YZ_UD

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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) Ch ina | Un ited St ates Un

Vatican | Japan | Thailand

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

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 different 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 significant presence of debris. Additionally, our analysis of Buckinghamshire(inside GB) revealed that numerous schools and farms are located near the Green Belt.

Calculation of the Lowest Cost Ecological

SFI Engagement Website for

Process: After analyzing regional policies and ecological connectivity in the Green Belt. We found the policy SFI (Sustainable Farming Incentive) offers 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

Visits in real farms for Children

Activity

Livestock Feeding

Open Space Registration for Farmer

For Farmer Farmers can upload information about the open space around their farms for better management.

For Casual Visitors

Visitors can also upload their own discoveries when they are not on a farmer-led tour.

O2/ Shad"ed" Park

SKILLs: AutoCAD, ArcGIS, Rhino, Adobe Creative Suites(PS, AI, ID)

Site: Delaware Riverside, Philadelphia

Individual Work:

UPenn LARP 5020 (Jan. -May. 2024)

Instructor: Karen M'Closkey

Abstract:

The site is located along the Delaware river and, an area with a severe heat island effect. Additionally, the river serves as a critical migration route for American Shad. This design aims to mitigate the heat island effect and support the survival of the shad by introducing more shaded areas both for people and fish, and enhancing habitats through strategies such as topographic modifications and the creation of diverse landscapes.

PLANs & Planting

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-offs & Cliffs and Steep Shore Banks
Sunken Objects & Rock and Boulder Pockets
Piers, Docks and Pilings
Lily Pads for Fishes

Summer Green Shading Trip

Seasonal Section

Planting List

Plant List - Spring

Trees

Sweetbay Magnolia Magnolia virginiana

Tulip Tree

Liriodendron

American Plum Prunus americana

American Sycamore Platanus occidentalis

Shrubs

Cornelian-cherry Dogwood Cornus mas

Eastern Redbud Cercis canadensis

Herbaceous

Snow Crocus Crocus chrysanthus

Daffodils

Narcissus pseudonarcissus

Summer Snowflake

Leucojum aestivum

Plant List - Summer

Trees

American Basswood Tilia americana

Black Cherry Prunus serotina

Catalpa Catalpa speciosa

American Sycamore Platanus occidentalis

Shrubs

Sweet Pepperbush Clethra alnifolia Shadbush Amelanchier

Silky Dogwood Cornus amomum

Herbaceous

Fragrant Waterlily Nymphaea odorata

Little Bluestem Schizachyrium scoparium

Broadleaf Cattail Typha latifolia

Plant List - Autumn

Trees

Sugar maple Acer saccharum

Red maple Acer rubrum

Sassafras Sassafras albidum

Shrubs

Witch Hazel Hamamelis virginiana

American Beautyberry Callicarpa americana

Herbaceous

Chrismas Fern Polystichum acrostichoides

Goldenrod Solidago petiolaris

New England Aster Symphyotrichum novae-angliae

River Loop
River Islands
Shaded area for human
Ribbons

Drop 2 Home

SKILLs:

Rhino, AutoCAD, ArcGis,

Adobe Creative

Suites(PS, AI, ID)

Site: Ontario, Canada

Individual Work: Jan. 2023

Abstract:

Although Canada Ontario has the one of the highest freshwater in the world, indigenous people living in remote areas like Kenora suffer from a chronic lack of access to store water. I have tried to use Kenora as a base to store water while mitigating seasonal flooding through three different 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 traffic and low-income conditions. To truly benefit the local community, I propose an approach inspired by the “BACKYARD” concept— focusing on practical, inclusive improvements rather than superficial beautification. Guided by “Not Fancy,” this initiative prioritizes genuine community needs, ensuring sustainable development without inviting gentrification.

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 flood intrusion waterways were identified on the North Shore. Historical photos reveal that these areas were once spaces for water storage. Additionally, significant bare spaces in flood-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 different times

Sea Walls

Community Backyard Section Maritime Backyard Section

No Flooding Season

No Flooding Season

Flooding Season

Flooding Season

Sec A1-A2
Sec A1-A2
Horticultural Healing Vegetable Gardening
Horticultural Healing Vegetable Gardening
Harvest Gardening
Harvest Gardening
Sec B1-B2
Sec B1-B2 Seed Bombs

O5/ Playscape

SKILLs

: Rhino, Grasshopper, ArcGIS, Adobe Creative Suites

Site:Pittsburgh , PA

Individual Work: Upenn Media 542 (Spring 2024)

Instructor: Keith VanDerSys

Spring

O6/ Mappings

SKILLs: Rhino, Grasshopper, ArcGIS, Adobe Creative Suites

Site: London City Airport, London Team Work: AALU term1 (Sep. 2022)

by Yalei Zhu and Jiacheng Sun

Case Study

Team Work: UPenn LARP 6020 (Jan. 2025) Instructor: Christopher Marcinkoski by

O8/ Construction Details

SKILLs: AutoCAD, Civil 3D

Upenn Workshops: 2023-2024

O9/ Other Works

Scenography Design: MAYA

SKZOO- Felix Lee

Individual Work:

UPenn DSGN 1030/5005 (Aug. -Dec. 2024)

Instructor: Guava Rhee

Abstract:

From beginner to proficient in Maya, developing skills and building own models.

Model Reference:2023 MBC

Performance_White Love

Sketches + Physical Models

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