About

We’re UPiA Spaces—a Vancouver-based design & build company—a collective of architectural designers and construction managers trained in Canada, the US, the UK, and China, united by a shared passion for creating meaningful spaces. Though we came from different parts of the world, we built UPiA with a commitment to thoughtful design rooted in place, construction integrity, and harmony with nature.

Over the past decade—during China’s architectural golden age—we gained deep, hands-on experience delivering both residential and commercial projects. We’ve also built strong relationships with source manufacturers and material suppliers.

Now, we bring that expertise and network to Canada—a place we proudly call our new home. Our mission remains the same: to craft meaningful, one-of-a-kind spaces for you.

If you’re dreaming of a space that truly feels like yours, we’d love to help bring it to life together.

  • Chao Zhou

    Founding Partner / Principle Architect / M.Arch / B.Arch

    Chao Zhou serves as a postgraduate off-campus mentor of Wuhan University, a school-enterprise tutor of Wuhan University of Communication, a judge of Tianhua Cup ART&TECH Architectural Design Competition for National College students and participates in architectural design evaluation in many architectural colleges. As an academic planner, he guided numerous universities and institutions in completing the design competition and construction activities for the Student Construction Festival.

    He is also an expert member of the Rural Development Research Institute of China Foundation for Rural Development and a mentor member of the Public Interest Architects Design Alliance.

  • Jason Jingsong Wu

    Co-founding Partner / M.Eng Leadership / M.Arch / B.Arch

    Jason Jingsong Wu is an architectural designer and construction manager with a multidisciplinary background in architecture, construction, and business. His work focuses on the intersection of architectural design, high-performance buildings, and hands-on construction experience across China and North America.

    He holds a Bachelor of Architecture from Wuhan University, a Master of Architecture (RlBA Part 2) from the University of Dundee, and a Master of Engineering Leadership from the University of British Columbia, where he specialized in high-performance building design and business strategy through the Sauder School of Business.

    His work has gained recognition in major media, and he's developed expertise in architectural design and construction management, leading projects from concept to realization.

  • Chengxi Hou

    Director / LEED AP / M.Arch / B.S.Arch

    Chengxi Hou is an architectural designer, design manager, and emerging real estate developer who pairs studio creativity with on-site precision.

    Holding a Master of Architecture from SCI-Arc (Southern California Institute of Architecture) and a Master of Engineering Leadership (High-Performance Buildings) from the University of British Columbia, plus a Bachelor of Science in Architecture from Tulane University, Chengxi blends deep design literacy with business acumen. He has steered teams as Studio Director at Tontsen Design in Shanghai, delivered institutional and commercial projects with the Tsinghua Architectural Design Institute, and co-founded the Special Operations Bureau in Los Angeles. Along the way, he has guided cross-disciplinary teams through the full development cycle — from concept sketches and permitting negotiations to construction budgets, schedules, and site resolution.

    At UPiA Spaces, he is pioneering an integrated design-build-development model that leverages parametric databases, off-site fabrication, and transparent cost tracking to deliver customizable, energy-efficient homes and demonstrate a data-driven future for West Coast housing.

  • Arash khodadad

    Director / M.Eng Leadership / M.Arch

    …To be continued