Yu (Grace) Shen multidisciplinary practitioner — between architecture, biology, and machine vision.

MArch, Bio-integrated Design

• research focus Bio-digital fabrication and lab analysis.

BAS, Bachelor of Architectural Studies

• award First in Course Award in Design (2020 – 22); SANNZ Sponsor's Favourite Prize.

Head of Design Assistant

• couture collaboration Served as Head of Design Assistant for the Germanier Paris Haute Couture SS26 collaboration. Translated artistic concepts of floral lifecycles — growth and decay — into wearable micro-structures, balancing aesthetic complexity with structural stability for the runway.
• parametric development Drove design development through rapid 3D iteration and parametric exploration. Generated complex, lace-like digital textures and "controlled deformations" to simulate organic rupture and weathering.
• fabrication & prototyping Managed the transition from digital design to physical reality through extensive 3D printing tests. Refined internal frameworks and surface geometries to align computational complexity with real-world material behavior for final production.

Architectural Designer Assistant

• design exploration Conceptualised diverse modular combinations for resort accommodations, ranging from one-bedroom en-suites to four-bedroom blocks, while integrating Guangxi's traditional culture into public-facility design and activity planning.
• cultural integration Crafted a unique, site-specific masterplan that enhances the resort experience through thoughtful arrangement of spaces, incorporating local materials and adapting designs to harmonise with the existing village culture.
• collaborative innovation Spearheaded a transportation-mapping prototype for travel interests and conducted comprehensive material analysis, fostering teamwork and clear communication to rapidly absorb and apply insights from local village culture in the design process.

Technical Assistant — Digital Research Hub (DRH)

• Provided technical support in digital modelling, 3D printing, laser cutting, and fabrication workflows.

Bio-integrated Computational Designer

• innovative integration Pioneered the MycoTerra project, redefining conventional architecture by merging mycelium fabrication and earth construction techniques to create sustainable, circular design solutions.
• environmental engineering Developed optimal micro-environments balancing material science, geometric design, and digital fabrication to enhance spatial quality and functionality for both mycelium growth and human habitation.
• experiential design Conceived and implemented an installation showcasing extruded living materials, challenging users to re-conceptualise architecture as an inhabited ecosystem.

Bio-integrated Computational Designer

• tidal adaptation Investigated tidal systems as generative data inputs for shaping coastal architecture, embedding environmental rhythms into spatial design logic.
• computational ecology Developed a responsive roof system using Rhino & Grasshopper, incorporating tidal range, curvature logic, and water retention for micro-habitat creation.
• machine-learning integration Trained a conditional GAN on environmental light conditions to generate interpolated morphology; combined with nutrient availability and algal metabolic patterns to enable context-aware architectural transformation.

Event Curation & Spatial Design Support

• Assisted in spatial and material setup of the exhibition — from display layout and installation to printed-material production and visitor engagement.

Online Exhibition Coordinator

• Coordinated the online curation of the Bartlett Autumn Show — collecting, formatting, and uploading student works for the Bio-integrated Design programme's digital exhibition platform.

Media Tutor — first-year media course

• Supported students in architectural visual communication: Rhino modelling, diagram production, Adobe workflows. Provided feedback and technical assistance during studio sessions.

International Journal of Social Science and Public Affairs · Vol. 5, No. 2, 2025

• doi10.62051/ijsspa.v5n2.07