Just when it seemed like things couldn’t get better for Daniel Wu, the Hong Kong actor, TV personality and martial arts enthusiast can now add a nomination for a prestigious architecture award to his list of achievements.
A library co-designed by the star in Inner Mongolia has been named as one of 62 finalists for the 2018 Royal Institute of British Architects’ International Prize, often referred to as the Oscars for the architecture world.
The nominees were announced in December though local media only pounced on the story this week after learning Wu’s project was in the running for the prize, which is announced in November.
The building — a library, officially called the Mulan Weichang Visitor Centre — was among the projects featured on Wu’s Chinese reality TV show Dream House, in which the entertainer showcases his designing skills by traveling across China with celebrity guests to build or renovate buildings.
Inspired by the traditional Mongolian Yurt and located in Hebei, the library was built on a budget of 800,000 yuan (around US$123,000), according to CGTV, and features a glass roof, ideal for star gazing on the steppe.
Along with Wu, renowned architect Zhang Hai’ao was also a chief designer, while Shanghai architecture firm HDD also collaborated on the project, which was built as a gift for the local children and pastoralists.
It will be up against some tough competition, including an earthquake-proof house designed by a team from the Chinese University of Hong Kong, which was named World Building of the Year 2017; a smart home modelled on the traditional Beijing Hutongs; and an ethereal white cube chapel near the city of Suzhou.
But even if he doesn’t win, it’s still safe to say things are going pretty well for Wu, a California native who majored in architecture at the University of Oregon.
Since moving to Hong Kong in 1997 to pursue a career in entertainment, he’s established himself in the Hong Kong, mainland and US film markets, most recently playing a supporting role in that questionable weather disaster movie Geostorm.
This year, he’s set to star alongside Alicia Vikander in the upcoming new Tomb Raider movie, while his martial arts TV show Into the Badlands has been renewed for a third season.
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Wu posted on his Instagram account that he was stoked to get the nod from RIBA, just days after off the Tantō — a car he designed — finished in the top 10 at the SEMA car show held in Las Vegas in November.
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