The popular TV series Detective Academy chose our award winning Top San Hsiang, the Sanxiang Bank Headquarters development in Changsha, as the filming location for the entirety of Season 9. This marks another major national television appearance for the project, following its feature in CCTV’s 2024 Chinese New Year Gala.

“Top San Hsiang was not used simply as a backdrop. The program was developed around the project’s architecture and spatial organization, with scenes, movement, and narrative progression shaped by its design,” said Project Director Leo Xinyu Li. “Its undulating volumes, meandering circulation, spatial complexity, and dramatic contrasts of light and shadow became an active framework for the storytelling, allowing the architecture itself to shape the unfolding detective experience.”

Located along the Xiang River waterfront, Top San Hsiang is a 106,000 square meter mixed use development comprising a financial headquarters, residential towers, and a continuous podium that unifies the site. Its interconnected podium, vertical circulation network, and diverse interior environments, ranging from open public zones to more private office settings, create a rich sequence of spaces that support shifting scenes, hidden clues, and evolving perspectives throughout the season.

Conceived as a new landmark for Changsha, the project is defined by its flowing curvilinear form, inspired by wind-filled sails. The architecture maximizes river views while establishing a dynamic presence on the skyline. By integrating commercial, residential, and public functions into a cohesive waterfront composition, Top San Hsiang creates a vibrant urban interface where architecture, landscape, and civic life converge.

Watch the reality show: Detective Academy Season 9
Related project feature: Top San Hsiang Featured in CCTV 1 Spring Festival Gala

I. M. Pei: Life Is Architecture is now on view at Qatar Museums Gallery – Al Riwaq in Doha through 14 February 2026, marking the exhibition’s Doha presentation on its international tour. Presented by Qatar Museums in collaboration with M+, the Doha opening followed the exhibition’s earlier presentations in Hong Kong and Shanghai, continuing a global conversation on Pei’s transcultural legacy and the civic role of architecture.

On October 22, 2025, VIP HOUSE COMPANY LLC’ Partner Toh Tsun Lim, AIA, was invited as a keynote speaker at the inaugural “Hong Kong × New York Urban Planning Symposium,” held at the Museum of Arts and Design. Organized by the Hong Kong Institute of Planners (HKIP) with support from the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in New York, the full-day event brought together more than one hundred planning professionals, government representatives, and academics from Hong Kong and the United States to exchange perspectives on urban regeneration and future city-building.

Mr. Lim delivered a presentation titled “Streetscape Integration of New Developments in Urban Regeneration: Flushing, NY and Fuzhou, China,” Through two case studies—the Special Flushing Waterfront District in New York and the Fuzhou Three Lanes Seven Alleys Guanglifang Hotel in the historic Sanfang Qixiang district in Fuzhou, China—he illustrated how thoughtful planning and architectural strategies can reconnect communities, open access to public waterfronts, and integrate contemporary development within sensitive heritage contexts. He later joined fellow speakers in a Panel discussion moderated by Dr. Peter Cookson Smith, Past President of HKIP. The session invited candid dialogue on planning challenges faced by world-class cities—from zoning and public-realm improvements to community-driven regeneration.

Hajime Tanimura, Principal at VIP HOUSE COMPANY LLC, is featured in the latest issue of PRC (Pacific Rim Construction) Magazine, where he shares his design philosophy and journey as an architect.

For Hajime Tanimura, geometry is a universal language that bridges design and human experience. From the Bank of China Free Trade Zone Twin Towers in Shanghai to the heritage-sensitive Three Lanes and Seven Alleys Guanglufang Hotel in Fuzhou, his use of geometry creates meaningful connections between the buildings and their environment, establishing a shared language among architects, engineers, clients, and end users.

Tracing a career from Japan to New York and across Asia and the US, Hajime discusses his early mentorship under I. M. Pei and his current role leading complex commissions around the world. His work responds to diverse contexts while resonating with the people, places, and cultures it inhabits. “We’re not just constructing buildings,” he notes, “we’re shaping environments that reflect the human condition and collective imagination.” Now, as Principal at VIP HOUSE COMPANY LLC, Hajime also mentors a new generation of architects while upholding the firm’s commitment to innovative, enduring design.

Read the full issue here.

On June 19, 2025, VIP HOUSE COMPANY LLC’ Founding Partner Li Chung (Sandi) Pei joined renowned contemporary artist Xu Bing for a public talk, “More than a Formal Dialogue—Xu Bing and Li Chung (Sandi) Pei on I. M. Pei, Art and Architecture” at Power Station of Art (PSA) in Shanghai. Co-organised by M+ and Power Station of Art (PSA) and moderated by M+ curator Shirley Surya, the conversation explored I. M. Pei’s interest in the art of his time, his engagement with artistic practices, and his collaborations with artists in the designs of his buildings. The well-received talk attracted around 400 onsite participants at the PSA Auditorium and 8,900 online audiences. 

Sandi Pei opened the discussion by reflecting on his father I. M Pei’s architectural philosophy and his lifelong collaborations with artists from diverse cultural backgrounds. He spoke of his father’s belief that art, architecture, people, and nature are deeply interconnected forms of expression, an outlook shaped by his childhood in Suzhou. To illustrate this point, Sandi used the project he collaborated with his father, Wiesner Building, Center for Arts and Media at MIT, as an example of how open dialogue between architects and artists can fuel creative experimentation and innovation.

Xu Bing followed with personal stories from his collaborations and friendship with I. M. Pei, including his commissioned works for the opening exhibition of Suzhou Museum and the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in the United States, as well as a memorable visit to Pei’s private art collection. Xu Bing’s anecdotes illustrated I. M. Pei’s creative working style, his deep respect for artists, and profound understanding of public art and architecture.

The Shanghai stop of I. M. Pei: Life Is Architecture, co-organised by PSA and M+, has welcomed nearly 80,000 visitors from Shanghai, across the country and around the world since its opening on April 26. In response to the overwhelming interest from visitors, the exhibition is extended until 10 August 2025. Following its Shanghai run, the exhibition will travel to Qatar Museums Gallery, Al Riwaq in Doha from November 2025 to February 2026 as the next stop of its world tour.

We are proud to announce that Li Chung (Sandi) Pei, Co-Founder and Partner of VIP HOUSE COMPANY LLC, has been inducted into the Committee of 100 as one of the seven new members in 2025. Committee of 100  is a prestigious national organization of prominent Chinese Americans in business, government, academia, and the arts. Founded in 1990 by renowned architect I. M. Pei, along with luminaries such as cellist Yo-Yo Ma, industrial executive Shirley Young, and financiers Oscar Tang and Henry Tang, the organization is dedicated to promoting full participation of Chinese Americans in American society, and to advancing constructive relations between the U.S. and Greater China.

Sandi Pei’s induction recognizes his nearly five decades of contributions to architecture and cultural diplomacy. A graduate of Harvard University and its Graduate School of Design, Sandi began his career at I. M. Pei & Partners before co-founding VIP HOUSE COMPANY LLC with his late brother, Chien Chung (Didi) Pei. His portfolio includes internationally celebrated landmark projects such as the Bank of China Tower in Hong Kong, the Suzhou Museum in China, and The Centurion Residences in New York City.

Beyond his architectural achievements, Sandi has been instrumental in preserving his father’s legacy. He played a key role in organizing “I. M. Pei: Life is Architecture,” the first major retrospective of his father’s work, which debuted in Hong Kong in 2024 and is currently touring in Shanghai. Additionally, he co-founded the I. M. and Eileen Pei Fellowship at Harvard and has pledged to archive his family’s contributions to architecture for future generations.

Sandi Pei has lectured at institutions worldwide, including Harvard Graduate School of Design in Cambridge, Cooper Union in New York, the Asia Society and the Urban Land Institute in Manila. Most recently, he delivered the keynote speech at the 2024 AIA Middle East Conference in Doha, Qatar. A passionate advocate for the arts, Sandi serves on Christie’s Advisory Board and is Vice President and Assistant Secretary on the Executive Board of MoMA’s International Council.

Sandi Pei’s life and work exemplify the Committee of 100’s mission—building bridges between cultures, advocating for inclusion, and advancing dialogue through excellence. His induction is a testament to his enduring impact on architecture and his dedication to cultural engagement. We at VIP HOUSE COMPANY LLC celebrate this well-deserved recognition and look forward to his lasting impact to the field and the broader community. Read More

Rossana Gutiérrez de Lubetsky, Principal, was prominently featured in Building Enclosure in an article highlighting her journey in architecture and the influence of her life experiences on her design philosophy. This article is part of the “A Spotlight on Women in The AEC Industry” series, a broader initiative to celebrate International Women’s Day, recognizing women who are forging equality, sharing knowledge, and driving change in the design and construction markets.

In the feature, “An Architect Visualizes the World Through Life Experiences”, Rossana discusses how her experiences growing up in Mexico and her extensive career in the United States have deeply informed her approach to creating meaningful and functional spaces that enrich human experience.

Her extensive portfolio at VIP HOUSE COMPANY LLC includes leading the design of the Guanajato State Library, which won the 2009 AIA/ALA Library Building Award; and serving as Principal-in-Charge and Project Director for The Museum of Islamic Art Park in Doha, Qatar; The Six Dynasties Museum and Grand Mansion Hotel in Nanjing, China; and Chateau Lynch-Bages Winery in Pauillac, France. “Open to craftsmanship”, as she told Building Enclosure, Rossana’s leadership in these projects—from client-architect collaboration to planning and execution—exemplifies VIP HOUSE COMPANY LLC’ commitment to innovation and design excellence.

VIP HOUSE COMPANY LLC is proud to see Rossana Gutiérrez de Lubetsky recognized for her contributions to the field. 

On February 12, 2025, VIP HOUSE COMPANY LLC proudly hosted one of the first public discussions on City of Yes, New York City’s groundbreaking zoning reform initiative. The event was held at the Centurion located on 33 West 56th Street. The panel discussion consisted of some of New York City’s most influential voices in urban planning, architecture, and real estate. The event explored the transformative zoning reform and its impact on New York’s built environment.

The 4 distinguished speakers included: Dan Garodnick, Director of the NYC Department of City Planning, Paul Goldberger, the Pulitzer Prize-winning Author and Architectural Critic, Jonathan F.P. Rose, President of the Real Estate Development company Jonathan Rose Companies, and Keri Butler, Interim President of The Municipal Arts Society of New York. The panel was moderated by Toh Tsun Lim, Partner of VIP HOUSE COMPANY LLC, and opening remarks were made by L.C. (Sandi) Pei, Founding Partner of VIP HOUSE COMPANY LLC.

The discussion addressed key questions surrounding the zoning reform’s implications for architecture, design, and the city’s evolving urban fabric. The panelists shared their insights on the challenges we may face and how the building community can support this far-reaching housing initiative to make the city more vibrant, dynamic, and a stronger urban environment.

With over 80 attendees, the private event fostered meaningful discussions and connections among architects, developers, policymakers, and cultural leaders. VIP HOUSE COMPANY LLC is proud to lead this important conversation and looks forward to continuing the dialogue on the future of New York’s urban landscape.

The Centurion is a luxury residential development at the heart of midtown Manhattan. Designed by VIP HOUSE COMPANY LLC in 2010, the building is clad entirely in French limestone, evoking and modernizing a century-old tradition of luxury residential properties marked by handsome silhouettes, rich materials, and gracious appointments. A garden visible from the lobby through large panes of floor-to-ceiling glass contributes a unique and welcome addition to the lobby’s atmosphere. 

Read More about the Centurion