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CONTENT

HIVE CORE CRANBROOK

BA GRADUATE PROJECT

For too long, social housing has been trapped in a cycle of neglect and stigma—perceived as a last resort rather than a place to thrive. But what if we reimagine it? What if social housing could be adaptable, inclusive, and a catalyst for urban renewal?

This project transforms Cranbrook Estate, initially designed by Berthold Lubetkin, into a highdensity, mixed-use community, integrating modular architecture, flexible public spaces, and sustainable urban strategies. More than just providing shelter, it creates a dynamic, connected environment that fosters dignity, well-being, and opportunity.

Social housing is not just about survival. It can, and should, be a place to call home. Dignified living is a right, not a privilege—and as designers, it is our responsibility to push towards this vision.

In 2024, the newly elected Labour government pledged to build 1.5 homes (90,000 social homes stated in the Rachel Reeves 2024 Autumn Budget Plan) over the next decade. While this policy shift offers a glimmer of hope, the question remains— how can such an ambitious goal be realistically achieved?

THE HOUSING CRISIS

The rapid urbanization fueled by the Industrial Revolution in the 20th century brought a massive influx of people to London in search of work, putting immense pressure on housing supply. In the aftermath of two world wars, large portions of the city were left in ruins, prompting the government to take an active role in rebuilding and providing social housing for citizens.

However, in the 1980s, Margaret Thatcher’s Right to Buy policy encouraged tenants to purchase their social housing units, drastically reducing public housing stock. As the housing market became increasingly privatized and inflation drove up property prices, affordable housing became scarce, leaving many unable to afford rent.

With limited government intervention, homelessness surged, turning the housing crisis into an urgent national issue.

REVISITING CRANBROOK A SITE OF OPPORTUNITY

TOWER

Bethnal Green has a long-standing history of social housing, with numerous estates built over the past century. However, many of these estates have now fallen into disrepair, struggling to meet the needs of modern residents. Among them, Cranbrook Estate, completed in 1963, stands out as the largest in the area in terms of land coverage, housing variety, and the number of high-rise buildings.

Strategically located, it sits between two key urban elements: Roman Road to the south, a bustling main street with abundant amenities and transport links, and Victoria Park to the north, providing valuable green space. With its prime location and strong potential for redevelopment, Cranbrook Estate presents an ideal site for intervention.

According to the Tower Hamlets Demand & Lets Stats (April 2023), the borough is experiencing a severe housing shortage. Between 2022 and 2023, the total demand for housing reached 23,609, while only 1,253 social housing units were made available.

DEMAND ANALYSIS The average waiting time for social housing in this area ranges from three years at the shortest to thirteen years at the longest. Data across Band 1 to Band 3 consistently show that one-bedroom flats are in the highest demand, followed by two-bedroom and three-bedroom units. Based on these findings, an

BREAK THE STIGMA

BUILDING A DIFFERENT VISION

OF SOCIAL HOUSING

New modular housing units will be placed between and atop existing buildings using truss and steel frames, maximizing space without major demolition. Prefabricated off-site, these units can be installed, replaced, and recycled, ensuring long-term adaptability and sustainability. Building More Efficient Housings Alleviating

STRUCTURAL EVOLUTION

1.Dense Steel Frame System

While easy to construct, this approach required densely placed columns on every level, reducing space efficiency.

2.Truss Bridge System

A three-truss structure connected buildings like a bridge but obstructed modular unit placement, making it impractical.

The final structure consists of a truss system combined with a steel frame, forming a layered "sandwich" structure. Each unit comprises two stacked trusses (1m high each), with 2-3 levels of modular housing inserted in between.

This approach minimizes reliance on columns, creating spacious ground floors while keeping the midlevels clear for easy modular unit insertion. Additionally, it has minimal impact on existing buildings and is more cost-effective than alternative solutions.

Between the two truss structures, a shared sky garden and public space provide a vibrant social hub.

For mid-rise buildings, a steel-framed rooftop platform accommodates a new modular housing layer, with the flexibility to expand in the future.

The entire estate—including high-rises and mid-rises— is interconnected, forming an elevated, integrated community.

THE MODULAR UNIT APPROACH SHAPING LIVING SPACE

Light, Flow, Function

This modular housing system is based on a 3×4m timber frame structure, with each unit providing approximately 10 sqm of usable space. The housing typologies follow a fixed module count: 1B

Modules are either horizontally connected or vertically stacked, depending on their placement and ceiling height, while maintaining a consistent unit composition. Pre-fabricated kitchen and bathroom modules are inserted for efficiency.

To maximize spatial adaptability, the traditional corridor layout seen in British apartments has been eliminated. Instead, each module features multiple door openings with sliding partitions, allowing residents to customize circulation and enclosure. Living rooms and bedrooms open onto semi-outdoor balconies, significantly improving natural light and ventilation through flexible spatial configurations.

• Double-row, singlestory (3m high

• Comprises three housing typologies

Horizontal Section Perspective of Module B2 Module A

• Double-row, twostory (6m high)

• Comprises three housing typologies

• Integrated open-air corridors enhance ventilation and daylighting

• Positioned atop mid-rise blocks

• Placed in both lower and upper levels of the high-rise connecting structures

Module C

• Single-row, two-story (5m high)

• Comprises three housing typologies, including two variations of 2B1B

• Requires assembled configurations for specific layouts

• Positioned in the middle levels of high-rise connecting structures

MASTER PLAN

LEGEND

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" Cities have the capability of providing something for everybody, only because, and only when, they are created by everybody."

TECHNICAL STUDIES 1

WHAT DIDN'T WORK AND WHY

Thermal Bridge Detail

Cladding Detail

WHAT DIDN'T WORK AND WHY TECHNICAL STUDIES 2

Transformable Canopy

Circular Structure by Lubetkin

PRACTICE EXPERIENCE

SHENZHEN GENERAL INSTITUTE OF ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN AND RESEARCH

My first internship was at a large-scale architectural institute in China, a state-owned, toptier design firm in Shenzhen with over 2,700 employees. I joined a competition-focused team within the architecture department, where contributed to three projects—two public-sector competitions in Zhejiang and one commissioned headquarters design for a local jewelry group.

During this experience, gained first-hand insight into China’s mainstream architectural workflow, from conceptual design to government bidding processes. Working within a fastpaced competition team, I developed a deeper understanding of industry operations, strategic decision-making, and the practical challenges of large-scale design projects.

Linghai Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital

Year: 2023

Location: Linghai, Zhejiang province, China

Type: Competition - Hospitals and Medical Facilities (Stage 3)

Role & Contribution: Joining the project midway, assisted in design refinement, research, and bid document preparation for the government tender. This was my first exposure to large-scale public sector competitions, providing insight into China’s architectural industry, regulatory frameworks, and strategic bidding processes.

Shitang Tourist Centre

Year: 2024

Location: Shitang, Zhejiang province, China

Type: Competition - Tourist Centre (Stage 2 & Stage 3)

Role & Contribution: After the project’s initial proposal was shortlisted, I joined the team to assist in design development and refinement. My role involved conducting further site research, optimizing spatial strategies, and supporting visualization and technical drawings to strengthen the proposal. Additionally, I contributed to bid documentation and presentation materials, helping to enhance the project's competitiveness. This experience provided valuable insight into the iterative design process and the strategic adjustments required for competition-based projects.

PRACTICE EXPERIENCE

SHENZHEN GENERAL INSTITUTE OF ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN AND RESEARCH

After spending time in the design team, I transitioned to the BIM team for the Shenzhen Financial Culture Center, a large-scale public project designed by Swooding Architects and developed by Shenzhen General Institute of Architectural Design and Research for construction documentation. With Shenzhen’s push for BIM integration in large public projects, our firm was responsible for implementing the full BIM workflow.

Following BIM training, I began independently modeling specific interior spaces within the project. My role involved coordinating BIM models with MEP (mechanical, electrical, and plumbing) systems, ensuring smooth integration for on-site construction. Additionally, conducted thorough drawing checks, collaborating with drafting teams to identify and resolve technical issues. This experience provided hands-on exposure to BIM execution, interdisciplinary coordination, and real-world construction challenges in large-scale architectural projects.

Shenzhen Financial Culture Centre

Year: 2024

Location: Shenzhen, Guangdong province, China

Type: Under Construction - Cultural Architecture (Stage4) Role & Contribution: independently developed BIM models for specific interior spaces, ensuring seamless integration with MEP systems for construction feasibility. Additionally, conducted drawing reviews and collaborated with the drafting team to resolve technical issues, gaining hands-on experience in BIM execution and interdisciplinary coordination.

Gound Floor - Trading Centre Lobby and Auction hall

First Floor - The Great Meeting Rooms

Basement Floor - the Grand Lobby

PRACTICE EXPERIENCE

NODE ARCHITECTURE & URBANISM

My second internship was at Nansha Original DEsign Architecture & Urbanism, a Shenzhen-based practice known for its research-driven design approach. The firm specializes in architectural and infrastructural regeneration, particularly in waterrelated interventions across the Pearl River Delta. Its principal also leads the Greater Bay Area Design Innovation Lab at Shenzhen University, bridging academic research and practical design.

During my time there, worked on the spatial design for the firm's 2025 exhibition at Aedes in Berlin ——Wind Blows, Water Rises. The exhibition consisted of two halls: Aedes Studio, showcasing research on water and the Pearl River Delta, and Aedes Hall, featuring a retrospective of the firm’s past two decades of work.

The Aedes Hall design drew inspiration from the firm’s Liuxiandong project, a creative campus in Shenzhen based on the concept of “tabletop landscapes”—a collection of small, table-like structures forming an architectural ensemble. The exhibition design translated this concept into eight display tables, scaled-down versions of the original buildings. The floor graphics recreated the Liuxiandong site plan, while the surrounding walls featured architectural sections of the projects.

My role involved 3D modeling the display tables with a focus on ease of assembly, spatial planning and circulation, curating wall content, and visualizing the overall result. We conducted multiple factory visits to refine prototyping and fabrication, while also building 1:1 mock-ups to test spatial proportions and ensure the best exhibition experience.

Direct Wall Printing: Sections and Photos of the Selected Projects

Hanging Rails Light Rails

Display Tables: The Scale-Down Structures

Flooring Sticker: The Plan of Liuixandong

Unado[ted Concept: Mirror Ceiling

Factory Visits

PRACTICE EXPERIENCE

NODE ARCHITECTURE & URBANISM

The design concept for Aedes Studio was "A Wave of Paper", a dynamic installation featuring a 40-meter-long sheet of DuPont paper, suspended in space, twisting and folding to create a fluid exhibition experience. Together with a colleague, I was responsible for the design development, structural testing, and final implementation. After multiple concept revisions and full-scale suspension tests, we optimized the installation’s structural nodes to seamlessly integrate the exhibition content with the physical form. The final result successfully delivered an immersive and visually striking display.

Additionally, the firm's wire-art installations, "Qilin" and "Fish Lantern," were redesigned and re-exhibited. The Qilin was split into two parts, extending from indoors to outdoors, creating a dialogue between the exhibition hall and its surrounding space. My role also involved coordinating with fabrication teams, refining assembly and transportation logistics, and ensuring that the final execution matched the envisioned design.