JING CHANG

My work spans design data, parametric design, and physical computing. My research interests centre on structuring design knowledge for AI-assisted design, with applications in creativity-support tools and interactive physical systems.

Research interests: Design Knowledge Data · Creativity Support Tools · Interactive Systems · Architecture & Ecology

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EDUCATION

Harvard Graduate School of Design

Master in Architecture I with Advanced Placement · 2017–2020

The University of Hong Kong

Bachelor of Arts in Architectural Studies · 2011–2015

Studies also included engineering.

Additional study at the Academy of Fine Arts Vienna, the University of Cambridge, and Zhejiang University.

PUBLICATIONS AND CONFERENCE CONTRIBUTIONS

Chang, J., Jiang, Y., & Crolla, K. (2026). Mapping Digital Design Discourse and Curriculum Amid the AI Surge: An Exploratory Data-Informed Study. From Inspiration to Solutions, xArch 2026, pp. 267–277. Springer.

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Jiang, Y., Chang, J., & Crolla, K. (2025). Architectural Pedagogy in the Age of Artificial Intelligence: An Integrative Literature Review. ACADIA 2025.

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RESEARCH EXPERIENCE

Senior Research Assistant

The University of Hong Kong, Faculty of Architecture · Mar 2025–Feb 2026

– Investigated digital design discourse and education through datasets comprising 139 literature texts, 24 instructor interviews, and 25 course-planning documents. Developed a term-mapping workflow combining NLP-assisted extraction, expert coding, and comparative visualisation.

– First-authored the xArch 2026 paper and co-authored an ACADIA 2025 review of 104 publications.

Research Associate (Part-time)

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, School of Design · Aug–Nov 2024

– Developed Grasshopper workflows and led installation setup for Symbiosis with Nature, connecting computational design with the delivery of an interactive installation.

Research Assistant (Part-time)

Harvard Chinese Arts Media Lab · Oct 2020–Aug 2021

– Contributed spatial and product design to an immersive tea house project.

TEACHING

Teaching Consultant

City University of Hong Kong, School of Creative Media · Jul 2026–present

– Teach Creative Coding through Rhino, Grasshopper, Python, computer vision, and drawing machines.

– Develop teaching materials and readiness quizzes for flipped and team-based learning, connecting digital geometry with physical output.

Adjunct Instructor

Guangzhou Academy of Fine Arts, The Innovation School of Greater Bay Area · Sep 2025–present

– Delivered a six-week course for 60 undergraduates on kinetic and robotic architectural prototyping.

– Guided teams from initial concepts to working prototypes using Arduino, sensors, and actuators.

Workshop Instructor

The University of Hong Kong; The Chinese University of Hong Kong · 2025–2026

– Taught generative design, biomimicry, Grasshopper, and AI-assisted workflows through short studios combining algorithmic exploration and prototyping.

Technical Instructor

AA Visiting School, Hainan · Jul 2023

– Co-developed and delivered a 10-day programme combining generative AI, parametric modelling, and iterative architectural design.

COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP

Director of Design Technology

Digital Commons, Hong Kong · May 2026–present

Community and society role

I organise and teach AI-assisted design workshops for youth and community participants, including programmes co-organised with The Chinese University of Hong Kong. My role involves translating computational design methods into hands-on activities and developing ways to document community-generated design knowledge for future reuse.

Digital Commons is a non-profit start-up that contributes to the community through technology literacy and design education.

Digital Common(s)

ARCHITECTURAL PRACTICE

Digital Design and BIM Architect

E Plus Design, Shenzhen · 2022–2024

Computational modelling, architectural design workflows, and generative AI exploration.

Junior Architectural Professional

Skidmore, Owings & Merrill, San Francisco · 2020–2022

Urban and architectural projects, collaborative Revit modelling, and BIM workflows.

Architectural Graduate

Aedas Limited · 2016–2017

Architectural Graduate

WilkinsonEyre Architects · 2015–2016

AWARDS AND EXHIBITIONS

Open Data Challenge Finalist · 2026

Hong Kong/Shanghai Co-operation Open Data Challenge. Team proposal for a machine-readable social design database.

Biomimicry and AI Competition, Top 50 Finalist · 2023

Bio-inspired City Revival, combining a slime mould algorithm with generative AI.

Bi-City Biennale of Urbanism and Architecture, Exhibitor · 2022–2023

Home of Ladybugs, a bamboo insect-habitat installation.

METHODS AND TOOLS

Research: Corpus construction, literature and curriculum analysis, NLP-assisted term extraction, expert coding, and comparative data visualisation.

Computation: Python, spaCy, TF-IDF, Rhino, Grasshopper, Revit, and BIM coordination.

Physical computing: Arduino, ESP32, sensors, actuators, digital fabrication, and robotic prototyping.

A LITTLE BACKGROUND

I was born at the foot of the Taihang Mountains in China and spent years studying science and engineering before studying architecture in Hong Kong. Architecture helped me recognise how much I enjoy finding patterns and connections in seemingly scattered information, a habit that continues to shape my work with data.

Today, I’m curious about how designers’ practical knowledge can become useful resources for AI-assisted design, and how computational design can extend into spaces that move and respond to their surroundings.