As senior contributor to Architecture Australia, Cheng dissects the social impact of built environments through cultural and design lenses. Her work emphasizes:
Successful story angles should:
"Architecture journalism must bridge the gap between drafting tables and dinner tables" – Cheng's editorial philosophy
Cheng's journey began at the University of Melbourne, where she earned a Bachelor of Planning and Design (Architecture). This academic foundation informed her early work at Melbourne architecture firms, where she developed firsthand understanding of design processes before transitioning to journalism. Her editorial roles at Furnishing International, Indesign, and Habitus magazines honed her ability to translate complex architectural concepts for diverse audiences.
"The most successful architectural projects are culture-led, rather than design-led" – Cheng's observation from her 2024 Dulux Study Tour coverage [3]
This incisive critique of the NGV’s 2024 Architecture Commission dissects Australia's housing density debates through the lens of cultural perception. Cheng argues that architectural discourse often conflates spatial efficiency with creative constraint, using the exhibition's miniature structures to demonstrate how scale manipulation can enhance user experience. Her analysis draws on interviews with urban planners, behavioral psychologists, and community housing advocates, creating a multidimensional perspective on spatial design challenges in growing cities [3].
Cheng's coverage of the prestigious early-career architect program reveals her commitment to nurturing new talent. The article goes beyond announcing finalists, profiling their innovative approaches to climate-responsive design and community engagement. By contextualizing applicants' portfolios within broader industry trends, she creates a valuable snapshot of Australia's architectural priorities for the coming decade [3].
Documenting the 2024 study tour, Cheng analyzes how Madrid's Matadero Cultural Complex and Valladolid's urban regeneration projects demonstrate culture-led placemaking. Her vivid descriptions of adaptive reuse projects serve as case studies for Australian cities grappling with post-industrial site revitalization. The piece stands out for its examination of how architectural storytelling can drive economic renewal [3].
Cheng consistently prioritizes projects that demonstrate how architectural interventions strengthen community identity. Recent analysis of Gold Coast's HOTA precinct development [3] exemplifies her interest in cultural infrastructure's role in urban placemaking. Pitches should emphasize social impact metrics alongside design innovation.
With her Dulux Study Tour coverage [3], Cheng has shown particular interest in early-career architects pushing boundaries in sustainable materials and inclusive design. Proposals should connect individual innovators to broader industry trends.
Given her contributions to regional publications like Architecture Asia [3], Cheng welcomes stories examining cross-cultural design influences. Recent work on Taiwanese teahouse preservation debates [3] demonstrates this regional focus.
Successful pitches should frame architectural criticism within sociopolitical contexts, as seen in her analysis of Melbourne's Shell House redevelopment controversy [3]. Avoid purely technical discussions of building systems.
Cheng's Instagram presence [7] showcasing architectural photography suggests receptiveness to visual-first narratives. Consider pairing project submissions with immersive 360° tours or before/after sliders.
