Charles Phu

Charles Phu (Traditional Chinese: 符傳禎), is a London-based architect, opera set designer, and painter.^[1] Born in Taiwan, he was educated and has practiced architectural design in the United States. Phu has made a number of studies on architecture and cultures including Uyghurs, Mongolians, Uzbeks along the ancient Silk Road. He has been the creative adviser to Anouska Hempel since 2010.

Designs

Phu is known for his tall buildings and cultural buildings designs. Amongst his design works are:

• the controversial Okhta Centre (including the 403-meter high tower and concert hall) in St Petersburg, Russia, for which he was the Chief Design Architect^[2]
• Saint Petersburg Modern Art Museum and Opera House^{[citation needed]}
• China World Trade Center Tower III (330m) in Beijing^[3]
• Beijing Financial Street^{[citation needed]}
• Gulf Coast Museum of Art, Florida, USA^[4][5]

Okhta Centre

In 2010 it was reported by Russian and UK press that Charles Phu said at a public debate in London that the architect has been getting regular memoranda from Vladimir Putin, encouraging them to go ahead with the project of Okhta Centre and promising support from the government.^[6][7][8] This resulted in widespread press coverage and heated public discussions but was proved to be untrue according to Putin, Phu himself and the participants. ^[9][10]

Opera set design

After designing opera productions in Asia and North America, Phu made his UK debut as an opera designer with Sonya's Story, which premiered in London on 7 August 2010. The critic from The Independent described Phu's sets and lighting for the premiere production as "elegant".^[11]

References

1. ^ Building Magazine, 2008
2. ^ Okhta Centre Official Site
3. ^ Skidmore, Owings and Merrill LLP
4. ^ Charles Rose Architects
5. ^ Minyoung Song Architects
6. ^ [1], За "Охта-центром" открылась новая высота: Соавтор проекта скандальной высотки заявил о поддержке премьера Путина
7. ^ [2], Фу: Путин активно поддерживает 'Охта-центр'
8. ^ [3], Финальная схватка против Охта-Центра
9. ^ [4], Один из авторов Охта-Центра заявил о поддержке Путина
10. ^ [5], Автор "Охта-центра": Поддержку строительству оказывает сам Путин
11. ^ Duchen, Jessica (24 August 2010). "Review: Sonya’s Story, Riverside Studios, London". The Independent independent.co.uk

Further reading

• "Featured Figure – Charles Phu", Business Next, September 2007.
• "焦點人物 – 品人生: 符傳禎", 數位時代, 二00七年 九月
• "NEBIVALOE BIVAET", Okhta Centre, ST PETERSBURG, RUSSIA. 2007
• "Небывалое Бывает", ООО Охта Чентр, Санкт-Петербург, 2007
• "New Architecture in China", Bernard Chan, Merrell. 2005
• "Charles Rose, Architect", Princeton Architectural Press, February, 2006
• Site/Architecture – Thompson and Rose Architects. University of Michigan College of Architecture + Urban Planning, 1998
• "Voice of Architecture", "Expert interview - Charles Phu: An Architectural Poet from Taiwan", April, 2010
• "Opera" - Sonya's Story, reviewed by Jessica Duchen, October 2010

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Name	Phu, Charles
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