From The New York Times:
Ben Wood has neither the theory-ridden vocabulary nor the matte-black wardrobe typical of maverick architects these days. With his gentle paunch, worn leather sandals and grizzly white beard, he comes across as more of a couch potato than a man of action, though the vintage Chinese army motorcycle and sidecar hint at an adventurous spirit.
Still, over the last five years Mr. Wood has transformed himself from a successful Boston architect into a Shanghai powerbroker whose designs translate into billions of dollars in development.
“I’m trying to change China, and China has definitely changed me,” Mr. Wood said during a recent interview on Martha’s Vineyard, where he and his wife were camping in a safari-style tent. “People have no idea of the scope of the work that’s up for grabs right now. It’s like the Wild West was in America.” [Full Text]
