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My central motivation to study and practice in architecture is rooted in my philosophical studies. This discipline has cultivated in me a habit of close observation and critical reflection, particularly around a question that continues to shape my work: how does space shape relationship between environment and human identity, and how should architects exercise this power with care and responsibility?


Email: yzhao182@syr.edu
CV


Academic Work
  1. Design for Deconstruction
  2. Apollonian and Dionysian
  3. Live, Recycle, Farm
  4. Coastal Resilience Reimagined
  5. Living-Synthesis
  6. Invasion
  7. Buffalo Student Residential Housing
  8. Museum of Emotion

Professional/Other Work
  1. Analog Photography
  2. Internship Works
  3. Fine Art
Live, Recycle, Farm

ARC408 Fall 2025 | Architecture Design VII
Instructor: Luca Ponsi | lponsi@syr.edu
Site: Arborea, Sardinia
Concept Phase Collaborator: Amanda Zhang, Adam Zhao

“When waste becomes resource and labor becomes shared life, architecture returns to its role as a mediator between people and the land.”

Inspired by Sardinia’s layered history of struggles, such as malaria, environmental degradation, and waste, we aim to turn its challenges into opportunities. By focusing on Arborea, a town marked by its agricultural legacy yet troubled by depopulation and rising sea levels, we envision a future where farming, living, and sustainability are deeply intertwined. Through the careful integration of reused materials and community-focused designs, we offer a blueprint for resilience that honors both people and place.

We imagine a revitalized Arborea, a town redefined by its connection to the land and to each other. Along SP49, families live and farm in harmony, overlooking farmlands that stretch toward the sea. The modular grid system expands beyond a single plot, evolving into a network of interconnected homes and farms. By incorporating sustainable materials, adaptive designs, and a spirit of collaboration, we aim to inspire not just a new way of building but a new way of living, one that values community, resilience, and the potential of working together to meet future challenges.






Farmland division based on farmhouse
Frequent movement and dispersed
Horizontal division based on central axis

Forming resident activity hub along axis















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