US architect builds dream life in Shanghai
Print Edition
For architect William Koetting, who moved to China from the US in late 2008, leaping into a new country meant a chance to advance his career and start a new life. Since then, he’s left his mark on an impressive list of buildings around Shanghai, a city he now calls home.
“I had my own company in the United States for over 25 years, (but) Chinese projects are much bigger in scope, much bigger in scale and much more exciting,” he told Shanghai Daily.
When Koetting landed in the country, he didn’t know the language, the culture or the people, so he had to learn fast to make it in his new environment.
Koetting’s first stop in China was Beijing, where he stayed for a year. His first major project was the headquarter’s of China Mobile, a competition project he won.
“Architecture has to create excitement. You have to keep culture in mind. You can’t just throw in something that’s from another country and expect people in a new country to like it, so it’s very important to learn the culture,” he explained.
“I went to great lengths to study the local culture. I find it amazing and thrilling. This is one of the things I like best about working as an expat in the country,” he said.
Koetting’s major projects in Shanghai include the Shanghai Film Museum, the Shanghai Xinhua News Building and the Zhongshan Park elevated walkway. He’s now a project architect at Walt Disney Imagineering, where he oversees design work being done at the Shanghai Disneyland Resort.
“(Working with Disney) is great fun. We’re creating magic, and that magic makes people happy. For any architect to do that, it’s like a dream job,” he said.
Koetting also mentors local Chinese architects.
In terms of his personal life, much has also changed for Koetting since his initial arrival as a stranger in a strange land.
“I’m from the USA but Shanghai and China is my home, where I plan to stay forever,” he said. “I have a wonderful wife, I have great Chinese in-laws now, and this is my home. It’s comfortable for me because I get to live across the river and see my work every day.”
Koetting’s gifts to Shanghai are the buildings he’s designed, but he is also a real Santa Claus. For the past three years, he has portrayed Santa Claus at local Christmas markets, Shanghai Children’s Hospital as well as other charity events during the holiday season.
Altogether, Koetting said he’s played Santa Clause for about 15 years.
“The older I get — now I’m almost 59 — the more ‘Santa-looking’ I am. Most people don’t want to age. I want to age, so I can be a better Santa Clause,” he joked.
Donning the role of Father Christmas isn’t all fun and games. It’s hard work, Koetting explained. It takes about 40 minutes to get into character, and he has to wear his heavy custom both indoors and outside. But the joy he spreads as Santa makes it worth the effort.
“As exhausting as it is, it’s so much fun. When I go to bed after playing Santa, I sleep very well. When it’s the next day, I’m ready to do it all again.”
For his contributions to Shanghai, Koetting was among the winners at the 2015 Shanghai International Excellence Awards, an award for influential members of the city’s foreign community.
“For somebody to come here from another country ... and help people throughout the city is a huge thing. There are not many people who can do that,” Koetting said. “I hope more international people will get involved in the community.”
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