WEBStandard Mandarin. Hanyu Pinyin. Gōngshū Pán. Wade–Giles. Kung-shu P'an. Lu Ban [a] ( c. 507 –444 BC) [1] [2] was a Chinese architect or master carpenter, structural engineer, and inventor, during the Zhou Dynasty. He is revered as the Chinese Deity (Patron) of builders and contractors.