I am a second-year Ph.D. student in Architecture at the University of Pennsylvania where I am part of the Polyhedral Structures Laboratory (PSL) concentrating on advancing structural/architectural geometry and construction technologies. My research interest is in 3D concrete printing, its application in structural systems, and methods of multi-material extrusion. I am especially excited in exploiting computational geometry and graph algorithms to optimize the energy and material efficiency of these additive manufacturing processes across the architecture, engineering, and construction industry.
I am the author of the 3D printing slicing software Ovenbird. Currently I am working on the buildability optimization of 3D concretre printing structural components at design and toolpath levels. My Ph.D. advisor is Dr. Masoud Akbarzadeh. Previously I studied at Tsinghua University and received a Bachelor’s degree in Architecture, supervised by Dr. Weixin Huang, and a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology, supervised by Dr. Yue Du.
I write blog posts, bird watch, and run marathons. In January 2023, I designed the new Polyhedral Structures Laboratory website and have served to update it since. My full CV is available here.
Publications [By Year] [By Topic] [By Type] [By Role]
2025
Broader Applications of Polyhedral Graphical Statics Masoud Akbarzadeh, Yefan Zhi, Georgios Athanasopoulos, Marina Konstantatou, Maximilian E. Ororbia, Salma Mozaffari, Teng Teng, Mostafa Akbari, Hao Zheng, Hossein Mofatteh, Hamid Akbarzadeh, Armin Mirabolghasemi, Zakaria Hsain, James Pikul, Yao Lu, Shu Yang, Kun-Hao Yu, Hua Chai, Mohammad Bolhassani, Paria Yavartanoo, Allan McRobie, Joseph Robert Yost, Jen Schneider Chapter in Polyhedral Graphical Statics: For Funicular Structural Form Finding by Masoud Akbarzadeh, 2025, Cambridge University Press Cambridge, UK [Book]
Automated Toolpath Design of 3D Concrete Printing Structural Components Yefan Zhi, Hua Chai, Teng Teng, Masoud Akbarzadeh Additive Manufacturing 2025 IF=10.3 [Project Page] [Code] [Paper]
Prototyping High-Fidelity Multifunctional Objects Using Single-Nozzle Multi-Filament Additive Manufacturing System with Active Mixing Teng Teng, Yefan Zhi, Masoud Akbarzadeh Materials & Design 2025 IF=8.4 [Project Page] [Paper]
2024
Functionally Graded Architectural Materials: Integrated and Tailored Thermal Insulation through Gradient Multimaterial Additive Manufacturing for Masonry Architectural Components Teng Teng, Yefan Zhi, Masoud Akbarzadeh ACADIA 2024 Banff, Canada, Best Paper Award (Runner-Up) [Project Page] [Paper]
The Effect of Post-Tensioning on the Behavior of Small-Scale 3D-Printed Concrete Beams Damon Bolhassani, Fahimeh Yavartanoo, Javier Tapia, Masoud Akbarzadeh, Maximilian E. Ororbia, Hua Chai, Yefan Zhi, Mylene Bernard, Leon Trousset, Karolina Pajak, Blaise Waligun, Paul Kassabian IASS 2024 Zurich, Switzerland [Paper]
Experimental Study of a Funicular Concrete Beam Prototype Maximilian Ororbia, Hua Chai, Yefan Zhi, Pouria Vakhshouri, Jorge Huisa Chacon, Joseph R. Yost, Mathias Bernhard, Fahimeh Yavartanoo, Javier Tapia, Damon Bolhassani, Mylene Bernard, Leon Trousset, Karolina Pajak, Blaise Waligun, Paul Kassabian, Masoud Akbarzadeh IASS 2024 Zurich, Switzerland [Paper]
Design Approach for a Post-tensioned Funicular Concrete Beam Hua Chai, Maximilian Ororbia,Yefan Zhi, Ryan Welch, Billie Faircloth, Fahimeh Yavartanoo, Damon Bolhassani, Masoud Akbarzadeh IASS 2024 Zurich, Switzerland [Paper]
Designing 3D-Printed Concrete Structures with Scaled Fabrication Models Yefan Zhi, Teng Teng, Masoud Akbarzadeh Architectural Intelligence 2024 [Paper]
Diamanti: 3D-Printed, Post-Tensioned Concrete Canopy Masoud Akbarzadeh, Hua Chai, Yefan Zhi, Maximilian E. Ororbia, Teng Teng, Mathias Bernhard, Damon Bolhassani, Fahimeh Yavartanoo, Javier Tapia, Karolina Pajak, Mylene Bernard, Leon Trousset, Paul Kassabian, Blaise Waligun FABRICATE 2024 Copenhagen, Denmark [Project Page] [Paper]
2023
Local Optimization of Self-Supporting Shell Structures in 3D Printing: a Skeleton Method Yefan Zhi, Hua Chai, Teng Teng, Masoud Akbarzadeh IASS 2023 Melbourne, Australia [Paper]
Continuous Multi-Filament 3D Printing for Tension-Compression Structure Components Teng Teng, Yefan Zhi, Kun-Hao Yu, Shu Yang, Masoud Akbarzadeh IASS 2023 Melbourne, Australia [Project Page] [Paper]
Research on the Villagers’ Behavior Characteristics in Rural Area: Analysis Using Spatio-Temporal Data from WiFi and Surveillance Video Yefan Zhi, Ziyu Huang, Weixin Huang Urban, Environment, Design (UED) 2023 in Chinese, on Cover [Paper]
3D Concrete Printing (3DCP)
Automated Toolpath Design of 3D Concrete Printing Structural Components Yefan Zhi, Hua Chai, Teng Teng, Masoud Akbarzadeh Additive Manufacturing 2025 IF=10.3 [Project Page] [Code] [Paper]
Designing 3D-Printed Concrete Structures with Scaled Fabrication Models Yefan Zhi, Teng Teng, Masoud Akbarzadeh Architectural Intelligence 2024 [Paper]
Local Optimization of Self-Supporting Shell Structures in 3D Printing: a Skeleton Method Yefan Zhi, Hua Chai, Teng Teng, Masoud Akbarzadeh IASS 2023 Melbourne, Australia [Paper]
3DCP Structural Systems
The Effect of Post-Tensioning on the Behavior of Small-Scale 3D-Printed Concrete Beams Damon Bolhassani, Fahimeh Yavartanoo, Javier Tapia, Masoud Akbarzadeh, Maximilian E. Ororbia, Hua Chai, Yefan Zhi, Mylene Bernard, Leon Trousset, Karolina Pajak, Blaise Waligun, Paul Kassabian IASS 2024 Zurich, Switzerland [Paper]
Experimental Study of a Funicular Concrete Beam Prototype Maximilian Ororbia, Hua Chai, Yefan Zhi, Pouria Vakhshouri, Jorge Huisa Chacon, Joseph R. Yost, Mathias Bernhard, Fahimeh Yavartanoo, Javier Tapia, Damon Bolhassani, Mylene Bernard, Leon Trousset, Karolina Pajak, Blaise Waligun, Paul Kassabian, Masoud Akbarzadeh IASS 2024 Zurich, Switzerland [Paper]
Design Approach for a Post-tensioned Funicular Concrete Beam Hua Chai, Maximilian Ororbia,Yefan Zhi, Ryan Welch, Billie Faircloth, Fahimeh Yavartanoo, Damon Bolhassani, Masoud Akbarzadeh IASS 2024 Zurich, Switzerland [Paper]
Diamanti: 3D-Printed, Post-Tensioned Concrete Canopy Masoud Akbarzadeh, Hua Chai, Yefan Zhi, Maximilian E. Ororbia, Teng Teng, Mathias Bernhard, Damon Bolhassani, Fahimeh Yavartanoo, Javier Tapia, Karolina Pajak, Mylene Bernard, Leon Trousset, Paul Kassabian, Blaise Waligun FABRICATE 2024 Copenhagen, Denmark [Project Page] [Paper]
Multi-Material Extrusion
Prototyping High-Fidelity Multifunctional Objects Using Single-Nozzle Multi-Filament Additive Manufacturing System with Active Mixing Teng Teng, Yefan Zhi, Masoud Akbarzadeh Materials & Design 2025 IF=8.4 [Project Page] [Paper]
Functionally Graded Architectural Materials: Integrated and Tailored Thermal Insulation through Gradient Multimaterial Additive Manufacturing for Masonry Architectural Components Teng Teng, Yefan Zhi, Masoud Akbarzadeh ACADIA 2024 Banff, Canada, Best Paper Award (Runner-Up) [Project Page] [Paper]
Continuous Multi-Filament 3D Printing for Tension-Compression Structure Components Teng Teng, Yefan Zhi, Kun-Hao Yu, Shu Yang, Masoud Akbarzadeh IASS 2023 Melbourne, Australia [Project Page] [Paper]
Graphic Statics
Broader Applications of Polyhedral Graphical Statics Masoud Akbarzadeh, Yefan Zhi, Georgios Athanasopoulos, Marina Konstantatou, Maximilian E. Ororbia, Salma Mozaffari, Teng Teng, Mostafa Akbari, Hao Zheng, Hossein Mofatteh, Hamid Akbarzadeh, Armin Mirabolghasemi, Zakaria Hsain, James Pikul, Yao Lu, Shu Yang, Kun-Hao Yu, Hua Chai, Mohammad Bolhassani, Paria Yavartanoo, Allan McRobie, Joseph Robert Yost, Jen Schneider Chapter in Polyhedral Graphical Statics: For Funicular Structural Form Finding by Masoud Akbarzadeh, 2025, Cambridge University Press Cambridge, UK [Book]
Data-Driven Design
Research on the Villagers’ Behavior Characteristics in Rural Area: Analysis Using Spatio-Temporal Data from WiFi and Surveillance Video Yefan Zhi, Ziyu Huang, Weixin Huang Urban, Environment, Design (UED) 2023 in Chinese, on Cover [Paper]
Journal Papers (Peer-Reviewed)
Automated Toolpath Design of 3D Concrete Printing Structural Components Yefan Zhi, Hua Chai, Teng Teng, Masoud Akbarzadeh Additive Manufacturing 2025 IF=10.3 [Project Page] [Code] [Paper]
Prototyping High-Fidelity Multifunctional Objects Using Single-Nozzle Multi-Filament Additive Manufacturing System with Active Mixing Teng Teng, Yefan Zhi, Masoud Akbarzadeh Materials & Design 2025 IF=8.4 [Project Page] [Paper]
Designing 3D-Printed Concrete Structures with Scaled Fabrication Models Yefan Zhi, Teng Teng, Masoud Akbarzadeh Architectural Intelligence 2024 [Paper]
Research on the Villagers’ Behavior Characteristics in Rural Area: Analysis Using Spatio-Temporal Data from WiFi and Surveillance Video Yefan Zhi, Ziyu Huang, Weixin Huang Urban, Environment, Design (UED) 2023 in Chinese, on Cover [Paper]
Conference Papers (Peer-Reviewed)
Functionally Graded Architectural Materials: Integrated and Tailored Thermal Insulation through Gradient Multimaterial Additive Manufacturing for Masonry Architectural Components Teng Teng, Yefan Zhi, Masoud Akbarzadeh ACADIA 2024 Banff, Canada, Best Paper Award (Runner-Up) [Project Page] [Paper]
The Effect of Post-Tensioning on the Behavior of Small-Scale 3D-Printed Concrete Beams Damon Bolhassani, Fahimeh Yavartanoo, Javier Tapia, Masoud Akbarzadeh, Maximilian E. Ororbia, Hua Chai, Yefan Zhi, Mylene Bernard, Leon Trousset, Karolina Pajak, Blaise Waligun, Paul Kassabian IASS 2024 Zurich, Switzerland [Paper]
Experimental Study of a Funicular Concrete Beam Prototype Maximilian Ororbia, Hua Chai, Yefan Zhi, Pouria Vakhshouri, Jorge Huisa Chacon, Joseph R. Yost, Mathias Bernhard, Fahimeh Yavartanoo, Javier Tapia, Damon Bolhassani, Mylene Bernard, Leon Trousset, Karolina Pajak, Blaise Waligun, Paul Kassabian, Masoud Akbarzadeh IASS 2024 Zurich, Switzerland [Paper]
Design Approach for a Post-tensioned Funicular Concrete Beam Hua Chai, Maximilian Ororbia,Yefan Zhi, Ryan Welch, Billie Faircloth, Fahimeh Yavartanoo, Damon Bolhassani, Masoud Akbarzadeh IASS 2024 Zurich, Switzerland [Paper]
Diamanti: 3D-Printed, Post-Tensioned Concrete Canopy Masoud Akbarzadeh, Hua Chai, Yefan Zhi, Maximilian E. Ororbia, Teng Teng, Mathias Bernhard, Damon Bolhassani, Fahimeh Yavartanoo, Javier Tapia, Karolina Pajak, Mylene Bernard, Leon Trousset, Paul Kassabian, Blaise Waligun FABRICATE 2024 Copenhagen, Denmark [Project Page] [Paper]
Local Optimization of Self-Supporting Shell Structures in 3D Printing: a Skeleton Method Yefan Zhi, Hua Chai, Teng Teng, Masoud Akbarzadeh IASS 2023 Melbourne, Australia [Paper]
Continuous Multi-Filament 3D Printing for Tension-Compression Structure Components Teng Teng, Yefan Zhi, Kun-Hao Yu, Shu Yang, Masoud Akbarzadeh IASS 2023 Melbourne, Australia [Project Page] [Paper]
Book Chapters
Broader Applications of Polyhedral Graphical Statics Masoud Akbarzadeh, Yefan Zhi, Georgios Athanasopoulos, Marina Konstantatou, Maximilian E. Ororbia, Salma Mozaffari, Teng Teng, Mostafa Akbari, Hao Zheng, Hossein Mofatteh, Hamid Akbarzadeh, Armin Mirabolghasemi, Zakaria Hsain, James Pikul, Yao Lu, Shu Yang, Kun-Hao Yu, Hua Chai, Mohammad Bolhassani, Paria Yavartanoo, Allan McRobie, Joseph Robert Yost, Jen Schneider Chapter in Polyhedral Graphical Statics: For Funicular Structural Form Finding by Masoud Akbarzadeh, 2025, Cambridge University Press Cambridge, UK [Book]
As First Author
Automated Toolpath Design of 3D Concrete Printing Structural Components Yefan Zhi, Hua Chai, Teng Teng, Masoud Akbarzadeh Additive Manufacturing 2025 IF=10.3 [Project Page] [Code] [Paper]
Designing 3D-Printed Concrete Structures with Scaled Fabrication Models Yefan Zhi, Teng Teng, Masoud Akbarzadeh Architectural Intelligence 2024 [Paper]
Local Optimization of Self-Supporting Shell Structures in 3D Printing: a Skeleton Method Yefan Zhi, Hua Chai, Teng Teng, Masoud Akbarzadeh IASS 2023 Melbourne, Australia [Paper]
Research on the Villagers’ Behavior Characteristics in Rural Area: Analysis Using Spatio-Temporal Data from WiFi and Surveillance Video Yefan Zhi, Ziyu Huang, Weixin Huang Urban, Environment, Design (UED) 2023 in Chinese, on Cover [Paper]
As Major Contributor
Broader Applications of Polyhedral Graphical Statics Masoud Akbarzadeh, Yefan Zhi, Georgios Athanasopoulos, Marina Konstantatou, Maximilian E. Ororbia, Salma Mozaffari, Teng Teng, Mostafa Akbari, Hao Zheng, Hossein Mofatteh, Hamid Akbarzadeh, Armin Mirabolghasemi, Zakaria Hsain, James Pikul, Yao Lu, Shu Yang, Kun-Hao Yu, Hua Chai, Mohammad Bolhassani, Paria Yavartanoo, Allan McRobie, Joseph Robert Yost, Jen Schneider Chapter in Polyhedral Graphical Statics: For Funicular Structural Form Finding by Masoud Akbarzadeh, 2025, Cambridge University Press Cambridge, UK [Book]
Functionally Graded Architectural Materials: Integrated and Tailored Thermal Insulation through Gradient Multimaterial Additive Manufacturing for Masonry Architectural Components Teng Teng, Yefan Zhi, Masoud Akbarzadeh ACADIA 2024 Banff, Canada, Best Paper Award (Runner-Up) [Project Page] [Paper]
Prototyping High-Fidelity Multifunctional Objects Using Single-Nozzle Multi-Filament Additive Manufacturing System with Active Mixing Teng Teng, Yefan Zhi, Masoud Akbarzadeh Materials & Design 2025 IF=8.4 [Project Page] [Paper]
Diamanti: 3D-Printed, Post-Tensioned Concrete Canopy Masoud Akbarzadeh, Hua Chai, Yefan Zhi, Maximilian E. Ororbia, Teng Teng, Mathias Bernhard, Damon Bolhassani, Fahimeh Yavartanoo, Javier Tapia, Karolina Pajak, Mylene Bernard, Leon Trousset, Paul Kassabian, Blaise Waligun FABRICATE 2024 Copenhagen, Denmark [Project Page] [Paper]
Continuous Multi-Filament 3D Printing for Tension-Compression Structure Components Teng Teng, Yefan Zhi, Kun-Hao Yu, Shu Yang, Masoud Akbarzadeh IASS 2023 Melbourne, Australia [Project Page] [Paper]
As Supporting Author
The Effect of Post-Tensioning on the Behavior of Small-Scale 3D-Printed Concrete Beams Damon Bolhassani, Fahimeh Yavartanoo, Javier Tapia, Masoud Akbarzadeh, Maximilian E. Ororbia, Hua Chai, Yefan Zhi, Mylene Bernard, Leon Trousset, Karolina Pajak, Blaise Waligun, Paul Kassabian IASS 2024 Zurich, Switzerland [Paper]
Experimental Study of a Funicular Concrete Beam Prototype Maximilian Ororbia, Hua Chai, Yefan Zhi, Pouria Vakhshouri, Jorge Huisa Chacon, Joseph R. Yost, Mathias Bernhard, Fahimeh Yavartanoo, Javier Tapia, Damon Bolhassani, Mylene Bernard, Leon Trousset, Karolina Pajak, Blaise Waligun, Paul Kassabian, Masoud Akbarzadeh IASS 2024 Zurich, Switzerland [Paper]
Design Approach for a Post-tensioned Funicular Concrete Beam Hua Chai, Maximilian Ororbia,Yefan Zhi, Ryan Welch, Billie Faircloth, Fahimeh Yavartanoo, Damon Bolhassani, Masoud Akbarzadeh IASS 2024 Zurich, Switzerland [Paper]
Other Projects
As Lead Researcher
Dove Wave: Inventory Constrained Design Masoud Akbarzadeh, Yiliang Shao, Yefan Zhi, Sepideh Bayat, Michael Ting Inventory-Constrained Design Competition by Eventscape 2022 New York, NY, US, First Place [Project Page]
As Part of the Installation Team
Glass Bridge: A Clear Path to Sustainability Masoud Akbarzadeh, Joseph Robert Yost, Damon Bolhassani, Jens Schneider, et al. Exhibited at the Corning Museum of Glass Dec 2024 - Sept 2025 Corning, NY, US [Project Page]
Floralis: an ETFE-Cladded, Multilaminar Timber Structure Masoud Akbarzadeh, Dorit Aviv, Frank Mateo, et al. Built in the Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument 2024 Florissant, CO, US [Project Page]
Software Products
Ovenbird: Shell 3D Printing Toolpaths and GCodes Yefan Zhi, Hua Chai, Teng Teng, Masoud Akbarzadeh A plugin for Grasshopper 2022 - 2025 [Project Page] [Code]
Education
Doctor of Philosophy - PhD, Architecture, University of Pennsylvania Philadelphia, PA, US, 2023 - Present
Master of Science in Design - MSD, Architecture, University of Pennsylvania Philadelphia, PA, US, 2021 - 2022
Bachelor of Architecture - BArch, Architecture, Tsinghua University Beijing, China, 2016 - 2021
Bachelor of Arts - BA, Sociology, Tsinghua University Beijing, China, 2016 - 2020