Windy Zhao

Windy Zhao is an Assistant Professor in the School of Architecture at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, with additional affiliations at the Center for East Asian and Pacific Studies and the Siebel Center for Design. They hold an M.Arch from Syracuse University and a PhD from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.

Research focuses on China’s rural architecture, vernacular settlements, and cultural landscapes. Key interests include heritage preservation, the meaning of home in rural contexts, and the intersection of cultural narratives with physical spaces. Recent work explores imperial landscapes, tourism development in heritage sites, and transformations in traditional residential structures.

Publications emphasize frameworks for analyzing cultural landscapes and case studies examining architectural evolution in regions like Zhejiang Province. Zhao’s scholarship bridges architectural theory with sociocultural dynamics, addressing both historical and contemporary issues in built environments.

Affiliations with interdisciplinary centers reflect engagement in East Asian studies and design innovation. No formal advising relationships or grants are explicitly detailed in the provided materials.