Partner & Design Director, gad Architects
Tan Cai is a Senior Partner and Design Director at gad, and a RIBA Chartered Architect. With a portfolio bridging serene cultural resorts and iconic supertall skyscrapers, As a core design leader at gad, Tan Cai possesses a visionary global perspective complemented by an acute insight into local culture. His design practice traverses a diverse spectrum of scales and typologies, ranging from serene Oriental holiday retreats to cutting-edge modern supertall landmarks.
Tan champions the design philosophy of “Emotional Modernism.” He excels at navigating the delicate balance between rational geometric order and sensory spatial experience. Rejecting singular stylistic labels, he adheres to the principle of “Context as Script.” In projects such as Yellow Dragon Valley Tahiti and Kunming Fuxian Lake Xi’an, he reimagines the poetic dialogue between humanity and nature, curating a sense of secluded relaxation. Conversely, in urban landmarks like COLI Shenwan Jiuxu and Dubai LUMENA + LUMENA ALTA, he employs radical facade aesthetics and pioneering construction techniques to address the dual challenges posed by high-density metropolises: elevating living quality while redefining the city skyline.
His work transcends the mere construction of physical space. Through the meticulous articulation of light, materiality, and boundaries, he seeks to evoke daily emotional resonance, transforming architecture into a vessel that holds both life’s ideals and a sense of spiritual belonging.
