Language proficiency
Chinese (native);
English (advanced); Spanish (elementary)
Personal Interests
Zixuan Zheng is a second-year Ph.D. student at Illinois Institute of Technology (IIT). He obtained a Master of Architecture degree in May 2022 at the University of Southern California (USC) and a Bachelor of Architecture degree in June 2019 at Zhejiang University of Science and Technology (ZUST). His current research topic focuses on urban regeneration and adaptive reuse projects, where he examines the trajectory of urban transportation and public space shifting from the 1950s to the early 2000s, with an emphasis on the impacts and challenges of such modern movements. He is also in the multidisciplinary study of Urban Policy, Urban Ecology, Landscape Design, and Ecological Urbanism.
Mr. Zheng is an active member of several historical and architectural preservation groups. He is enthusiastic about engaging people in different organizations, building rapport, and staying in good connection both in academia and practice.
Education Background
Doctor of Philosophy, College of Architecture, Illinois Institute of Technology (IIT), Chicago, IL, U.S.A., 2024-present
Master of Architecture, School of Architecture, University of Southern California (USC), Los Angeles, CA, U.S.A., 2020-2022.
Bachelor of Architecture, School of Civil Engineering and Architecture, Zhejiang University of Science and Technology (ZUST), Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China, 2014-2019.
Exchange Program, University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), Los Angeles, CA, U.S.A., 2017.
Research Topic
Doctoral degree proposal:
Trajectory of Urban Regeneration: Challenges on Mobility and Public Space – Case study of Chicago, 2024
Master's degree:
Architecture is the embodiment of the integration of Society, Economy, Humanity, and Art, 2022
Thesis Project: DTLA- Community Center
Bachelor's degree:
Anchang Ancient Town Preservation and Renewal, 2019
Thesis Project: Regional Planning and Architectural Design for Anchang Ancient Town
GPA Records
GPA at IIT: 4.0/4.0 (present)
GPA at USC: 3.47/4.0, 2020-2022
GPA at ZUST: 3.43/5.0 (General), 3.78/4.0 (Professional), 2014-2019
Academic Positions
Teaching Assistant at IIT (2024-present)
ARCH 201: Architecture Studio III: Housing
ARCH 202: Architecture Studio IV: Multiple
ARCH 445/LA 497: The Prairie School: Houses and Gardens
Class Assistant at USC (2021-2022)
ARCH 214b: World History of Architecture
ARCH 514a/b: Global History of Architecture
ARCH 525: Professional Practice: Pre-Design, Project, and Office Administration
ARCH 561-562: Architecture Themes and Case Studies
Professional Positions
Jun. 2022 to Jan. 2024: Associate IV, Harrison Design, 6430 Sunset Blvd, Suite 1506, Los Angeles, CA 90028, USA
Jul. 2019 to Jun. 2020: Assistant Architect, Zhejiang Andi Design Co, Ltd., No.789, Shenhua Rd, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
Sep. 2017 to Jan. 2019: Internship, The 9th Institute, Architectural Design and Research Institute of Zhejiang University (UAD), No.148, Tianmushan Rd, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
Registration: Licensed Junior Engineer, Zhejiang Province, China, No. ZC3361202001089 (Since 2020)
Conferences, Symposia, and Events
Session Speaker, The International Association for the Study of Traditional Environments (IASTE), “From Rail to Trail: Urban Renewal, Industrial Heritage, and the Dilemmas of Translating the Tradition in Chicago 606 Trail”. Shanghai, China, Jun. 26-29, 2026.
Panel Speaker, The Council of Educators in Landscape Architecture (CELA) Conference, “A Vulnerable Landscape on a Registered National Landmark Campus: The Loss of Alfred Caldwell's Morton Park at IIT”. (Co-author with Ron Henderson), Cincinnati, U.S., Mar. 18-21, 2026.
Panel Speaker, 19th International DOCOMOMO Conference, “Highways to Walkways: Urban Mobility and Regeneration Challenges in Chicago,” Los Angeles, U.S., Mar. 17-22, 2026.
SAH Conference, 2022-2026, U.S.A., Attendee and Volunteer
AIA Conference, 2022-2024, U.S.A., Student Member
AIAspire Conference, Springfield, IL, U.S.A., 2024, IIT Student Representative
AIA Conference, 2022-2024, U.S.A., Student Member
AIAspire Conference, Springfield, IL, U.S.A., 2024, IIT Student Representative
Awards, Scholarships, Grants
Guild Scholarship, USC Architectural Guild Equitable Production Grant, Los Angeles, CA, U.S.A, 2022
Best Creative Prize, “Anchang Ancient Town Preservation and Renewal Project”, Joint Architectural Design for Senior Grades of University Alliance, Shaoxing, Zhejiang, China, 2019
Second Prize, “Leijialaoyalin Village Renewal and Linpan Protection”, International Architecture and Planning Design Competition, Chengdu, Sichuan, China, 2018
Second Prize of Academic Excellence, School of Civil Engineering and Architecture, ZUST, 2016-2017