ARCHITECTURE PORTFOLIO
Selected Works (2021 - 2024)
J ingyuan Z eng
“Transitioning from a professional athlete in snowboard racing, discovered a unique sense of freedom and a fresh perspective while suspended in the air. this newfound liberation fueled my fascination with exploring diverse perceptual spaces. the transition to architecture was a natural evolution, where marveled at the vast range of feelings and experiences the built environment offered. this journey, from athlete to architecture student in the u.s., reflects my unwavering passion for discovering and shaping perceptual spaces both on and off the slopes.
Combining the thrill of carving nature’s slopes with the art of shaping architectural spaces defines my approach. infuse the joy of snowboarding into my design ethos, drawing inspiration from the seamless blend of natural landscapes and contextual architecture. from the exhilarating ride through terrains to crafting grounded spaces, each turn and breath fuels my passion for creating experiences that transcend both snowy peaks and architectural contexts. join me in a realm where perception meets motion, and design is an inspired journey.”
Cornell University AAP
Master or Architecture
- Director’s Award
- Earl R. Flansburgh Merit Award
Ithaca, NY
Expected Jun. 2027
- Sheinfeld-Lindenfeld International Graduate Fellowship in AAP
- Annual Scholarship
Washington University in St. Louis (WUSTL)
Bachelor of Science in Architecture
(Human-Computer Interaction minor)
- GPA: 3.84/4.0
- Dean’s List (Fall 2021 - Spring 2024 all semesters)
St.Louis, MO
Jun. 2024
3D Modeling
Rhino 7/8, Revit, Grasshopper
Digital Visualization
Vray, Enscape, Adobe Photoshop/Lightroom
Physical Fabrication
CNC RhinoCAM, 3D Printing, Carpentry
2D Design
Adobe Illustrator/Indesign
Interactive Design
Figma, Eclipse, Visual Studio Code
- Approach Works S elected for Annual Student Works Publication (Fall 2021- Fall 2023 all semesters)
Other Skills
Open Broadcaster Software, Microsoft Office
c A demic R ese AR ch & P R ofession A l
G he N t h ouse
collision of space, volume and color
recreation of the abandoned local barn
Walter B. Kromm Endowed Awarded Internship
Research/Design Assistant to Prof. Hans Tursack of WUSTL
SamFox School of Design Research Asistant
Research/Design Assistant to Prof. Kelley Murphy of WUSTL
Undergraduate Teaching Assistant, WUSTL
TA to Prof. Petra Kempf, Prof. Bo Min Kim, Prof. Kelley Murphy
Sunyata Snowboard Co.
Co-Founder - Design and Construction
Harvard China Education Symposium
Co-Director of Technology
St.Louis, MO
Jun. 2023 - Aug. 2023
St.Louis, MO
Aug. 2023 - Jun. 2024
St.Louis, MO
Jan. 2022 - Jun. 2024
Boston, MA
Jun. 2022 - Present
Boston, MA
Mar. 2022 - Oct. 2023
N ot Q uiet R ou N d
reimagine wild observatory space M ystic V eil shaping resillence in chicago’s breath
c o N cealed M aze
a city library with interlocking circulations
P a R aty V e R de o asis
a civic center with a brazilian urban core
P edal M at R ix
recreation of Lorenzo Ghiberti door pattern
customized riding with architectural thinking
Research Project
2023 Kromm Fellowship Award
Instructor & Lead Designer: Hans Tursack
Research Asistant: Jingyuan Zeng
New York City, NY, USA
The Ghent House project began with a series of short animation-sketches made in the Maya platform. The sketches inspired the graphic stamps, decals, and object-scatters that move through the floor plates and through the building’s envelope. The project relates to the other houses in the series in that it retains a cubic massing strategy, while introducing three dimensional rotations and more chance-based interruptions/intersections in plan and section. A key geometric precedent for the house is the late-career John Hejduk’s project Cathedral. Like the mute rectangular prism of Cathedral, the glass cubic-envelope in the Ghent House functions as a passive visual frame for the interior life of the color fields, furniture, and objects it houses.
Construction Design & Assembly
3”/8’ Scale Physical Model / Museum Board, Chipboard, PLA, Cast acrylic, Basswood, Foamcore
Constructual design & build by Jingyuan Zeng
Located in St. Louis, MO, 5 Creek House is a renovation project transforming a former barn into a two-unit residence. Designed to embrace its sloped landscape, the project integrates flower planting along the downhill-facing porch, enhancing the connection between architecture and nature. My role involved designing and constructing an exhibition model for the clients, allowing for dynamic spatial exploration through modified components. This interactive approach provided a flexible visualization of the evolving design, bringing the transformation to life.
Research Project
2024 WUSTL Research Design Project
Instructor & Lead Designer: Kelly Murphy
Research Asistant: Jingyuan Zeng St.Louis, MO
n ot Q U iet R o U nd
reimagine wild bersvatory space
Group Work (feat.Fenton Lau)
Arch 5111 Design Studio Instructor: Leslie Lok
Ithaca,
NY, USA
This project began with designing a sphere inspired by the python’s anatomy, particularly its expandable belly and digestive system. The structure features a rib-like framework that visually expands, creating dynamic visual effects. Evolving from this concept, the project later transformed into a wild observatory, maintaining the same design system. Viewpoints are strategically placed at varying heights, while existing stairs are enveloped by the structure— mimicking how a python swallows its prey. The result is an immersive architectural experience that blends organic adaptability with observation.
From Python Ribs to Human Space
Volume Massing Spacial Complexity “Swallowing“ Existing Stairs Construction Assembly
A Seamless Dialogue with Nature
Nestled within the wild garden space of Ithaca, New York, this observatory harmoniously integrates with its natural surroundings. The design fully merges with the existing stairs, transforming them into an immersive architectural experience—one that mimics the fluid motion of a python.
As visitors walk through, they become part of the structure itself, engaging with shifting viewpoints and organic forms that enhance their journey. Comfortable and effortlessly fitting within the landscape, the observatory offers a serene yet dynamic space for both observation and exploration.
shaping resilience in chicago’s breath
In the wake of Chicago’s transformative experience during the lockdown of 2021, the redesign of 860-880 N Lake Shore Dr Buildings emerges as a symbol of resilience, innovation, and elegance in the heart of the city. Inspired by the challenges faced during that period, our visionary redesign introduces a groundbreaking concept featuring external floating stairs that connect every two floors in addition to the central elevator and staircase, it serves as an alternative circulation path. Amidst the pandemic, masks became a barrier separating individuals. My design seeks to reflect this concept by dismantling the barriers of ceilings and exterior walls between distinct levels, fostering connection among them.
This unique design not only fosters collaboration but also provides versatile spaces adaptable to various uses, echoing the city’s own adaptability in challenging times.
This project is a thought-provoking architectural response to the 2022 Missouri book ban, inspired by Piet Mondrian. More than a book repository, it is a community hub with a hidden section for banned books.
This library extends into a public landscape, featuring a built-in garden, blending architecture with nature and fostering community engagement. As a symbol of intellectual freedom, it combines art, architecture, and environmental consciousness. The Concealed Maze serves as a dynamic venue for knowledge, community events, and a testament to the enduring spirit of free expression and access to information.
Precedent Research
Individual Work Arch 411 Design Studio
Instructor: Patty Heyda St.Louis, MO, USA c once A led m A ze a city library with interlocking circulations
Like many of Mondrian’s works, “Composition with Red, Blue and Yellow, 1930”, is famous for its use of grid-like structure and primary colors. The idea of hiding can be interpreted in the way the primary colors are selectively placed within the grid, creating a sense of concealment and revelation within the structure of the painting.
St. Charles, Missouri, USA
The site is located near the banks of the Missouri River, this site is enriched by the rich heritage of St. Charles, known for its beautifully preserved architecture and pivotal role in early American history. The area combines a diverse urban fabric with accessible infrastructure, including well-connected roads and public transportation.
400 m
m 300 m
The box model plays with people’s observational perspectives from different angles to set the stage for the final design, where individuals engage with its architectural aesthetics, perceive its visual allure, and resonate with the design philosophy, all geared toward fostering a sense of intellectual freedom. From Box to Library Stair Reading Zone
V e R de o A sis
“Paraty Verde Oasis” is a dynamic city center park project in the heart of Paraty, Brazil, designed to be a multifunctional space for relaxation, community gatherings, and education. The park will offer serene greenery, shaded paths, and inviting seating for people to unwind and connect with nature. In addition to its recreational features, the park will host workshops where locals can learn house fabrication techniques deeply rooted in Paraty’s architectural culture.
Many local residents construct their homes using brick and wood due to local climate and supplies. However, due to people’s reliance on traditional folklore-like construction knowledge, their houses sometimes pose a safety risk and leave residents uncertain how to analyze and resolve these issues with professional help. The city center will feature a public woodshop and regularly invite professional instructors to Paraty to providing locals with essential knowledge about house construction and safety training.
Brazil, Rio de Janeiro
historic town on
Costa Verde, renowned for its colonial and imperial architecture. UNESCO-listed in 2019 for its cultural
Render
recreation of Lorenzo Ghiberti door pattern
Group Work with Catherine Yu Arch 414A Design Studio
Instructor: Kelley Murphy St.Louis, MO, USA
In this project, we reinterpreted Lorenzo Ghiberti’s renowned door patterns, transforming them into 3D through digital ceramic techniques. Extracting the detailed floral ornamentation, we created 49 unique cylindrical forms using a 3D ceramic plotter, each featuring a distinctive layered texture that breathes life into the classic design.
Precedent Study & Design Development Prototype Testing
Ghiberti’s door ornamentation in Florence, Italy, showed a successful integration of Gothic and Renaissance styles, setting new standards in the bronze artistry.
Inspired from Ghiberti’s ornamentation, the form was challenged to test the limit of how stable the clay could hold the texture on the ceramic 3D plotter.
Utilizing Grasshopper in Rhino, the helical design iterations elegantly evolve, with each nuanced wave alteration subtly influencing the gradient shifts in the glazes, creating a harmonious dance of form and texture.
Design
Iterations These cylinders are elegantly held within a custom-designed frame, a feat of design that securely cradles them without any perforations, allowing an uninterrupted visual journey. Viewers can peer through this innovative assembly, enjoying a blend of
Photos documented by Jingyuan Zeng
Module
Project Exhibition
