In London, a center for exellence

In addition, the British firm has been a major advocate of using modern technology in design projects. "Techniques like creating 3D visualizations for major projects has been a key learning experience for me at BDP," Qu says.

Terry Farrell, a British architect well-known for designing the MI6 building in London, is one design expert who has been working with Chinese designers for several years now.

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"I had no idea at that time about how much China would progress in design and what it would mean to the rest of the world," Farrell says.

He says the past few years have been extraordinary. He is also the main designer of the KK100 project in Shenzhen, the highest building designed by a British architect.

The design center in London is a very tiny reflection of what's going on in China, Farrell says.

"Unless you go there, you don't really understand the scale, the energy and what is happening ... I have great hopes that we are going to build bridges with China.

"Designers from China have been quick to catch up with their global peers in expertise and skills. What I like about the center is that it also provides a platform for UK designers to learn from their Chinese counterparts," Farrell says.

Qu, the chief executive of the design center, says it works as an independent entity with most of the funding coming from private sources.

"We want to bring together interesting and exciting companies and individuals who can use the center to its full potential and allow it to be a platform for progress and productivity."

Monica Wyithe contributed to this story.