Profile
Yiwei Zhang received his Ph.D. in Architecture from the University of Tokyo.
His research lies at the intersection of pneumatic structures, origami engineering,
computational design, and digital fabrication.
His work investigates how flat sheet materials can be welded into interconnected pneumatic
components, or air pouches, and subsequently transformed into lightweight, deployable, and
reconfigurable structural systems. These researches aim to develop design methodologies that
bridge the geometric principles of mathematical origami with practical applications in
architecture, product design, temporary spatial systems, and interactive environments, etc.
Education
PhD Program in Architecture
2023/04 to 2026/03 at the University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
Master Program in Architecture
2020/09 to 2023/03 at the University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
Bachelor Program in Architecture (5-year program)
2015/09 to 2020/07 at Tongji University, Shanghai, China
Experience
Project Researcher
From 2026/04 at Tachi Lab, Graduate School of Art and Sciences, the University of Tokyo, Tokyo, JapanResponsibilities: Conducted research on reconfigurable and transformable structures for human and environmental adaptation, while contributing to the development of international research networks in the ASPIRE project.
Internship
From 2018/07 to 2018/08 at East China Architecture Design and Research Institute (ECADI), Shanghai, ChinaResponsibilities: On-site designer, commercial complex design, and coordinating multi-party meeting.
Award and Achievement
Hangai Prize
2023/07 2023 Symposium of the International Association of Shell and Spatial Structures(IASS), Melboune, Australia
Honored after the work of "Modular Design of Multistable Pneumatic Structures from a Flat Pattern of Air Pouches"
https://iass-structures.org/Hangai-Prize-Recipients
SPRING GX Fellowship
2023/04 to 2026/03 received from the University of Tokyo, supported by JST SPRING, Grant Number JPMJSP2108
Language Certifications