We had the good fortune of connecting with Zui Ng and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Zui, what’s one piece of conventional advice that you disagree with?
In creative professions, we often hear the advice to “think outside the box”. I am not entirely disagreeing with this advice but I would suggest that “before you think outside the box, find your box”. Finding my box is essential in understanding myself and what I want to accomplish in my life. “My box” allows me to question and use my heritage, my religious belief, my education, and my personal limitations to better my teaching and my design.


What should our readers know about your business?

Years of working in architecture firms taught me that it is expensive to hire an architect. As a result, good architecture is not easily accessible to all. I firmly believe exposing more people to good architecture is crucial to bring positive change to our built environment. Therefore, I started my business to design housing for rent. My rental units are for short term accommodation as it allows architecture to be accessible to more people. My design focuses on three overlapping sustainable strategies. First of all, my housing design adopts sustainable approaches to lower energy consumption and to reduce pollution to our environment. Secondly, my housing design emphasizes affordability and sustainability of homeownership. Finally, my housing design focuses on sustaining the culture and history of the community.

In addition to bring good architecture to more people, my adaptive housing layout aims to provide homeowners the options to generate passive income by sharing their home. My rental housing design focuses on the ease of converting a single family into multiple suites without sacrificing privacy. The conversion normally involves opening and closing a few interior doors. As the housing market becomes increasingly unaffordable, I hope my design can bring back affordability by letting homeowners generate passive income to offset their mortgage.


If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
It might come as a surprise to most that Houston has as many art galleries and museums as New York City. When I have friends visiting, I like to take them to museums and galleries on Menil Campus. The Menil Campus houses tons of world class art and the best part is that it charges zero admission fees. Within close proximity to Menil Campus is St. Thomas University and Rice University. Both contain architecture from world class designers. In terms of food, Chinatown provides food, drinks and bakery from many regions in Asia – Southern China, Northern China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Vietnam, Malaysia et cetera. There are many Chinatowns within the Greater Houston area. My favorite area in Bellaire Chinatown would be the strip center at the southwest corner of Beltway 8 and Bellaire Boulevard. On top of having some great restaurants and bakeries, it also houses a karaoke place and massage center.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?

In architecture school, I always respect Professors that do both teaching and building. I thought they have a well balanced approach to architecture. In a sense, these Professors inspire me to be both educator and designer. A special thanks to Professor Chula Sanchez for her mentorship and friendship.

I also want to thank Prairie View A&M University, PVAMU for giving me a platform to teach and research. The School of Architecture at PVAMU has been especially supportive for me to pursue my career as both educator and designer.

Encouragements and support from Dean Sabouni and her administrative staff are invaluable catalysts for my professional growth.

Most importantly, I want to thank God and my family. God has given me an amazing parent, siblings, wife and daughter. They are my safety net that allows me to venture without being afraid of failure. To my wife, Aili Zhong – thank you for your love, your patience, and for believing in me. To my daughter, Erin Ng – thank you for being the joy in my life.

Website: https://zdes.webs.com

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=muoa7stRlgk

Image Credits
Photographer: Paul Hester

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutHTX is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.