Architecture Design Protfolio 2024 PORTFOLIO of Ruixuan Zhu selected work 2021-2023
Ruixuan Zhu Suzhou, China Tel.: +86 15721955280 Email: ruixuan.zhu20@student.xjtlu.edu.cn
Contents
Education Background Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University Sept. 2020 - Present Bachelor’s Degree in Architecture GPA: Stage1: 53% Stage 2: 57% Stage 3: 62% Perspective Courses: Architectural Representation and Communication, Structures and Materials, Small Scale Architectural Design, Construction and Materials, History of Asian Architecture, Design and Building Typology, etc.
01
'Blockyard' Community Center
Challenging Conventional Social Allocation Principles
02
Research Experience Journal of Research in Suzhou Luosibang community renovation Lead Designer
Mar. 2023 – May. 2023
Shanghai Anfu Road “Blockyard” Community Center Lead Designer
Sept. 2023 – Dec. 2023
Responsive Facade Transformation at the Long Museum, Shanghai Participant
Sept. 2023 – Oct. 2023
Professional Experience Darchi Architects Jun. 2023 - Present Architect Assistant • Work with Architect Xiancheng Xu on in the industrial park community redevelopment project • Acquired proficiency in CAD application skills, and executed the creation of technical drawings.
Extracurricular Activities Student Charter of Institution of Civil Engineers Oct. 2021 - Oct. 2022 Department Head of Activity Department • Responsible for activity planning and organizing. • Participated in the planning of the first Future Smart Building Environment Innovation Application Competition of the School of Design of XJTLU • Organized the lecture activity of architecture "The Final Evolution of Skyscrapers"
SKILLS Computer: Photoshop, Sketchup, Rhino, Relux, CAD, Indesign, Premiere, Illustrator Languages: Chinese (Native), English (Fluent)
Translucent Stone
Exploring Coexistence of Old and New through Adaptive Transformation
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Translucent Stone
Exploring Coexistence of Old and New through Adaptive Transformation
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'DynamEYEs' Responsive Facade
Responsive Facade Transformation Utilizing Parametric Technology
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Willow Lead Bridge
Leaf Bridge - Achieving High Load Capacity with Elegance (Other work)
01 'Blockyard' Community Center Individual Design 15/12/2023 TUTORS: Rachel Ouyang
The project is situated in a community where vibrant shops coexist with dilapidated residences, creating a spatial competition. The project aims to facilitate a more rational allocation of space, fostering an inclusive community center that encourages the participation of different groups. Arranged in a combination of rectangular and triangular volumes, it forms three courtyards with distinct functions and attributes. The central exhibition space acts as a hub, connecting various functional zones. Each courtyard serves as an interconnected, cohesive system.
Site analysis
Allocation of resources
The site is located on Anfu Road in Shanghai, a street that has gained popularity on the internet . The development of businesses and the original residential housing seem to have a subtle relationship.
The allocation of public resources reflects the relationship of needs among different groups. The balance in resource distribution often tilts towards more powerful groups.
Competition for space
Public and private The hierarchy of public & private
Public attributes of space Original residences vs. High-rise residences
Combined form vs. Original form
Public Space
Privacy Protection Pedestrian Density
In the original residential building (lane), the alleys are narrow, and one building is shared by multiple families.
PD
PP
PP
PD
PS PD
PD
PP
PS
Commercial developments occupied the living spaces, and walls were built to separate the public areas from the private residences.
Public and private of different architectural forms Public attributes
ic and private
PD
The shopping mall was built at the best location around the site, at the intersection of roads, to attract tourists.
The gate of the community faces the main road, there is a lack of boundary between public and private space.
a. Quadranglle b. Shikumen hosing
PS
PP
A combination of commercial and residential - the ground floor was used as restaurant, while the higher floors had residential functions
PS PP
High-rise residences are high-end modern apartment buildings, far from the original homes, more privacy and closure.
Commercial development vs. disadvantagese
PS
c. Apartment building
Concept Veil of ignorance - an idealized way of distribution
This experiment proposed by John Rawls. Conceals personal details like identity, status, and wealth, prompting unbiased resource allocation discussions for a mutually acceptable equitable distribution.
Functional units
Cafe & Commercial space
Reading room & Tower
Concert hall
Exhibition Hall
Free trade market
Concert hall ticketing & Galler
Material
Architecture navigating
The materials respond to the sustainable development strategy, the steel structure frame can be recycled, reducing the interference to the environment, and the roof titanium zinc plate has self-healing and durability.
32%
21%
16%
12%
10%
8%
Concret slab
Titanium zinc plate
Steel
Stone
Wooden
Glass
3 10
3 9
1 2
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1
1
4 5
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1. cafe 2. kitchen 3. store 4. market 5. exhibition hall 6. ticket hall 7.concert hall 8. reading room 9. toilet 10. gallery
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Ground floor
First floor
Progress
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7 5
Identify five functional areas.
The volume encloses three courtyards
Emphasize the center and transportation system.
Unified architectural language.
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Basement of the concert hall
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Courtyard circulation
Interplay of voids & solids
Dehierarchization of space
Connection of corridors
Third floor
Third floor (tower)
Second floor
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1 Galvanized steel 2 Insulation layer 3 Waterproof layer 4 Concrete slab 5 Concrete 6 Prefabricated galvanized steel sheet 7 Expansion bolts
02 'Translucent Stones' Community Reshaping, Achieving Harmonious Coexistence Individual Design 8/10/2023 TUTORS: GianMarco Longo
In order to meet the needs of the rapid development of the city, a large amount of land has been expropriated, leaving only a small number of traditional houses gathered by aborigines to confront the surrounding high-rise buildings. In this context, the old buildings and new buildings form a sharp contrast. The project involves the renovation and extension of existing buildings in the "Urban Villages" in Suzhou. While preserving the original texture, it creatively introduces uniquely shaped "glass rocks" resembling extraterrestrial objects. Within the old city, this initiative creates new dialogical spaces, aiming to rekindle neighborhood relationships and revitalize the community.
Before transfomation
Preserved tradional architecture Demolished architecture
After transfomation
The evolution of architectural forms
The needs of people
With the establishment of modern universities and the popularity of commercial housing in the 20 th century, there are more modern houses around. The traditional dwellings gathered in this site are in contrast to the new buildings.
Elderly:There is a lack of a public space for rest and communication.
The 18th century
1796
1900
The 1960s
The 1980s
Children:The original residential area is not wide enough. Some traditional dwellings are too old to have potential safety hazards.
Men:The need for convenient transportation, that the original residential areas lack of street entrance.
Woman:The distribution of public courtyards is unfair, and the private construction of households affects neighborhood relations.
Foreign tenants:the living environment need upgrade.
The 1990s
Extraction of elements
Process
The transitional space connecting the new and the old in the project is in the form of a stoneshaped glass box. The concept is derived from the stone landscaping in the Oriental garden.
The project analyzes areas requiring renovation and reconstruction while preserving the original texture. It later introduces extraterrestrial-like "Translucent Rockscapes" to the site.
The original building Change and increase Newly built building
Maintain the original context and regular layout, and form three collected courtyard buildings.
Symbiosis of new and old buildings. Symbiosis of new and old buildings.
from IN to OUT
Glass Stone Transation space
from OUT to IN
Introduce interesting small spaces, form spatial connections, and become the connection
A plaza is set up in the center as a communication space, and the irregular near-circular
Intervention of new spaces
Specific units
The intervention of new elements, such as glass stones and glass canopies, combines old and new materials, weakening the boundaries between interior and exterior, while enriching the flow and adding interest.
The project's approach to the original building is divided into the following three categories: preservation, renovation and new construction.
New buildings : continue the form of traditional architecture and create a series of continuous courtyards.
Original building : retain the original structure and column network, continue the form of enclose, open part of the space.
Combination of the old and the new : continue the original structure and replace it with stronger materials and transparent roofs.
Transition space : a new form of integration of oriental garden elements, which helps to activate the site.
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1. Water Town Culture Museum 2. Cafe 3. Shared Kitchen 4. Community Service Center 5. Education Center 6. Studio 7. Guesthouse 8. Boostore 9. Restroom
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Brick Wood Concrete Stone Tile
40% 29% 12% 11% 8%
Facade materials Materials
For the materials, the brick and wood structure and materials of the local traditional houses are used, with the addition of a concrete structure and a glass roof.
Space
The glass box connects the interior and exterior, and there are some changes to the roof and facade that weaken the boundaries and make the space more continuous.
Coexistence of Old and New
Elevations and Sections
The newly inserted glass stones act as a link between the old and the new, moving from opposition to coexistence, illustrating tolerance and diversity.
The enclosing character of the courtyard building and the site as a whole continues, with the placement of a small plaza in the center of the site connecting the different zones and providing a space for interaction.
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After transfomation
After transfomation
03 Sprout in Arid Lands A cohesive and interconnected community Individual Design 12/16/2022 TUTORS: Runze Zhang
The design inspiration is derived from a typological analysis of local courtyard architecture, forming a continuously connected architectural ensemble. Through the cohesive arrangement of interconnected courtyard structures, each residential comprises varying-sized cubes and L-shaped units linked by skywalks. The project emphasizes the collective well-being of children and families, aiming to provide a better living environment within the community and prioritizing the developmental needs of children. The 'Sprout in Arid Lands' symbolizes growth emerging in challenging local conditions. It represents a transformative effort, providing fertile ground for community development, with a particular focus on nurturing a brighter future for children.
Urban context
Site analysis Bamyan, Afghanistan, experiences a dry climate with little rain and hot summers. The site is located in a village at the foothills of the Bamyan Mountains in Afghanistan. Population Structure
Comb type
Chessboard style
Road cutting type
Randomly arranged
Nearly half of the population
0-16
0ver16
Minors Middle-aged Elderly
Activity need
Stay indoors
Roof Terrace
Go out
Courtyard
The existing gathering courtyard building
Housing Forms
Related to the traditional forms, the activities of the residents are closely related to the courtyard and the roof. Middle-aged
A traditional small settlement of seven families
The population is characterized by a significant youth demographic. The rapidly growing youth population is putting pressure on families.
In Bamyan, the average woman is expected to raise 4-5 children.
Minors
Settlement
Elderly
Early Islamic
Modernization
War
Reconstruction
5th-18th
18th-1980s
1990-2001
The 21st century
The typical residential feature in the local area is flat roofs and enclosed courtyards.
People’s needs
Women need to learn some skills, and children need to be educated.
We like to work on the roof, and adults hang clothes here, too.
The bazaar is a place I must go to every day.
Ground Floor
There is no awning along the way in the hot weather. The local industry is simple and mainly agricultural.
House layouts designed for different target groups Families with relatively good economic conditions and multiple children,
Two floors with private courtyard
Large extended families with three generations living together
Two floors with balconies
First Floor Independent youth in the learning phase or already engaged in work.
Youth apartments:
Four youth apartments sharing a courtyard and rooftop platform.
Second Floor Considering the economic pressure on families, the focus is on caring for children a n d i m p ro v i n g t h e i r l i v i n g environment.
1. Public Lounge 7. Balcony
2. Living Space 8. Bathroom
3. Shared Corridor 9.Courtyard
4. Shared Courtyard
5. Reading Room
6. Children's Activity Room
Architectural Blocks and Functional Zones
Units Classification
Square blocks, L-shaped blocks, and elevated skywalks are interconnected, forming a continuous architectural ensemble.
The intervention of new elements, such as glass stones and glass canopies, combines old and new materials, weakening the boundaries between interior and exterior, while enriching the T1
youth-targeted apartment
T3
Residential units
T5
Connecting skywalk
T2
T4
house with private yard
T1-2
Small-sized residential units
Residential units
T3-4
Large-sized residential units
Courtyard corridors
T6'
Public space connectivity system
Functional Spaces Residential and Public Spaces
Group A: Including sgared courtyards, rooftops,and communal spaces.
Housing and Shared Courtyards
Skywalk
Group B: Group C: Comprising private courtyards, Skywalks serving as and youth apatrments. connecting element.
T6
The skywalk connects to the rooftop platform, providing convenient transportation on the ground level while offering shade.
Within each building unit, several households surround a shared courtyard where residents gather, converse, and children play.
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The rooftop platform serves as a communal space for residents, especially children, with the skywalk connecting the rooftops of different buildings.
Each building unit incorporates communal spaces, serving as a lounge, reading room, and children's activity area.
04 'DynamEYEs' Responsive Facade Adaptive building envelope for sustainable architecture GROUP WORK: with Yunjie Zhou, YInuo zhang, qiyang Zhu, Yange Zheng, Yuxin Zhao, Zhuoran Zhang 11/25/2023 TUTORS: Gergely Csikvari
This project transforms the conventional roof membrane into dynamic and sustainable architectural features. It not only mirrors the adaptive behavior of the human eye, dynamically adjusting light intake, but also integrates principles from camera apertures, creating a responsive and interconnected building envelope. Redefining the possibilities of adaptive architectural membranes."
Design Purpose
Concept
Capitalizing on Shanghai's humid subtropical climate and abundant sunlight, an adaptively controllable roof will redefine responsive facades by dynamically adjusting illumination.
Inspired by the human eye's ability to control the amount of incoming light through responsive pupil dilation." level of the surrounding environment and scale accordingly. Light
Original state
Conventional light Light
Light concentrates
Dilation Light
Constriction
Light astigmatism
'Pupil' system: According to the light intensity, by controlling the contraction and expansion of the origami device, three changes can be achieved to adjust the amount of light in order to ensure the indoor comfort.
Linkage System
Site analysis Long Museum is located in Shanghai, and the responsive facade isrenovated on the roof of the museum's main exhibition hall. The lighting is designed to dynamically adjust through skylights to provide visitors with a more interesting architectural experience.
Element
Module
Composion
Original State
Contracted State
Expanded Stat
The proposed location of
Exhibition hall
Progress Independent unit: Three scaling states of the 'pupil'
Parametric design: A frame rotating around the central axis
Parametric design
Simulate motion trajectories by Grasshoper
Dynamic Analysis
Camera aperture rotation : Provides the driving force for the pupil device.
Unit Layer Display Exploded diagram
Spotlight system
ABS Sticks can rotate horizontally
Circle string connect the fabric
This component can combine the system on the SquareCross system
Square-Cross collar system
Camera aperture rotation
Square-Cross system
Centre Shaft Powertrain
JOINTS DETIALS Connection of the opening and closing device to the power system
Opening and closing device details
Main shaft of power system
Power system slide rail
Connection of power system
Opening and closing device slide rail
The device connects to a photosensitive resistor, dynamically adjusting based on lighting conditions to create various lighting effects.
The responsive facade's passive daylighting, especially during events in the main exhibition hall, effectively aligns with sustainable development strategies.
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3M
6M
05 Willow Leaf Bridge Other Work - Achieving high load capacity with elegance