NOTED French architect Paul Andreu, who designed the "Big Egg" National Grand Theater of China - and took a lot of criticism - now teaches architecture for three months a year at Zhejiang University in Hangzhou. He talks to Xu Wenwen.

Renowned French architect Paul Andreu gave up teaching in France 20 years ago because of his busy schedule, but these days he has once again picked up his pointer at Zhejiang University in Hangzhou.

Andreu, now aged 74, is best known for designing numerous airports worldwide, notably Shanghai Pudong International Airport, Dubai International Airport, Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Manila and Soekarno-Hatta International Airport in Jakarta.

His other prestigious projects include the National Grand Theater of China enclosed in a titanium and glass shell near Beijing's Tian'anmen Square. It opened in 2007. As an associate of Johann Otto von Spreckelsen, he also designed the Grande Arche at La Défense in Paris.

Since last December Andreu has been named dean emeritus and chair professor of the Architecture Department of prestigious Zhejiang University.

In the next five years, Andreu is to spend three months of every year at Zhejiang University, giving lectures and public speeches to undergraduates and graduate students in architecture.

His mission includes instructing students to simulate architectural projects, such as designing a museum at Xixi Wetlands, the latest project. He also oversees projects of an architecture design institute attached to the university.

He spoke to Shanghai Daily last month in Hangzhou, his third trip to the scenic city.

Two decades ago Andreu was teaching in French universities, but also visited more than 10 countries a year for his professional work. So he set aside teaching, for the time being.

Today, invited by his friend Dong Qiang, a translator of his books, and Professor Wang Xiaosong at Zhejiang University, Andrew once again in an auditorium at Zhejiang University, giving an address.

"I am not here to make a fortune, I don't care about money actually," he tells Shanghai Daily.

"It's pure joy to see young people grow. I truly hope my new identity will bring me fun and pleasure," Andreu says, adding that he was drawn by the university's good reputation and the scenery of Hangzhou.

Though he has been an architect for many years, Andrew calls himself a young professor.

"I always ask myself, 'Is what I teach useful to students? Have I brought students what they need?'" Andreau says.

As time changes, his teaching principles also change: from bringing knowledge to helping people sort out the right from the wrong.

A master's student calling herself Jiang says, "Andreu is serious about architecture, but his class is relaxing. He focuses on design itself, and therefore not only revises students' designs but also speculates on the whole process from beginning to end."

In his lectures he always keeps telling his students "to be consistent - when you speak, dream and act."

"Architecture is not to be theoretical in attitude - one should not say something but do something else," he says. "Some people say and act differently yet they don't even notice."

Andreu himself is known for his consistency. In 1997 when he was chosen to design the National Grand Theater in Beijing, he was required to create a building that "people know at first view to be a theater, a Chinese theater and a theater beside Tian'anmen."

However, Andreu soon found his thinking was imprisoned by the requirements. He gave it up and eventually designed a huge sleek oval that seems to float like an egg above water. At first glance, many people see no Oriental elements.

From the very beginning, people never minced unflattering words about the remarkable construction. Some called it an Egg, others a tomb and some said Andrew was testing a building in China that he would not build anywhere else in the world.

But Andreu was consistent and persistent, dismissing the doubts and spending 10 years turning the blueprint into reality.

Before it was built, critics said that an egg was inappropriate and created disharmony with the imposing buildings around it. But Andreu insisted that a theater represents culture; and hence it should not be led or dominated by political buildings and spaces around it.

Critics (and many in the public) said the French architect was unaware of Chinese philosophy, but Andreu said, "People can finally feel its beauty and understand my thoughts once it is inaugurated."

The uproar has died down and many people are impressed and satisfied, though locals still call it the Egg or the Big Egg.

"Being an architect, you need to believe in yourself," he says, adding the Big Egg is one of his most satisfying works.

He doesn't plan another huge work because of his age, he says.

Though Andreu has spent more than a decade in China while building the theater, his Chinese vocabulary is less than 30 words and he prefers Western food and wine, yet he does not think he has not been influenced by Chinese culture.

"I don't have to know everything about the history and literature, but I know I am influenced when I listen to the language and feel its meaning," he says, adding he embraces universality more than globalization.

When Andrew isn't giving classes, he works around the world, advising on other architects' projects.

Given that China is building and urbanizing at top speed, Andrew says architects need to return to their original mission - making people living in buildings happy.

"Architects have to rediscover and find solutions to make property, not with a lot of twists, but with a minimum of damage to land and maximum of pleasure to settlers."

So far Andreu hasn't had much time for leisure and exploration of the city, West Lake and green hills and tea plantations. Last month he had just drawn up a two-hour hiking route from campus to Baoshi Mountain, so that after work he can take a walk in nature.