Cindy He Portfolio | Winter 2026

CINDY HE SELECTED WORKS

I’m a third-year architecture student seeking a four to six-month internship starting February 2026.

Physical spaces shape us through memory in different forms. They have a profound influence on how we lead our lives through community, culture, and the environment. I aspire to design places that create opportunities of care for people to cultivate cherished memories with each other, as well as the built space in return.

I look forward to exploring and redefining practices of placemaking with your firm.

Please enjoy the latest issue of my portfolio featuring my recent work.

SUMMARY OF QUALIFICATIONS

• Highly proficient in various CAD, visualization, and post-processing software and workflows.

• Excellent graphic and technical design skills developed through three years of academic and competition projects.

• Ability to work efficiently and independently without supervision.

• Adaptable and collaborative with an eagerness to contribute meaningfully to diverse projects.

• Knowledgeable in architectural standards from Schematic Design (SD) to Construction Administration (CA).

EXPERIENCE

May — June 2024

Vancouver, BC

Sep — Dec 2024

Toronto, ON

Jan — Apr 2024

Toronto, ON

PUBLIC Architecture + Design

Architecture Student

Produced award submissions for several projects using Revit, Rhino, and Adobe. Collaborated with multiple design teams and closely worked with principals to coordinate drawings, diagrams, and photographs.

SvN Architects + Planners

Architectural and Urban Design Student

Worked closely with project teams on award-winning affordable housing projects across Ontario, developing detailed architectural models, physical studies, and 3D iterations in Rhino and Revit to support design phases and client submissions. Produced renderings and visualizations for client and internal presentations.

Coolearth Architecture

Architectural Student

Worked closely with principals to develop presentation packages including 3D models and drawings for a passive family home and a multigenerational cohousing mid-rise. Conducted research and technical analysis of wall and window assembly thermal performance for publication. Prepared reports and site documentation during CA phase.

EDUCATION

Sep 2022 — Present

Cambridge, ON

University of Waterloo

Candidate for Bachelor of Architectural Studies Honours Co-op Program

Excellent Academic Standing

DISTINCTIONS

Sep 2024

Sep 2023

Sep 2022

SKILLS

Rhino 7 + 8 Revit

Outstanding Design Work 2A

Recipient for outstanding design work in ARCH 293 Studio Design

Honourable Mention

Finalist recipient for Buildner’s Pavilion for Humanity Design Competition

University of Waterloo President’s Scholarship

Awarded for recipients with admission averages of 90%+

January 17, 2025

RE: Letter of Reference Cindy He

To whom it may concern

From September to December 2024 we had the pleasure of having Cindy He as a Coop Student at SvN Architects and Planners. During her tenure, Cindy was assigned to a number of different projects including our larger affordable housing projects. On these projects her work included modeling of both the architecture and landscape architecture built form. She worked on a number of deadlines including ZBA and SPA submissions and client presentations. She was also a key team member for an interior renovation project, helping to develop the interior renderings and material and lighting p ackage.

Cindy was a key team member on the above noted projects She worked directly with the project manager and was highly effective at delivering quality work within the prescribed timelines, while also working independently

Cindy demonstrated herself to be a highly motivated and hardworking team member who was able to slot into a number of roles with increased proficiency throughout her work term. Cindy became a highly sought-after member of our office due to her dedication and proficiency

I am pleased to recommend Cindy for future positions in the industry Please do not hesitate to contact me should you require any further information

Sincerely,

Sony Rai, Principal

SvN Architects + Planners

416-505-9113

srai@svn-ap com

3 June, 2024

To Whom it May Concern

Re: Cindy Xin Yi He Reference

Cindy was a co-op student with Coolearth from January 9th to April 26th, 2024. During this period, Cindy took on a wide variety of tasks, ranging from projects in their initial stages (zoning review, feasibility studies) to those nearing completion (construction administration, deficiency lists), and she handled each one with care and competence. Her versatility and ability to adapt to different project requirements have been invaluable for us.

Cindy is a talented individual, possessing a solid foundation of knowledge and skills which she is eager to grow. We asked her to dive into technical analysis, including energy modelling and mathematical analysis of the thermal performance of windows, both of which presented very steep learning curves. She was able to understand and complete the required work product. She is intelligent, a quick learner, and consistently delivers high-quality work.

One of Cindy's most notable traits is her straightforward demeanor. She listens well and communicates effectively, ensuring that she understands the tasks at hand and executes them accurately. Her calm and composed nature contributes significantly to the positive work environment within our team.

It was a pleasure to work with Cindy in the office and get to know her over the four months. She integrated well with the team, bringing a friendly and collaborative spirit to our workplace. Her positive attitude and willingness to engage with her colleagues made her a valued member of our team.

In summary, Cindy is an outstanding student who would be a great asset to any organization. I highly recommend her without reservation. If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to contact me

Respectfully yours,

Geoff Christou, Architect

Architect and Permaculture Designer OAA, PDC. M.Arch. christou@coolearth.ca Mobile phone: 416-580-0849

Where Paths Become Places

Course: 3A Design Studio Final (Winter 2025)

Program: Affordable Housing Project Location: Cambridge, ON Partner: Alyssa Lee

rhino, enscape, Ps, Ai

Where Paths Become Places negotiates the relationship between transience and permanence by using circulation as a tool for social connection and community-building. Car access is removed from the site’s center, transforming the core into pedestrianfriendly paths and landscapes that foster interaction and environmental care.

A multimodal boulevard connects the site to the station, while new pedestrian streets and inner residential lanes create safer, more intimate spaces for all generations. At the threshold between the transient vehicle zone and the permanent pedestrian area, a co-housing residential development is introduced, composed of two masses: one for students and singles, and the other for multigenerational families.

Typology from Phase 1 selected to develop in Phase 2

1. Existing Site

2. Circulation Hierarchy

3. Proposed Site

Phase 1: Proposed Masterplan - Transient and Permanent

Highway ~40 - 45m

Hierarchy of Path Typologies

Shared amenities, a central atrium, and staircases function as internal streets, extending the site’s layered circulation network. The northeast quadrant hosts cultural and community spaces, an Indigenous centre, workshops, and supportive housing.

Retail lines the pedestrian street, while green pockets throughout provide relief from density. Facing both the transient edge and the permanent core, the building becomes a threshold that welcomes all, offering a sense of identity, place, and belonging.

This complex is composed of two masses designed for singles/ youth with 1-3 bedroom units, and multigenerational familities with 2-5 bedroom units to introduce a new housing typology that accomodates larger household sizes.

A transitional shared space between the two encourages interaction, while shared indoor amenities on each floor support communal dining and living. A rooftop terrace offers outdoor gathering space, reinforcing a sense of community, while each unit has a private balcony for retreat.

Atrium View

Central circulation creates opportunities for encounter

Life Cycle Assessment of Mass Timber

The Regenerator

Course: ARCH 292

Program: Museum for Lost Objects

Location: Toronto, Ontario

Rhino, Enscape, Ps, Ai

The concept of co-existence is evolving, influencing how people perceive and interact with their environment. The built environment should not be defined as interior and exterior elements divided by a wall assembly, but rather an extension of space that is constantly experiencing change, such as the circulation of people, the changing of seasons, and the aging of materials.

The Wellington Regenerator aims to repurpose the existing Wellington Destructor building that was originally used for waste incineration to foster connections between humans and birds in urban spaces. By creating a space where interior and exterior elements converge and connect, the project seeks to redefine boundaries, promoting coexistence between humans and nature.

Above: 1:1000 Site Context Map

Below: Morphology Diagram

WELLINGTONST. NIAGARAST.

Envelope

By adaptively reusing the existing building, a significant amount of carbon can be prevented from being released into the atmosphere. Furthermore, the surrounding biodiversity will not be disrupted by new construction.

Views

The parti design was developed by stacking three consecutive volumes with the intention of viewing the layers of the trees outside. The third floor looks into the tree canopies and bird habitats.

Programming

The programming was existing building and site

The design placed the areas at the front of the public circulation is minimal gathering space fosters opportunities.

Programming informed by the site conditions; lab and storage the building, where minimal and the fosters interaction opportunities.

Stage 1: Descent from the treetop canopies after checking in with reception.

Stage 3: Interact with bird conservation initiatives with classroom and fabrication workshops.

Stage 2: View curated galleries of bird species.

Upper: view from reception

Lower: view into curated exhibition

Top: Third Floor

Middle: Second Floor

Bottom: Ground Floor

1. Main Entrance

2. Lobby

3. Washrooms

4. Freight Elevator

5. Rotating Exhibition

6. Artist’s Residency

7. Specimen Storage

8. Deep Storage

9. Preservation Lab

10. Permanant Exhibition

11. Staff Offices

12. Cafe

13. Classroom

14. Workshop

15. Seating

16. Exit

Render: view from open storage facility

Right: cross section looking East

Bottom: section perspective looking North

Exploded Axonometric Diagram

1:200 Site models created to address project in context of surrounding site

Convergence Pavilion

Course: Buildner Design Competition

Program: Pavilion for Humanity

Location: Svalbard, Norway

Partner: Moxiao Guo

rhino, blender, Ps, Ai

Recognition: Honourable Mention (2023)

The Convergence Pavilion, located in Svalbard, Norway, stands in the midst of international initiatives dedicated to preserving humanity’s collective memory including the Arctic World Archive, the Svalbard World Seed Vault, and the Svalbard Satellite Station.

The pavilion symbolizes our persistent human endeavor to share, preserve, and express our memories and emotions, fostering connections that transcend our existential boundaries through intangible means. It emphasizes that, in the grand scheme of the universe, we may be modest beings. However, our existence is, in itself, an achievement that defines our fundamental nature.

The monument serves as a beacon for reconciliation, learning, and self-reflection, fostering mutual understanding as we navigate the shared, impermanent certainty of existence.

Spectrum

The programming disperses itself onto a spectrum between the interpersonal and the intrapersonal, defining the basis for the pavilion’s functions, senses, and experiences. The core of each floor formulates the two extremes on this range.

Convergence

Two forms of circulation divide the pavilion:

The first level converges multiple bodies to generate an overlapping arbitrary space in the centre, encouraging interactivity and crossing between spaces.

The lower level establishes a continuous winding pathway that descends and acts as a subjective and singular experience.

1. Performance Space

2. Conference

3. Reception

4. Cafe

5. Workshop

6. Rest and Study

7. Gallery

8. Contemplation

Performance Space View

Conference Space View

Descent into Gallery View

PUBLIC Architecture

Managers: Brian Wakelin, Shane O’Neill

Category: Residential, Institutional, Cultural

Software: Revit, Rhino 8, Enscape, Adobe

During my internship at Public Architecture, I worked on creating new drawing packages for multiple projects including KPU Childcare, UBC Orchard Childcare, and Capilano University Childcare to be submitted for various awards such as the Canadian Architect and Canadian Wood Council Awards. My workflow consisted of converting graphics from Revit to Adobe for post-processing.

Managers: Sony Rai, Daniela Leon Project Types: Residential, Commercial Software: Revit, Rhino, Grasshopper, Enscape, Adobe

During my internship at SvN Architects + Planners, I contributed to a range of award-winning affordable housing projects across Ontario. My work included developing detailed architectural models and physical prototypes to support concept visualization and design iterations. I created 3D models in Rhino and Revit, produced renderings and visualizations through Adobe and hand sketching, and prepared presentation materials that were delivered to both clients and internal teams. I also conducted research on planning and urban design trends that informed project directions and design outcomes.