Archinect
Rebecca Yanrong Gao Chen

Rebecca Yanrong Gao Chen

New York, NY, US

 
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About 

Award-winning architectural design professional with experience working with international companies in the construction industry. Track record of managing large-scale projects associated with city/campus master planning, urban design, mixed-use, commercial, office, hospitality, residential, educational, institutional, cultural, healthcare, transportation, recreation, etc. Knowledge of US, Canadian, and Chinese building codes. Expert at undertaking all architectural phases from concept design through to construction administration. Deep understanding of latest industry trends, technologies, materials, finishes, and lighting. Adroit at creating sustainable designs and innovative, functional spaces that meet client needs and exceed expectations. Expertise in leveraging cutting-edge methodologies to optimize project outcomes. Proficient in AutoCAD, Revit, Adobe Creative Suite, Rhino, SketchUp, 3ds Max, Lumion, GIS, Bluebeam and MS Office. Excellent at freehand drawing and design as well as rendering in watercolor, gouache, airbrush, marker, pen, pencil and other media.

Finalized feasibility studies, conceptual/schematic designs, design development, construction documents design and construction administration for 80+ projects with up to $billions cost per project in North America, China, Africa and Europe, that gained US, Chinese ministerial, national, international and world class design awards.


Employment 

Fahey Design Build, New York, NY, US, Intermediate Architect

Oct 2024 - current
 

Gino O. Longo Architect, College Point, NY, US, Architectural draftsperson / Project Leader

Managed construction documents design and construction administration for residential projects in NYC. Undertook zoning review and code compliance evaluation. Prepared and filed plans/documentation with NYC DOB and related city agencies. Coordinated with clients, general contractors and engineering consultants.
Key Projects:
- 1953 Wallace Ave, Bronx, NY, USA, Residential, 13,000 sf (design & drafting)
- 2074 Honeywell Ave, Bronx, NY, USA, Residential, 8,100 sf (design & drafting)
- 2305 Woodhull Ave, Bronx, NY, USA, Residential, 4,100 sf (design & drafting)

Nov 2023 - Sep 2024
 

Richard Bienenfeld Architect, New Rochelle, NY, US, Intermediate Architect

Undertook all phases of architectural projects in NY & NJ, including schematic design, design development and construction documents design. Undertook zoning review and code compliance evaluation. Prepared drawings to resolve objections from DOB.
Key Projects:
- Mesivta of Clifton, Clifton, NJ, USA, Educational, 28,700 sf (design & drafting)
- Haber Residence, Brooklyn, NY, USA, Residential & Interior, 6,000 sf (design & drafting)

Jun 2023 - Nov 2023
 

Bories & Shearron, New York, NY, US, Intermediate Architect

Under the direction of partners, director and project managers, developed schematic designs and prepared design development and construction documents for high end residential projects in USA and abroad. Coordinated with clients, structural/MEP/civil engineers, contractors, and vendors.
Key Projects:
- Herro-Franke Residence, Palm Beach, FL, USA, Residential & Interior, 10,000 sf (design & drafting
- 102 Eaton Square, London, UK, Residential & Interior, 15,000 sf (design & drafting)
- Suprenant Residence, Glenn, MI, USA, Residential & Interior, 7,000 sf (design & drafting)
- Corl Residence, Locust Valley, NY, USA, Residential & Interior, 15,000 sf (design & drafting)

Dec 2021 - Mar 2023
 

Kirkor Architects and Planners, Toronto, ON, CA, Architectral Designer

Supported project managers in developing conceptual and schematic designs for projects in Ontario that served the clients’ needs and complied with company standards/procedures, zoning/building codes, budget and time constraints. Prepared sketches, presentations, and full rezoning/SPA sets of drawings. Received approval from clients and liaised with consultants.
Key Projects:
- 1891 Eglinton Ave, Scarborough, ON, Canada, Mixed-use (incl. Residential, Commercial & Office), 149,400 sm (design & drafting)
- Sheppard Meadowvale Development, Scarborough, ON, Canada, Mixed-use (incl. Residential & Commercial), 35,600 sm (design & drafting)
- Vine Ridge Boutique Towns, Picton, ON, Canada, Mixed-use (incl. Residential & Institutional), 57,730 sm (design & drafting)
- 11300 Yonge Street, Richmond Hill, ON, Canada, Residential, 34,080 sm (design & drafting)

Nov 2019 - May 2021
 

China Shanghai Architectural Design & Research Institute, Green Building Design Inst., Shanghai, CN, Chief Architect

Oversaw conceptual and schematic design for domestic and international projects. Successfully delivered projects by meeting client requirements in terms of cost, quality, and schedule. Facilitated coordination among structural/MEP engineers, clients and governments. Provided support to the institute leader in areas of managing staff and developing business.
Key Projects:
- Wenjing Park Project, Xi’an, China, Residential, 85,000 sm (design, redlines & coordination)
- Sino Steel Building & Sino Steel International Hotel, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Mixed-use (incl. Office & Hospitality), 70,860 sm (design, redlines & coordination)

May 2018 - Jul 2019
 

GAP Design LLC, Shanghai, CN/Toronto, ON, CA, Principal Designer

Headed a cross functional project team in producing conceptual and schematic designs. Managed business development by building company’s reputation, developing market and liaising with local design institutes, design partners, and clients in China. Provided regular training and coaching to junior staff of the team.
Key Projects:
- Meiling Senior Project, Nanchang, China, Mixed-use Planning (incl. Residential, Healthcare, Cultural & Commercial), 14.6 ha., 68,000 sm (design & redlines)
- Shenzhen Bay “Super City”, Shenzhen, China, Mixed-use Urban Design (incl. Commercial, Office, Hospitality, Arts & Cultural), 35.2 ha., 1,700,000 sm (design & redlines)
- Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen, China, Campus Master Planning, 100 ha., 450,000 sm (design & redlines)

Mar 2012 - Nov 2017
 

B+H Architects, Shanghai, CN, Senior Architect

Rendered assistance to principals and the department manager in supervising staff and growing business. Led a high performing project team in developing schematic designs and design development within budget and program. Ensured cohesion of their team and overall project success by collaborating with governments, clients, and local design institutes.
Key Projects:
- Calxon • Times City, Qingdao, China, Mixed-use (incl. Residential, Community, Commercial, Educational, Arts, Cultural, Sports & Recreation), 120 ha., 1,940,200 sm (design, redlines & coordination)
- Tianjin OCT Lingshui Garden, Tianjin, China, Residential, 9.34 ha., 78,100 sm (design, redlines & coordination)

Sep 2010 - Sep 2011
 

Atkins, Shanghai, CN, Senior Architect I

Guided project teams in the process of creating conceptual/schematic design and design development. Ensured project delivery to meet client requirements in project quality, scheduling, and cost. Supported during construction documents design and construction administration. Coordinated with clients, local design institutes, governments and contractors. Assisted the department manager with business development and staff management.
Key Projects:
- Plot B, Phase 2 of Shenyang New World Garden, Shenyang, China, Residential, 27 ha., 580,000 sm (design, drafting, redlines & coordination)
- Ecological Landscape District of Guitang River, Changsha, China, Master Planning (incl. Residential, Educational, Commercial, Office, Hospitality, Arts, Cultural, Community, Sports & Recreation), 129 ha., 1,580,000 sm (design & redlines)
- Tianjin TEDA Plaza, Tianjin, China, Mixed-use (incl. Office & Commercial), 10.1 ha., 520,000 sm (design, redlines & coordination)
- Wuhan Wangjiadun CBD 5-star Hotel, Wuhan, China, Mixed-use (incl. Hospitality, Commercial, Arts & Cultural), 75,000 sm (design, redlines & coordination)
- Chongqing Olympic Garden • Ολυμπία βουνό, Chongqing, China, Mixed-use (incl. Residential, Community & Commercial), 110 ha., 500,000 sm (design, redlines & coordination)

Sep 2007 - Aug 2010
 

Rafael Viñoly Architects, New York, NY, US, Architectural Designer

Assisted project director in schematic design within budget and program. Prepared sketches, design drawings, 3D renderings, and presentations. Analyzed design issues, suggested corrective actions, and completed client deliverables.
Key Project:
- University of Pennsylvania, Perelman Center for Advanced Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, U.S.A., Educational & Healthcare, 50,000 sm (design & drafting)

May 2007 - Jul 2007
 

TRO Jung|Brannen, Boston, MA, US, Project Designer

Assisted project manager in conceptual and schematic design within budget and program. Reinforced initiation of conceptual master planning and architectural design and created CAD and Revit drawings of master plan/plans/elevations/sections, and 3D modeling for renderings.
Key Project:
- Amwaj Project, Rabat, Morocco, Mixed-use (incl. Residential, Office, Commercial, Arts, Cultural, Educational, Hospitality, Recreation & Transportation) 121 ha., 1,630,000 sm (design & drafting)

Apr 2006 - Mar 2007
 

CHINA NORTHEAST ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN & RESEARCH INSTITUTE, Shenzhen Branch, Shenzhen, CN, Architect to Senior Architect

Engineered all aspects of conceptual and schematic design, design development, construction documents and construction administration. Directed team members on development of drawings and documents required to successfully complete project design effectively and within budget. Undertook feasibility studies and researched code issues. Liaised with structural/MEP engineers, clients, consultants, contractors and governments.
Key Projects:
- Futian Transportation Hub, Shenzhen, China, Transportation, 90,000 sm (design & redlines)
- Chongqing Museum, Chongqing, China, Cultural, 40,000 sm (design & redlines)
- Futian Port, Shenzhen, China, Transportation, 50,000 sm (design & redlines)
- Daqing Building, Shenzhen, China, Mixed-use, 38,000 sm (design, redlines & coordination)
- Great China International Exchange Plaza, Shenzhen, China, Mixed-use, 220,000 sm (design, redlines & coordination)
- Seg Dasheng International Investment Building, Shenzhen, China, Mixed use, 100,000 sm (design & drafting)
- Zhuhai West District International Trade Building, Zhuhai, China, Mixed-use, 90,000 sm (design & redlines)
- Dandong Riverfront Development Zone, Commercial Pedestrian Street, Dandong, China, Commercial, 200,000 sm (design & drafting)
- Longwan Road Planning, Jinxi, China, Master Planning, 630 ha. (design & drafting)

Jul 1990 - Aug 2003
 

Education 

Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, US, Masters, Urban Planning

In my study in GSD, I have learned broad knowledge and theories in urban planning from the social, economic and environmental perspectives. In my several studios, I have focused on large-scale community planning projects as they relate to the issue of urban revitalization. I have explored how physical design can alter social behavior in differing neighborhood block patterns and alternative mixed-use development that revitalize old community in central city. My design work ranked No. 1 in Studio Re-Imagining Dudley. In my last semester, I worked on the Regional Planning for Southeastern Massachusetts. The environmental, economic, and cultural implications that a range of population and industrial growth trends could cause to the region as well as the corresponding development strategies were the object of study in this studio class. I have also learned the application of sustainable development theory in my studio projects.

Activities and Societies: China GSD

Sep 2003 - Mar 2006
 

Tianjin University, Tianjin, CN, BArch, Architecture

In my study in TJU, I have learned extensive knowledge and theories in architecture from the perspectives of aesthetics, space, function, technology and humanities. And I have undergone rigorous training from a small flower shop to a large scale international performing arts center in the architectural design projects.

Graduation GPA ranked No. 1 in the class;
Design of Oriental Arts Institute of Nankai University ranked No. 1 in the grade;
"Student of Academic Excellence" of Tianjin University;
"The Second Class People’s Scholarship";
"Merit Student" of Tianjin University.

Sep 1986 - Jul 1990
 

Awards 

National Excellent Engineering and Consulting Industry Award · Residential and Residential Community Design 2nd Class Award, Award

Tianjin OCT Lingshui Garden, Tianjin, China, Residential, 9.34 ha., 78,100 sm; completed in 2013.

2015
 

2013 Asia International Habitat Environment Prize, Award

Calxon · Times City: Large scale mixed-use master planning with residential buildings, schools, commercial center and supporting facilities; 120 ha., 1,940,200 sq. m., in Qingdao, P. R. China; phase 1 completed in 2013.

2013
 

Shenyang's Most Influential Real Estate Award & Shenyang Mansion Style Year Award, Award

Plot B, Phase 2 of Shenyang New World Garden: Large scale planning project with low and high rise residential buildings, commercial and supporting facilities; 27 ha., 580,000 sq. m., in Shenyang, P. R. China; completed in 2012.

2012
 

National Zhantianyou Award • Chongqing Excellent Residential Golden Award, Award

Chongqing Olympic Garden • Ολυμπία βουνό: Large scale residential community including single houses, semi-detached houses, townhouses, overlapped duplexes and commercial buildings; 110 ha., 500,000 sq. m., in Chongqing, P. R. China; completed in 2010.

2010
 

The 18th Chinese Golden Stone Award for Architecture, Award

Chongqing Olympic Garden • Ολυμπία βουνό: Large scale residential community including single houses, semi-detached houses, townhouses, overlapped duplexes and commercial buildings; 110 ha., 500,000 sq. m., in Chongqing, P. R. China; completed in 2010.

2010
 

Design Award of Special Recognition; Honorable Mention in the Healthcare Sector; International Architecture Award for Best New Global Design; LEED Silver certification, Award

University of Pennsylvania Health System, Perelman Center for Advanced Medicine: Large scale academic building with laboratories, research center, and office rooms; 53,000 sq. m., in Philadelphia, PA, U.S.A.; completed in 2010.

2010
 

Winner of International Conceptual Planning Competition for Ecological Landscape District of Guitang River, 1st Place

Large scale mixed-use planning project with residential communities, primary and middle schools, a commercial center, and a city park; 129 ha., 1,582,000 sq. m., in Changsha, P.R. China; under construction.

2009
 

Global Human Settlements Architectural Design Award & Global Green Office Building, Award

Great China International Exchange Plaza: Large scale complex with a 42 storied office building and hotel and apartment towers as well as a mixed-use podium; 220,000 sq. m., in Shenzhen Futian CBD, P. R. China; completed in 2007.

2007
 

Studio: Re-imagining Dudley, 1st Place

Urban design project at Dudley Square Station of Metro Silver Line, including a regional commercial hub, community center and residential lots; 28.5 ha., in Boston, MA, USA.

2005
 

Areas of Specialization 

Skills