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Hi, I'm Ran Yan (Rachel), a passionate architect and designer based in Toronto. With experience working in renowned architecture firms in China and a Master's degree from the University of Toronto, I specialize in blending technology and sustainable design to create innovative architectural solutions. I love collaborating across disciplines and bringing ideas to life with digital tools and fabrication techniques. I am highly adaptable and always eager to learn new skills, especially in emerging tech like digital fabrication and immersive storytelling. Whether it’s refining building designs or developing conceptual visuals, I strive to deliver thoughtful, high-quality work that meets both client needs and environmental considerations.…Hi, I'm Ran Yan (Rachel), a passionate architect and designer based in Toronto. With experience working in renowned architecture firms in China and a Master's degree from the University of Toronto, I specialize in blending technology and sustainable design to create innovative architectural solutions. I love collaborating across disciplines and bringing ideas to life with digital tools and fabrication techniques. I am highly adaptable and always eager to learn new skills, especially in emerging tech like digital fabrication and immersive storytelling. Whether it’s refining building designs or developing conceptual visuals, I strive to deliver thoughtful, high-quality work that meets both client needs and environmental considerations.

Ran Yan (Rachel)

Architect, Designer, Project Manager, +3

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Hi, I'm Ran Yan (Rachel), a passionate architect and designer based in Toronto. With experience working in renowned architecture firms in China and a Master's degree from the University of Toronto, I specialize in blending technology and sustainable design to create innovative architectural solutions. I love collaborating across disciplines and bringing ideas to life with digital tools and fabrication techniques. I am highly adaptable and always eager to learn new skills, especially in emerging tech like digital fabrication and immersive storytelling. Whether it’s refining building designs or developing conceptual visuals, I strive to deliver thoughtful, high-quality work that meets both client needs and environmental considerations.…Hi, I'm Ran Yan (Rachel), a passionate architect and designer based in Toronto. With experience working in renowned architecture firms in China and a Master's degree from the University of Toronto, I specialize in blending technology and sustainable design to create innovative architectural solutions. I love collaborating across disciplines and bringing ideas to life with digital tools and fabrication techniques. I am highly adaptable and always eager to learn new skills, especially in emerging tech like digital fabrication and immersive storytelling. Whether it’s refining building designs or developing conceptual visuals, I strive to deliver thoughtful, high-quality work that meets both client needs and environmental considerations.

Available to hire

Hi, I’m Ran Yan (Rachel), a passionate architect and designer based in Toronto. With experience working in renowned architecture firms in China and a Master’s degree from the University of Toronto, I specialize in blending technology and sustainable design to create innovative architectural solutions. I love collaborating across disciplines and bringing ideas to life with digital tools and fabrication techniques.

I am highly adaptable and always eager to learn new skills, especially in emerging tech like digital fabrication and immersive storytelling. Whether it’s refining building designs or developing conceptual visuals, I strive to deliver thoughtful, high-quality work that meets both client needs and environmental considerations.

Skills

Experience Level

Expert

Expert

Expert

Expert

Intermediate

Intermediate

Intermediate

Intermediate

Intermediate

Intermediate

Language

English

Fluent

Chinese

Advanced

Work Experience

Junior Architect | gad Architecture at gad Architecture

August 31, 2023 - July 11, 2025

Rejoined former team on a contractual basis to support ongoing public school design project; contributed to facade design and drawing refinement under direction of project architect. Collaborated remotely with designers from multiple branch offices to co-develop architectural installation for national architectural exhibition, recognized internally as a strong expression of firm's evolving design language.

Contract-Based Architectural Designer | gad Architecture at gad Architecture

August 31, 2021 - July 11, 2025

Supported ongoing projects including facade design and drawing refinement; collaborated with designers from various offices.

Intern Architect at Beijing Institute of Architectural Design

February 28, 2021 - July 11, 2025

Contributed to preservation and adaptive reuse of historic Chinese courtyard houses by restoring layouts and retaining century-old materials. Participated in design process of large-scale residential communities, including massing and concept development, technical drawings, and landscape proposals.

Parametric Fabrication Assistant at Coast Design Lab

August 31, 2018 - July 11, 2025

Supported development of robotic 3D printing workflows for modular housing prototypes using KUKA robotic systems. Programmed robotic toolpaths in Grasshopper and operated robotic systems to fabricate full-scale prototypes. Resolved fabrication challenges by prototyping custom attachments and optimizing setups for material conditions.

Junior Architect at gad Architecture

August 31, 2024 - July 15, 2025

Supported ongoing public school design project involving facade design and drawing refinement. Collaborated remotely with designers across multiple branch offices to co-develop an architectural installation for a national exhibition, recognized internally as a strong expression of the firm's evolving design language.

Contract-Based Architectural Designer at gad Architecture

August 31, 2023 - July 15, 2025

Rejoined the gad Architecture team on a contract basis to support an ongoing public school design project. Contributed to facade design and drawing refinement under the direction of the project architect.

Intern Architect at Beijing Institute of Architectural Design

February 28, 2021 - July 15, 2025

Participated in full design processes of multiple large-scale residential communities, including courtyard housing, mid-rise apartments, social housing, sales centres and community hubs. Led site and environmental analysis, massing and concept design, 3D modeling, and development of masterplans and building typologies. Produced client-facing presentation materials and landscape design proposals.

Parametric Fabrication Assistant at Coast Design Lab

August 31, 2018 - July 15, 2025

Supported development of robotic 3D printing workflows for modular housing prototypes using KUKA robotic systems. Programmed robotic toolpaths, operated robotic systems, resolved fabrication challenges by prototyping custom attachments and optimizing hardware setups. Contributed to preservation and adaptive reuse of historic Chinese courtyard houses by balancing traditional restoration with modern needs.