I respectfully acknowledge that my work takes place on the Haldimand Tract, land granted to the Haudenosaunee of the Six Nations of the Grand River in the Haldimand Treaty of 1784. The Haldimand Tract and surrounding area, including the School of Architecture on the Cambridge campus, is the traditional territory of the Mississaugas of the Credit, Anishinaabeg, the Chippewa, the Haudenosaunee, and the Wendat peoples.
I’m a third-year BArch candidate at the University of Waterloo School of Architecture seeking a 4-month internship from May to September 2025.
To me, architecture has a profound influence on how we lead our lives through community, culture, and the environment. I aim to explore different ways to design spaces that create opportunities for people to discover nuances in the ordinary.
How can we reimagine our connection with our surroundings, nature, and the physical environments we dwell in?
I hope that my skills and experience can meaningfully contribute to the success of your work!
Connect with me:
SUMMARY OF QUALIFICATIONS
/ 3 years of architectural education and 1 year of professional architectural office experience.
/ Well-versed in architecture, construction, and engineering practices.
/ Strong knowledge and proficiency in architectural software, including Rhino, Revit, AutoCAD, and Adobe Creative Suite.
/ Skilled in physical model-making and graphic representation.
/ Strong organizational, project management, and multitasking abilities, with a high level of accuracy and attention to detail.
/ Proven success in collaborative, high-pressure, and fast-paced creative environments.
/ Self-directed, highly motivated, and eager to contribute to projects while seeking new opportunities.
/ Passionate, hardworking, and adaptable, with a strong work ethic and a sense of humor.
EXPERIENCE
SVN ARCHITECTS + PLANNERS
Architectural and Urban Design Student
Toronto, Canada
/ Developed detailed architectural models and physical prototypes, contributing to concept visualization and project presentations.
/ Created 3D models using Rhino and Revit for design iterations and client submissions.
/ Produced renderings and visualizations for affordable housing projects
/ Conducted research on urban design and planning trends towards design iterations.
/ Designed and delivered presentation materials, showcasing work to clients and internal teams with clarity and impact.
COOLEARTH ARCHITECTURE
Architectural Assistant
Toronto, Canada
/ Utilized Revit to develop detailed 3D models and construction drawings to support design visualization, improving client presentations and approval.
/ Conducted comprehensive zoning reviews and feasibility studies for initial stage projects, enhancing project viability.
/ Conducted technical analysis, including energy modeling and thermal performance assessment of various projects; increasing performance efficiency by up to 15%.
/ Managed construction administration tasks and compiled deficiency lists for projects nearing completion, contributing to timely project completion.
EDUCATION
UNIVERSITY OF WATERLOO 2022—present
/ Candidate for Bachelor of Architectural Studies
EXTRACURRICULARS
WATERLOO ARCHITECTURE STUDENT ASSOCIATION Jan 2023—Jun 2024
/ Organized and curated events based on the interests of undergraduate students
/ Coordinated with other WASA members to implement and establish event plans and procedures by initiating communication and overseeing planning strategies
/ Successfully organized 3 events from Jan - April 2023
Cindy was a co-op student with Coolearth from January 9th to April 26th, 2024. During this period, Cindy took on a wide variety of tasks, ranging from projects in their initial stages (zoning review, feasibility studies) to those nearing completion (construction administration, deficiency lists), and she handled each one with care and competence. Her versatility and ability to adapt to different project requirements have been invaluable for us.
Cindy is a talented individual, possessing a solid foundation of knowledge and skills which she is eager to grow. We asked her to dive into technical analysis, including energy modelling and mathematical analysis of the thermal performance of windows, both of which presented very steep learning curves. She was able to understand and complete the required work product. She is intelligent, a quick learner, and consistently delivers high-quality work.
One of Cindy's most notable traits is her straightforward demeanor. She listens well and communicates effectively, ensuring that she understands the tasks at hand and executes them accurately. Her calm and composed nature contributes significantly to the positive work environment within our team.
It was a pleasure to work with Cindy in the office and get to know her over the four months. She integrated well with the team, bringing a friendly and collaborative spirit to our workplace. Her positive attitude and willingness to engage with her colleagues made her a valued member of our team.
In summary, Cindy is an outstanding student who would be a great asset to any organization. I highly recommend her without reservation. If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to contact me
Respectfully yours,
Geoff Christou, Architect
Architect and Permaculture Designer OAA, PDC. M.Arch. christou@coolearth.ca Mobile phone: 416-580-0849
The Regenerator
Program: Ornithology Museum
Location: Toronto, Ontario
Date: 12.06.23
rhino, blender, enscape, Ps, Ai
The concept of co-existence is evolving, influencing how people perceive and interact with their environment. The built environment should not be defined as interior and exterior elements divided by a wall assembly, but rather an extension of space that is constantly experiencing change, such as the circulation of people, the changing of seasons, and the aging of materials.
The Wellington Regenerator aims to repurpose the existing Wellington Destructor building that was originally used for waste incineration to foster connections between humans and birds in urban spaces. By creating a space where interior and exterior elements converge and connect, the project seeks to redefine boundaries, promoting coexistence between humans and nature.
Stage 1: Descent from the treetop canopies after checking in with reception.
Stage 3: Interact with bird conservation initiatives with classroom and fabrication workshops.
Stage 2: View curated galleries of bird species.
By adaptively a significant prevented from atmosphere. biodiversity
Above: 1:1000 Site Context
Below: Morphology Diagram
Envelope Views
adaptively reusing the existing building, significant amount of carbon can be from being released into the Furthermore, the surrounding will not be disrupted by new construction.
The parti design was developed by stacking three consecutive volumes with the intention of viewing the layers of the trees outside. The third floor looks into the tree canopies and bird habitats.
Programming
The programming was informed by the existing building and site conditions; The design placed the lab and storage areas at the front of the building, where public circulation is minimal and the gathering space fosters interaction opportunities.
1:200 Site models created to address project in context of surrounding site
Convergence Pavilion 02.
Program: Pavilion for Humanity Competition
Location: Svalbard, Norway
Date: 08.25.23
rhino, blender, enscape, Ps, Ai
in collaboration with Moxiao Guo
[recipient for Buildner’s Honorable Mention]
The Convergence Pavilion, located in Svalbard, Norway, stands in the midst of international initiatives dedicated to preserving humanity’s collective memory including the Arctic World Archive, the Svalbard World Seed Vault, and the Svalbard Satellite Station.
As a symbol of the persistent human endeavor to share, preserve, and express our memories and emotions, fostering connections that transcend our existential boundaries through intangible means. It emphasizes that, in the grand scheme of the universe, we may be modest beings.
The monument serves as a beacon for reconciliation, learning, and self-reflection, fostering mutual understanding as we navigate the shared, impermanent certainty of existence.
Direct view from entrance* *Developed by Cindy He
Morphology Diagram
Spectrum
The programming disperses itself onto a spectrum between the interpersonal and the intrapersonal, defining the basis for the pavilion’s functions, senses, and experiences. The core of each floor formulates the two extremes on this range.
Convergence
Two forms of circulation divide the pavilion:
The first level converges multiple bodies to generate an overlapping arbitrary space in the centre, encouraging interactivity and crossing between spaces.
The lower level establishes a continuous winding pathway that descends and acts as a subjective and singular experience.
West
1. Performance Space
2. Conference
3. Reception
4. Cafe
5. Workshop
6. Rest and Study
7. Gallery
8. Contemplation
Performance Space View
Conference Space View
Descent into Gallery View*
1. Performance Space
2. Conference
3. Reception
4. Cafe
5. Workshop
6. Rest and Study
7. Gallery
8. Contemplation
and Flow Library
Program: The New Library
Location: Toronto, Ontario
Date: 04.10.23
rhino, enscape, Ps, Ai
Overlooking the Don Valley Parkway, the Ebb and Flow Library seeks to revitalize the Riverside community in downtown Toronto through the integration of a unique combination of programs to cultivate rich and dynamic environments for learning and recreation.
Visitors are greeted by a warm and inviting cafe and auditorium space on the ground floor that seeks to inspire and connect the community through performance and nourishment. Bookstacks on the second floor offer a vast collection of media, from traditional books to digital resources, as well as a computer lab. Additionally, three flexible private meeting rooms offer a quiet and scenic experience for studying.
The base massing is extended to connect views from Downtown
Ideas don’t always form perfectly. They twist, tangle, unravel, and break. It often takes multiple attempts to cultivate ideas into reality through experimentation and practice.
Merge
Like all forms of creation, ideas eventually converge and take shape to connect again.
Chaos turns into order. Patterns begin emerging. The massing acts as a bridge for ideas, people, and elements to flow.
Add
is
Toronto along the West face, and Joel Weeks Park along the East face.
The base massing
extended to connect views from Downtown Toronto along the West face, and Joel Weeks Park along the East face.
Keidas
Program: Passive House
Location: Porvoo, Finland
Date: 04.25.23
/ rhino, enscape, Ps, Ai / in collaboration with Jasleen Matharu
Keidas engages its occupants with the surrounding site as a complete off-grid and net-positive passive residence in Finland.
Pine wood is a plentiful and renewable resource native to Finland and typically used in vernacular Finnish architecture. Materials such as the roof shingles, exterior wood cladding, and window sills are made with reclaimed pine wood.
A double-stud structure system along with cellulose insulation in place of glass fiber and extruded polystyrene creates an effective insulation system with a minimal carbon footprint.
*Developed by Cindy He
Additional Works
ARCH293 Studio Model
These series of models were for my ARCH293 landscape studio Riverside Ruins, which approaches the site with an intervention strategy that inverts the human-animal experience through the feeling of familiarity.
Laser cut birdhouse
Work Samples
The following samples includes projects that I have worked on during my co-op term at SvN Architects + Planners and Coolearth Architecture, including client presentations, renders, and construction drawings.
SvN - Deciem Inc. Design Proposals
SvN - Affordable Housing: 25 Sewells
Coolearth Architecture - Construction Documents & Research
