Lead Designer
BArch, MArch
London, UK
Jianfei Chu
Photograph by Frederic Aranda ©
Jianfei works across research-led design, computational design workflows, and architectural communication. He brings creativity to parametric and tectonic-driven geometry, modular/configurator systems, and game-tech-driven architectural design and visualisation, linking design intent with scalable, production-ready pipelines. He also develops and applies AI-assisted workflows for AEC (including custom model training and real-time AI visualisation), alongside digital fabrication research across timber, concrete, and metal.
Courtesy of Studio Naaro
Striatus 3D Printed Concrete Bridge
Featured Project
Striatus is an arched masonry footbridge composed of 3D-printed concrete blocks assembled without mortar or reinforcement.
Jianfei completed his MArch at the Architectural Association Design Research Lab (AA DRL) with Distinction. Alongside practice, he teaches, lectures, and presents internationally, using workshops to prototype new design methods and technologies. His multi-disciplinary mindset helps him bring ideas from different fields into design and the creative industries.
Projects
Explore a selection of projects Jianfei has contributed to since joining ZHA.
Photograph by Hufton + Crow
Sports
Xi’an International Football Centre’s 60,000-seat stadium and training grounds are integral to the ongoing development of football in China. Initiated by the Chinese Football Association and China’s national sports development organisations, the new football centre provides facilities of the highest standards to nurture the sport across all levels.
Courtesy of ZHA
Making of / Conceptual / Thames Waterfront and Embankments Concept render
Virtual Spaces
Re:Imagine London is a creative experience played in Fortnite, one of the world’s most popular video games. Using Epic Games’ Unreal Editor for Fortnite (UEFN), Re:Imagine London has been jointly developed by ZHA and Epic Games to research the use of UEFN for practical applications in architecture and to pool creator talent across industries including architecture, landscape, and interiors.
Render by Tecma Solutions
Transport + Infrastructure
The world’s first green hydrogen refuelling infrastructure for the recreational boating industry will be initiated in 25 Italian marinas and ports with stations designed by ZHA.
Image © ZHA, Refik Anadol Studio, with OpenAI DALL-E 2
Virtual Spaces
Installations + Pavilions
Exhibitions
Architecting the Metaverse’ is an immersive art project at the intersection of architecture, art, technology, and artificial intelligence (AI). It is the result of a 6-month collaboration between Refik Anadol Studio (RAS) and ZHA.
Courtesy of Studio Naaro
Striatus 3D Printed Concrete Bridge
Installations + Pavilions
Striatus is an arched masonry footbridge composed of 3D-printed concrete blocks assembled without mortar or reinforcement. The first of its kind, the project is a collaboration between the Block Research Group (BRG) at ETH Zurich and ZHA Computation and Design Group (ZHACODE), in collaboration with incremental3D (in3D), made possible by Holcim.
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