German architect Rolf Demmler first arrived in China in 2004 after what he says was an “accident.” Facing an uninspiring career trajectory at home, Demmler was ready for a change when opportunity called. “Somebody from out of nowhere said, ‘We have job offerings in China,’” he recalled in a recent interview in Shanghai. “It labeled itself a Swiss company. I had worked in Switzerland, one of my professors was Swiss, and I had some sort of affiliation to Switzerland. I didn’t know them. They didn’t want a portfolio, just an email. I didn’t have anything prepared, but I gave it a shot.”
“I Googled them, but there was nothing in Switzerland,” Demmler said. “I checked with the Swiss authorities, thinking ‘let’s have a look, see what it is.’ It turned out that it was a Chinese guy who started out in Switzerland. That’s what made it a Swiss office. It was a start-up, but it was good enough for me.” A mere three weeks later, “I was…
