TESTIMONIALS

WHAT PEOPLE SAY

"In my lifetime I have met three individuals of unquestionable genius.  Eugene Tssui is one of these individuals.  I write this in the spirit of  homage to salute him as a young master already certain of his many and varied directions in creative work.  The strength and inner drive of this multiple genius is awesome.  He is the most complete person I know; is resourceful, realistic and thorough but also a visionary.  He has the necessary integrity to completely realize his wonderful creative power.  I have met many young men of exceptional talents, but I find Eugene Tssui to be the one with the  most remarkable creative potential and brilliance of the greatest intensity.  If I write in superlatives it is because I need to when I speak of Eugene Tssui.  I wish  him all success in the development and application of his great creative potential for the future of humanity and the world."
BRUCE GOFF
BRUCE GOFFWorld Renowned Architect
Educator and Lecturer
"The ideas are fantastic and the drawings...very beautifully done.  He has already accomplished the equivalent of sixty years of work - a lifetime's work -  yet he is still relatively young."
DR. FREI OTTO
DR. FREI OTTOArchitect from Stuttgard, Germany
Designer of the 1972 Munich Olympics
"Eugene Tssui is all polymath, a kind of genius.  These long jumps he makes into the unknowns of structure and imagery...I find his personal capabilities for problem solving to be similar to the great minds I have known in physics, chemistry and biology.  However, he has a more pleasant personality, an ability to transmit enthusiasm, and a personal magnetism that many of the scientists did not have.  He is a born teacher as well as professional designer, investigator, artist and musician, but he does not fit into any of the grooves that society has prepared in advance for developing bright people.  His evolutionary ideas fit my image of a desirable, feasible future.  The 21st century needs ideas like his that conserve space, energy and materials without offending aesthetics.  I could see several places where his ideas would be welcomed when available."
RICHARD MEIER, Ph.D.
RICHARD MEIER, Ph.D.Professor of Architecture, Planning and Environmental Design
Scientist, Author and Lecturer
University of California, Berkeley
“Dr. Tssui is not merely engaging people to follow along the usual path of a career; he is teaching us to find ourselves, to find our uniqueness and purpose in life—to pursue our true passion—and this has wonderful results. Tssui encourages and celebrates individuality, nonconformity, and a renewed emphasis on creativity and innovation, and abandonment of that which is stylish... but the most extraordinary aspect of his teaching is what he calls, “the anticipatory aspect” of his approach. He encourages us to think in terms of anticipating probable challenges and problems of the future... his teaching embraces all of nature’s wisdom combined with the urgent social issues of our time. His teaching is both exciting and profound.” 
MR. LOUIS MARINESPresident, CEO Emeritus, American Institute of Architects
President, Advanced Management Institute
“... during my careers as physician, anesthesiologist and then lawyer, I attended more lectures than most members of your audience at the University of Idaho. Your lecture about looking to nature for solutions for ourselves was the best lecture and slide show I ever attended. Not only was it educational and entertaining but the lecture made me want to live another 50 years so I can see more of your future visions come to fruition. I know people become sick physically and psychologically because where and how they live are out of sync with the natural order. Your designs and thoughts beacon harmony. Please continue your pioneering work and lecturing...” 
DR. KARON SZELWACH ARONSON, ESQ.Physician and Lawyer
“Today, we were excited to go and listen to Dr. Tssui’s lecture. The theme was, “You Can Change The World”. Dr. Tssui is a world famous architect,designer, musician and athlete as well. We couldn’t help getting excited when we heard that such a powerful man was invited to give us a lecture! Dr. Tssui persists in developing his own thoughts and not be swayed by other people’s thoughts. I find that some people who are so smart and brilliant in their childhood grow up to be so ordinary and common. But not Dr. Tssui. He is a genius. The great inspiration I got from this lecture is that if you do something you should spare no efforts to be the best. You should have your own ideas and not blindly follow others. This is a good point! I once learned to play the drums. My parents said this was too boyish and I gave up and started the flute. I like the drums and am sick of the flute. But now, my enthusiasm for the drums is back. How I regret that I did not stick to my idea instead of blindly following others advice! Dr. Tssui says to always follow your interests and ask, why? We should live in a world of creative minds that always asks, why? We should follow our hearts. As long as you keep your own character and make changes to yourself you can certainly change the world!”
MS. HUANG ZE YINGFifth-grader from Shenzhen City Experimental School, Shenzhen, China
“Dr. Tssui is a legendary person. I knew of him from his books in our college (Harvard) library. I had a chance to work on one project with him (in China) and it was unforgettable! Dr. Tssui’s office is very different from other offices. His time is flexible which allows us to interact in many different situations. We talk about our design ideas at lunch and sometimes stay up all night long talking about our ideas and aspirations while we work. Dr. Tssui treats us younger persons in a very generous way—which is very different from other bosses in China. He supervised us strictly but gently. We worked hard and still had lots of fun. He has boxing gloves, a guitar and turtles in his office so it felt more like being at home. It is inspiring working and exchanging ideas with Dr. Tssui. He is a charismatic person with lots of energy and creativity; but the most impressive quality about him is his concern for social equity and education for minorities. The more I talked with him the more I found that his unique design thoughts are based on his deep sensitivity and concern for society. In a sense, he is more of a social activist than an exceptional artisan. Dr. Tssui is the most energetic person I’ve ever encountered! He can stay up all night and still be in good fettle in the morning. His energy comes from an inner concern for the environmental crisis, social issues and the unceasing pursuit of beauty. Although he was born in the USA I can still feel his Chinese scholar—organizational spirit! People always feel relaxed and are treated equally yet retaining a sense of belonging. I’d like to work with him again.”
MS. HE SHUIHarvard Graduate School of Design, Cambridge, Massachussetts, USA
"The designs of Eugene Tssui are indebted to the natural sciences, the social sciences and technology - ideas distilled from biology, zoology and botany, city planning and engineering.  The richness of Tssui's sources and his ability to fuse interdisciplinary elements make his work intellectually fascinating...but the artistry of execution and overall aesthetic consideration...make them serve as objects of  art.  Artfully fantastical in appearance, Tssui's designs are founded on scientific scrutiny of the natural world...the designs themselves are functional; his designs work, not only in the sense that they are engineeringly viable, but also in the sense that they serve man's individual and communal needs.  In the end, Tssui's strong philosophical approach to architecture and the  design world pervades his designs:  he seems to bring man's living environment into harmony with nature.  The fantastical becomes the visionary."
JOELLE BURROWSDirector of Exhibits, The New York Academy of Sciences
"I think there's a place, a permanent place for architectural metaphors.  I think it is a very powerful area of expression.  For instance, a man named Eugene Tssui designs buildings that look like jellyfish crossed with a spiky backboned shark, and he produces these houses with communal living in, of all places, Brentwood.  Which is, you know, in Bel Air or, as you know, next to Beverly Hills; so right in the center of "Dallas" living is this futurist jellyfish.  It's just an amazing thing!"
CHARLES JENCKSRIBA, Architect, Architectural Historian and Critic
Author, London, England
"As the director of the film “TELOS: The Fantastic World of Eugene Tssui” it is my aim to present an accurate and unvarnished portrait of my subject: a social idealist, a complex character, and visionary architect Eugene Tssui..."
KYUNG LEE
KYUNG LEEFilmmaker and Humanitarian
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An open letter from Bruce Goff: 

Eugene Tssui (pronounced Tsway) is a remarkable man; a young visionary whose far-reaching ideas and designs encompass a multifarious range of human endeavors which compels us to consider a radically different vision of the world we live in. Architect, urban planner, industrial designer, clothing designer, educator, artist, athlete, and musician; I salute him as a young master already certain of his many and various directions. His designs seem to have such a kinship with nature that they often appear to be created by Nature itself with each design extending into the realm of the fantastic. His designs are powerfully individual, well thought-out and highly evocative. Materials are used in surprising ways and his constant search for new methods and the invention of new materials is rare.

At an early age Tssui was recognized as having an extraordinary facility and passion for drawing and design. I have seen his rendering for a school complex for a lunar community drawn at eleven years of age. It is remarkable not only in its complexity and extensiveness of design, but, also, for its innovative and visionary concepts; concepts which sixteen years later are only beginning to be architecturally considered. His thoroughness in details and insights into advanced technology were already apparent. At seventeen Tssui won an honorable mention for “the most exciting design” in an AIA competition. Before I met him, in 1976, he had an impressive record of professional and academic experience. What caught my attention was a phone call from the Dean of the graduate school at Columbia University stating that they had a student of “superlative talent” mentioning that one of Tssui’s professors considered him “too hot to handle” and he felt Tssui needed sympathetic help and guidance to enable him to continue with his exceptional genius in architecture. Recognizing that this was a polite but permanent expulsion from Columbia I agreed to help him.

Therefore, I expected to meet a young man of exceptional talent, but when he came for the interview I was astounded not only by the quantity and quality of his beautiful architectural drawings, but also by his remarkable and great enthusiasm for, and dedication to, architecture.

Throughout the six years I have known him I have come to realize more fully how complete a person Eugene Tssui is. The range of his creative work is awesome. He is endowed with indefatigable energy and industry. Unlike many strongly gifted creative individuals I have met, he has never shown any signs of conceit or “genius-itis!” He knows the difference between superficial “personality” and genuine creative individuality, and his aims are not limited to personal gratification. He has a larger view of what needs to be done to help others.

In the nine years I was Chairman of the School of Architecture at the University of Oklahoma, and the many schools here and abroad which I lectured and gave design seminars, as well as continuing my own architectural practice which I began 52 years before, I have encountered many gifted and talented students and apprentices, but none as potential and strongly creative as Eugene Tssui. I have never before met a young man in architecture with such drive. If this praise seems too strong–it is only because he deserves it–and earned it in my office. Individual creative and imaginative works keep bursting forth when they must. Revolution is evolution made apparent. Today’s “radical” is tomorrow’s “classic.”  I have every faith that Eugene Tssui will be so regarded.

Sincerely,

Bruce Goff

Recommendation from Louis Marines: 

“My heart rouses thinking to bring you news of something that concerns you and concerns many men,” writes the poet William Carlos Williams.  This is the same feeling of joy and discovery when discussing Eugene Tsui, his life and work, and the compelling power of his vision, rooted in his far-reaching philosophy that is at the heart of nature.  Dr. Tsui helps us to grasp how nature’s profound ideas and values can be applied to create a new paradigm for the human environment that is economical, uses little or no energy, can withstand disaster forces, has no adverse effects on the natural environment, and uplifts the spirit in imaginative, striking ways.  He has been studying the “secrets” of nature for decades.  Imagine buildings that open and close like a flower blossom; buildings that swivel to dispel the impact of Tsunami waves or a floating bridge that undulates, like a sinusoidal wave, producing 4 billion watts of renewable electricity of a 3.2-kilometer high city that is supported by a tensegrity column like the Golden Gate Bridge tilted sideways.  There are just a few of the incredible concepts that are being developed and built.

All this is possible using principles explored by architect and professor Eugene Tsui in his classrooms, offices, and laboratories both in the USA and China.  Allow me also to emphasize the great influence and opportunities he has created for young students and professionals who have had the unique experience to work alongside him.  Shall I mention the recently graduated student from Mexico who, after working with Dr. Tsui, became the public voice, in Mexico, for ecological advocacy and nature’s preservation;  or the landscape architecture student from China who, after winning numerous prizes in the USA, went on to become the Dean of a Landscape Department at a prominent Chinese Institute, or the Master’s student from a famous USA Graduate school who, upon coaxing by Dr. Tsui to, “find your passion in life,” moved to Paris, France and is now a successful global fashion magazine photographer who even invented his own lighting system?

Dr. Tsui is not merely engaging students to follow along the usual path of an architectural career, he is teaching students to find themselves, to find their uniqueness and purpose in life- to pursue their true passion- and this has wonderful results.  Tsui encourages and celebrates individuality, nonconformity, a renewed emphasis on creativity and innovation, and abandonment of that which is stylish for that which is coherent, organic, durable, and timeless  But perhaps the most extraordinary aspect of his teaching and work is, what he calls, ” the anticipatory aspect” of his approach.  He engages students and associates to think in terms of anticipating the probable challenges and problems of the future and developing solutions that would prevent future problems from expanding.  In these times of global ecological disaster, overpopulation and social/economic crisis, such an anticipatory approach to design and thinking present a much-needed possibility for real and lasting solutions.

Tsui’s laboratory has undertaken fascinating research:  discovering termites nests that utilize water cooling and ventilation systems with no mechanical/electrical power, prairie dogs that design air conditioning for underground dwellings, spherical birds nests that are aerodynamic, insular and safe, spider web silk stronger than structural steel, wasp nests that are more insular than a half-meter thick wall, insects that inflate their own protective domical habitats and much more;  Tsui finds principles and qualities that teach us how to build better.  Tsui’s research includes showing students how to test for strength-to-weight ratios, compression and tension testing wind tunnels, water flow currents, in sum, how to translate nature’s ideas into useful solutions for humanity.

Finally, Dr. Tsui’s architecture and his teaching embrace all of nature’s wisdom combined with the urgent social issues of our times.  He brings a compelling vision of a future that can be healed and sustained, one that is aligned with the beauty of nature, and the ingenuity of the human spirit.  His teaching is both exciting and profound.  I strongly recommend Dr. Eugene Tsui to your faculty and know that he will be an exciting, important, and valued member of your faculty.

Sincerely, 

Louis Marines
President, CEO Emeritus, American Institute of Architects
President, Advanced Management Institute