Design Portfolio

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Research Experience

Research Assistant in Urban Ergonomics Lab (THURER)

Research Focus Environmental Behavior Studies

Tsinghua University · Beijing, China
2026.08 – 2027.02 (expected)

Education

M.Arch. in Architecture

Research Focus Human-Centered Computational Design | Environmental Behavior Studies
Tongji University · Shanghai, China
2023.09 – 2026.06

B.Eng. in Architecture (with Minor in Artificial Intelligence)

Transferred from Physics (2018–2019)
Tongji University · Shanghai, China
2019.09 – 2023.06

Exchange Program in Architecture
Polytechnic University of Madrid · Madrid, Spain
2025.02 – 2025.06

Academic Research

Journal Publications

• “The relationship between illumination and social distance in indoor corridors: A behavior-based experimental study of peri-personal space & inter-personal space.”
  Chao YAN, Te LI, Mengyao XING, et al. Architectural Science Review, (2025), pp.1-17. (A&HCI, JCR Q1)

• “A Preliminary Study on Behavioral ‘Negotiation’ in Public Space Based on Digital-sensing Tools”
  Chao YAN, Te LI. New Architecture, Vol.1 (2024), pp.22-27.

• “Embodied Morphology: Computational Geometry Based on Human Body Behaviors”
  Chao YAN, Te LI, Philip F. Yuan*. Architect, Vol.5 (2023), pp.4-11.

Conference Paper

• “Simulating Interactive Architecture: A Behavior-Based Interactive Design Platform”

  Chao YAN*, Te LI, Ruyi YANG, et al.. CAADRIA 2026 Proceedings, Vol. 3, pp. 93–102.

• “The Interactive Design Method of Proximal Space Based on MR Behavior Experiment"

  Te LI, Mengyao XING & Chao YAN*. CDAC 2025 Proceedings (in press)

• “REVISITING WILLIAM H. WHYTE’S DIAGRAM: Interactive Video-Tracking for Human Behavior Modeling”
  Chao YAN*, Te LI, Siyan LIU et al.. CAADRIA 2024 Proceedings, Vol.2, pp.445–454.

• “A Machine Vision Based Computational Approach to Micro-behavior in Public Space"

  Te LI, Yanzi JIN, Jiaxin YAO & Chao YAN*. AI for Architecture. CDAC 2024. Computational Design and Robotic Fabrication, pp. 69–80.

Works In Progress

• “A study on the influence of virtual object presentation modes on dynamic process perception in MR scenarios”

Honors & Awards

2026

• Excellent Graduate of Shanghai

2025

• Masterpiece Award, TEAMZERO Award International Architecture Design Competition for College Students
• Community Engagement Scholarship

2024

• National Graduate Scholarship (Top 1 comprehensive ranking)
• Best Paper Award, CDAC 2024 (2024 Academic Conference of Computational Design Professional Committee of the Architectural Society of China)
• Best Academic Contribution Award, Cross-Strait Youth Maker Competition (as Instructor)
• Second Prize, Shanghai University Cultural Innovation Works Exhibition (Environmental Design Category)

2023

• Bronze Award, 9th China Human Settlements Design Annual Award (Undergraduate Interior Design Category)

Professional Experience

Algorithm Engineer Intern | ECADI (East China Architectural Design & Research Institute) · Smart Design Lab
2024.10 – 2025.01

• Led the development of an automated scoring system for AI-generated tender documents, replacing 80% of manual expert evaluations.

• Designed an 8-dimension evaluation framework (accuracy, richness, compliance, coherence, innovation, etc.) with weighted scoring algorithms.

• Built an interactive testing platform for internal use, enabling real-time scoring and comparative analysis of document versions.

• Reduced document assessment time by 60% while maintaining over 90% consistency with expert judgments.

• Directly contributing to 'bidbag.cloud' platform's successful launch in Q1 2025." 

Curatorial Design Intern | TJAD (Tongji University Architectural Design Institute)
2023.04 – 2023.06

• Assisted in the spatial design and exhibition planning for the Shanghai Urban Infrastructure Development Exhibition.

• Independently created the main visual identity for the "Pujiang Garden Craft" Landscape Architecture Forum, including all digital/print collateral.

Academic Teaching Experience

Instructor | DigitalFUTURES International Workshop - "Humanizing Mixed Reality: Spatial Behavior Computation via AR Media"
2024.06 – 2024.07

• Designed and led a 1-week intensive program on AR-mediated spatial behavior analysis for 22 multidisciplinary students

• Mentored student teams to produce significant research outputs:
  Team A: Presented paper at CEB-ASC 2024 (16th International Conference on Environmental Behavior Studies)
  Team B: Exhibited research poster at the same conference

Key Achievements:
"Awarded Best Academic Contribution at Cross-Strait Youth Maker Competition for advancing mixed reality in environmental behavior research"
"Research framework adopted by Human-Centered Design Intelligence Group for ongoing pedestrian behavior studies"

Technical Focus:
• Behavioral Analytics: Python + Grasshopper
• Hybrid Evaluation: Quantitative data + qualitative observation

• Programming: Python, C++, C#

• Hardware: 3D Printing, Arduino

• Design Tools: Rhino/Grasshopper, AutoCAD, SketchUp, Adobe Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, Premiere Pro)