Yifan CHEN_portfolio for UCL Architectural Design

Email: amanda000813@163.com / amanda000813@gmail.com

Contact Number: (86) 13667056790

EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND

University of Nottingham

Ningbo China (UNNC)

Bachelor of Engineering (Hons) in Architecture

• Grade: 70/100; Degree Classification: First Class Honours

• Ranking: 2/35

HONOURS AND AWARDS

• RIBA President Medal Award Nominated Entry

Ningbo, China

Sep 2018 - Jun 2022

2022

• “IF” competition honorable mention 2022

• Studio works on display at the 13th Sao Paulo International Architecture Biennale

• Head scholarship (Top 20% in the School of Architecture and Built Environment)

INTERNSHIP EXPERIENCE

EERI Architecture Studio

Architecture Design Intern

• Collaborated with the chief designers to complete the renovation designing several projects

2022

2019~2020, 2020~2021

Shanghai, China

Jun – Sep 2021

• Responsible to produce SketchUp + rhino model, AI + PS analysis charts, ID text typesetting, and smooth docking

• Participated in the preliminary concept discussion and planned computer aided design

Ningbo Tiancheng Water Resources and Electric Power Design Company

Research Intern

Ningbo, China

Jun – Sep 2020

• Independently responsible for the landscape design of the courtyard in Ningbo Ganao Reservoir Management House

• Cooperated with interns to complete Sketchup models and renderings

RESEARCH EXPERIENCE

Department of Architecture, UNNC

Ningbo, China

Team Leader Mar – Jun 2022

Supervisor: Dr. Yat Ming Loo

•Responsible for the research, data collection and analysis of Chinatown

•Arranged and recorded meetings and conducted interviews

Ningbo Urban Memory Lab (NUML)

Team Member

Supervisor: Dr. Yat Ming Loo

Ningbo, China Jun 2021 – Jun 2022

•Participated in the design and planning of Ningbo Incity public welfare Exhibition “What makes a city”

•Contributed to the the urban renewal project about the old Bund of Ningbo

“BUT” Customized Exhibition Hall Design Changzhou, China Design Assistant (online) Jan – Feb 2021

Lead designer Wenjuan Li (Part time Tutor of UNNC)

•Participated in the discussion of the early concept generation process

•Assisted in Rhino+ SketchUp concept models to visualize the concept models; complete VRay +Photoshop renderings

•Helped testing the curve modeling scale and material color of the exhibition hall

SOCIAL SERVICE AND ACTIVITIES

Student Union of UNNC

Ningbo, China

Minister of the souvenir shop office Sep 2019 – May 2020

•Responsible for the management of 40 people in six departments of the souvenir shop, including performance assessment personnel scheduling, document editing, team building and planning.

•Planned and executed the souvenir store's promotion activities in Singles' Day, achieved a 10% year-on-year increase in sales through in-store raffle, interactive games, tweet forwarding and other activities

Neelgiri School Kathmandu Nepal

Volunteer Teacher Jul – Aug 2019

•Designed and implemented lesson plans for primary math class

•Created promotional materials to raise awareness about educational disparity

SKILLS AND ATTRIBUTES

• Software Skills: Microsoft Office /Auto CAD /Sketchup /Photoshop /Vray /Enscape /Rhino /illustrator /Indesign / Twinmotion

• Languages: English (fluent), Mandarin Chinese (native)

• Hobbies: Painting, Singing, Swimming, Piano

PROLOGUE

SUSTAINABLE URBANISM & CITY REJUVENATING

How people will live sustainably in a world that has already largely been constructed? How architecture should respond to an urgent and radical transformation? Based on the considerations of regenerating and rejuvenating urban environments and social contexts, the design of architecture itself could become a profound solution. Sustainable urbanism, focuses on promoting long term viability by reducing waste and harmful impacts on people and place while enhancing the overall well-being of both people and place, improves the urban resilence and creates a balance between the historical environments and urgent requirements

What can architecture respond to a epidemic outbreak? How can a building contribute to healthcare infrastructure?

What can architecture respond to the high-density and inelastic cities? How will green and public space affect the community?

Rebirth in the Embrace / Elderly Learning Center towards Active Aging

What can new architecture embrace the heritage? What can architects do to reconnect the elderly with the society?

Paradise Regained / Vertical Zoo in the Center of Chungking

How will animals in zoos get involved in the developing cities? How will people in big cities get along with nature?

How will the cultural centre be like in the future?

01 / Epidemic Matrix

- The Epidemic isolation ward

What can architecture respond to a epidemic outbreak? How can a building contribute to healthcare infrastructure?

Year: 2022.6 — 2022.8

Instructor: Mingya Hsu

Site Location: Qingan community, Ningbo, China

The epidemic matrix is a respond to the current coronavirus pandemic that originated in Wuhan, China. The project takes into consideration that an epidemic outbreak is usually fast and will spread quickly especially in high-density Chinese communities. Under these harsh circumstances, a weak healthcare infrastructure will soon be torn apart turning the epidemic into a deadly catastrophe.

Based on this background, Chinese government usually encourage people to isolate themselves at home. Due to the fact, this project inquires how the traditional Chinese residencial buildings will react rapidly towards the epidemic. By hanging a translusent medical wall, which contains the circulation system, wards and mecial centre, it realizes the circulation division of residents, doctors and patients, as well as becoming a new facade in the urban level. People could know the current situation of Covid-19 in their community by counting the numbers of the wards. At the end of the epidemic, only the structure will remains and it will become the outdoor activity platform for the local residents.

From March 25th to March 31st

From April 1st to April 9th

From April 10th to April 24th

The first four weeks of infection

Since COVID-19 has a strong infection rate, it will affect the surrounding city at a very fast speed if it does not control in time after a city has erupted. As the economic lifeline of China, the Yangtze River Delta has a very high population density and flow speed. Based on the background of the outbreak of Shanghai in March 2022, the picture shows how COVID-19 spread from Shanghai city to the major cities in the Yangtze River Delta, such as Ningbo.

SITUATION UNDER COVID 19

the infected cases of Ningbo

The epidemic was not fully controlled in the early stage, and the number of cases increased rapidly.

3.20 3.30 4.10 4.20

As Ningbo is a metropolis around Shanghai, it soon emerged under the influence of Shanghai.

As can be seen from the picture on the right, hospitals around the site are mainly small. When the outbreak occurs, hospitals cannot cope with the number of patients. A large number of patients cannot seek medical treatment, which will lead to the rapid spread and deterioration of the disease.

After the government began to conduct nucleic acid testing and isolation, the growth rate of the epidemic was controlled.

This map analyzes how the initial three cases spread around the context and finally influence the site. In addtion, by marking the life trajectories of five different groups of people in the site, their different spatial prototypes could be refined. We can understand the activity trajectories and ranges of the epidemic spreading people in the city.

INFECTION STATUS AROUND THE SITE

In the morning, when a city wakes up, different groups of people begin to gather and the transportation system begins to operate.

The period is working time. At this time, there is less traffic on the streets, while people are mostly indoors.

NARRATIVES OF FIVE TYPICAL GROUPS

At noon, the personnel flow is larger than that in the morning, and many take out riders are active on the street.

In the afternoon, it is working time, and the flow of people on the street decreases again.

In the evening, it is the rush hour of work and school, and the traffic flow on the street increases again.

In the city at night, the outdoor population density becomes smaller and the indoor population density becomes larger.

CONCLUSION: The site is located at the center area of the high scope of influence circle. It has convenient transportation, high population density, high personnel mobility, and high possibility of meeting between different groups. Thus, high transmission risk.

8 MAJOR INFECTION POINTS

4. students

3. hospital workers

5. old people

1. white collar 2. business practitioners

STRATEGIES USED IN THE PAUSE MODE

Tradition in China: Close management

Most residential districts in China adopt closed management. In normal times, residents of residential districts share roads and public spaces within the district. When the epidemic broke out, the entrance of the community was closed, and the community became an isolated island, not in contact with foreign populations. At the same time, the unit building of each building is equipped with access control, and only residents of the building can enter the building. During the outbreak of the epidemic, each household will be isolated independently and take the initiative not to contact other households, which is the tradition of most people in China.

According to China's tradition of responding to the epidemic, two strategies are applied to the design:

SRRATEGY 1: By inserting a new vertical transportation system, different units on the same floor will be diverted to reduce the density of people. Sequence of public space and private space will be changed at the same time.

SRRATEGY 2: Inserting the medical system. it will be represented as a frame wall filled with medical cores and wards. The crane system on the top will insert the wards into the frame wall. The patients and medical staff will have separated circulations.

Closed gate of the community Community fence Community farming

01 Hoisting machine

They are used for transportation and hoisting ward

02 The wards

Used to isolate patients and become the medical core

03 The translucent medical wall and main structural system

Connecting residential buildings and wards.

04 The circulation system

Corridor and staircase system to sprate the patients and medical staff.

05 The exsiting residencial building and new staircases

The relationship between public space and private space has been changed.

CONTAGION IN THE BUILDING

Typical dwellings in China — high density and high infection possibility

The six storey residential buildings selected for the site are typical old residential areas in China, which are highly representative. Due to the imperfection of building laws and regulations in history, this kind of community has high building density, small building spacing, and few indoor and outdoor public spaces, which increases the possibility of epidemic transmission. At the same time, such communities always only have a very narrow traffic core (staircase). This transport core is shared by all residents, making itself a possible infectious source.

CONTAGION IN THE HOUSE

Three different types of units for one floor

Contagion in three unit types

The nine building types on the site are exactly the same, forming a nine palace layout.

main public space main road system

A building has only one entrance and exit, all house types share one staircase core, which is not conducive to the diversion of person.

The diagram shows relationship between public area and the private area of each householders. Usually, balcony and the master bedroom located at the southern edge, where is farthest away from the staircase and public corridor (if there locates one).The inner arrangements basically according to two principles, which the toilet and kitchen lying along the public area area or at the wings of the entire plan.The living room or so called as the "Menting" to be more specific always located at the center, acting as a trasition of outdoor and indoor, also as a connection between bedroom and rest of rooms in the residence.

The relationoships between public space and private space

Units perspective and the contagion in the house

The two main entrance will be the most susceptible place

Cross circulation inside the community

The relationoships between public staircase and units

HOUSE IN PAUSE MODE

The diagram shows relationship between public area and the private area of each householders. Usually, balcony and the master bedroom located at the southern edge, where is farthest away from the staircase.

Traditional family units with balcony

This type of traditional family houses includes three bedrooms. By adding the external staircase, the relationship between public space and private space will be changed. balcony becomes a new entance, which will reduce the risk of infection.

This type of traditional family houses also includes three bedrooms. By adding the external staircase, the relationship between public space and private space will be changed. balcony becomes a new entance, which will reduce the risk of infection.

This type of traditional single units includes one bedroom. By adding two external staircases, one for the doctor and another one for the patients. These two groups have their own circulation, thus, the risk of infection will reduce.

The numbers of capsule wards will increase or decrease according to the patient's situation. It is very flexible. Normally each ward will have two bed for the patients, the same as the mobile cabin hospital in shanghai city. Some of the wards will have other furnitures based on the needs of different patients.

The medical wall combines all these elements. It finally connect with the existing residencial buildings and serves the community

BUILDING IN PAUSE MODE

The Use of Plate-shaped Structure

By adding a plate-shaped structure to connect the three unit buildings, the plate-shaped structure becomes a larger urban scale building facade. At the same time, this plate-shaped structure is attached to the isolation ward and connected to the medical center, becoming a temporary medical center.

The number of external wards will directly show the number the numbers of wards, people could know the current situation the structure will remains and it will become the outdoor becomes a sspecia landmark to record the epidemic and

the Project

number of infected people in one community. By counting situation of Covid-19. At the end of the epidemic, only outdoor activity platform for the local residents. It will also and becomes a new urban facade in the city.

02 / Nature's Renaissance

- The Urban Farming community

Group Work

(Group Leader. Mainly responsible for the concept generartion, vision, design process, CAD plan, CAD section, renderings)

What can architecture respond to the high-density and inelastic cities? How will green and public space affect the community?

Year: 2021.9 — 2021.12

Instructor: Maycon Sedrez, Eugenio Mangi, Yimin Su Site Location: Sanjiangkou area, Ningbo, China

This project is a urban farming community with some public programs locating near Sanjiangkou area, Ningbo. We generate a concept of green axis, connecting and expanding the green space to the whole city, as well as becoming a new green lung of Sanjiangkou area. The green axis, in the form of a linear park, includes a variety of activities and the needs of people of different ages. Under the design of sunken water cllection points, urban resillence of this area will improve and can better respond to the flooding.

The site used to be the center of old Ningbo city, it contains a large area of Ningbo traditional ancient architecture. While preserving most of the original fabric of the area, some methods of transformation are used to revitalize the ancient buildings and balance the solid space and voil space. The ground floor of the exsiting residencial buildings are redesigned to interact with the outdoor programs and likewise improve the possibilities of having more public activites. In terms of the green area, we provided different forms of green space to accommodate the diverse planting needs. All these design concpets will implant urban farming in this area, giving the local residents new access to a healthy green lifestyle.

(This studio work was on display at the 13th Sao Paulo International Architecture Biennale in 2022)

SITE OVERVIEW

The Original Site Plan

China

Zhejiang

CULTURAL HERITAGE

There is a large area of historical buildings inside the site area.

Haishu

Sanjiangkou

There are serious flooding issues in the site, with most of the green spaces are dotted. The sparse green space did not bring good street life to the local residents. I hope that while solving the local flooding situation, we can create a linkage green field, which is connected with the urban green axis, improve the urban elasticity, and bring the local citizens a new green lifestyle.

FLOODING ISSUE

The street in the middle of the site used to be a canal, it is the lowest part of the site, as well as the confluence of water on rainy day.

DOTTED VEGETATION

The vegetation on the site is distributed in dots and does not become a system.

The lack of parking is a serious problem here, causing some vehicles to park on the road and disrupt traffic.

The residential area occupies most of the surrounding space, while a variety of commercial services are established around the buildings.

The lack of Bicycle or absent sidewalks problems on the

Bicycle path and narrow sidewalks are common site.

The necessity and impact of urban farming

STREET LIFE ON THE SITE

Through the drawing of the street section, it is clear to see that the site is not well developed in terms of the building height, street width and greening degree. Thus, people may have insufficient street life. In addtion, the street pavement is mostly hard surface, with poor water permeability, which is not conducive to local sustainable development.

-He thinks the parking situation here is a bit bad, there are always some cars parked in the wrong place, causing some traffic inconvenience

-There is a lack of suitable places for fitness or entertainment, and his exercise is always limited to walking around the neighborhood -His home grew lots of green plants and other viable vegetables such as scallions or garlic

A student of landscape architecture

An old man in his eighties

-He comes to the park almost chat with his friends because used to do farming when for him to farm. And he thinks spend his leisure time

-She is satisfied with the landscape design of Zhongshan Park and thinks it is a good place for people to relax.

-She thinks the neighborhood has a good green design, and most of them have small gardens, which is good.

when asked if the site will develop the urban farming.

A sanitation worker who has lived here for nearly ten years.

-He lives in a dilapidated old building, surrounded by fellow migrants who work as sanitation workers, construction workers and food delivery workers. They all think growing vegetables can save money on food.

Living with urban farming every day

The necessity and impact of urban farming

SIGHT SEEING

Compared to the previous single landscape type, the expansion of green areas and the introduction of urban farming will bring more types of plants, flowers and animals to the site. In the meantime, people will obviously feel the change of the four seasons.

- linear park - vertical farming - roof garden

PRODUCTION

A variety of planting methods and the expansion of arable land will bring certain production capacity to the site, which will promote the development of local economy and provide selfsufficiency in food, as well as improving the urban resilllence.

- open market - terrace fileds

- shef and greenhouse

An old woman in her sixties

-She loves farming and grows some vegetables

-She would pick up her grandson from kindergarten at 4:30 p.m. every day. In afternoon, she would spend time in the Zhongshan Park, singing or chatting with This is because she likes to live with green

EDUCATION

The development of urban farming will bring some educational value to the site. Children can develop some outdoor classes and learn some basic planting skills. Visitors from other regions will be influenced by the green and healthy lifestyle here.

- seed library - farming studio - agriculture research center

PROJECT STRATEGIES OVERVIEW

On this page, based on the site condition and analysis, I firstly discuss the three strategies that are mainly used in the masterplan to respond to these problems, then use diagrams and dates to explain them one by one.

Strategy 1

Vehicle-dominated roads lead to a bad walking experience.

Strategy 2

The dilapidated ancient buidlings lead to a low occupancy rate and a single function.

Strategy 3

Affected by flood every year and has weak self-regulation ability.

The green axis plus diverse green space forms.

The green axis mainly represent as the linear forest on the site, it will connect with the existing city green corridor as well as creating a comfortable walking experience for people. Different forms of green space use will bring a variety of green lifestyle including both viewing and urban farming.

The renovation of historical buildings and exsiting residential buildings.

Under the protection of ancient architecture texture, we have changed the single fuction of ancient architecture, as well as improving its vitality through different degrees of transformation and innovation of ancient architecture.

Urban resilience and sustainable consideration.

Under the consideration of urban resillence, we designed some sunken points to make the area more resilient to flooding. It will be green slope in sunny days and collect water in raining days.

STRATEGIE 1: GREEN AXIS AND DIVERISE GREEN SPACE FORMS

In this strategie, on the basis of the flooding issue and important road system, we decide the location of the green axis and connect the masterplan with the whole city. Diverise green space forms are used for different areas.

The

We designed the green axis based on the flooding and road system. The green will connect and expand to the whole city.

Green space types

The main road system and important nodes.

The middle street is the lowest point of the whole site and the main water collecting area.

STRATEGE 2: BUILDING RENOVATION

In this strategie, the renovation of both historical buildings and existing residential buildings has been discussed.

Historical buildings: Interaction between solid and void

The necessity of the interaction between solid and void: Based one the site analysis, there is a large area of ancient architecture on the site. The density of the ancient buildings is very high, and the buildings are very crowded. The paths used for access are narrow and there is no large activity space on the site. In this case, the diagrams listed as follows may provide a possibility of renovation, giving the historical site a balance between solid space and void space.

Typology and residencial building concept

a. historical+central courtyard function: existing residential

b. elevated

aim: activate & gather function: community, tea house

c. historical+box

aim:activate & attract function: renovation studios

d. lifted box

aim: resilience from flooding function: residential

e. solid, void & points

aim: connection & free space function: shops, cafe, chess etc.

f. integrate

aim: new style of living function: social housing, community

g. plugin aim: connection function: gallery, communal

h. additive

aim: more roof top space function: public building ie. library

Public

STRATEGE 3: URBAN RESILIENCE AND SUSTAINABLE CONSIDERATION

Sustainable of humanity New Masterplan

In terms of the suatainble consideration in humanity, based on the requirements of local people and the shortage of the site, we designed the masterplan with mutiple activities and flexible venue. This consideration covers all age groups. In this case, people of all ages will have various programs through day to night.

public space

skateboard

sit & chat

picnic

small meeting

dog walking

riding

open cinema

street performance

dancing

taichi

semi-public cafe

drinking dining

window shopping

board game reading

Street section of public spaces

The public space has integrated with green covers, defined with different theme and kinds, bring varies activities relatively. The defination of the park or green public space has influenced by the propotion of four categgories, architecture hard surface, green surface amd the existance of water feature.

a. sports park; skateboard, climbing

b. cultural park; exhibition, street art

c. urban forest; running, picnic

d. sunken biodiversity observing

e. plaza, porket park

youth/teenager

adults

elder mix age group

weekdays

weekends

architecture green suface hard surface water

Key space diagrams

The sky bridge connect with the residencial buildings

The terrace fileds and the open market under it The cultural park and the outdoor exhibition boards

The farming square inside the historical site

DESIGN DEVELOPMENT

The site is located at a crossroads junction with four main access. During to the soft boundary, the site has many secondary entrance with a good accessibility.

Keep the horizontal axis as the driveway, and turn the vertical axis into footpaths, cycling lanes and linear parks to provide space for the residents' street life.

Expand the green area from axis to plane. A gentle slope rises from the old block and continues into the residential area, redefining the form of the park, becoming the new urban green lung.

The program is basically divided into six zones, which are residential zone, office zone, plaza zone, art and culture studio zone, recreation zone and historical building zone.

Design the individual buildings with more details based on the programs and site condition.

Adding the pedestrian and squares, connect the two zones with a sky bridge. Design some sunken space on the grass to collect water in flooding days to increase the urban resilience.

solar PVs with grass water recycle water reuse water storage

sunken bioswale urban forest

permeable pavements raingarden tree pit raingarden green roof

STEP 1.

STEP 2.

STEP 3.

STEP 6.

STEP 5.

STEP 4.

Exploded diagrams

Historical building

Renovated historical building

Mordern building

Vehicle road

Non-vehicle road

Emergency road

Pedestrian pathway

Runway in the park

Node

Green park

Green roof

Green terrace

Green space beside buildings

Water collection

Water use

Underground water storage tank

Farming in four seasons

Through the masterplan design, the original dotted green space has become a continuous linear green space, which is connected with the original green corridor of the city. The site will also become a new green lung of Sanjiangkou area and bring the local citizens a new green lifestyle.

Towards strategy 1: The green axis and the activies and sunken bioswale

The images are photos of physical model and renderings integrated with the environment. These pictures mainly shows the changes the block after the transformation, as well as the design of the linear park and sky bridge. As it could be reflected in the pictures, the design provides more public space to the residential nearby, as well as the farming land. The green axis, in the form activities to meet the needs of different ages, not only focusing on exsiting elders, but also for future migrants and visitors. The exsiting flooding issue has been biosswale, together with diversity forms of green space designed. The design will provide local residents a new access to a healthy green lifestyle. The community towards a sustainable and resilient future.

Project Summary :

Towards strategy 3: From the road to see the renovation Combination of new

Towards strategy 2: The lifting historical buildings and leisure places in the shadow

and impacts of the current situation of form of a linear park, includes a variety of been responded by designing the sunken community will achieve renewal and head

Terraced fields and sky bridge

Structure walls under the residencial buildings

Green house and open market

Masterplan overview modeling

renovation of historical buildings. materials.

Natural Renaissance: The urban farming community

03 / Rebirth in the Embrace

- The Elderly Learning Center towards Active Aging

What can new architecture embrace the heritage? What can architects do to reconnect the elderly with the society?

Time:2022.02 — 2022.05

Instructor: Maycon Sedrez, Eugenio Mangi, Yimin Su

Site Location: Sanjiangkou area, Ningbo, China

Thesis:This project proposes an elderly learning centre in the city of Ningbo, southeast China. It seeks to provide formal and informal learning experiences for elderly citizens considering the fast growth of aging population in China. By providing permeable and open ground spaces, as well as programs that respond to the context, the project creates opportunities for interaction and communication between elderly and youngsters.

The design strategy proposes a gesture to embrace the heritage, renovating the existing historical buildings to a library. To provide a recognizable historical perspective, the project introduces a typical street and courtyard type into the design. The project considers the landscape design of the masterplan, composed of green corridors, connecting green to the inner courtyard. Based on the texture of historical buildings around the site and using a contemporary language, the architecture embodies spaces with affinity scale. Similar to the design method of Chinese Traditional Gardens, the scenery is implicitly hidden in the building. It encourages people to explore the spaces when entering the building. Underground spaces were designed in order to respect the height of the historical buildings. The new building adopts lightweight facade materials contrasting with the historical ones.

(This studio work got the RIBA President Medal Award Nominated Entry in 2022)

Location: Xiaowen Comminity, Haishu, Ningbo, China

Site Area: 3750sqm

Building Area: 3500sqm

SITE & USER PERCEPTION

The site is located in the center of old Ningbo city, surrounded by rich cultural heritage.

According to the texture analysis, there are some historical buildings inside the site area. Besides, the site is also locating near a large area of historical buildings.

By comparing the two nolii maps, different urban textures will bring completely different spatial experiences.

Different from the texture of modern cities, Chinese historical buildings have a linear street and courtyard type.

A large number of elderly people are living here, but there is a serious lack of activity space for the elderly. The narrative of the elderly is relatively separated from that of the young.

Xiaowen street has experienced a serious aging phenomenon

NOLII MAP IN 2022

NOLII MAP IN 1972

STRATEGIE FOR EXTERIOR

Layout connection

Different from the texture of modern cities, Chinese historical buildings have a linear street and courtyard type. Based on the texture of historical buildings around the site and using a contemporary language, the architecture embodies spaces with affinity scale. Similar to the design method of Chinese Traditional Gardens, the scenery is implicitly hidden in the building. It encourages people to explore the spaces when entering the building.

- small scale volume in historical site

- street and courtyard system

- building scale similar to historical buildings;

- introduce the street and courtyard system in a contemporary way

STRATEGIE FOR INTERIOR

Vertical connection

By proposing different programs for the learning centre, different moments are created and the connection point of these programs create intersections and communication spaces. Vertical connection are proposed by inserting sculptural staircase marked by skylights. Thus, the sequence of space will be perceived when people walk through different functions of the building.

- programs distribution

- vertical connection with sculptural staircase

- space sequence with light guidance

DESIGN PROCESS

Space Prototype

development history of Chinese education, a certain correlation exists between teaching methods and spatial layout. Teaching methods will have an impact on spatial layout, in the effect of education.

"Learning with the Nature"

In the pre Qin period, a hundred schools of thought contended. At that time, people loved the free and open academic atmosphere.Confucius' lecture is a typical representative of the way of free lecture in ancient China. The location of lectures is not limited by space, often in mountains, forests and courtyards. People sit on the ground and stones, having free and frequent discussions.

"Students surround Teachers"

"Surround learning" is also a typical way of teaching in ancient China. It means the teacher will sit in the middle and surrounded by students. It will need less space and could be a good way for communication and diacussion. The depth of this kind of space is generally smaller or equal to the width.

"Lecture"

Similar with the lectures in modern classrooms, the lecture in ancient times use the same space principle. The teachers stand or sit on the platform and students listen under it. Although it may not be a good way for communication, it is an efficient teaching method for large courses as well as an efficient way of space using.The depth of this kind of space is generally larger than the width.

flexible space, the nature becomes part of the classroom

Select the site with the area of 3750sqm. Adjustment of the roof, to respond the historical builidng inside the site.

Preserve the historical buildings and define areas for the new buildings.

"Extending to the Courtyard"

Chinese Academies were a common lecture place during the Song and Ming Dynasties. There is a large courtyard in front of the lecture hall of the Academy, which is often the most spacious and open place. Moreover, the front of most academy lecture halls is fully open to the vestibule, which can be temporarily expanded if necessary, and the outdoor space can be flexibly used to increase the capacity of the lecture hall. Whether it is courtyard style, outline courtyard style or patio style, it could expand the space of the lecture hall. The outdoor space could be used as a continuation of the teaching space.

affliative space, conducive to communication between teachers and students

efficient space, appropriate for teaching large courses

Design the alleys to cut through the first floor of the building according to the circulation of the site. The ground floor will be more porous and will atract more people to come in.

Integrate the green axis from the masterplan, and adopt the courtyard type, connecting public and private spaces.

interactive space, indoor and outdoor interact with each other

Step

In order to fit the scale of the historical buildings, as well as responding to the surroundings, the idea is to break the volume to a smaller and more affinity architectural scale.

Further break up the volume of the first floor, to provide some platforms and space for lights and ventilation. Add the sky window.

Step 8

Bring the landscape on the masterplan into the inner courtyard. Under the consideration of sustainability, the water pool in the courtyard will collect water in rainy days and reuse them for the plants.

Step 1

Step 5

Step 2

Step 6

Step 3

Step 7

4

In the development history of Chinese education, a certain correlation exists between teaching methods and spatial layout. Teaching methods will have an impact on spatial layout, in the meantime the spatial layout will react on the effect of education.

KEY SPACE DIAGRAMS

The courtyard

The entrance plaza

From indoor to outdoor

The Under ground performance stage

Circulation & Function

Ground Floor Plan

Theme: Interaction

Since the first floor plan is the most interactive, playing a role in connecting people of different ages. I tried to focus on how to improve the natural centripetality of the building and meanwhile responding to the cultural heritage inside the site as well as the context.

There are two systems that can be read in the floor plan:

1. the landscape extends the green axis from the masterplan to the building courtyard, interacting with the building itself;

2. the circulation system and the rotating boxes, responding to the cultural heritage.

The glass doors facing the inner courtyard can be opened, so that the indoor and outdoor boundaries are blurred and different spaces interact with each other.

All these design strategies are committed to responding to the Chinese traditional ancient context and could reflect the streetcourtyard system mentioned before.

Basement Plan

/ Theme: Performance

First Floor Plan

/ Theme: Education

The main function of the underground layer is performance. The reception of the basement is a triple volume space, it is not only the foyer of the underground stage but also the atrium of the whole building. The stage in the middle allows some improvisation and opens to all audience. The double volume salon area connects with the ground floor by the sculptural staircase. People on the ground floor could see the performance downstairs.

The key theme of the first floor is education. There are classrooms and workshop areas for the elderly. Two staircases on the ground floor lead people to the same platform of the first floor. The new building connects with the old buildings through a bridge. Three traffic cores are conducive to the circulation.

The facade of the first floor is double facade. The inner layer is concrete with glass windows, and the outer side is wavy prefabricated aluminum plate with holes. This kind of double layer is good for the ventilation as well as providing solar shading and ensures the privacy of the internal space.

Short section

plaster 20mm

Groun Floor (Outdoor)

seepage paving 40mm

screed 20mm

crushed stone 400mm

land 400mm

sky window

sky window

Roof planting soil layer 150mm

aquifers 20mm

draninage layer 50mm

water-proofing 10mm

screed 100mm

polystrene insulation 50mm

SBS coiled gas barrier 20mm

composite slab 80mm

suspended ceiling 150mm

plaster 20mm

Basement

plaster 20mm

aquifers 20mm

polystyrene insulation 50mm

water-proofing 10mm

screed 200mm

crushed stone 400mm

land 400mm

Wall (First Floor)

aluminium panel 20mm

air cavity 60mm

water-proofing layer 10mm

polystyrene concrete 200mm

reinforced concrete 200mm plaster 20mm

construction system of historical buildings

roof wooden rafters

wooden support and joints

wooden columns

floors and wooden windows

construction system of new buildings

roof

frame structure of first floor

frame structure of ground floor

frame structure of basement

retaining walls

fundations

04 / Paradise Regained

- Vertical Zoo in the Center of Chungking

How will animals in zoos get involved in the developing cities? How will people in big cities get along with nature?

Year: 2022.10 — 2022.12

Instructor: Mingya Hsu

Site Location: Yuzhong Peninsula, Chungking, China

Thesis: This design is a skyscraper zoo located in an half-baked building in Chungking. The relocation of zoos is a common phenomenon in China's urbanization process because of overcrowding and urban sprawl. However, in this process, animals can suffer greatly. As a result, designing a vertical zoo could be a solution for people and animals to live harmoniously by designing a vertical zoo. This way, animals do not need to move to the suburbs, and people can enjoy the natural habitat within the city in the meantime. The design strategy follows the principles of conventional zoos. By analysing different climate and its geomorphic characteristics, different layers will reflect different geomorphic features and animal types from the bottom to the top. One side of the building is facing the urban, stilted buildings will naturally lead the circulation into the main entrance of the building; The other side is facing the mountains in Chungking, with landscape connection between interior and exterior. Programs such as public canteen, hotels and shared office will be the main fuction in the rotating blocks, which, provide an opportunity for animals and human-beings live togther.

Zoo Relocation in China

THEME VISION

Lanzhou

The wildlife zoo, located in the northwest of China and moved in 2021.

Taiyuan

This zoo is located in the center of China and moved in 2004.

Hohhot

The wildlife zoo, located in the nortern China and moved in 2005.

Shengyang

The wildlife zoo, located in the northeast of China and moved in 2001.

Beijing

Located in the capital of China, moved in 2004.

Shijiazhuang

Background: Status quo of zoo relocation in China.

Zoo Relocation is a common phenomenon in China. During the past 40 years, with the city development and expanding, zoos in more than 25 Cities have moved from the center of city to the outskirts, causing planty of issues such as the death of animals.

History of Zoo Development

Xi'an

Located in the center of China and move twice, in 1977 and 2004.

Kunming

The wildlife zoo, located in the south of China and planned to move at 2022.

Located in the east of China, it has undergone two relocations, in 1980 and 2005.

Suzhou

The wildlife zoo, located in the east of China and moved in 2017.

Guangzhou

The wildlife zoo, located in the south of China, began the relocation plan in 2009.

The relationship between zoo and human has changed a lot. The word "Zoo" originated in England in 1828. In early zoos, animals were watched in cages. This design concept has been improved in the 21st century - a wildlife park featuring animals and supporting role humans has emerged. However, with the development of urbanization, the zoo in the city center is facing severe challenges due to the conflict between the zoo and the land.What will happen in the future? Is there a way that animals and human-beings could live together?

People used to keep animals in cages, which was the ariginal form of zoos.

People used to keep animals in cages, which was the ariginal form of zoos.

People realize the need to provide free living environment for animals.

The living environment for animals has been improved.

People began to design wildlife parks centered on animals.

In zoos, the relationship between humans and animals changes.

The same design philosophy extends to aquatic animals.

What will happen in the future? Is there a way that animals and humanbeings could live together?

next step...

Chungking Zoo

The design reconsiders the relationship between human and nature, and explores the vertical system for zoo and eco-friendly living in a high-density urban environment. For future urban development, the existing urban land may not be enough to build urban parks or gardens, but the yearning for nature is always rooted in people’s hearts.

SITE ANLYSIS

High density urban viaducts

Due to the special terrain of Chongqing, the viaduct is a very common transportation system, and the urban road network has a high overlapping situation.

High density skyscrapers

The site is Located in Yuzhong district, closing to the city center of Chongqing, the average height of buildings is very high, with many skyscrapers surrounded.

High density urban viaducts

The site is located in a famous uncompleted building, which was once conceived as a landmark of Chongqing. However, it haven't been constructed for 13 years.

Lack of parks and green space

Chongqing has a high people density, with insufficient outdoor green space to relax. Besides, the parks are scattered.

Status quo of zoo in Chungking

The Chungking Zoo is located in Jiulong district, very close to the center of Chungking. Similar to trditional zoos in China, most of the animals are locked in cages.

SITE

SITE: an uncompleted building of Chongqing

China Chongqing Yuzhong District Zhonghan Third Road

Photos of the current situation in Chungking Zoo

Paradise Regained: The vertical zoo in Chungking

History of urban parks

1853

In 1853, Paris began to plan urban parks, which opened the prelude to urban park planning

1800s

After the Industrial Revolution, the relationship between man nature was reconsidered.

Strategy

1700s

In the middle of the 17th century, the bourgeois revolution in Britain and France. The palace and private gardens were opened to the public

1857

Olmsted participated in the American Central Park Competition (Greensward Plan). This began to reveal the prototype of the park system specification.

By placing landscape design in the atrium inside the building, the revolving human activity space could interacts with the animal space. The boundary between man and animals becomes blurred, and there will be natural interaction visual contact between these two groups.

Strategy

1: Vertical Connection of the Landscape

2: Typology of Hanging Turret in Chungking

1878

The establishment of Boston Park System marks the beginning of the establishment of many urban park systems around the world.

Future

What will the park be like in the future? Is there a good way to combine the park and the skyscraper?

The vertical park could be a possible trend in the future

1900s

The contradiction between urban parks and land use is prominent, while the parks are small and scattered. The technology of skyscrapers developed a lot.

1868

Strategy 3: The reflection of different climates inside the zoo

Traditional zoos generally divide the living areas of animals according to the climate zone, and this vertical zoo will also follow this division method. By selecting several typical climate types in the world, their corresponding terrain types and animal types were determined.

In the horizontal direction, the vertical zoo starts from the urban texture of Chongqing, responding to the typical residential stilts in Chongqing and the mountain landscape in Chongqing; In the vertical direction, the climate and terrain changes from bottom to top to adapt to the living requirements of different animals.

The first truly complete park system - Buffalo Park System was built.

Revolution, man and

canyon gobi

desert

Habitat of migratory birds.

Frigid Zone. Snowy mountains and snowy fields.

Temperate monsoon climate. Alpine meadow.

Different layers will reflect different geomorphic features and animal types from the bottom to the top. One side of the building is facing the urban, stilted buildings will naturally lead the circulation into the main entrance of the building; The other side is facing the mountains in Chungking, with landscape connection between interior and exterior. Programs such as public canteen, hotels and shared office will be the main fuction in the rotating blocks, which, provide an opportunity for animals and human-beings live togther.

Temperate

Subtropical monsoon climate. Small mountains and hills.

Tropical desert climate zone. Desert and wasteland.

A transition zone to the ground.

Stilted buildings in Chungking.

Masterplan