Jinqiu Zhang

Zhang Jinqiu, born in 1936 in Chengdu, China, is an architect and professor at Tsinghua University. She was named “Master of Construction” in 1991 and “Academician of China” in 1994, as well as “Chief Architect of China Capital Construction Design Group” since 1987 and has remained in this position to this day. Zhang was also among the first winners of the Xi'an Science and Technology Award for Outstanding Contributions in 2005 and was elected a member of the prestigious Chinese Academy of Engineering in 2011.

Zhang graduated from Tsinghua University with a Bachelor of Architecture (1960) and a Master of Architecture in History and Theory (1964). She developed her interests in traditional and modern architecture by studying under one of the pioneers of modern Chinese architecture, Liang Sicheng. Upon graduation, she was also assigned to work on Architectural Design and Project Theory at the Northwest China Regional Architectural Design Office in Xi'an. She eventually rose to the position of Director and also obtained the title of Chief Architect at the China Capital Construction Design Group in 1987.