IN a recent episode of the popular Chinese reality show "Dream Maker," Taiwan architect Ping Wang stunned a local family in Shanghai — not to mention viewers — with his masterful remodeling of their old home.

Ping, 43, obtained a master's degree in architectural design from the Bartlett School of Architecture at University College London. After working at architecture firms in Taiwan and London, he relocated to Shanghai 13 years ago.

Despite his experience, remodeling the Zhou family home in the TV show posed numerous challenges for the seasoned builder.

The home itself is a three-story Shanghai lane house. Built more than 100 years ago, the house has been home to the Zhou family for generations and had certainly seen better days prior to renovation.

According to Zhou Yuan, the family home has only around 30 square meters of floor space, creating cramped quarters for himself, his parents, his wife and his young son. Zhou also suffers from hemophilia, which means his blood doesn’t clot properly, and he has difficulty navigating the home's poorly lit stairs. Zhou's father, meanwhile, often slept in a closet so his grandchild could sleep in his bed.

Wang, who claims to have a deep respect for Shanghai's old homes, says the plight of the Zhous moved him and he agreed to help renovate their home for the television program.

Now, the revamped home is equipped with an elevator to help Zhou move between floors. The top floor of the family home has also been converted into a sunny study and computer room.

A special piece of multi-function furniture has been built specifically for Zhou's son. It includes a bed, desk, bookshelf and closet all in one compact space.

Among other improvements, the family's new home is filled with heart-warming handicrafts created by Wang and his team. These include wooden carvings and paper-cuttings based on drawings made by the youngest member of the Zhou family. The home's original brickwork is also preserved at the front entrance as a reminder of its history. This wall now bears photos from old Shanghai, along with other nostalgic nods to the city’s colorful past.

With his work on the Zhou home now over, Ping speaks with Shanghai Daily about this unique project and his career.

Q: Many viewers were impressed by the "dream house" you designed for Zhou Yuan's family. How long did the project take?

A: It took more than two months. The project began in May and ended in late July.

Q: Was it a very challenging project? What was the toughest part?

A: Yes, it was challenging in many respects. The structure of the building had become ... frail. We needed to have very accurate measurements of the residence, with the margin of error at no more than five millimeters.

However, the toughest part of the project, in my eyes, was the human factor. It was a big family with a wide range of ages. We needed to take into account the demands and habits of each person.

Q: Where did you find the inspiration for this project? What were the most satisfying and the most regrettable things about the design?

A: I used to live in the old houses of London. A lot of old houses are well preserved in London. I was amazed at the city's respect for its history and culture. The door plate on even a very ordinary house has its age and the designer's name on it.

The most satisfying part of the design is the wall of old photos at the entrance. The wall reveals the original look of those aged bricks. It is a reflection on life and time passing.

As an architect, I always have some regret when a project is complete. Time permitting, I would have focused more on the details of the home. But regrets can also make you a better architect when it comes to the next project.

Q: The house you designed for Zhou Yuan has been described as modern, nostalgic and emotional. What was it like to work with the Zhou family?

A: The Zhou family live difficult lives but they still care about each other. Each of them puts the other family members first, and seldom thinks about themselves. It is a family of love and strength. In fact, I saw on the back of one Zhou family photo the words: "We have nothing, but we have love." This impressed me a lot.

Q: When did your affinity with architecture begin?

A: In my childhood I loved painting, music and reading. I created different kinds of paintings, comics, sketches and watercolors. It was not until I was 16 that I realized what I should take up as a career. When I was invited to the house of my father's friend, I was deeply attracted to a Spanish painting of an old building. I borrowed it to practice copying. When I finished, it occurred to me that what I pursued should be an "applied art" instead of a "pure art." I wanted to take the building out of the picture. It was an amazing experience to me.

Q: China is rich in architectural masterpieces. What are its most amazing buildings in your eyes?

A: In recent years, a lot of modern skyscrapers have sprung up in China. But they don't have much appeal to me. I like celebrated architect I.M. Pei's design for the Suzhou Museum very much though. It is a stunning blend of tradition and modernity. The beauty of the architecture can't be seen in photos. The delicate light and views in the building have combined to make it a work of art.

Q: In your opinion, what makes a good architect?

A: The architecture industry is not easy or romantic. An architect must have a strong sense of responsibility. Each line could change the way a person experiences their home. A good architect also needs both talent and dedication. He should have the courage to face up to problems and approach his clients with sincerity.

Q: You have worked and lived in Shanghai about 13 years. What do you think about the changes that have happened in the city over these years?

A: Shanghai is developing rapidly. The city has a diverse culture and a strong vitality. Different cultures conflict and mingle with each other here. It gives the city a distinctive charm. However, developing too quickly could damage the city's old buildings. It is important to adopt a balanced approach to urban planning and development.