Robert Fan Wenzhao (1893-1979) was an important figure among first-generation twentieth century Chinese architects, specifically for Shanghai’s architectural modernist movement in the 1930s.
[2] After working at St John's as engineering professor for two years, Fan pursued a Bachelor's degree in architecture from the University of Pennsylvania, graduating in 1922.
[4] Fan travelled extensively in Europe and America, acquiring a taste for modern, Western architectural styles, such as Art Deco.
[7] Fan and Zhao designed the Nanking Theater in 1930 (now called the Shanghai Concert Hall), near People’s Square, before parting ways to start separate firms.
[4] His also worked in Hong Kong on several buildings of the Chinese University's Chung Chi College (1956), Shek Kip Mei Police Station (1960), North Point Methodist Church (1961), Silver Capitol Cinema in Kwun Tong (1964), Hoover Theatre in Causeway Bay, Hong Kong Spinners Factory in Cheung Sha Wan and the Vitasoy Bottling Plant in Kwun Tong.