Yang Zhang joined SWA Group in July 2011 and became an Associate Principal in November of 2018. She received her Bachelor of Architecture degree from Beijing Tsinghua University and Master of Landscape Architecture from Harvard Graduate School of Design. With both architecture and landscape education background, Yang has been a project leader, collaborating with world-leading architecture design firms on a number of landmark supertall tower mixed-use projects internationally. She has also recently extended her portfolio to include park venues, the public realm, and large-scale planning. She is the team leader and one of the chief designers on Dubai Expo 2020 Al Wasl Plaza and Parks as well as Shanghai Zhangjiang Science City.

Yang approaches each individual project as a unique challenge, seeking innovative design solutions that address aesthetic, functional, social, economic, and environmental issues simultaneously. Her fluency in Mandarin Chinese and English, and understanding and appreciation of both cultures, also make Yang a key liaison between the design team and client for many projects in China. Her clients range from architects and private developers to city governments. The trust she has built through solid understanding of clients’ concerns and interests and creative design solutions, along with her investment in the spirit of collaboration, has earned her long-lasting partnership with many returning clients.