Meet Wanjing Zhang | Designer & Medical Planner

We had the good fortune of connecting with Wanjing Zhang and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Wanjing, can you tell us about a book that has had a meaningful impact on you?
I’d like to share a book called Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance: An Inquiry Into Values by Robert M. Pirsig. I first read this book a few years ago when I first started my adventure in the United States as a graduate student. At first glance, I was attracted by its title, which gives me an impression of an unreasonable blend of philosophy and mechanics. I was so impressed and excited to find how it parallels my work and life. The book introduces and explores the concept of “quality”—how we define it, pursue it, and integrate it into our lives. Through his journey with his son and friends, Pirsig started to clear his mind and completed a whole life of philosophical thinking. I’m personally a big fan of traveling, and I recognize it as a charging point in my life. I’m fond of exploring deeply into the different landscapes of cities and thinking about the history and reasons behind them, which can inspire me to consider the greater significance and intent of my work as a designer.
By observing his friends, Pirsig found that they had no interest in motorcycle repairing, but he had a deep understanding of motorcycles and other technologies. Then he realized the two situations of people’s cognition—classical cognition and romantic cognition. When I first left school and started my career, I had doubts about how to apply what I learned in school to real-life projects. Architecture, if you perceive it from its artistic perspective, for those who can appreciate its beauty, is the romantic cognition. And you can also focus on its columns, structures, sills, and foundations—the “ugly” parts from the traditional way, which are also the key elements that provide us shelter everywhere nowadays. Architecture is like a bridge between two different ways of cognition. As a designer and architect, my goal is to combine practical and romantic approaches to life, just like the technical precision needed in motorcycle maintenance and the beauty that emerges from that precision. This continues to inspire my work in architecture, where technical skill and creative vision must come together to create spaces that are both functional and meaningful. This also helped me determine my professional pursue in healthcare architecture, which can really let me use design strategies to create better living quality and improve the overall human well-being.
The book also had a profound impact on my life by encouraging me to maintain inner peace when working, slow down, and appreciate the process of creation, not just the end result. While most of our culture only taught us the traditional cognitive methods, we ignored the ability to appreciate. It taught me to pay attention to detail, not just in my work but in everyday life. I believe everyone can have their own perspectives and interpretations after reading it.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
My career has been a mixed journey of architecture and urban design. I first started my career in the US at The Cohousing Company after graduation, where I had opportunities to work on various community-oriented design projects, including community centers, affordable housing, and town planning. This experience allowed me to accumulate valuable experience in project management and client communication, which laid a solid foundation for my later transition to the healthcare architecture field.
It was never easy for me to start a brand-new career in a different country. One of the hardest parts was figuring out how to bring together my passions for architecture, urban design, and social justice into a clear career path. I managed by staying creative, seeking out mentors, and constantly learning. The lessons I’ve learned along the way are many: the importance of resilience, the value of collaboration, and always placing the end user—whether it be a patient, healthcare worker, or community member—at the forefront of every design decision.
I always believe that architecture is not only about creating spaces; it’s also about elevating happiness, enhancing experiences, and fostering a sense of community. I’m currently working as a designer at NBBJ in New York City, where I’ve been fortunate to contribute to the design of various healthcare facilities, including projects for Massachusetts General Hospital and Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. These experiences have been both challenging and rewarding, helping me further develop my thoughts on human-centered design. Through my work, I aim to make meaningful differences for society and other people’s lives by creating spaces that meet functional needs and enhance community wellbeing as a whole at the same time.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
If my best friend were visiting New York City for a week, I’d plan a mix of the city’s best sights, culture, and food. We’d start by checking out landmarks like the High Line, Little Island, or just wandering or cycling in Central Park. For another day, we might want to emerge into the local cultural vibe by checking out famous museums like the Met and the Guggenheim Museum. Maybe we’d also like to take a day or two to escape the city with a trip to the Storm King Art Center or go for a hike at Bear Mountain. For food, I would suggest we try all the different kinds of fusion culinary styles. Maybe we’d start with a fresh brunch at Sarabeth’s, dressed with some desserts like the cookies from Levain Bakery. We’d also like to try classic New York bagels and maybe also search for good Chinese food in New York, such as Dim Sum or hotpot. In the evenings, we’d listen to live music in the Village, catch a Broadway show, visit cool spots in Brooklyn for cocktails, or just walk along the Hudson River to enjoy the night view of NYC. This mix would give a true taste of New York’s vibrant culture and design.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
There are so many people who helped and encouraged me along the way. First, I’d like to dedicate my shoutout to my mentors and colleges at NBBJ. Thank you for the amazing opportunity for me to work with these great people and various healthcare facilities. Especially during such a challenging time globally, it has been such an unforgettable and transformative experience for me both personally and professionally. The guidance and support I’ve received from them have not only let me develop my design skills but also deepened my understanding of the impact of what we designers can really influence in society.
I’d also like to acknowledge the impact of the book I mentioned above—Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance by Robert M. Pirsig. Though the book is not directly about architecture, it offered me deep insights into the philosophy of “quality” and the balance of life. It made me perceive my work and life in a different way and inspired me to continually seek deeper in all that I do.
Finally, I’d like to give the biggest shout-out to my family and close friends. Without their support, especially during times of doubt and challenge, I couldn’t have become who I am today.

Website: https://wanjingzhang.my.canva.site/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wanjing-zhang-147970206/

Image Credits
Artemis Wu