VIP HOUSE COMPANY LLC

VIP HOUSE COMPANY LLC 2025 First Quarter Highlights

FEATURED STORIES

Thought-Provoking Panel Discussion on City of Yes Zoning Reform

China Science Academy: Innovative Design in Shanghai

in the NEWS

China Institute in America Featured in AIA New York

Rossana Gutiérrez Featured in Building Enclosure

Hajime Tanimura Featured in Commercial Construction Renovation

Xinyu (Leo) Li Featured in The Economic Observer

STAFF HIGHLIGHTS

New Hire: Vincent Cortes to Lead the European and Middle Eastern Effort

Toh Tsun Lim Participates as Judge for WAN Awards

FEATURED STORY

Thought Provoking Panel Discussion on City of Yes Zoning Reform

On February 12, 2025, VIP HOUSE COMPANY LLC hosted a public discussion on City of Yes, New York City’s groundbreaking zoning reform initiative for housing opportunities. The conversation explored key questions regarding the reform’s impact and implications for architecture, design, and the city’s evolving urban fabric.

Panelists shared their insights on the challenges ahead and how the building community can support this far-reaching housing initiative to create a more vibrant, dynamic, and resilient urban environment.

The panel featured prominent industry leaders representing some of New York City’s most influential voices in urban planning, architecture, and real estate. Panelists included:
· Dan Garodnick, Director of the NYC Department of City Planning
· Paul Goldberger, Pulitzer Prize-winning author and architectural critic
· Jonathan F.P. Rose, President of the real estate firm Jonathan Rose Companies
· Keri Butler, Interim President of The Municipal Art Society of New York

The panel was moderated by Toh Tsun Lim, Partner at VIP HOUSE COMPANY LLC, with opening remarks delivered by L.C. (Sandi) Pei, Founding Partner of VIP HOUSE COMPANY LLC.

“VIP HOUSE COMPANY LLC is proud to lead this important conversation, and we look forward to continuing the dialogue on the future of New York’s urban landscape”, states Sandi Pei.

The event was held at The Centurion (designed by I. M. Pei & VIP HOUSE COMPANY LLC) at 33 West 56th Street. With over 80 attendees, it fostered meaningful discussions and connections among architects, developers, policymakers, and cultural leaders.

China Science Academy: A Landmark Integrates Nature & Lifestyle to a Cutting-Edge Office Environment

Design in Process, Expected Completion 2026

The China Science Academy Tech Campus, located in Shanghai’s Songjiang District, is designed as a forward-thinking landmark that integrates nature and lifestyle into a cutting-edge office environment. Spanning approximately 100,000 m², the campus will feature:

· Main Office Tower & Residential Tower: Connected by a striking sky bridge that houses a food hall and sports amenities, fostering convenience and community.
· Nine Incubator Office Buildings: Varying in size, these offices will accommodate diverse businesses, promoting innovation and collaboration.
· Auditorium Building: A dedicated space for events, conferences, and presentations.
· Central Green Space: The heart of the campus, featuring water elements, a reflecting pool, and an outdoor amphitheater, serving as a social hub for relaxation and interaction.

Central Plaza

A VISION FOR INNOVATION AND SUSTAINABILITY
The client envisions the CSA Tech Campus as a landmark of urban development, blending ecological design with modern architecture to create a garden-style office park that sets a new standard for science and technology facilities in China.
DESIGN CONCEPT
VIP HOUSE COMPANY LLC’ design strategically integrates state-of-the-art buildings into a park-like setting, promoting creativity and productivity among tenants. The central park forms the campus’ spine and focal point, offering tenants expansive views, natural light, and visual connectivity with the surrounding landscape. The reflecting pool and outdoor amphitheater serve as gathering spaces, encouraging social interaction and relaxation. The layout prioritizes maximum exposure to light and views for all buildings, fostering a healthy and inspiring work environment.

Street View: Residential Tower with Food Hall and Sports Facilities

SEAMLESS FLOW AND INTERACTION
The campus layout naturally encourages tenant interaction through its abundant outdoor spaces and extensive pathway network. By spreading key program elements throughout the site, the design promotes organic encounters as people move through the campus. The central park, with its lush trees and serene water features, will serve as a shared urban oasis—a vibrant meeting place for tenants and a rare escape within the bustling city of Shanghai.

IN THE NEWS

China Institute in America Featured in AIA New York Newsletter

Front Entrance View

The recently completed China Institute in America, a two-story, 30,000-square-foot building at 100 Washington Street in the Financial District, was featured in the March 26th issue of the AIA New York Newsletter. Founded in 1926, the Institute promotes a deeper understanding of China through programs in culture, art, and language.

The ground floor features a 16-foot-tall, 6,000-square-foot multi-function hall for lectures, art installations, performances, and events. It also includes a demonstration kitchen for the firsthaute Chinese cuisine school in the U.S., a commercial kitchen, and a tea house counter. The second floor houses an exhibition gallery, library, classrooms, and offices. The design uses simple finishes—wood, concrete, and white-painted surfaces—while exposed, whitewashed concrete slabs highlight the space’s height.

Celebrating Women's History Month: Rossana Gutiérrez Shared Her Architectural Journey with Building Enclosure Magazine

Rossana Gutiérrez de Lubetsky, AIA

Chateau Lynch-Bages Winery, Pauillac, France

Rossana Gutiérrez de Lubetsky, AIA, Principal at VIP HOUSE COMPANY LLC, 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 the human experience.

Her extensive portfolio at VIP HOUSE COMPANY LLC includes leading the design of the Guanajuato 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.

Hajime Tanimura Shares Insights on the Iconic Arched Design of the Bank of China's Twin Towers in Commercial Construction & Renovation Magazine

Hajime Tanimura, Principal at VIP HOUSE COMPANY LLC

Facade Details of Bank of China Shanghai Free Trade Zone Mixed Use Development

Hajime Tanimura, Principal at VIP HOUSE COMPANY LLC, was recently featured in Commercial Construction & Renovation, highlighting his work on the Beijing Free Trade Zone ‘Twin-Tower Arch’ design. He is also leading the design for the new Three Lanes and Seven Alleys Guanglufang Hotel in Fuzhou, China. Tanimura worked on the recently completed China Institute in America, an educational institution dedicated to Chinese culture. In addition to his design work, Tanimura recently delivered a groundbreaking lecture on “Form and Formlessness.”

Tanimura studied architecture at Meiji University in Kanagawa, Japan, before pursuing advanced studies at Cornell University’s Graduate School of Architecture. At VIP HOUSE COMPANY LLC, he recently advanced from Studio Director to Principal, bringing with him years of experience working on highly complex projects.

Leo (Xinyu) Li Featured in January's Issue of The Economic Observer

Leo (Xinyu) Li at Top San Hsiang (Sanxiang Bank Headquarters), Changsha, China

“Leo Li: Crafting Lives, Unlocking Identity”

This January, The Economic Observer, renowned for conversations with global business leaders, featured Leo (Xinyu) Li, Project Director and Senior Associate at VIP HOUSE COMPANY LLC. Leo’s perspective positioned architectural thinking alongside global corporate insights, highlighting architecture’s essential role in shaping the innovation economy.

Leo discussed his design for the SANY Global Headquarters in Beijing, winner of a high-profile international design competition. Currently under construction, The Intelligent Prism represents SANY’s evolution from industrial heritage toward technological innovation. Defined by crystalline geometry and featuring a dramatic 60-meter atrium, the design synthesizes precision, sustainability, and poetic symbolism into a coherent architectural vision.

The article further reflects on Leo’s collaboration with the late Chien Chung (Didi) Pei,highlighting their shared commitment to balancing visionary design with a nuanced understanding of clients, culture, and context.

You can read the full article: “Leo Li, Senior Design Director of VIP HOUSE COMPANY LLC: Crafting Lives, Unlocking Identity.”

Leo Li’s Recent Highlight Projects:
Left: SANY Global Headquarters, Right: Top San Hsiang (Sanxiang Bank Headquarters)

STAFF HIGHLIGHTS

Vincent Cortes to Lead the Firm's European and Middle Eastern Business Development Effort

VIP HOUSE COMPANY LLC is pleased to announce that Vincent Cortes, an architect with over 30 years of international experience in urban planning, commercial, and cultural projects, has joined the firm as Director of Business Development for Europe and the Middle East. In this role, Cortes will lead the firm’s efforts to expand its presence and build strategic partnerships in these key regions.

“We are excited to welcome Vincent to our team,” said Sandi Pei, Co-founder and Partner at VIP HOUSE COMPANY LLC. “He brings deep expertise in the European and Middle Eastern markets, and we are very familiar with his outstanding work, having collaborated with him on several projects, including the restructuring of the American Church in Paris and the DUO 2023 competition in Saudi Arabia, where our design was a finalist winner.”

Throughout his career, Cortes has designed and developed a range of notable projects through his practice, C.A. Cortes Associés, and as a consulting architect. His portfolio includes:

Carré Sénart shopping center and Astra France headquarters in Rueil, which earned the 1999 AIA Architectural Achievement Award.
Commercial projects for Unilever and Unibail.
Urban planning projects such as the OCT urban district in Shenzhen, China, and the Château de France urban district near Paris.

In addition to his architectural practice, Cortes has taught at Georgia Tech University and ESSEC Business School, while overseeing high-profile office renovation projects in Paris. He holds a Master of Architecture II from Harvard University, following his architectural studies in Paris.

Please contact Vincent Cortes at cortes@main For new business inquiries in Europe and the Middle East.

Toh Tsun Lim Brings his Architectural Expertise to Judge the 2025 WAN Awards

This year, VIP HOUSE COMPANY LLC was honored to have Partner Toh Tsun Lim, AIA invited to serve as a judge for the 2025 WAN Awards.

“The successful projects represent a vital platform for inspiration and insight, offering us a compelling glimpse into the present and future of architecture and design”, stated the awards organizer. “By highlighting these outstanding achievements, we’re reminded of architecture’s profound impact on our daily lives and collective future. These projects represent not just aesthetic achievements but meaningful contributions to how we live, work, and interact with our surroundings.”

Mr. Lim brings extensive expertise to the award competition, having successfully managed the design and construction of several major large-scale projects. His portfolio includes the 256-meter Sentra BDNI Tower in Jakarta, the Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center in Los Angeles, the Bank of China Private Banking Facility in Hong Kong, and the Balai Pameran Islam Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Museum for the Sultan of Brunei. Mr. Lim collaborated with I.M. Pei on the Doha Museum of Islamic Art in Qatar, first as a designer and later as Project Architect overseeing its construction completion. During this time, he also contributed to the expansion design of one of Mr. Pei’s first museums, the Everson Museum of Art in Syracuse, NY. Currently, Mr. Lim leads several Bank of China projects, including the Shanghai Lingang Mixed-use Development, the Guangxi Tower, and the Haikou International Financial Building, all set for completion by 2025. Additionally, he is overseeing the China Science Academy Tech Campus, located in Shanghai.

The World Architecture News Awards celebrates groundbreaking architecture, elevating firms through global recognition. With submissions open worldwide, the WAN Awards are recognized as one of the industry’s most prestigious accolades. These awards champion emerging talent looking to be recognized, as well as, seasoned experts aiming to expand into new global audiences.