- Design Practices
About me
As an educator, I lead the experimental 3rd year BA Architecture studio in conjunction with CAFA in China. Ima also the 3rd year design module leader for the BSc Architecture and Environmental Design Programme. As a researcher, I have a strong research interest and have published on the topics of contemporary Chinese architecture and housing. I am the co-convenor of the Making and Practice Research Group at the School of Architecture and Cities. As an Architect, I am the founder of London-based architecture practice Studio JZ. Prior to this I was an associate at award winning practice DSDHA. I studied architecture at Cambridge University and the Royal College of Art, winning the Conran Foundation Design Award and the Will Alsop Award for Urbanism for his Master’s design thesis. I completed my PhD, also at the RCA, on the topic of contemporary Chinese architecture practice, funded by an AEDAS Scholarship.
Teaching
As a Lecturer at the University of Westminster, I run an experimental 3rd Year BA Architectural Design Studio in conjunction with the Central Academy of Fine Arts in China, exploring novel ideas of housing design to address global questions. The programme has been successfully funded by QHT grants and student scholarship from the Chinese Government Scholarship Council. I am also the 3rd year design module leader for the BSc in Architecture and Environmental Design, the only RIBA Part I validated undergraduate course that combines architecture and environmental studies. I also lecture as part of the School of Architecture and Cities Cultural Context teaching modules. I have been a guest critic at the RCA, London Met, AA, and Cambridge.
Research
I have a strong research interest in three particular areas: housing under a globally comparative perspective, the conditions of contemporary Chinese architectural practice, and representation as practice to address the climate crisis.
I welcome PHD applications from students who have overlapping interests in the above.
Publications
For details of all my research outputs, visit my WestminsterResearch profile.