Zining Zhu Architecture Portfolio

PORTFOLIO ZINING ZHU ARCHITECTURAL PORTFOLIO SELECTED WORK Tel:1-970-415-7378 or 86-15162990705 Email: ningningzhuzn@gmail.com The crimson “Fire Horse” represents my birth year in the Chinese zodiac, where each sign recurs every 12 years.

With 2026 marking another Year of the Fire Horse, I celebrate the completion of two full zodiac cycles and the start of a new journey. This piece is a re ection of my heritage and my hope to carry that horse’s light into the future, embracing renewal and bringing positive change.

2025

PROLOGUE

CONTENT 01 The Screaming Musks • A Test of Architectural personi cation responding to social action.

• Design For Self-actualization.

02 MIAOMORPHOSIS • The Reapplication of Traditional craft.

• Design For Aesthetic and Love.

03 THE PHANTOM CITY IN MIRROR • An Imagination of New-Chinese Design hanging on the Glazing Facade.

• Design For Love and Belonging.

Architecture as a Dialogue

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During my sophomore year, while taking an architectural history course, I read the book “Space and Power: Politics, War, and Architecture”. The book traces how political and social transformations—from Russia’s era of serfdom to the Tsarist and Soviet periods— shaped architectural forms and styles. Through this reading, I began to understand architecture not as an objective or neutral fact, but as a constructed narrative—one that records power, ideology, and collective experience.

The Next Architecture O ce

Since then, I no longer approach buildings as static objects. I read them as texts and encounter them as sculptural bodies. When I look at a building, I enter into a dialogue with it: it reveals the architect’s interpretation of political conditions, public voices, and shifting power structures, as well as how these forces are negotiated through form, space, and function. At the same time, architecture becomes a medium through which I project my own, often modest, voice. Through visual and functional systems at architectural scale, I seek to articulate my sense of social responsibility, my imagination of the future, and the emotions that accompany both.

Güneşin Çocukları Village

• The Rethinking of the Driving force of Design industry.

• Design For Knowledge and Self-actualization.

05 • Beyond a Shelter for Children After earthquake.

• Design For Physical Needs, Safety and Community.

06 Other Works • From Capstone, Internship, and paper reading notes

THE SCREAMING MUSK Individual work 10/2025-11/2025 Location: Various This is a test of Architectural personi cation, a temporary design meant to be reused and resembled while social event happens and collective emotion is triggered. Aiming to arouse public concern, help express thoughts and emotion and record the acts.

This project explores the architecture response to social emotion and voice of truthful people. Inspired by the social contract theory by John Hejduk, the design of rebuildable temporary structure function as a spacial ampli er for social event --- Violence against assembly and parade--- providing safety, visibility, and legitimacy to public voice. Through rapid construction, various layout, and repeatedly arise, architecture is transformed into a tool of communication with eye-catching bold design.

Background Analysis | Social events. Characters & Network.

Recent social movement have shown how people unite to express grief and angry against injustice and political changes. Although freedom of express is encouraged in U.S., crowds still face violence and suppression. Inspired by John Hejduk’s house of suicide, I see architecture in a di erent way. More than a shelter, it is a actor on the social stage. Through exaggerated form, color, material and volume, architecture can put on the costume act like a witness and a medium for expression. It provides a safer, solid, durable and visible for emotion expression through building, seeing and interacting with the structure.

Psycho-geographic Map

Story Behind Form Development

COSTUME 1

White elephant

Stage

Thorned wall

An arch and a curved wall shape a form of white elephant, luring passerby with the kings’ promise of peace and freedom.

The king’s stage beckons its listeners to ascend, as if the speech were a play they all meant to preform together.

Behind the white elephant lies the wall of hidden thorns---shall one stay or leave, life or death?

COSTUME 2

Greedy snake

Endless path

Closed door

JACK-SWORD MUSK

A greedy serpent bursts from The Great dream, brandishing force to seize the bene ts--- unaware that grief’s throns are piercing peace balloon.

Catch - 22: “ If you are crazy, you can ask to be grounded. But if you ask, you’re clearly not crazy --- and therefore must keep ying.

Shields and Gate protect while camera and glass accuse. No one moves on.

Guilt, fear... regret?

KING MASK

The Psycho-geographic map shows both connection between elements and the change of feeling while visitors move between the space. Adjustable layout shown in the renders below create diverse connection and varies emotions. The architecture sculptures also communicate in silence.

Application 1: New York City Street

Application 2: Chicago Lincoln Park

Application 3: Utah Middle School

COSTUME 3 JACK-HEART MUSK

Manhattan Downtown surrounded by o ce buildings, Colleges, Shops, etc.

In the middle of Playground surrounded by teetertotter, swing and outdoor theater.

Next to a Utah Elementary School, near to an airport as well as a big neighborhood.

Butter y

Church

Hurricane

Sharp toward the enemy, gentle to one’s own --change is made beneath the shelter of a butter y’s wing.

Through the cross, blood and war are revealed; under a butter y’s fragile wing, we weep, repent and pray.

The butter y stirs a hurricane, and people ascend the high platforms, letting their voices travel beyond the storm.

Section Under Urban Application Standing in the busy street with bold custom, the architecture attract the passerby through performance act, interacting with the design with human---build, play, climb up to show or say something, take photos and etc. Functions of the architecture can be de ne and expand while meeting the user’s needs of being seen, heard and act to change.

Express “ I am climbing all the way up to let more people hear my voice. ”

Shield Express “ Building the structure with angry in mind. I want to let every one know what is happening.”

“I can stand on a place that nobody can attack.”

Education

Propagate

“ I can see the Spooky snake, what does it mean?”

“See, it is built here again, it is going to be a headline”

Education “ Mom, what are they doing? Can I stay and play here?”

MIAOMORPHOSIS Individual work 06/2025-09/2025 Location: GuiYang, China The reapplication of traditional craft is celebrating Miao Enthenic ‘s Aesthetic, and Love to the nature. When Hand Crafting techniques is replaced by ow line production, the ne jewelery and craftsmanship can nd a new form of life in architecture and draw attention of the public.

If architecture can be sculpture, it may also be jewelry --- an artifact polished with care, carrying memory within its form. By the Miao people’s silver-work, this project transforms the language of ornament into structure through repouse, welding, engraving and Filigree, turning a common construction material --- metal into both demium and metaphor. It becomes a living vessel of heritage, where functions like exhibition, craft, and dwelling are combined.

Context Analysis and Form Development Form Generation + Design Development

MIAO’s Culture and Architecture + Mapping

ROOF VS BAND The slight rise and falls of silver roof mimics the outcome when craft-man beat silver between molds.

BALCONY VS DECORATION

ROOF VS BAND WINDOW VS HALLOW

Following the contour lines of the terrain, planes are stretchered and compressed to generate folds, resulting in layered,interlaced roof design.

PENDANT VS COLUMN

Site Selection: In Miao’s culture, best villages consist of a pile of houses laying in mountains facing water runs from right to left. The houses facing the same direction and located close to each other.

Traditional Architecture • Gabled wood roof • Strip window • Column on the rst oor • First oor for breeding and kitchen, second oor for bedroom and living room, third oor for storage.

Openings in the wall can be regarded as holes carved out on the silver sheet.

WINDOW VS HALLOW

The linear roof panels are designed from basic practice of strengthening silver string and bending them into patterns while creating Miao’s jewelery.

“I always thought that architecture was, by de nition, a three-dimensional object”, Frank Gehry said this and believe architecture is sculpture. Inspired by his idea, we can also view it as a piece of jewelery. The way we create a traditional jewelery is the way we design.

Section and Floor Plan With harmony relationship with nature, Miao people prefer to follow the terrain instead of reform the foundation into an empty plane. Inspired by the terrace, the layered roof become the anchor connecting Miao’s layered ne jewelery and the home land. Smooth Metal roof shine among the hills and trees became a eye-catching landmark.

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Limited amount of light through strip window to avoid glare on jewelery displaying and making.

Balcony connect directly with outdoor. Bring in fresh air to the third oor.

Wood panels separated public and semi-private areas by decreasing vision, While allowing natural light into o ce.

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Level 3 Floor Plan b.

FUNCTION BLOCK PLAN

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Natural Light Flow Fresh Air Flow

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Level 1 Floor Plan

a. Bedroom-Balcony

b. Kitchen-Dining

c. Preparing Workshop

d. O ce + Storage

e. Workshop

f. Exhibition Hall

The second oor function as private bedroom with shared balcony, the third oor are exible space for storage and religious practice, as tradition.

Drew from Miao traditional housing, the rst oor functions as a social and breeding space, reinterpreted as food storage, kitchen, and dining areas.

This workshop is sta only for high-technique and dangerous work while extract and purify silver from ore. Large mount of light and air are needed.

The 3m ceiling, compared to the 6m height of public areas, suggests a semi-private function. The compact also accommodates a second- oor storage area.

3 di erent layouts allows visitors communicate with the craftsman, see their work closely and experience traditional jewelery making.

Natural light from high windows illuminates Miao jewelery, ensuring each silver piece gleams.

1. Reception Desk 2. Exhibition 3. Lecture Hall 4. Sta Work Station 5. Co ee & Tea Bar

6. Visitor’s Workshop 7. Public restroom 8. O ce 9. Storage 10. Silver Preparation

11. Sta Lounge 12. Food Storage 13. Kitchen 14. Dining Hall

Design Details and Axonomatrics Circulation Diagram

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Detail 1

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1. Concrete C Shaped Columns 2. Haning Glass Wall 3. Interlock Structure Between Deck and Column 4. Wood tables

1. Hanging Glass Wall 2. Roof and Clipped on Medal Ceiling Board with Wood Grain 3. Roof Connection between Layered Roofs

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1. Roof and Clipped on Medal Ceiling Board with Wood Grain 2. Wood shelf Display Tools and Molds 3. Medal Board with Woodgrain 4. Strip Window Connecting both Roofs

1. Glass Display Shelf 2. Strip Window Allowing Light from Gap 3. Wood Panel Consist the Barrier and Allow Fresh Air Flow 4. Strip Window

Render and Narrative of Space Seen from above, the project reveals architecture as a piece of ne jewelery, and perfectly embracing the mountain at the same time. It is shiny and lively, dancing in the forest, just like the Miao’s people showing o their beautiful culture.

Exhibition The exhibition hall with six-meterhigh ceiling evoke a sacred and tranquil atmosphere. Sunlight pours through the window, falling precisely upon the glass display shelf where silver ornaments sit.

Workshop The gabled roof with strip light mimics traditional Miao’s architecture. The limited light from fostered window create a dim environment for Silver craft-men, helping them avid glare and see the details better.

Silver Preparation

Floor windows allowing air ow, assist with re ignition, ensure proper carbon monoxide ventilation, and regulate indoor temperature.

Dining Area Glass wall and columns are inspired by traditional Miao’s architect, help sta see a better view of the hill while enjoying their meal. Wood ooring and ceiling add the warms.

THE PHANTOM CITY IN MIRROR Individual work 08/2024-06/2025 Location: Luoyang, China An imagination of New-Chinese design based on glazing facade as high re ective surface and attempting to create a phantom assembly, rest, and step away area for culture-related o ces in Luoyang.

Located in Luoyang where used to be the capital city in 13 dynasties, this project aims at dive in history, woven Chinese fairy story, life and death philosophy and traditional architecture technology together to show Chinese culture to the world. Instead of taking up an open area in the crowed city center, the structures are designed attached to existed skyscrapers to maximize utilization in daily life, maximize the visual size of phantom Chinese ancient city.

Context Information and Form Development Concept Diagram | The ways to show the in nite Loop

Site Analysis | Historical Relic V.S. Complementary City

Form Abstraction| from Ancient Form

CONTEMPORARY Views of Denver downtown skyscrapers showed me the possibility of modern city. Re ection creates a virtual world between two mirrors, a lusion or questions rise: if it is a real building there. In this Project, the in nity of life cycle is translated of in nity of re ection, showing a grand view of Neo Chinese architectural by expending the virtual space

QING DYNASTY (BC 220 - 280) TANG DYNASTY (BC 618 - 907) WEI AND JIN DYNASTY (BC 1644 - 1912)

Typical Architectural Element | Based on Relic

Twelve Stages of Live The concept of twelve Stages of Live is an ancient metaphysical framework describing the in nite life cycle from birth and growth to maturity and decline . It is always to be used to tell the trends of a event, or foresee the future.

Three connection ways was developed tenon-mortise structure: by form, by face and by point.

Simple column grid and tenon-mortise structure. Column grid developed to support huge roof with carving on architect elements.

Array, repetition, simplify, resize were used to abstracted the following units from the relic to modern Language.

Design Development and Application of Concept Redesign | From Abstraction to Units

Supremacist inspired me to create a simple elements with exaggerate reform away from real life with cultural and historical elements. Through array, repetition, simplify, resize, the abstracted element was extended and exaggerated.

Recombination | From Unit to Groups

Overall Floor Plan

Vitality

Bathing

Adornment

Death

Maturity

Peak

Sickness

Warning

Tomb

Nurture

Bathing

Adornment

Maturity

Peak

Warning

Death

Based The 12 stages of life concept, the units placed di erently into groups shown on the left. Openings, and rhythm contribute to the positive and negative atmosphere of the space following the life cycle stages.

The groups are connected as mortise and tenon joint surrounding the original skyscraper. The main material looks of stone and wood follows ancient Chinese architectural preference: Wood for living people and stone for tomb, it also match with our intuition : wood makes us feel lively and warm while stone feels calm and cold.

Design Outcome and Connection of Chinese Culture Circulation Diagram | interaction between original building and the designed structure Surrounding tra c ow Major ow in the design Internal ow between original building and design Visual Connection

Phase 1

Phase 2

Phase 3

Phase 4

Phase 5

Phase A

Phase B

Phase C

Phase D

Phase E

Phase 6

Re ection

NURTURE

MATURITY

ADORNMENT

PEAK

As rst stop of the story, stage of Fetus create a scary psychedelic rabbit hole. The liner gap light up the space and provide a quite and dark space for a break or nap.

Glass and roof bridge hold up a bright and stable space for o cers. The space bring up positive energy and sense of security for people having social activity.

This stage describe adolescence with lights lled the space and the ramps provide inclusive path across o ces making the communication easier.

This stage means the best time when people get strong, brilliant, and mature.

The bridge provide lookout point for the workers, the view of sunset is a present to the individuals after a long day of work.

Storyline

Circulation Diagram Based On Storyline

SICKNESS

DEATH

The sickness is shown by hollows on walls, the slated oor, breaking sense of security, indicates the dangerous and scary parts of the life journey. It could be a break from focus work and stimulate the dull mind in the mid of day.

Developed from the sickness, pieces of arches mimics the memory ash in mind. Light walk through the pieces, attracting attention, leading people walk to that direction.

Phase 1:

Phase 2:

Phase 3:

In ancient China, Wang ,an elderly hike with his friends in the city of Luoyang.

Unfortunately, Wang fell into a endless hole. He had no choice but follow the path of the hole.

Reached the bottom, Wang followed light and found.a little house. There were 2 fairies playing chess and inviting Wang

Phase 4:

Phase 5:

Phase 6:

Following the instructions, Wang owed fairies’ instruction. The eager of heading back home encouraged him ght with scary dragons in well.

Running out of the well, the elderly reached forest in mountain. He eat a lot of fruit and drink water in river to re storage energy. He kept on hiking in the mountains for a month.

Finally, the elderly walked out of mountain and reach the village he came from.

People were shocked when they saw him still alive.

PART A:

PART B:

PART C:

Circulation surrounding the building mincing the hiking trail.

O shaped circulation between two buildings is translated from the Rabbit hole.

Contrast between light and dark provides possibility of narrative space design.

The little house extended from the working space, provided a prospective over the city.

PART D:

PART E:

The well is structurally close to section B. It is caught between building shadows.

Curves on this section mimic the mountain, while the path is straight and bright.

Ancient Story in Tang Dynasty

The Next Architecture O ce Individual work 05/2024-08/2024 Location: Dallas Rethink of the driving force of design industry and idea application in working space design for architecture and design rm. Aiming to explore the special utility of space in walls and uid shape bed on bio-inspired concept.

Phase 1: Analysis background information and get inspiration from “heart”.

Phase 2: Form analysis and architectural translation based on study model of “heart”.

Phase 3: Design development emphasizing uid movement and utility of space in wall.

Phase 4: Design result demonstrate and 3D printed model.

Context Information and Concept Inspiration

Study Model Manufacturing and Architectural Translation

Relationship and Work Flow between users| Goal. Outcome & Needs

Based on the concept, I found a di erent way to understand the interior architecture element--- the walls, stairs, ceilings. Instead of building from group and dividing the space, they can be formed as void between the space and the space grow as esh. I made a study model to demonstrate the Idea better. Two sections of our workplace mimic the ventricles of a heart, stair and elevators are integrated serve as the vessel circulation system.

Blood Circulation

Blood Circulation

Vein Quiet, calm, sending out blood cell

In a professional interview,I asked a question: what do you think is the future of design?

The answer was: the future lays on our HEART as a designer, Which makes as di erent from AI and other technology. The Concept of Heart also meets the needs of both designer and other user of the same: daily communication and working ow can be analogous to the ow of blood in heart while the space it-self can be analog to a lively power producer.

The blue and cubic space layout depicts the structured, logical, and highly e cient working environment of the designer in left shape. When a designer presents Their work and talent, their creative air and emotions are boosted by red and circular layout on the right ventricular.

Artery Dynamic, cheerful, bring in Oxygen

A. Design Group B. O ce C. Visitor Area D. Meeting Rooms E. Main Circulation F. Main Circulation G. Storage/Phone Room H. Focus Room

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Ventricle

Ventricle

Vessel

Myocardium

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Vessel

Fascia

Ventricle

Ventricle

AXONOMATRIX | Bubble Diagram and circulation

Floor Plan and Wall Space Section

Referencing the feature and function of Vein and Artery, work space circulation is designed to be quieter supporting e cient work and sending creative ideas to the world out of the building. While visitor area are more dynamic and open-ended showing designer’s warm welcome and inspiration after interacting with them.

Level 1 Main Work place for designers are on the west wing with small, calm and quiet working groups, and lounge, resource room woven in. The show room on the eastern wing are wide open for visitors, educators. Curved walls not only divide the space but also support for exhibition.

Meeting Room-Level 2

Work Station Level 2

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1. Design Group 1 2. Design Group 2 3. Design Group 3 4. Focus Room 5. Huddle Area

6. Lounge 7. Design Library 8. Model Room 9. Reception Desk 10. Lobby

11. Work Cafe 12. Phone Room 13. Lecture Room 14. Visitor Desk 15. Rest Room

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Circulation of Clients

Elevation

Circulation of Designers

Stair

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Work Station Level 1

3FT

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Entrance

Vein - quiet, calm, work space Artery - dynamic, cheerful, visitor area Original Circulation Designed Working Space Circulation Designed Client Circulation

Level 2 Private o ces for directors, HR, sustainable departments are on the second oor on the western wing, hollow partitions and shelves provide privacy for the spaces. Meeting rooms and show rooms are on the second oor of eastern wing. One piece of thick concrete wall embraced storage, exhibition, and phone room functions and separate the space into 3 private areas for con dential meetings.

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Focus Room Section A

Phone Room Section B

5. HR 6.Focus Room 7. Lounge 8. Mother’s room 9. Meeting Room 10. Show Room

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1. Design Director 2. Group Director 3. Sustainable Director 4. Research Leader

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Show Room Section C 1

Unlike typical concrete/ brick wall, in this project walls are made of GRG ( Glass Fiber Reinforced Gypsum) for its extremely strong plasticity, light weight, smooth touch and economic price. The GRG walls not only make the curved wall possible and a ordable, but also allows void for focus room, phone room and storage between structural walls.

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30FT

1/8”=1’-0”

Elevation Of Working Areas

Design Library

O ces

Work Space Entrance

Reception

Visitor’s Work Station

Meeting Room

Work Space Section The major stair located in the middle of the working area represents the vessel connecting di erent design groups. Storage function ll the hollow of “vessel”. There are also exible spaces created by drapery, portable mesh panels based on structure of Fascia. Fluid form is emphasized in circulation inspired by veins.

3-D Printed Model Views from Work space entrance, left work station, reception, and visitor working desk.

Elevation Of The Whole Space

Meeting Room

Work Space Entrance O ces

Reception

Design Library

Visit designer work station

Güneşin Çocukları Village Individual work 08/2023-06/2024 Location: Akcakale, Turkish As International humanitarian frameworks recognized, the built environment acts as an active factor in children’s post-disaster psychological recovery. UNICEF, through its Child-Friendly Spaces (CFS) theory, not only focus on the impacts of spatial scale, visibility, and material tactility on Children PTSD but also position emotional and perceived safety as core objective in humanitarian.

Strong earthquake stroked southern and central Turkey at February 6th, 2023. Even though humanitarian assistance has been provided immediately, there is a huge time gap between living in temporary tent and going back to rebuilt homeland. The Güneşin Çocukları Village is designed to provide children who lost their homes in earthquake a safe and longer-term village which can t their overall needs for healthy growth including accommodation, healthcare and education. Through design, Güneşin Çocukları Village have intended potential for multi-purpose use in the future, avoiding waste in material, labor and land.

Context Analysis | Site . Earthquake. Social

Form development | Based On Bubble Diagram

The earthquake shoke everyone in the most harmful way. There are multiple reasons for the disaster as is shown and more we than do than just

Based on the bubble diagram, the site is separate into 3 groups : two living units and a community space centered around simpli ed Mosque. The groups are subdivided based on gender and age. To create authentic town form, I picked 4 types of building shape from village nearby and surround the important inner courtyard with narrow road. I am expecting to provide sense of belonging and security by create the most familiar environment to refuge children.

providing tent as shelter. Designing a home for children after is proved to be able to avoid some PTSD symptoms.

Material | Climate and Pre-made Light Straw Clay Adobe

Bubble Diagram | Function. Flow. User

Light straw clay has been in use since the 1700s. Franz Volhard, a German architect, bring it up from history in 1983 and it has been approved by the IRC in 2015.

The light-straw-clay construction method uses less clay and is lighter than the classic wattle and daub method, making it suitable for earthquakes. It features a fourhour re resistance period and an insulation value of R-20, ensuring a comfortable living environment. The material is inexpensive and sustainable for both local rice elds and surrounding countries.

The pre-made light straw clay adobe can shorten construction period in half by avoiding waiting clay dry on site. The mass production period can be done in summer in high temperature and wind. And construction can be done fast in fall.

Construction Process | On Site. Modular Housing. All User Participation

Earthquake Resistant Structure | Japanese Light weightstructure + Localized Material

Wood Stand

Light Straw insulation

Wood Ceiling

01 Structure Column

02 Structure Beams

Connected on rock bed in compressed soil.

All frames made of wood Connected on column with screw.

Wood Load-bearing Columns Japan box structure (Resist earthquake) 17 Century wa e structure Wood Stand Wood connected with screw Wall lled with Premade Adobe

03 Adobe wall with Wa e structure

04 Roof structure

Inspired by 17th century adobe construction.

Prepare for accessible and useful roof space.

Taro hangers (Create shadow around structure)

Bird View Over the Refugee

05 Roof oor and Railing structure

06 Railing lling material

Two wood layer hold thin light straw clay layer Water proof and keep temperature.

Solid wall facing road keeping privacy Wood fence facing inner yard.

Diagonal beam Mud wall Rock bed (Resist shear force)

0.2 x 0.2 x 3

Design Outcome | Floor Plan of Supportive Units

Over All Floor Plan 2

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Living Unit 2 Floor Plan 1. Volunteer housing 2. 6 people bedroom (5-10 year old) 3. 2 people bedroom (10-15 years old)

4. Single bedroom (15-18 years old) 5. Living room 6. Shared bathroom

7. Storage 8. Yard 9. Play ground

Render of yard, roof top and 6 people bedroom respectively.

Design Outcome | Floor Plan of Supportive Units

Over All Floor Plan

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Mosque+ Community Floor Plan 1. Pray room 2. Classroom A(5-10 year old) 3. Classroom B (10-15 years old) 4. Classroom C (15-18 years old)

5. Library 6. O ce 7. Nurse Station 8. Restroom

9. Storage 10. Kitchen 11. Dining room 12. Play ground

Render of dining hall , classroom and pray room respectively.

Living Unit Elevation

Wall Sections A 1 2 3 4 5

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1. Wood stack 2. Light straw clay adobe 3.Wood Ceiling 4.Mud wall 5. Fixed light 6. Load-bearing columns 7. Wood stack 8. Rotate light 9. Light straw clay adobe

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Foundation Section B

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Wall Section A

Foundation Section B

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Elevation | View from farmland

1. Mud Wall 2. Wood Stand 3. Straw Clay Adobe 4. Load-bear Columns 5.Rock Stone Bed 6.Crushed Stone Bed 7.Compressed Soil 8. Soil

Golden Hill Hotel

TEA HOUSE | Cultural Connection through tradition and natural elements

Individual work 01/2024-12/2024 Capstone Project

Sitting on the ground for tea is a key tradition in Chinese tea culture, fostering a deep connection to the earth. A translucent ceiling with soft, layered curves mimics Southern China's gentle rain, often symbolizing melancholy in classical poetry. Openings in the ceiling lter natural light and frame views of the Yangtze River, rolling hills, and wetlands, merging the interior with the landscape.

Research paper Abstact My study based on place-attachment principles was performed to explore diverse bonds between space and humans which inspired us to strategies in hospitality design providing clients with a supportive environment emotionally and functionally. We did literature reviews and user research to help us understand the concept of place attachment and draw a clear pro le of users with various identities based on the location of projects. Based on the literature review, we learned that place attachment refers to the emotional and functional connection between human and space (Hashemnezhad, H., Heidari, A,2013). Lager, van HOVEN, and Meijering (2012) found that the attachment to place plays an important role in older adults’ well-being (Lager et al., 2012). Place attachment can be established through repetitive behavioral, environmental, and cognitive experiences in a cultural context. People from di erent regions can have di erent triggers based on their daily routine, spatial structure and geography. Chinese people tend to have an attachment of soil while the population from European cities shows attachment to water (Zhang.W , 2023). As interior designers, environmental elements like texture, noise, color, can be used to create a indoor environment close to the collective experience and provide a sense of place attachment. Informed by the precedent research studies, this project applied place-attachment principles though geographical re ection, space planning, and interior detailing, aiming to promote sense of belonging and satisfaction. I have learned about what the place attachment is, the design elements impact user experience based on place attachment principle. And with the help of observation, interview, and article research, I understood more about the Chinese culture and found the ways to design based on culture, geographical features can create sense of belonging, security and con dence. Those emotional connections make my capstone project support better for mental health and deep relaxation.

Schematic of Place attachment Principle

Traditional Housing and Placeless history

Located near the Yangtze River, this bustling hub hosts businessmen and their families for months as they trade. Ships bring goods from across China, while small businesses thrive along the riverbank. With diverse markets and entertainment, life here is both convenient and lively.

Reseach: Living in Hutong, 1930s

Dining Lobby as a Social and Cultural Connector

Main Lobby Transitioning into Tranquility

Citation Hashemnezhad, H., Heidari, A. A., & Mohammad Hoseini, P. (2013). Sense of place” and “place attachment. International Journal of Architecture and Urban Development, 3(1), 5-12.

Lager, D., van Hoven, B., & Meijering, L. (2012). Places that matter: Place attachment and wellbeing of older Antillean migrants in the Netherlands.

European Spatial Research and Policy, 19(1), 81–94. doi:10.2478/v10105-012-0007-6 Zhang, W. (2023, December 20). Mental health. World Health Organization. https://www.who.int/china/health-topics/mental-health. Xu, G., Li, Y., Hay, I., Zou, X., Tu, X., & Wang, B. (2019). Beyond Place Attachment: Land Attachment of Resettled Farmers in Jiangsu, China. Sustainability, 11(2), 420. https://doi.org/10.3390/su11020420

Programing book

Undergraduate Portfolio

https://issuu.com/zining_zhu.zinia/ docs/zining_zhu_programming_ book?fr=xKAE9_zU1NQ

https://issuu.com/zining_zhu.zinia/ docs/zining_zhu_m2025_portfolio

Corridor Blending Traditional Chinese “Community” into Modern Hospitality

The Seen Light

Space Lab | Research Reading Summary

Team work 03/2025-04/2025 Installation Architecture

Individual work 03/2024-05/2025 Color Bind - Way nding - Epilepsy

Summary: Art Experiences for Everyone: Opening the Doors to the Blind and People with Low Vision

Based on analysis of the living pattern and age range of workers in Shenzhen, we search about how light impact young adult who work indoor for 10+ hours everyday. And we bring up the idea of “light garden” as a secondary entertainment space with multiple options for colors of light, darkness and light intensity as potential light treatment of depression and sleep disorder.

The author Shirley Con no-Rehder brought up questions about how we can provide people with low ways to enjoy art and painting in an e cient and low-cost approach. Two main ways to provide support to people with low vision are training docents so that they can describe the art well and lead imagination connecting visual art with sound and smell; training computer artists to create simpli ed Tactile Painting and describe color with emotion, sound, and textures.

Citation Con no-Rehder, S. (2010). Art Experiences for Everyone: Opening the Doors to the Blind and People with Low Vision. The International Journal of the Inclusive Museum, 3(2), 27–38. https://doi.org/10.18848/1835-2014/CGP/v03i02/44320

Summary: Understanding the interplay of light, color, and interior design in healthcare spaces

Light Opening

The author emphasis the importance of light and color in interior health care design. Other than providing enough light, they mentioned that quality of light can help avoid fatigue, anxiety and discomfort through control of intensity, direction, glare, and contrast. Color e ects depend on cultural context, patient condition, duration of exposure, and spatial function, so there is no general “healing color”. However, Cool colors (blue, green) generally promote calmness and stress reduction while Warm colors (red, yellow, orange) can stimulate alertness and energy but may increase anxiety if overused Citation Khaleghimoghaddam, N. (2023). Understanding the interplay of light, color, and interior design in healthcare spaces. Journal of Design for Resilience in Architecture & Planning, 4(2), 219–231. https://doi.org/10.47818/DRArch.2023.v4i2094

Summary: The Built Environment and Its Patterns: a View From the Vision Sciences Visual patterns in architecture and urban design directly a ect neurological processing, behavior, and wellbeing. Certain patterns can induce visual discomfort, headaches, cognitive strain, and avoidance behavior, especially those with migraine, epilepsy, autism spectrum disorder, or dyslexia. Regular, high-contrast, and repetitive patterns—especially stripes—are particularly aversive. Human visual system can process natural scene more e ciently. And The author recommend to minimize visually aversive patterns in architectural design.

Light and Circadian Health Note

Citation • • • •

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Plasma melatonin reises in the evenung and falls in the morning, Core body temperature shows a maxium in the afternoon and decline before sleep Serum corisol is low in the evening and rise s to maximum before awakening.

SCN synchronise rst with access to the light and then endogenous clock of plasma, body temperature and serum corisol follow.

Light over 1000 lux was necessary to a ect the human circadian system.

Bright light is used to treat seasonal disorder and winter depression: 10000lux for 30 minutes.

Heart attack recover faster in sunny rooms which can also slow down the rate of cognitive decline.

Structured light exposure’s 3 key principles are : intensity, duration and timing.

Adolescents pro t from bright morning light soon after getting up.

Blue light is more e cient to synopsizing-containing photoreceptor while red light enhance melatonin suppression.

Darkness is important determinant of circadian adjustment.

Citation Fournier, C., & Wirz-Justice, A. (2010, January 1). Light, health and wellbeing: Implications from chronobiology for architectural design. UCL Discovery - UCL Discovery. https://discovery.ucl.ac.uk/id/eprint/1361488/

Wilkins, A. J., Penacchio, O., & Leonards, U. (2018). The built environment and its patterns: A view from the vision sciences. SDAR* Journal of Sustainable Design & Applied Research, 6(1), Article 5. https://arrow.dit.ie/sdar/vol6/iss1/5

Summary: Cartographic design of in–car route guidance for color–blind users Floor Plan

Protanopes, best colors to create gure-ground are white, black, dark greenish-yellow, yellow, gray and blue.

Deuteranopes, other acceptable colors are pastel, black, gray, orange, ochre and blue.

Deutons, white color is shifted to light salmon. Additionally, colors like cyan and gray, yellow and light green, green and brown, red and black should be avoided (Travis 1990; Thorell and Smith 1990).

Red-blind and green-blind, the arrow indicate direction also the shapes words Also, the shapes could be presented more pictorially, so it could help people to di erentiate easier the elements, as outlined by Pugliesi (2007).

Citation Travis, D.S. 1990. Applying visual psychophysics to user interface design. Behavior and Information Technology, 9(5), 425-438.

Pugliesi, E.A. 2007. Evaluation of the Cartographic Communication Performance of a Route Guidance and Navigation System. PhD Thesis, Faculty of Sciences and Technology - Sao Paulo State University, Presidente Prudente/BR. (in Portuguese).

Summary: Color Design for the Color or Vision Impaired Extreme forms that are characterized by the complete functional absence of one type of cones Brewer makes the following suggestions: (1) Vary lightness on the red-orange-yellow end of the rainbow. (2) Omit yellow-green to avoid confusion with orange. (3) For bipolar data, omit green and use a scheme with red, orange, yellow, light blue and dark blue; and align the yellow-blue transition with the pivot point of the diverging data range Citation Jenny, B., & Kelso, N. V. (2007). Color design for the color vision impaired. Cartographic Perspectives, 58, 61–67. https://doi.org/10.14714/cp58.270.