ARCHITECTURE PORTFOLIO
Selected Work 2020-2025
Keying Zhong
keying.zho@gmail.com
+1 (909) 701 - 6741 / +86 135-4079-5988 http://www.linkedin.com/in/keying-zhong-94450b287
Education Washington University in St.Louis
Master of Architecture, 2025 Grade: 3.81/4
Selected Course Work:
419 Design Studio: Housing Design in Barcelona. | Professor: Emiliano Lepez, Grade: A
511 Design Studio: An Addition to Louis Kahn’s (unbuilt) Salk Meeting House. | Professor: Robert McCarter, Grade: A611 Design Studio: The Great Rivers Resource Center. | Professor: John Hoal, Grade: A Degree Project: Cultivating Community through Food and Nature. | Professor: Chandler Ahrens, Grade: A+
Sichuan Agricultural University
Bachelor of Engineering (Majoring in Architecture for five years.), 2023 Grade: 4.18/5
Selected Course Work:
Blossom Chasing: Nomadic Beekeepers' House Design. | Professor: Lili Zhang
Vegetable Station: Agricultural Cooperative in the High Density City. | Professor: Jing Li
Ruin Reborn: Community Design for Women in Post-war Iraq. Professor: Lingqing Zhang Voice of Wind: Pavilion Design and Construction. Professor: Shen Gao
Stitching: Forgotten Space in the City. | Professor: Yixuan Wei
HOK, Saint Louis, MO
Professional Experience Architectural Intern, Full-time, Jun 2024 - Aug 2024
Participated in two design projects and one internship project, managing tasks such as concept design, design development, research, modeling, diagram making.
Additional Experience
Washington University in St. Louis
Teaching Assistant, M.Arch3 Architectural Representation l, Part-time, Sep 2024-Dec 2024
Taught software skills, focusing on Photoshop, Illustrator, and AutoCAD, including creating renderings, diagrams, plans, and sections with these tools.
Teaching Assistant, M.Arch2 Pre-semester, Part-time, Aug 2024
Conducted orientation tours. Provided instruction on software such as Rhino and AutoCAD. Taught laser cutting techniques and addressed questions about design projects during desk critiques.
Sichuan Agricultural University
Accounting Assistant: Architecture Studio, 2020-2022
Minister: Publicity Department of College Student Union, 2019-2020
Member: Publicity Department of College Student Union, 2018-2019
Volunteer: International Architectural Design Competition, 2019
Scholarship & Honor Award of Outstanding Degree Project, 2025
Frederick Widmann Nominee, 2025
First Prize in Undergrad Thesis Project, 2023
Award of Outstanding Graduate, 2023
Bronze Award in Singapore Art Design Competition, 2022
Third Prize in the 3rd National Green Architectural Design Competition, 2021
Award of Outstanding Student, 2021
Award of Outstanding Student Leader, 2020
Skills Proficient in AutoCAD, Rhino, Sketchup, Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, Enscape, Lumion, ArcGIS,Microsoft Office Suite.
Digital fabrication: Laser cutting, 3D Printing, Material reasoning, Artistic sensibility, Spatial cognition, Symbiotic meaning/making, Critical visual thinking, Sketching, Model making, Presentation skills.
Languages Fluent in English and Mandarin.
Reference Qian Huang
Contacts Provided Upon Request
Robert McCarter
Chandler Ahrens
Donald N. Koster
HOK, Architect Washington University in St. Louis, Ruth and Norman Moore Professor of Architectur
Washington University in St. Louis, Associate Professor Washington University in St. Louis, Senior Lecturer
Continunity
The Great Rivers Resource Center
Saint Louis, Missouri, USA
In 1806, the Corps of Discovery returned to St. Louis from a two-year journey across the Great Plains, Rocky Mountains, and Pacific Coast, bringing back an invaluable collection of objects and observations. While their contributions to science, geography, history, and culture are well-documented, their greatest legacy—recognizing the deep symbiotic relationship between people and the natural world—has taken centuries to resonate. The once-abundant wilderness they charted seemed inexhaustible to early 19th-century Americans. However, within 100 years, we began mourning its loss and grappling with ecological crises. This project explores the Confluence of the Great Rivers near St. Louis as the site for the Great Rivers Resource Center—a national hub for research, education, and public engagement on ecological and cultural symbiosis. Situated near the Chain of Rocks Bridge and Chouteau Island, the project reimagines the interplay of landscape, water, and architecture to redefine sustainable design and planning for river-centered ecosystems.
This project connects Chouteau Island's well-trodden paths, creating a continuous circulation through two strategies. First, the design blends architecture and environment with curved walls and weathering steel exteriors to create the continuous changing landscape. Second, it captures and evokes the sensation of continuing a walk through the forest by integrating ramps, a long strip of skylight, and curved walls to guide movement, invite sunlight and shadows, and frame immersive views, creating a continuous experience.
Individual Work
Fall 2024
Professor: John Hoal
Continuouse Landscape
Blending
Continuouse Experience
Capturing and evoking the sensation of continuing a walk through the forest by integrating ramps, a long strip of skylight, and curved walls to guide movement, invite sunlight and shadows, and frame immersive views, creating a continuous experience.
Section 2-2
Active Strategies Energy Performance
The building employs a zoned design based on usage, ensuring optimal climate control for areas such as exhibition spaces, classrooms, restaurants, and auditorium...
The HVAC system integrates a Variable Air Volume (VAV) system and a Dedicated Outdoor Air System (DOAS) to provide precise temperature control and consistent ventilation, promoting energy efficiency and indoor comfort.
To facilitate airflow across the building, five strategically placed shafts connect to Air Handling Units (AHUs) located on the roof, distributing conditioned air effectively to each zone. The roof also houses DOAS units, VAV Rooftop Units (RTUs), Exhaust Fans, and Energy Recovery Ventilators (ERVs) or Heat Recovery Ventilators (HRVs) to maximize energy efficiency and support sustainable operations. Additional ducts and vents ensure
Blossom Chasing
Nomadic Beekeepers' House
3 different locations in China
Beekeeping is a widespread global activity with millions of beekeepers rely on bees for their livelihoods. There are 300,000 beekeepers in China with total output of bee products accounts for more than 1/4 of the world, which ranks world first for many years in spite of the extremely poor living conditions.
This project plans to provide housing prototypes for these beekeepers along the way to improve their living environment. At the same time, using the form of off-grid buildings to protect the ecological environment.
Professor: Lili Zhang
Flower Chasing Route
Select 3 beekeepers' stop points with large differences in terrain, environment and temperature as the sites of housing prototypes.
We have a
We
Buckwheat
Time: Aug.-Sept.
Sometimes the distance is too far, there is no stopping point around, we have to sleep in the car for one night.
We can only live in the tent, the living conditions are very difficult.
We sell honey on the roadside, but business is not good.
Village, Guangdong City, FuJian Province
Ke Village, Huangshan City, AnHui Province
Baiwa Forest Farm, Jinxiang City, ShanDong Province
Haoran Mountain Village, Zhalantun City, BeiJing Province Chastehoney
June-July
Village, Yiyang City, HeNan Province
Jiaoshan Village, Shigu City, HuNan Province
Xiba Village, Yulan City, GuangDong Province
Luoping Village, Qujing City, YunNan Province
Longfeng Village, Mianyang City, SiChuan Province
Luren Village, Mingchang City, GanSu Province
davidii
Menyuan Village, Haibei City, QingHai Province
Tangbula Grassland, Weiwuer City, XinJiang Province
Kulunqi Village, Tongliao City, NeiMengGu Province
Programs of Housing Prototypes
The whole house consists of three areas. The living area needs to be separated from the bee area due to the influence of noise and smell. The facility area is used by the living area, so it is next to the living area.
Recycle System of Facility Area
To reduce the cost and environmental impact, the facility area has an independent operating system.
Exploded Drawing
Urban Field
Cultivating
Culture through Food and Nature
St. Louis, Missouri, USA
The project is an open market combined with a community garden, designed to revitalize Fairground Park in North St. Louis by reconnecting it with both the community and its history.
Once home to the Agricultural Exposition, the park has become underutilized despite its historic features like the abandoned bear pits and a swimming pool that once served as an amphitheater for horse racing. Inspired by local urban farming and the need for greater access to healthy food, this proposal introduces a market along the middle drive in the park, strategically placed for accessibility, natural light, and connections to walking and cycling paths. The design includes a market, shared garden, fishing area, and a bridge that connects the park’s existing roads.
The building uses geometric forms, thin lines, and circles as symbolic representation, contrasting with the landscape’s natural curves. This dynamic interaction revives the park’s lost identity, infusing it with modern energy and renewed purpose, blending architecture and nature in a contemporary, meaningful way.
https://youtu.be/RGRz8QGhyio?si=cCD5SPgED9nPL--y
Individual Work Spring 2025
Professor: Chandler Ahrens
Outstanding Degree Project Award
Walkthrough Animation with more details:
Urban Field
Construction Details
The building features a 15ft-high, 580ft-long, 38ft-wide bar-shaped market suspended above water, supported by two grounded structures. Its frame consists of two sets of four cross-laminated timber (CLT) beams, each 6ft high, spanning up to 80 feet. Steel trusses suspend the space, supported by slender columns, with concrete metal decks forming a rigid load-bearing system. Diagonal and horizontal steel beams, along with steel cables, balance compression and tension. The façade includes movable louvers, a glass curtain wall, and integrated greenery, optimizing natural light and ventilation while enhancing the market’s suspended, elegant appearance.
Amphitheater for temporary stalls
Greenhouse for community garden
Interior market with permanent stalls
After Hours: Garden Lights and Night Fishing
Ruin Reborn
Community Design for Women in Post-war Iraq
Mosul, Iraq
We have no where to go The IDP camp is closed and our original hometown is still in ruins.
At present, the government plans to close the last refugee camp in the country, but many people are still living in the refugee camp although five years have passed since the Iraq War. According to the survey, women and chidren who are facing discrimination, fear and trauma make up the vast majority of this refugees, which means that the closure of the refugee camp will make them unable to find a job or even a place to live.
This project plans to build a community on the ruins for refugees which is under the premise of protecting women's guardianship, safety and privacy. Provide these refugees with a place to live, work, study and relax.
We are insecure
This society is too unfriendly to women, there are many restrictions on us.
Women's refuge doesn't solve the problem
We need society to make changes, not isolate us from society to protect us.
We lack labor, material and financial resources
We don't have a way to build a good house,
Creating a real community for women, not a closed women's
The house is easy to build and all residents can participate in the construction. The use of passive design makes the house save energy.
Professor: Lingqing Zhang
Women-friendly space
The creation of functions and spaces allows women to feel safe in the environment and encourages them to participate in urban restoration.
Open community
refuge.
Self-growing community
Program Layout Steps
Space Arrangement of Each Residential Area
Studio for Artist
Using the concept of the geometry of Salk Institution. The studio consists of 2 squares. The smaller one is the working area for artist, with service areas like stairs, a terrace, and a bedroom around it. The inner square twists a little bit, offering a more living experience for the artist when going up the stairs, also creates 4 tiny skylights above the service space. The studio is hung by tube steel beams which are supported by the surrounding concrete walls with the concrete precast panel on the outside layer. There is also a big skylight with a filter on the top of the studio, which brings the light in and provides ventilation.
Exploded Drawing
Art Gallery
Section Perspective
The gallery is hung by 4 big tube steel beams which are supported by the surrounding concrete walls with the concrete precast panel on the outside layer. Considering the heavy weight of the gallery, only the walls of it are hung on the beams, while the ground of it is actually put on the ground. The floor is cast concrete floor. The inner walls which are used to divide the space consist of the wood frame with insulation in it. On the top of the gallery is the big skylight with the filter glass.
Different
Circulation
Gardening and Learning Area
Soil Harvesting Farm
Hydroponic Harvesting Area
Light Threshold
Housing Design in Barcelona
Barcelona, Spain
The concept of this project adapts the highdensity community in Barcelona. The spatial arrangement creates the lighting gradient from the dark foyer to a brighter outdoor space, as well as the division of public and private realms. Spaces in different shapes with similar size provide flexible usage of rooms and the rich potential of cross views, which accommodated to dwellers with various income. The use of ventral shafts at the center and the adjustable louvers enveloped the apartment is designed for pleasant lighting condition and climate change. Althese together evolves the living quality and creating modern lifestyle in Barcelona.
Individual Work Fall 2023
Professor: Emiliano Lepez
New Orleans
Threshold Model Barcelona
There are 4 different units on each floor. The internal spaces of the units all remain similar in size to adapt to the different usage of people with different incomes. More entrances are provided between spaces to enrich the user’s experience.
Stitching
Forgotten Spaces in the City
Chengdu, Sichuan, China
During the large-scale plannings and constructions in the urban renewal, some inconspicuous corners and spaces often lack planning and management, which called forgotten spaces, being prone to the problems such as dirty environment, illegal using and traffic jam. This site is a narrow passage which is under above mentioned situation.
This project plans to take full advantages of this forgotten space, creating a space that changes according to human behaviors. It will not only keep the activities currently happening on the site, but also add more activities in order to activate this forgotten space, solve the problem of traffic jam, and improve space utilization, offering more public areas for city.
Yixuan Wei
Time: 8:00 - 15:30
Mode1: Working Mode
Voice of Wind
Pavilion Design and Construction
Yaan, Sichuan, China
Group Work Summer 2021
The site is located in the Mingshan District of Ya'an City,The local area is famous for its tea mountains. It is located among the hills and has an excellent view of over 270 degrees.
This project provides an excellent viewing and leisure platform for tea pickers, local residents and travellers.
Professor: Shen Gao
2 Cloth & Floor
Other Work
Selected from Other Projects
Commercial Street Design (from undergraduate studies, group work) Walkthrough Animation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7I9ffnJr6lQ
Middle School Design (from undergraduate studies, individual work) Walkthrough Animation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nFQhysa9SpM
Physical Model by 3D Pringting (from master studies, project name: Urban Field, individual work)
Physical Model by Laser-cutting (from undergraduate studies, project name: Ruin Reborn, individual work)
Sketch (individual work)
Visitor Guide Design (group work)
Handmade Book Design & Binding (individual work)
