JURY

I am a Registered Architect in New York focusing on adaptive reuse existing structure into public projects that centers human, art, and cultivating community culture with a sustainable approach.

Yutao Chen is Computational Design Lead at HKS Architects and Co-Founder of Studio WE. His work integrates advanced parametric and data-driven methodologies into architectural systems, balancing design innovation with constructability, technical feasibility, and real-world performance. He has contributed to major international projects including the Qiddiya Performing Arts Center (QPAC) in Saudi Arabia, the Washington Commanders Stadium, and the Cleveland Browns Stadium modernization. Beyond large-scale architecture, his practice extends into industrial and product design, applying computational strategies, material research, and fabrication-driven thinking across scales. His work has been recognized by multiple international design awards, including the World Architecture Festival (WAF), International Architecture Awards, Architecture MasterPrize, IDA Design Awards, MUSE Design Awards, and London Design Awards.

As the CEO of Yelicca LLC, an innovative architectural firm based in the United States, I lead a specialized team dedicated to B2B partnerships.

Yundi Wendy Zhang is an experiential designer working at the intersection of architectural design, storytelling and emerging tech. Based in LA with an architecture background, Wendy designs spaces and experiences that shape how people move, gather, and connect.Currently a Senior Design Lead, Wendy guides multidisciplinary teams in translating brand and cultural narratives into built and immersive spaces, using human-centric and context-aware design to create lasting impact. Her work includes shaping the experiential launch of LEGO’s biggest innovation since 1978; leading Uber’s first experiential campaign in Canada; directing the global live unveiling of Rabbit’s world-first personal AI device, R1; and revealing Netflix’s inaugural real-world story experiences, transforming digital narratives into spatial encounters.Throughout her career, Wendy has contributed to the broader design discourse through speaking engagements, jury participation for the Campaign US BIG Awards and UCLA Architecture, and exhibitions at major design platforms including the Venice Biennale. She has also mentored emerging designers at Woodbury University and the Southern California Institute of Architecture. Her work has been described by ELLE as “creation without boundaries,” by Forbes as representing “art creative pioneers,” and by LA Weekly as pushing “the boundaries of what’s possible when technology, design, and imagination collide.”

Yinzhu Yao is a dynamic architectural designer whose expertise is shaped by a rich background spanning multiple countries and design disciplines. She holds a Master of Architecture from Washington University in St. Louis, and her experiences at renowned firms like Sou Fujimoto Atelier in Tokyo and Kengo Kuma & Associates have given her deep insights into innovative design philosophies, reinforcing her belief in blending functionality with aesthetic beauty. Now based in Washington, D.C., one of the headquarters for the global biggest architectural firm, Gensler, Yinzhu is a key member contributing to high-stakes projects that demand both creative ingenuity and technical precision. Throughout her career, Yinzhu has earned numerous prestigious awards personally, including Gold Awards at the International Design Awards and Global Future Design Awards. She has also been recognized by international competitions and prizes such as the BLT Built Design Awards, A’ Design Awards, MUSE Design Awards. She’s also a Jury member of AMP, K Design Award and Rome Design Awards. These accolades highlight her commitment to pushing the boundaries of traditional design and her dedication to consistently refining her craft.

An architect at KPF (New York) and a Cornell University graduate, Xinyue Geng focuses on the intersection of supertall landmarks, high-performance sustainable design, and emerging technologies. Notable projects include the North Bund Huamao Center and OPPO Campus, both widely publicized in international industry media. As a LEED AP, she contributes to the development of national green building standards through CECS, advancing sustainable design and performance. She is the founder of Studio Circle, an interdisciplinary platform exploring the emerging technologies in the field of architecture, with works exhibited in museums across London, Los Angeles and Taipei. A recipient of nearly 20 international awards and an experienced juror for prestigious programs, she seeks to identify and mentor emerging talents who demonstrate conceptual clarity and technological bravery.

Cultural Projects:Museums, Libraries, Music Venues, Universities, Recreation Centers, Galleries, Community Centers, etc.Addtl. special interest in residences, especially contemporary renovations of historic structures

I am a licensed architect and interdisciplinary designer based in New York. My work focus focuses on computational design, speculative architectural systems, and how these ideas move into real construction and project delivery.Since 2014, I have worked at offices including SO–IL, Christian Kerez, Dorte Mandrup, Meier Partners, and Kengo Kuma & Associates, contributing to cultural, commercial and residential projects from large-scale public buildings to collective housing and single family houses. The range allows me to approach design with different contexts, constraints, and scales.My personal work has been published in Designboom, The Architect’s Newspaper, and The Architectural Record. I am a member of AIA, RIBA, NCARB, and a LEED Green Associates. Within AIA Brooklyn, I’ve contributed as an advisor to local school programs and helped organized Workshop series.I’ve received several awards, including:2025, Winner, The Architect’s Newspaper Best of Design Awards (Unbuilt – Commercial)2025, Grand Prize, Metals in Construction Design Challenge2025, Silver Winner, International Design Award(Residential Architecture & Prefab Residential Architecture)2025, Silver Winner MUSE Design Awards (Architecture / Apartments)2025, Silver Winner, New York Design Awards (Affordable Housing Category)2025, Shortlisted Finalist, NAIR Public Installation Residency (Narva, Estonia)2021, Honorable Mention, Volume Zero Tiny Library International Design Competition2016, Honorable Mention, ART & TECH National University Architectural Design Competition (China)Alongside my professional work, I lead Yione Studio, an experimental experimental practice, explore landscape, installation, jewelry, film and extended reality. This work helps me engage design across disciplines and evaluate projects from different perspectives.My work can be viewed at https://yione.org/.

I am an Environmental Designer at Atelier Ten in San Francisco and a Master of Architecture and Building Sciences graduate from Carnegie Mellon University. My professional expertise lies at the intersection of architectural design and climate advocacy, with a specific focus on:Sustainability Certification & Compliance: Leading certification efforts for LEED, ILFI Zero Carbon, and Fitwel for diverse project types.Decarbonization Research: Executing Whole Building Life Cycle Assessments (WBLCA) and researching federal policies to support large-scale decarbonization strategies.Building Performance Simulation: Performing advanced computational analysis for daylighting, thermal comfort, and PV assessments to drive data-informed design.Having worked across international contexts—from Bangalore to Pittsburgh and San Francisco—I bring a global perspective on how the built environment can address the climate crisis through both technical rigor and design excellence.

Krutika Shah is a licensed architect (USA and India) and urban designer recognized for her leadership in commercial and civil architecture. As the Lead Architect, she oversees multidisciplinary teams delivering complex public-sector, institutional, and commercial facilities in the U.S. and internationally. Her work is grounded in technical excellence, sustainability, and a commitment to creating resilient, accessible environments.In addition to her professional practice, Ms. Shah serves on the Board of Directors for AIA Potomac Valley and contributes to sustainability and equity initiatives through the Committee on the Environment (COTE). She mentors emerging professionals through national leadership and green building programs and speaks on architectural leadership, inclusive design, and the societal impact of the built environment.She brings to the Inspireli Awards a global perspective, a record of design stewardship, and a strong commitment to advancing the next generation of architects.

-Architectural representation, modeling, digital media, and information design with a particular interest in digital humanities projects addressing architectural practices.-Drawings, prints and illustrated books from 1400 to present.-Architectural and urban history and theory, 1400 to present.-The experience and recording of place with a particular interest in the topography and history of Rome.

Been an Architect with a vision to keep and transform in a sustainable and resilient way the world of design.

I focus on high-rise and large-scale architecture, working at the intersection of design, performance, and urban systems.At Bjarke Ingels Group, I was exposed to concept-driven tower design, mixed-use stacking, and volumetric strategies that treat tall buildings as extensions of urban infrastructure.At Skidmore, Owings & Merrill, I engaged with the technical rigor behind high-rise delivery, including structural logic, façade performance, and BIM-based coordination for complex towers.Together, these experiences shaped my approach to tall buildings as resilient, low-carbon systems that respond to zoning, climate, and real market constraints.

I focus on rural revitalization through a blend of traditional materiality and advanced technology. I leverage AI-driven visualization and parametric tools to efficiently generate context-sensitive forms, creating architecture that bridges local heritage with contemporary needs

Yicheng Ren is an award-winning interior and architectural designer with a strong focus on residential design and adaptive reuse. Born in Shanghai, she holds a Master of Design in Interior Architecture from the Rhode Island School of Design and a Bachelor of Arts in Interior Design from the University of Edinburgh. Her work investigates the intersection of reuse, storytelling, and spatial identity, drawing on concepts of palimpsest and genius loci to craft emotionally resonant environments.Yicheng’s projects have received international recognition, including the Platinum Winner in the Houzee Awards, the Architecture & Design Collection Awards, and honors from the Muse Design Awards, New York Architectural Design Awards, and London Design Awards. Her project "Tre-Atriums" was published in TerraViva Chronicles No. 1 (2024), and "Crossing The Pell" was exhibited at the Venice Biennale – Time Space Existence in 2025.Professionally, she has delivered design solutions for more than ten high-end residential projects across New York at Space 4 Architecture, contributing to all phases from concept to construction. She also worked at HBA/Hirsch Bedner Associates, where she participated in FF&E design for large-scale real estate developments throughout China.