Who We Are

ZW&A Planning and Architecture is a small design studio in Orange County, California. The firm strives for highest level service in the industry through its holistic design approach and concept-to-completion involvement from its principal.

With deep knowledge on community planning and design, ZW&A offers consulting service on the following specialized areas:

Urban design and small town planning

Residential, resort, and destination development master planning and architectural design
Feasibility study: code research, site analysis, and yield study for all development opportunities

Planning and entitlement process
Hillside development planning and design

Project management and business consulting on China market

Zhen (Michael) Wu
Architect, AICP CUD, LEED AP
Managing Principal

Mr. Zhen Wu is a licensed architect in California, a certified planner with advanced specialty on urban design, and an accredited sustainability designer.

Zhen is highly motivated, analytic, and well organized. He is often recognized as lead designer, effective communicator, & thorough manager on his projects. He has demonstrated achievements in delivering multiple projects at quality, on time, and within budget. He is proficient in computer and new technologies.

After dozens of years in corporate design firm working with numerous land developers and home builders, as well as international clients in Asia and Middle East, Zhen started his own practice in 2013 to pursue new opportunities in the professional services he excels at.

He received Master of Planning/Architecture dual degree from University of Southern California with honor in 2001, after graduated from Tsinghua University, Beijing with bachelor's degree in architecture in 1994. He continues his passion to study cities, architecture, and urban landscape by traveling and reading extensively.

Aside from operating his boutique studio, Mr. Wu have served the city of San Clemente on its Planning Commission, Design Review Subcommittee, and City Council for many years. The civic service allows him to engage the local community and general public by helping to shape the built environment.

Selected Projects:

Private residence, San Clemente, CA, full service architectural design & permit process
Nanshan Golf Community Destination Town, planning, retail & hotel design, Chongqing, China

Nanshan Golf Community hillside residential parcel planning and grading

Cordova Hills LUP 31 Small Lot, grading and yield studies, Sacramento

Heldons Estate resort village, planning and visioning, St. Kitts

Longquan Historic Town Redevelopment Planning, Kunming, China

Private residence, Laguna Beach, CA, architectural design and entitlement process

City Garden, highrise urban residential master planning and architectural concept, Shaoguan, China

City of Gardena General Plan Land use Element technical document

Mr Zhen Wu was also involved with numerous projects for major land developers and home builders, such as Brooksfield, Lennar, Pardee, Shea, Standard Pacific, Centex, DR Horton, John Laing, McMillin, MasterCraft, K. Hovnanian, Castle & Cooke, Pulte, Suncal, and Emaar, etc, as planner/designer/project manager during his past employment.