Life & Work with TONGTONG ZHANG of Los Angeles

Today we’d like to introduce you to TONGTONG ZHANG.

Hi TONGTONG, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I grew up in Beijing, China, went to university in Hong Kong, and moved to the United States for graduate school, with short periods working in the UK and Germany along the way. I’ve always loved experiencing different places and ways of life, and that curiosity has inspired me to travel and live in different parts of the world. Since childhood, I knew I wanted to work in a creative field, and landscape architecture caught my attention at just the right moment, connecting my love of design with my curiosity about how people live and experience places. Today, I’m part of RIOS, where these experiences continue to shape my perspective and approach to design.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
My path hasn’t always been straightforward, but I’ve generally let things unfold naturally. Rather than overthinking every decision, I take the first step and see how it feels. If something doesn’t feel right after a few tries, I’m comfortable changing direction. I’ve explored a few different routes along the way, but I keep coming back to landscape architecture—a return that has helped me recognize how much it means to me.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I’m a landscape architect and Associate at RIOS in Los Angeles, working on projects ranging from urban public spaces to hospitality destinations and large-scale landscapes. My work spans early design ideas through documentation and construction, and I especially enjoy seeing a concept become a place people can experience. I bring a strong interest in computational design and AI-assisted visualization, using these tools to explore ideas and communicate them clearly. What I’m most proud of is growing into a role where I can lead design, build relationships with clients, and help a team bring complex projects to life. Having studied and worked across different countries, I bring curiosity about how people live and use spaces, alongside a willingness to experiment. I think what sets me apart is that combination of creative exploration and practical follow-through—I care as much about how an idea gets built as how it looks on paper.

Is there something surprising that you feel even people who know you might not know about?
that I love rock climbing and cooking Mediterranean food:)

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.sherlyzhang.com/
• Instagram: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tongtong-sherly-zhang-9162397b/