Jack Wu, PLA, LEED AP
“Each project has the potential to be creative but practical. The challenge is to respect its context, history, and culture while establishing spaces that are comfortable, memorable, and durable. Mixed-use spaces must inherently incorporate visions and needs from different disciplines, while public spaces can play a key role in promoting a healthier and more sustainable lifestyle.”
Jack Wu, PLA, LEED AP, creates imaginative urban settings – parks, streetscapes, plazas — that are at once responsive to the surrounding built environment and distinct places unto themselves. A native of Shanghai now working in SWA’s studio there, Jack spent almost half of his over two decades at the firm working from the Sausalito studio, where he played important roles on many award-winning projects.
His experience includes large-scale urban open spaces, such as the Ningbo New Town Eco-Corridor and Shenzhen Hong Gang Park, to more human-scaled spaces, such as Beijing Xingfa Cement Plant Renovation and the Shanghai Westbund Central. Trained as a landscape architect, urban planner, and designer, Jack enjoys exploring new design approaches and material palettes.
INSPIRED BY
Guanzhong Wu, a Chinese painter who represents Oriental culture in a contemporary way.
EDUCATION
Master of Landscape Architecture, Urban Design, University of Pennsylvania
Bachelor of Science in Urban Planning, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
AFFILIATIONS & REGISTRATIONS
Registered Landscape Architect, California
LEED AP
SELECTED AWARDS
Shanghai Excellent Territorial Spatial Planning Achievements, Second Prize, Songjiang Metro #12 West Urban Design (2025)
Shanghai Excellent Territorial Spatial Planning Achievements, Second Prize, Lingang Dishui Lake Blocks Vitality Enhancement (2025)
Architizer A+ Awards Special Mention, Urban and Masterplan, Beijing Xingfa Cement Plant Renovation (2025)
MIPIM Asia Award, Best New Mega Development, Meiyuan Community Parcel 2E8-19 (2025)
Beijing Best Practices for Urban Regeneration Award, Beijing Xingfa Cement Plant Renovation (2024)
WLA Honour Award, Guangzhou Shipyard Park Phase I (2022)
ASLA Northern California Merit Award, Planning and Analysis, Suzhou Creek Waterfront (2022)
ASLA Northern California Merit Award, Planning and Analysis, Dongguan Central Park Area (2021)
ASLA Northern California Merit Award, Planning and Analysis, Chongming Regional Parks (2020)
ASLA Northern California Honor Award, Planning and Analysis, Shen Nan Blvd Upgrade (2019)
ASLA Honor Award, General Design, Ningbo Eco-Corridor (2016)
ASLA NCC, Honor Award for Parks, Recreation, Trails & Open Space, Ningbo East New Town Eco-Corridor Phase I (2015)
ASLA Honor Award – Analysis and Planning, Ningbo East New Town Eco- Corridor (2013)
ASLA Northern California Merit Award, Beijing Finance Street (2011)