By: Ritchie

In the world of architecture and interior design, Ziying Peng stands as an innovator, seamlessly blending the language of architecture into her interior designs. From humble beginnings in a small town, she has risen to become a sought-after designer, shaping the landscapes of top-tier hospitality establishments and collaborating with world-renowned hotel design firms.

Ziying received her design education in one of the most prestigious art and design institutions, RISD (the Rhode Island School of Design) and graduated in 2020 with a Bachelor’s in Interior Architecture. As a proof of her academic excellence, back to 2015, RISD admits fewer than 20 undergraduate students from mainland China each year, and Ziying was one of the only two students that were accepted in her province that year. 

“Growing up in a small town instilled in me a deep appreciation for the beauty of simplicity and functionality. But it was during my time at the Rhode Island School of Design that my passion for design truly flourished. Despite the rarity of admissions from mainland China, I was fortunate to secure a spot, and I truly cherished this opportunity to be exposed to so many world-class design education resources at this dream school,” says Ziying.

After completing her sophomore year, Ziying took a gap year and interned at an architectural firm We Architect Anonymous in Beijing, where she independently managed the design and construction process for a trendy retail boutique store. That experience eventually landed her a position at the world-famous architecture firm, BIG (Bjarke Ingels Group), straight out of college in 2020 amid the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Ziying worked there for a year, participating in several landmark projects such as the Brooklyn Film Center “Wild Flower” and the Roppongi Shopping Center in Japan as a design assistant. That experience also unveiled her passion for interior design, and later made her switch to her current company, Yabu Pushelberg, one of the well-known interior design companies in the world.

Speaking of her transition from architecture to interior design, Ziying reflects, “While architecture provided me with a solid foundation, my internship at this Beijing-based architectural firm during my gap year exposed me to the intricate dynamics of interior spaces. Designing that trendy retail store from concept to construction independently was a pivotal moment that sparked my interest in interior design.”

And as such, at Yabu Pushelberg, Ziying was involved in, and led some top-notch hospitality interior design projects, including the design of the Intercontinental Group’s most prestigious and luxury brand, the Regent Hotel, in Haitang Bay, Sanya; Kohler’s exhibition at the 2024 Milan Salone; the Waldorf Astoria Hotel in Xi’an; the Conrad Japanese restaurant in Athens; and the private residence/clubhouse for Shi Yuzhu in Shanghai, among others. It is rare for any designers as young as Ziying in the interior design field to have been a crucial part of so many globally recognized projects, and that certainly is a testament to her unparalleled design excellence.

 As one can see, Ziying’s journey is one of transcending boundaries, not merely confined to architectural perspectives but evolving into a visionary who bridges the realms of architecture and interior design. Now specializing in high-end hospitality design, Ziying delves into the intricacies of user needs and extends the boundaries of spatial geometry to achieve breakthroughs in design and aesthetics.

Her portfolio spans across a wide array of projects including luxury hotels, high-end residential design, shopping malls, and restaurants. With her exceptional design strategies, Ziying endeavors to carve out unique identities for commercial brands and craft truly valuable spatial experiences. Her design philosophy goes beyond the mere integration of architectural language into interiors; it delves deep into understanding spaces and achieving a perfect fusion between space and user.

Ziying’s dedication to innovation and excellence in the realm of high-end hotel design not only delivers breathtaking design solutions for clients but also injects new vitality and value into commercial brands. Her mission is to lead industry trends through design, becoming a guiding force in both architecture and interior design fields, infusing each project with artistic soul and creating unforgettable spatial experiences.

As Ziying states, “I aspire to transcend traditional boundaries and achieve seamless integration between the space and the user. I’ll keep leading industry trends, infusing every project with artistic flair, and creating unforgettable spatial experiences that exceed client expectations. Ultimately, I aim to leave a lasting legacy in the world of interior design.”