About
My research interests focus on drawing inspiration from natural phenomena to inform design approaches that shape spatial experience and promote human well-being within the built environment. My doctoral work examines how shading systems informed by natural foliage dynamics can modulate light and view filtering to enhance human perceptual and physiological responses.Through design experimentation, virtual reality simulations, human-subject studies, and data analysis, this work contributes empirical insights into how nature-inspired architectural interventions shape human experience and well-being. My teaching interests include design that fosters connections between people and nature, environmental comfort, and sensory experience in architecture.
Contact Information
Email: zhujing.zhang@epfl.ch
Institution: EPFL - École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne
Laboratory: Laboratory of Integrated Performance in Design (LIPID)
Education
Research Experience
- Developing spatio-temporal metrics for Komorebi light patterns and exploring their relation to human responses
- Investigating shading systems for view filtering and indoor well-being
- Researched neighborhood peak load and thermal comfort optimization
- Developed machine learning models as surrogates for physics-based simulations
- Developed robotic manipulation methods for fabric-formed architectural modeling
Professional Experience
- Contributed to residential and commercial design development
Key Skills
Research
Light simulation, EnergyPlus, Climate Studio, Machine learning, Statistical analysis, Image processing, Optimization, Human response assessment
Design
Rhino, Grasshopper, Digital fabrication, Adobe Creative Suite, Physical prototyping, Parametric design
Academic Publications
Journal Articles
Conference Articles
Thesis
Design Projects
Komorebi: Embedding Dappled Sunlight
2020
Master's thesis developing a daylight-filtering system to bring the phenomenon of Komorebi into built environments.
Bamboo Pavilion 山水田村
2018
First Prize in China Wang Shu Workshop, exploring mountain, water, farmland, and village relationships through bamboo construction.
Shelter for People and Plants
2018
Post-disaster school renovation in Puerto Rico merging education, agriculture, and disaster relief shelter functions.
RECÍPROCO: Winery in Baja
2017
Sustainable winery design using passive thermal strategies and gravity-fed operations in Baja's extreme climate conditions.
Play in Circle: YMCA Proposal
2017
YMCA design proposal using circular forms to create intergenerational play spaces and community connections.
意境·意思 Chinese Landscape Painting
2015-2019
5-meter horizontal scroll exploring space, atmosphere, and imagination through traditional Chinese landscape painting techniques.
RoboPinch
2014-2015
Robotic manipulation of fabric formwork for creating plaster architectural models, exploring digital-physical translation.
Curving
2017
Precision in robotic hot-wire cutting, generating curved forms through optimized tool paths and intersection algorithms.
Tracing the Walk
2016
Responsive temporal installation registering subtle walking motion through delicate surface materials and unified wave motion.