approach to design began to incorporate functional analogies to quantum physics and fractal theory. The introduction of virtual reality software in the 1990s further expanded the ability to simulate and observe these evolutionary architectural models.

What are the specific benefits of the Tssui Nature-Based design approach?
Environmental Benefits: Structural forms that are modeled after naturally occurring phenomenon inherently better resist earthquakes, tsunamis, typhoons and other natural disasters. A beneficial partnership is therefore formed between humanity and nature by adopting the unquestionably successful strategies that have evolved over eons. The resulting solutions are not only superior in function but are also more harmonious with nature.

Economic Benefits: A natural consequence of Dr. Tssui’s long-term, nature-based approach to his work is that a developer can easily employ local, accessible and environmentally friendly materials and local talent. Substantial savings will therefore be realized during the construction phase and the local community will enjoy a wealth of employment opportunities.

Social Benefits: A guiding principle behind all of Dr. Tssui’s work is the encouragement of inter-cultural understanding, cooperation and respect. His projects always derive their vitality by not only tapping the deep creative instincts of his personal design team but by also inviting and incorporating the needs, ideas and desires of the community.

Biography:

Dr. Eugene Tssui (AIA, NCARB, APA) is a licensed architect and contractor, city and regional planner, industrial designer, artist, educator, investigative scientist, inventor, musician, competitive athlete, publisher, President of Tssui Design & Research and Chairman of the Telos Foundation, a nonprofit foundation for educating the public about design, headquartered in Emeryville, California.

He is the author of many book and periodical publications on Architecture:
Evolutionary Architecture: Nature as a Basis for Design (Wiley and Sons, 1999 ISBN 9780471117261)– This book features a foreword by Louis L. Marines, who was president of the American Institute of Architects and an introduction by Tssui’s mentor, Bruce Goff.
The Urgency of Change (China Building and Construction Press, 2002 ISBN 9787112051557)
The Architecture of Eugene Tsui (ISSN 1000-8373)
Learning from Nature Before it’s too Late (ISSN 1000-8373)
Nature Leads Us to the Future: Leave No Trace (ISSN 1000-8373)
Beyond Green Building: Transformation of Design and Human Behavior (China Science Publishing and Media Ltd. 2015 ISBN 9787030447241
Shenzhen Ecological Park Concept Book, Shenzhen University Press, 2001
Shenzhen City Seaside Garden Park: Tourist Project Concept Book (Shenzhen University, Department of Architecture, 2000)
World Architecture Review – Works of Eugene Tssui, 2000
Nature as a Basis for Design, John Wiley & Sons, 1999

Other:
Eugene Tsui, Architectural Drawings Print Portfolio (1990)
Evolutionary Architecture: The Drawings and Plans of Eugene Tsui (Pomegranate Calendars and Books, 1992)
Evolutionary Architecture: The Drawings and Plans of Eugene Tsui (Pomegranate Calendars and Books, 1993)

Tssui is perhaps the first architect/designer in history to profoundly study, analyze and implement the workings of natural phenomena, through an interdisciplinary approach, as a basis for design at all scales including construction materials and methods.

He is the originator of the term, Evolutionary Architecture, which is an understanding of producing designs based upon a rigorous scientific study of natural organisms, structures, and processes. His work vastly expands and extends beyond the paradigm of “Ecological design.”

His seminal work sweeps us into the 21st century and shows us the ineffable and fantastic intelligence of nature and the compelling possibilities of an architecture that aligns itself with nature’s genius.

Born in Cleveland, Ohio, of Chinese parents, Tssui is fluent in both Mandarin Chinese and English. He holds four professional degrees in architecture and city and regional planning. He attended the University of Oregon, Columbia University Graduate School of Design and the University of California at Berkeley where he received an Interdisciplinary Doctorate in Architecture and Education.

Dr. Tssui has won scholarships and professional research grants from numerous institutions including the Graham Foundation and the National Endowment for the Arts (Canada).

While still a teenager he won an “Honorable Mention for Most Exciting Design” from the AIA (American Institute of Architects). He was an intern architect at the age of nineteen and at twenty was the youngest member of the Organizing Committee for the 1976 Montreal Summer Olympic Games design team as the assistant to the Senior Coordinator.

Eugene Tssui was apprenticed to the renowned American architect, Bruce Goff, from 1976 until Goff’s death in 1982.

He is a four-time Senior Olympics Gymnastics All-Around Champion and In 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000 and 2002 he was awarded the Presidential Sports AwardB