Tel:
Email: gaoruiyan@sz.tsinghua.edu.cn
Address: H314
Dr. Gao is both a scholar and an architect who operates at the intersection of academia and professional practice. He has established himself as one of leading scholars in China for pioneering computational methodologies in architectural design and research. His expertise lies in synthesising data-driven digital design with material-informed physical fabrication, advancing architectural solutions that reconcile measurable performance with intangible socio-cultural values within urban contexts with extremely high-density.
Dr. Gao’s research and design practice focus on achieving balanced socio-economic and environmental sustainability for highly complex urban projects. He addresses future uncertainties inherent in rapid development, generating innovative design concepts through rigorous investigations into the interplay of spatial value, programmatic planning, commercial viability, and operational potential within specific project contexts. His work is theoretically grounded in the development of Deep Design for Empathetic Architecture – a PhD thesis deeply rooted in Oriental intellectual traditions. This approach harnesses the inherent propensity of space and form to evolve, emphasising adaptability and resonance throughout a building's lifespan amidst hyper-complex conditions.
His practice-oriented research critically examines the application of computational design across disciplines to address tangible challenges in shaping future human habitats. This scholarly leadership is further evidenced by significant curatorial contributions, including the 'Contemporary Chinese Architecture Exhibition' (London, 2012), the exhibition design for the 'Synergy & Symbiosis' China Pavilion at the 2014 Venice Biennale, and co-curating Unplugged for the 2021 Shenzhen-Hong Kong Bi-City Biennale of Architecture & Urbanism (Pingshan).
Dr. Gao’s standing in the field is marked by numerous prestigious international design awards. He is a Founding Council Member of the Digital Architecture Design Association (China) and served as Program Director of the AA Visiting School in China from 2010.
· 2019.12–2024.6 Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology，Higher Degree Research in School of Architecture and Urban Design, PhD
· 2003.09–2005.6 Architectural Association School in London，Design Research Laboratory in Architecture and Urban Design, M.Arch
· 1997.09–2002.6 Tsinghua University, School of Architecture , B.Arch
2025.4- now, Institute of Future Human Habitats, Shenzhen International Graduate School, Tsinghua University, Architecture and Urban Design, Associate professor
2020.10-2025.3 Institute of Future Human Habitats, Shenzhen International Graduate School, Tsinghua University, Architecture and Urban Design, Adjunct Associate professor
2020.10-2025.3 Shenzhen E+iDEA Architectural Design Ltd., Founding Partner, Principal Architect
2017.9-2019.8 Department of Architecture, The University of Hong Kong, Senior Lecturer
2010.1-2017.8 Department of Architecture, The University of Hong Kong, Assistant Professor
2008.9-2009.8 Cystal Digital Technology Ltd., UK, Architectural Director
2007.9-2008.8 AA School in London, UK, Design Tutor
2005.4-2008.8 Marks Barfield Architects, Architectural Designer
· Architecture Design Studio, M.Arch1
· Introduction to Modern Architecture (Foundation Course)
· Final Design Thesis of M.Arch
Prof. Gao research focus is Architectural (Digital) Design and Intelligent Making upon Engineering Information Platform. There are three sub-directions under this research focus:
1. Deep Design for Empathetic Architecture (Theory for Design Practice)
It explores the invisible forces shaping architectural form, integrating them into practice through philosophical, technological, and cultural research. This approach fosters creative, socially valuable design in response to China’s rapid urbanization. The theory has been presented at academic forums including RMIT’s Asian Urbanism and Architecture course and Shenzhen University’s Contemporary Architectural Frontier Lecture Series. The related doctoral dissertation was selected for inclusion in RMIT’s book Practice Research. The Asian City, featuring 19 standout projects from 12 years. This work has received multiple design awards, and in 2022, the Empathetic Architecture concept guided the co-curation of the Pingshan sub-venue Dawan Unplugged for the Shenzhen/Hong Kong Bi-City Biennale with architects Liu Xiaodu and Richard Hsu. The exhibition was later selected for the China Artists Association’s inaugural Public Art Exhibition.
2. DfMA and Intelligent Making
Design for Manufacture and Assembly (DfMA) is key to transitioning construction into productization, using smart manufacturing to reshape the industry. This research rethinks current architectural practice and embraces intelligent industrialization through Industry 4.0 and digital design. It combines mass customization and open-source design with traditional Chinese timber wisdom to reinterpret product design concepts—modulus, modules, combinatory variation, performance—enabling innovative product development that integrates design and manufacturing. Outcomes include the Yidian series (Shanghai Lüe Hai Group) and the CARI series (TransFor Space Tech). Yidian is China’s first fully reversible building system using oriented recombinant bamboo and all-mortise-tenon structure, enabling rapid, eco-friendly assembly without trace.
3. Big Design Based on Digital Engine Platform
The Digital Engine Laboratory develops human-centric, industrialized digital platforms to support cross-industry development, product R&D, and creative engineering. Through humanities-driven technological research, it focuses on system innovation design, smart manufacturing, and sustainable construction across diverse typologies. The lab integrates modular architecture, dynamic resource allocation, and AI collaboration to enable multi-scenario creative workflows. It aims to build an intelligent tech ecosystem for digital production while exploring cross-industry applications—in gaming, film, fashion, automotive, architecture, and urbanism—and expanding digital engine technologies into human habitat design and industrial manufacturing. The goal is to create replicable, scalable frameworks for creative industrialized production.
1. Xi'an International Football Centre
A major construction project in Shaanxi Province, Northwest China, initiated through an international architectural design competition. With an investment of 2.5 billion RMB, it has been completed and serves as a professional football stadium designed to FIFA standards for the Chinese Football Association to host the AFC Asian Cup and World Cup matches.
As the co-principal architect, Prof. Gao collaborated with the renowned Zaha Hadid Architects to win the commission against 15 top global firms (including OMA, GMP, MAD, etc.). Applying Deep Design, Prof. Gao developed a full life-cycle spatial strategy and employed computational methods to create a scientifically designed stand based on C-Value, along with the world’s first orthogonal double-layer cable-net long-span tensile structure for the roof.
The project won the 2023 CRED Award Gold Prize in International Architectural Design while still under construction.
A research article on the design, Design Concept and Finalization of Xi’an International Football Centre: Architectural-Structural Collaborative Innovation in Super-Long-Span Stadiums, was published in the March 2023 issue of World Architecture, a journal by Tsinghua University.
2. Heping Experimental Middle School
A key experimental school project in Longhua District, Shenzhen.
As the principal architect, Prof. Gao began with the national Ministry of Education research initiative Diversified Learning Spaces at Heping Primary School, collaborating with the principal to explore the relationship between space and pedagogy. The outcomes were applied to the renovation of Heping Primary School and informed the spatial design strategy of this project. Several innovations were introduced:
Due to extreme site constraints—the smallest plot permitted for a school in Shenzhen—the sports field and running track were vertically integrated with the teaching building for the first time. Standard spacing regulations between classrooms and the sports ground were exceeded. Acoustic simulation demonstrated compliance, providing an important reference for updating school design standards.
The predecessor project, Heping Primary School, received the 2023 Asian Award for Educational Environment Design Gold Prize in the Learning Space category, and was shortlisted for the 2025 World Architecture Festival (WAF) Award in the Educational Building category.
3. Luohu One Pavilion One Centre
A major cultural implementation project in Luohu District, Shenzhen, awarded through an international architectural design competition.
Once completed, it will be the world’s tallest cultural complex (100 meters high, on a 9,000㎡ site, with approx. 60,000㎡ above-ground floor area)—a model of high-density cultural integration. Construction is underway, with expected completion in 2026. As the lead designer, Prof. Gao employed Deep Design from the feasibility stage onward, focusing on user behavior and spatial relationships to shape the overall structural design. This approach secured victory in the international design competition.
The project received the 2022 WAF China Design Excellence Award while still in design development.
4. eControl Electric Vehicle Factory
A key high-tech smart manufacturing facility project in Jiangsu Province, recognized with international design awards in Asia.
This project exemplifies the application of Deep Design in organizational and behavioral spatial strategy, setting a benchmark for industrial typologies in Jiangsu Province. It attracted visits from provincial leadership and introduced innovations in factory design, significantly influencing production spaces in the smart manufacturing sector. Following a site visit, the chairman of Xinjiang Energy Group invited me to serve as lead architect for an energy town project in Hami Mining Area.
The project won the 2022 A&D Asia Design Award Gold Prize in the Office Architecture category.
[1] 常镪、高岩、王哲，《西安国际足球中心的设计概念与设计定型——大跨体育建筑的建筑结构协同创新设计》。清华大学《世界建筑》杂志，202303期，46-51页。
[2] 高岩，《从数字化能力到设计智慧》。《DOMUS China》 141期，2019年，ISSN 1000-7296、Page 120-123。
[3] 高岩、陈淑芬、肖诚、牟中辉， 《TOD 慢行交通和公共空间设计》。《大湾区城市与建筑设计技术手册》，ISBN978-7-112中国建筑工业出版社, 2019年，Page 24-43。
[4] 郭馨、高岩，《数技智造——天颐湖儿童体验馆设计与数字技术的运用》。《建筑学报》，2017年05期，ISSN 0529-1399，Page 30-35。
[5] 郭馨、高岩、吴彬，《简杂计艺——天颐湖儿童职业体验馆的材料与构造》。《建筑技艺》2017年05期，ISSN 1674-6635， Page 76-85。
[6] 郭馨、高岩，《技上计－2014 威尼斯双年展中国馆大型特展“共谋•共生”展览空间设计》。《建筑技艺》，2015年5月，Page 12-17。
[7] Gao Yan, Guo Xin，Intelligent Making and Robotic Structure. Periodica Polytechnica Architecture, Published by the Faculty of Architecture of the Budapest University of Technology and Economics, ISSN Number: 1789-3437, Budapest, Hungry, 2016.
[8] Gao Yan, Chang Qiang, Lo Tiantian, Integrated Open Source Design for Architecture in High Density Housing Practice. Journal of Civil Engineering and Architecture, Published by David Publishing Company, Volume 2015.9, ISSN Number: 1934-7359, New York.
[9] 高岩, 《基于设计实践的参数化与BIM》。《南方建筑》，2014年8月，ISSN 1000-0232、Page4-14.
[10] 高岩, 《质疑数字化(建筑)设计——浅谈数字化“与”(建筑)设计》。《建筑技艺》2014年第04期，ISSN 1674-6635, page 40-43。
[11] 高岩，后理论时代实用主义的中国当代建筑设计，《城市环境设计》。2012年第8期，工程科技II辑，Page 151-153。
[12] 苏运升;、高岩、常强，《大规模定制的保障房住区系统设计——深圳2011“一·百·万”保障房设计竞赛综合类金奖方案:易·度》。《建筑学报》，2012年第5期，工程科技II辑，Page 13-19。
[13] Gao Yan, Su Yunsheng, Computational Design Research for High Density Social Housing in China. Journal Of Engineering Technology (JET), Published by The Global Science and Technology Forum, Volume 2, ISSN Number: 2251-3701, Singapore, 2012.
[14] Gao Yan, Scripted Vernacular Architecture - Invisible Computation. Scripting The Future 《建築數字化編程》, ISBN Number: 978-7-5608-4835-8, Page 113-120, 2012.
[15] Gao Yan, Synthetic Computational Design. New Computational Paradigms, 2012年，ISBN 978-7-5608-4835-8，Page 164-173.
[16] 高岩，《参数化设计——一种更高效的设计技法》。《世界建筑》第215期，2008年，Page 28-33。
2025 Final Shortlisted, WAF (World Architecture Festival) Completed Buildings – School, Heping Middle School.
2023 Excellence Prize, Architecture (Professional), A&D China Awards and Trophy Award, Fengdong Football Park, in Best Communal Space Category.
2023 Gold Award, CRED AWARD 2022-2023 (Future Projects), Xián International Football Center (Co-designed with ZHA).
2023 Gold Award for Learning Space Design, Asia Educational Environment Design Awards, HEPING Experimental Primary School LONGHUA SHENZHEN.
2022 Gold Medal, Architecture (Professional), A&D China Awards and Trophy Award, eKontrol High-tech Park, in Best Workplace Category.
2022 First Prize, Chong Qing Tongji Xiehe Hospital (Province Level Significant Project), in collaboration with Southwest Architecture Design Institute.
2022 Design Excellence Shortlisted for Final stage, China Award by WAF (Future Projects), Luohu 1+1 Cultural Complex.
2020 Gold Medal, A&D Architecture Trophy Award 2020, Vanke Cloud Deign Commune, Office Category.
2020 First Prize, Xián International Football Center International Design Competition, Selected as the final winner, co-designed with Zaha Hadid Architects.
2019 First Prize, Chengdu Metro No.6 Line Station Design, Selected as the final winner, co-designed with HCD Beijing and Guang Tian Ltd.
2019 Second Prize, Shenzhen Children Hospital International Design Competition, Co-designed with HCD Beijing and BIAD Ltd.
2018 Second Prize, Chengdu Nature and Science Museum International Design Competition, Co-designed with Zaha Hadid Architects
2014 Top Prize, “Super City” International Competition, Competition Promoter: Urban Planning Land and Resources Commission of Shenzhen Municipality, eMerging Sci-Garden City, ), in collaboration with Huahui Design Co., Ltd.
2014 40 Under 40, Award under The Architecture Category, Recognizing High-flying Design Talents of Today & Tomorrow in Asia, organized by Perspective Magazine.
2014 First Prize, Design Ideas Competition for Preservation Corridor for Lung Tsun Stone Bridge Remnants, Competition Promotor: Civil Engineering and Development Department, Architectural Services Department, The Hong Kong Institute of Architects, The Hong Kong Institute of Engineers, The Hong Kong Institute of Landscape Architects, The Hong Kong Institute of Planners, The Hong Kong Institute of Urban Design.
