The Sea Sync Community in Hainan, China, redefines sustainable coastal living by merging traditional fishing culture with modern sustainability practices. This vertical village, home to over 8,300, exemplifies eco-efficiency and cultural preservation, utilizing solar and tidal energy, advanced recycling, and biodiversity support. Sea Sync champions a harmonious blend of human and natural ecosystems, emphasizing the preservation of heritage while innovating for a sustainable future.

Renyi Zhang is a senior architect and urban designer with a practice spanning the east and west coasts of the U.S. He earned his Master's degree in Architecture and Urban Design from the Harvard University Graduate School of Design (GSD). Following graduation, Renyi practiced at Sasaki and Perkins&Will, prestigious international firms. When he worked at these renowned firms, he engaged in diverse projects with clients from various backgrounds, both nationally and internationally. Renyi has specialized in multiple scale strategy and his initial architectural background focus on the design and delivery of high-quality individual buildings enables him to conceive of urban design projects literally “from the ground up,” accompanied by a deep understanding of technical requirements. His diverse portfolio of work includes industry-leading and award-winning multiple scale architectural projects, commercial master plans and campus master plans, ranging from a few acres to several thousand. Notable past projects include campus planning for University of California, Berkeley and Master Plan for Xinyang University South Bay Campus. Renyi was also urban designer for the 776 Summer Street Innovation District in Boston and Lakeview Village in Toronto, both of which are models for the importance of sustainability and climate-change resilience.

Pioneering architectural designers focused on sustainable strategies and visionary forms. Crafting the future of architecture with eco-innovation and design excellence.