Yichong Zhong

Equinox Hotel at 35 Hudson Yards (Related) - Managed the full-cycle technical execution (SD-CA) for the award-winning hotel rooftop (World's 50 Best Hotels); collaborated with ownership to reconcile high-design intent with budget and schedule constraints 3 World Trade Center (Silverstein) - Oversaw technical documentation and FF&E configuration for an 11,000 SF plaza, ensuring 100% compliance with institutional design standards & infrastructure requirements JP Morgan Chase Global Headquarters (Foster+Partners) - Spearheaded the design development of a 10,000 SF urban plaza on Madison Ave.; engineered parametric public seating solution and innovative planting strategies while driving the 3D visualization process. Orchestrated multi-agency coordination with the NYC DOB and City planning to optimize zoning compliance and public realm integration within a landmark, large-scale redevelopment context

Designer (Design Strategy & Implementation focus) - KEN SMITH WORKSHOP - New York, NY

(2016-12 - 2020-01)

• Equinox Hotel at 35 Hudson Yards (Related) - Managed the full-cycle technical execution (SD-CA) for the award-winning hotel rooftop (World's 50 Best Hotels); collaborated with ownership to reconcile high-design intent with budget and schedule constraints
• 3 World Trade Center (Silverstein) - Oversaw technical documentation and FF&E configuration for an 11,000 SF plaza, ensuring 100% compliance with institutional design standards & infrastructure requirements
• JP Morgan Chase Global Headquarters (Foster+Partners) - Spearheaded the design development of a 10,000 SF urban plaza on Madison Ave.; engineered parametric public seating solution and innovative planting strategies while driving the 3D visualization process. Orchestrated multi-agency coordination with the NYC DOB and City planning to optimize zoning compliance and public realm integration within a landmark, large-scale redevelopment context

Designer/Project Leader (Asset Management & Creative Strategy focus) - THE MATRIX LAB - Shanghai, CN

(2020-03 - 2024-06)

• Jianshan Boutique Resort - Led end-to-end asset repositioning and capital improvement strategies for a high-end hospitality portfolio; performed underwriting for ROI scenarios, aligning operating improvement projections with design scope to drive RevPAR growth and support institutional capital allocation
• Spearheaded creative placemaking and market positioning for diverse ventures; integrated brand strategy, differentiated visual identity, and unique UX to enhance brand equity and maximize asset marketability

MS in Real Estate Development - Real Estate Development - NEW YORK UNIVERSITY, SPS SCHACK INSTITUTE OF REAL ESTATE (2026-05)

Master of Architecture - Architecture - UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA (USC), SCHOOL OF ARCH. (2016-05)