I am writing to express my interest in the 2025 Planning and Urban Design Summer Internship at Gensler Currently, I am pursuing a Master of Landscape Architecture at the University of Pennsylvania and hold a Master’s degree in Landscape Urbanism from the Architectural Association I am eager to contribute my skills in design, research, and community engagement to your esteemed team
Gensler’s dedication to creating socially, environmentally, and technologically connected urban spaces deeply resonates with my academic and professional pursuits My work has consistently focused on integrating open spaces, infrastructure, and community needs to foster resilient urban environments During my MLA studio projects, I explored adaptive urban landscapes, while my final project at the Architectural Association developed interactive media and policy-driven strategies to enhance London ’ s Green Belt.
I am proficient in AutoCAD, Adobe Creative Suite, Rhino, SketchUp, ArcGIS, and Figma, with additional experience in MAYA for visualization and animation-based storytelling My interdisciplinary background enables me to combine analytical research with innovative design techniques, aligning well with Gensler ’ s approach to complex urban projects.
I would welcome the opportunity to discuss how my experience and passion for sustainable, community-driven urban design can contribute to Gensler’s ongoing work. Thank you for your time and consideration
Sincerely,
Yalei Zhu
Yalei Zhu from University of Pennsylvania MLA
SELECTED SAMPLES
Landscape Architecture Portfolio 2021-2024
Urban Design 2022-2025
Yalei Zhu
yaleizhu@design.upenn.edu
EDUCATION
University of Pennsylvania | Philadelphia, US
Master of Landscape Architecture
Architectural Association | London, UK
Master of Science in Landscape Urbanism
Thesis: "SFI Engagement in Green Belt"
Tutor: Eduardo Rico-Carranza, Jose Alfredo Ramirez Galindo, Clara Oloriz
Southeast University Chengxian College | Nanjing, CN
School of Architecture & Art Design
Bachelor of Engineering in Landscape Architecture
+1 2158230066 +86 13222317099 3737 Chestnut Street Apt 1503, 19104 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US
EMPLOYMENT
Southeast University Chengxian College | Nanjing, CN
Assistant of Landscape Architect
Assisted utors in the design draw ng and produce drawings for the Environmental Opt mization Design
Project on the Industrial Areas of Lianyungang-Zhengjiang-Huai'an-Yangzhou high-speed Railway S ations in Jiangsu province
AWARDS
The Sixth Bauhaus Award International Design Competition, Merit Award
"QiongYao Award" Belt and Road International Product Design Competition Finalist
13th Creative China National Design Art Awards, Merit Award
SKILLS
LANGUAGES
TRAVELS
Software: Adobe Suites (PS, ID AI, PR, AE) | AutoCAD | Civil 3D | Rhino | MAYA Vray Grasshopper SketchUP
Physical: Sketch | Watercolour 3D Printing | Laser Cut Photography
English (Fluent) Chinese (Native)
O1/ Urban Design: SFI Engagement O2/ Shad"ed" Park
O3/ Drop 2 Home O4/ "Not" Fancy Park O6/ Mappings O8/ Construction Details O5/ Playscape
O7/ Representations O9/ Other Works Scenography Design: MAYA SKZOO- Felix Lee 10/ Other Works Skeches + Physical Models
Vatican | Japan | Thailand
Urban Design: SFI
Engagement in Greenbelt
SKILLs
: ArcGIS, Figma, C4D, Adobe
Creative Suites(PS, AI, ID, AE, PR)
Site: London, UK
Team Work: AALU (2021-2022)
Instructor: Eduardo Rico-Carranza
Abstract:
In order to protect the edges of London's Metropolitan Green Belt from destruction, and with an understanding of existing UK policy SFI, our team actively explored and engaged diferent groups of people: farmers, students, visitors within the Greenbelt in an attempt to mitigage acute social tensions in an ecologically transformative way.
About Green Belt:
We calculated the corridor connectivity of the Green Belt and found it to be relatively weak, with a signifcant presence of debris. Additionally, our analysis of Buckinghamshire(inside GB) revealed that numerous schools and farms are located near the Green Belt.
Process: After analyzing regional policies and ecological connectivity in the Green Belt. We found the policy SFI (Sustainable Farming Incentive) ofers government bonuses for improving ecological qualities like soil quality.
Based on that, we chose Buckinghamshire as our pilot site cuz the SFI pilot farm located here, meanwhile there are many schools and farms close to the fragmented green belt in Buckinghamshire, which could be our engagement groups.
Our goal is to create a platform to increase farmer participation, using SFI to expand open space management and gradually restore fragmented land in the Green Belt.
Game For Children
Children can learn some real and basic knowledgement when playing the game.
For Children
In the form of a brochure showing the experience children will have when they arrive at the farm by
Xinyu
For Farmer Farmers can upload information about the open space around their farms for better management.
by
Yuanchang Liu & Yalei Zhu
For Casual Visitors
Visitors can also upload their own discoveries when they are not on a farmer-led tour.
The site is located along the Delaware river and, an area with a severe heat island efect. Additionally, the river serves as a critical migration route for American Shad. This design aims to mitigate the heat island efect and support the survival of the shad by introducing more shaded areas both for people and fsh, and enhancing habitats through strategies such as topographic modifcations and the creation of diverse landscapes.
Fast-growing trees were gradually replaced and cut down to make seats
Early Succession& Climax Forest Trees
The series of plans illustrate the shifting shade throughout the day and the gradual increase in vegetation cover over time.
American Sycamore (Platanus occidentalis)
Sugar Maple (Acer saccharum)
American Sycamore (Platanus occidentalis)
Sugar Maple (Acer saccharum)
American Sycamore (Platanus occidentalis)
Sugar Maple (Acer saccharum)
Gradual Shore & Overhanging Trees and Bushes
On the Loops
On the Tree Mounds
On the Tree Islands
Undulating Grassy Ribbons Shelter
Lawn Shelter
Proximity to Tall Buildings
Islands or Sand Bars &Drop-ofs & Clifs and Steep Shore Banks
Although Canada Ontario has the one of the highest freshwater in the world, indigenous people living in remote areas like Kenora sufer from a chronic lack of access to store water. I have tried to use Kenora as a base to store water while mitigating seasonal fooding through three diferent strategies.
Raising the terrain and laying pipes
In addition to the cistern, rain and snow are collected by pipes
"Not Fancy" Park
SKILLs: AutoCAD, ArcGIS,
Rhino, Adobe Creative
Suites(PS, AI, ID)
Site: Staten Island, NY
Individual Work:
UPenn LARP 6010 (Aug. -Dec. 2024)
Instructor: Catherine Seavitt
Abstract:
The North Shore of Staten Island, often seen as its “backyard,” struggles with pollution, disaster risks, and social vulnerabilities due to marine trafc and low-income conditions. To truly beneft the local community, I propose an approach inspired by the “BACKYARD” concept— focusing on practical, inclusive improvements rather than superfcial beautifcation. Guided by “Not Fancy,” this initiative prioritizes genuine community needs, ensuring sustainable development without inviting gentrifcation.
SI Local\Global Maritime Shipping
Staten Island, a key East Coast shipping hub, hosts the Sandy Hook Pilot Station and several tugboat companies.
PLANs: Staten Island North Shore
Existing: Design Scope After Design: Flooding Season
Design Scope
Three major food intrusion waterways were identifed on the North Shore. Historical photos reveal that these areas were once spaces for water storage. Additionally, signifcant bare spaces in food-invaded blocks, such as parking lots and excessive auto industrial areas, were noted. The design scope is positioned on a narrow stretch of waterway and the block behind it. Parking lots within these blocks could align with the idea of a backyard.
After Design: Non Flooding Season
Why Not Fancy?
Ruilding a "not so fancy" park could be a way to approach this, as Prof. Ellen mentioned-the sadness and history of the land can't be easily forgotten. The improvement of the area should be led by the local community rather than creating a design that appears fancy but deepens the separation between people and the land. Enhancing local engagement is key; it's not about achieving a fancy result, but about the ongoing process of daily change and the transformations that emerge from it.
Site Transformation: Strategies
Buffers/Ribbon
Mounds
Different sea walls control the extent of accessibility within the site at diferent times
Sea Walls
Community Backyard Section Maritime Backyard Section
