2.
7.
1. Refugee
3.
Artist residency
Chair
8.
CLT / Bamboo pavilion
space
Urban tactics
6.
Multiuse office
5.
10. TOD planning
Incremental housing
4.
11. Mountain House 9. Renovations
Building envelope
13. Single family home 12. Metro station
Architecture should empower refugees by providing agency, motility, and dignity, rather than reinforcing control. Reparative practices are crucial to address harm inflicted on refugees, beginning with questioning spatial dynamics and examining precedents of repair Integrating these stages, design projects like spatial interventions in Halberstadt can symbolize reparative practices in refugee camps. The resulting forms are diverse, as illustrated in examples drawn from system outcomes. Occupancy of vacant spaces varies based on city and user diversity Visual representations offer metaphors for potential outcomes post-occupation, highlighting the unique identity of refugees within urban areas. Design solutions cannot fully capture this identity but emerge through ongoing dialogue and interpretation between designers and users. Camps should evolve beyond utilitarian objectives to become empowering spaces for refugees, facilitating their journey towards citizenship or the right to return.
Type: Master’s thesis / research and writing / individual / forthcoming in the journal: CriticalProductive Research area:
fig.1.1 modular structure derived from formal camps turning a vacant building into a refugee-owned hostel fig.1.2 typology E: a bazaar in a vacant grocery store fig.1.3 different temporalities in refugee settelments fig.1.4 a refugee settlement where permanent, temporary, and natural elements coexist
modular units adaptively reusing vacant buildings 1 Camps are not temporary
fig.1.5
1. Camps are not temporary
Thesis committee: Samia Henni, Milton Curry, Gerard Aching, Wenfei Xu
Time: Spring and Fall 2023 / 1 year
The world Site: Halberstadt, Germany
/ 4 months
Type: Artist residency / Option studio / Collaborative project with Sophia Chen Site: Atacama Desert, Chile
2. House Nº 05 / Ground Floor
Nested within Elqui Valley, this architectural marvel comprises four walls enclosing six triangular gardens, each maintaining proportion yet varying in size and ambiance. Central to its design are two contrasting gardens: one a lush wetland oasis shielded by wooden doors, the other an open paved courtyard. These central gardens dictate the spatial dynamics of the surrounding four, including an aromatic edible garden to the west and a shaded retreat to the east. At the property’s northern edge, mirrored living quarters for the keeper and artist are discreetly nestled behind the oasis garden. Life in this enclave is a profound dialogue between humanity and architecture, navigating tangible and ethereal realms seamlessly.
2 House Nº 05 House Nº 05
fig.2.3 design model (aerial view of the studio), cardboard, spackle, and basswood, 100x100cm fig.2.4 design model (view of the studio), cardboard, spackle, and basswood, 100x100cm fig.2.5 16 plates of plans, axonometrics, sections, and perspectives, acrylic on paper each measuring 50x50cm
fig.2.1 design model, cardboard, spackle, and basswood, 100x100cm
fig.2.2 site model, chipboard, foam and plaster, 100x100cm
Instructor: Mauricio Pezo and Sofia von Ellrichshausen Time: Fall 2022
Thesis Advisor: Chun-Kai Fang
Time: Spring 2019 / 4 months
Type: Thesis design / Urban tactics / individual
Site: Taipei underground railway, Taipei, Taiwan
3. Gordian knots of Taipei
Since the inception of infrastructure, whether concealed beneath the city or directly on its surface, its amassed bulk has led to crowded and compact urban environments. Beyond the challenge posed by its sheer magnitude, infrastructures inevitably encounter obsolescence, necessitating replacements and renovations.
If the enormity and functionality of infrastructure are considered inevitable, this thesis aims to explore methods for integrating them into cities by expanding their connectivity and network within the urban environment. It potentially discusses an urban strategy that permeates the post-industrial landscape in Taipei through the expansion of the infrastructural space. Consequently, appendages are affixed to outdated infrastructures to merge new and old urban spaces, as depicted in the painting on the left. Each installed appendage serves as a conduit for their survival and reintegration into urban settings. Gradually these appendages assimilate into everyday life, altering the perception of scale. (fig.3.1, fig.3.2, fig.3.3) This colossal entity transitions back into the realm of the commonplace.
3 Gordian knots of Taipei fig.3.1 Knot A / The stage fig.3.2 Knot B / The apparatus fig.3.3 Knot C / The hub
scale model and axonometric of the knot A
fig.3.4
tactic A: stage of transfer
fig.3.5
tactic B: stage of movement
fig.3.6
tactic B: stage of intersection
fig.3.7
Knots and Tactics
Knot C is Kuangfu emergency halt and the entrance of the south tunnel. On its east side is another essential open space of Taipei, the Taipei railway workshop. By the time it transforms into a railway museum, the fascinating operability lose. The practice would remain some of the factories operating and dispatch trains and goods. Thus, the design, as a recipient, would be programmed to provide both public and servant spaces. All the public connectivity remains due to the leveling of public and industrial. The relationship between railways and other industries, other than transportation, which was ignored by the underground project two decades ago, will reappear in this city.
Lands which can be measured and marked through vision, such as the relationship between railways and level crossings creates striped space. In contrast, underground tunnel create the smooth space we cannot visually mark and approach to the history. When we are in the underground railway, our vision loses the function of signs, and it can only rely on perception and tactile cognitive space, disintegrating the concepts of order, center, and organization, just like the spatialization of a nomad. We need to re-establish the relationship between time and signs to approach our history.
4 Gordian knots of Taipei the hub bridge to parks conveyor to station entrance to logistics center entrance to station entrance to the mall entrance to the workshop corridor under the highway Taipei Dome Cultural Park South tunnel approach -14 meters deep emergency halt 16 meters tall expressway existing space design fig.3.8 worm’s eye view of the knot C fig.3.9 tactic D: hub of entrances fig.3.10 tactic E: Hub of services fig.3.11 tactics to untangle the knot C fig.3.12 tactic F: Apparatus of urban conduit fig.3.13 axonometric of the knot C / the station to rejuvenate the unused railway workshop fig.3.14 model of the knot C fig.3.15 axonometric of the knot C /elevated equipments
Advisor: Ivan C.S Liao
Time: Fall 2018 / 3 months research 1 month design
Type: Option studio / Climate research / Design research
Site: The world
Research team: C.T. Lin, W.D. Huang, B.Z. Yang, H.Y. Sin, Y.C Liu, Y.J. Huang, I.J. Huang
Assignment: The following analyses, thesis, and design propositions originate from my individual assignment.
4. When climate becomes forms
Vernacular architecture reacts to climates through massing and envelopes. The ratio between surface area, volume, and capability is crucial to this reaction (fig.4.1).For example, the cases in Thailand and Turkey have a similar number of C:B, meaning they have a similar thickness of the envelope. However, when it comes to A:B numbers, which represent the heat exchange rate of the external area, there are differences. This method compares the relationship between climate and shape among all 34 cases.
With this relationship in mind, if there were a dictionary of climate architecture, it could classify types of roofs, walls, materials, ventilation, and their relation to the ground. All modern architecture stands at the center of each dictionary, demonstrating the homogenization of building elements that require the support of technologies such as air conditioning to tackle climate conditions. The four prototypes summarized from the 34 cases demonstrate that modern technology does not take climate conventions into account and highlight the weakness of modern architecture when climate considerations are neglected.
Therefore, the thesis is a critique of equipment in modern architecture. With technology domestic space can be conceived without conventions. However, the external effects brought by equipment aggravate the urban environment. To reverse this discourse, the project creates a form of environmental architecture that follows the conventions in vernacular architecture.
5 When climate becomes forms 3.3 6.6 9.9 13.2 16.5 0 0.24 0.84 0.11 0.69 0.54 0.91 0.99 0.83 0.38 0.84 0.48 0.95 0.19 0.67 0.57 0.88 0.88 0.74 0.91 0.87 1.17 0.86 0.50 0.60 0.48 0.62 0.45 0.65 0.46 0.75 0.60 0.86 0.52 0.72. 0.55 0.84 0.57 0.82 A:B represent heat exchange rate C:B represent thickness rate of envelope 28°C 33°C 38°C 24°C 19°C 0 7 14 21 (m) Fez, Morocco (proposed or existing / envelope) A. surface area:11589 / 14383m2 B. volume:13617 / 3631m3 C. capability (space/air):7120 /13980 m3 A:B = 0.85 / 3.96 (represent heat exchange rate) C:B = 0.61 0.97 (represent thickness of envelope) Temperature 40°C Humidity:100% Temperature 25°C Humidity:85% Temperature 27°C Humidity:65% Dischage in the daytime Vessels insides walls Bathroom Living Space Cooling with AC Collecting moisture Temperature 40°C Humidity:40% Hot air is expelled AC external unit tower Cooling at night (radiation) Wind Catcher Tower Wind Catcher Tower fig.4.2 the distribution of microclimates resulting from the massing strategy fig.4.4 axonometric and the criteria for considering climate massing fig.4.6 case used for studying vernacular climate architecture fig.4.1 learning from vernacular massing to rethink the climate massing fig.4.3 the gradual change of building envelope when the mist filling in fig.4.5 from massing study to vessels’ formation
A thick wall without thickness
The site is in Morocco. Although most of the area still maintains its appearance, some places like Casablanca have changed a lot due to new technology. A large quantity of curtain glass walls and AC units are causing an increase in outdoor temperature. Compared to most of the traditional housing in that area, various ideas about collecting water and wind to cool down the space existed before but have all disappeared today. To initiate a critical approach, I choose the historical city of Fez to create a dialogue about how new materials impact the historical city and demonstrate the genuine transformation of modern materials in the local environment. Moreover, the design will be demonstrated through the research method outlined in the previous sections.
The main charter is the curtain wall with a thick moist air barrier.
It is a hot and moist air container from daily use (fig.4.5). After the radiative cooling, the cooled-down air is released during the daytime. The high moisture would slow down the temperature change to achieve theoretical numbers. Also, the thick air barrier could reduce the use of AC and become the installation to relieve the extreme outdoor environment.
Typical floor plan
Site Plan
Fez, Morocco Temperature in July: 27°C January: 11°C
in July: 0mm
and isotherm
6 When climate becomes forms hot and cold circulation elevation openings moisture discharger (downward) moisture discharger (upward) existence and openings AC tower Wind catcher 2. 3. Mist spreading zone Vessel of mist and hot air 1. 1 2 (m) 0 0.75 1.5 3 4.5 7.5 (m) 0 3.5 7 14 21 35 1. 1 3 3 4 5 6 (m) 0 0.5 1 2 1. 2. 3. 10mm Laminated Glass 10mm Steel Plate + 20mm Gypsum Board Ventilation Window Ventilation Fan Excess Mist Gutter Ventilation Louver 4. 5. 6. fig.4.8 massing the climate through envelopes fig.4.9 massing the climate through envelopes
Typical unit
plan Details fig.4.7 massing the climate through envelopes
Rainfall
January: 90mm
Advisor: Joe Wu
Time: Fall 2017 / four months
Type: Option studio / Joint studio with CUHK / Housing design / Individual / Published in Possibilities of the New Typical Site: 7th redevelopment zone, Taichung, Taiwan
5. Collective Intelligence / The New Tradition
Most new development zones fail to bring about the positive effects of revitalization. Originally intended to improve living conditions for all Taichung residents, these redevelopments have now become exclusive enclaves for the affluent. Housing should be equitable rather than creating spatial segregation. propose the development of new housing designs inspired by the traditional Taiwanese courtyard housing model, ‘Heyuan,’ and the restoration of nearby parks before units are sold (fig.5.3). In this project, residents can opt to start with a small housing unit instead of purchasing the entire unit. As families grow and the number of members increases, residents can acquire additional units within the collaborative housing complex. In this proposal, residents only need to invest in a simple house with basic functions initially, priced at less than 200 thousand USD. This would be more affordable for young residents and could potentially provide additional space within the unit for selling or leasing (fig.5.6), generating extra income for the household.
7 The New Tradition Section perspective (m) 0 3 6 12 24 Floor plan _ phase 3 Floor plan _ phase 4 Floor plan _ phase 2 Floor plan _ phase 1 fig.5.1the south-facing facade of the project. volume twistforbalconies extrudeforpubliccorridor publicspaces areasofgrowth fig.5.2 massing strategy fig.5.3 depth of view to balconies fig.5.4 private corridor as playgrounds fig.5.5 view of the public corridor and a design studio fig.5.6 unit with independent circulation
Time: Spring 2017 / 4 months Type: Core studio / Multi-use building Individual
The new ground accommodates all the nearby urban activities to catalyze the field of co-working. The current situation on-site is a transitional zone between the new CBD and the old town of Taichung. The project, therefore, creates a new ground to connect all the resources nearby, such as the riverwalk, old street, and parking garage. The new ground is a hub for citizens to stay and further provides space for co-working, which is the core program. Users can wander on this new ground and stay at any place they want to start working.
8 New Ground of Co-working +19.8m Floor Plan Hotel Floor +27m Floor Plan Amenities Floor +12m Floor Plan Ground Floor & +7.8m Plan fig.6.1 massing strategy, programming and the articulation to the context (right)
site model, 1:200, PETG and PLA
night view from the southeast fig.6.4 the new ground fig.6.5 wandering inside the ground / connection to the subway fig.6.6 exterior view from the main entrance
fig.6.2
fig.6.3
6. New Ground of Coworking
Advisor: Lin-Wei Chen
Site: Taichung, Taiwan
(m) 0 3 6 12 24
Instructor: Ekin Erar
Time: Spring 2023
Type: Elective / Individual / Material practice
Site: A Filing cabinet in Milstein Hall
7. Fabric Space
This project transforms a file cabinet into a chair. This new chair does not directly attract users to sit on it but instead uses seemingly dangerous yet comfortable fabric spikes to arm the cabinet. Users will first see the closed cabinet, with sharp teeth protruding from the front, resembling a dangerous treasure chest. Once the lid is opened, these spiky cushions can be unfolded and secured on the cabinet. The spiky cushions then have the tension that allows users to sit on them.
Firm: Very Architect
Time: Summer 2016 (concept), Summer 2021 (construction)
Type: Professional / Installation / Material practice
Members: Che Wang (lead architect), Cathy Lin (project manager), Tung Chen (project assistant & concept development)
Site: Chiayi City, Taiwan
8. Graceful Dance
In ‘Graceful Dance,’ there are 20 long boards made of three sizes of composite materials such as bamboo and PC hollow honeycomb boards. These boards are connected diagonally, alternating between solid and void. The bamboo boards form a continuous triangular structure, interlocking with each other to create stability. With this system in place, it is not difficult to imagine that this construction could expand further one day. The concept realizes the desire to create rich spaces with simple principles, while continuously exploring new prototypes that integrate space and structure. Bamboo, which can be harvested as a building material after about three to five years of growth, is readily available in Taiwan and affordable, providing us with ample opportunities for experimentation
fig.7.2 learning from designing the tote bag to develop the fabric chair fig.7.1 operation of the cabinet fig.8.2 concept model considering CLT as the material fig.8.1 aerial view fig.8.6 the interior with different heights for kids to play around
night view
details and construction site fig.8.3 the project restarted with bamboo replacing CLT
fig.8.5
fig.8.4
9
Firm: Kai Architects
Supervisor: Chun-Kai Fang
Time: Summer 2019 present (under construction)
Type: Professional / Renovation
Role: Project coordinator
Members: Chun-Kai Fang (lead architect), Tung Chen (project coordinator), Yu-Chi Lai (landscape designer), Li-An Yang Site: Wulai, New Taipei City, Taiwan
9. Renovation of Yun-Hsien Park
In 1965, the first theme park was build in Taiwan. The park’s name is Yun-Hsien, which means it is a backyard for gods, and clouds surround the park (fig.9.1). This park is the common memory for people in Taipei, but it never seems to stand with this mountain in Wulai. Until in 2009, there was a tremendous typhoon destroy the theme park and we have chance to make it back to nature.
There are two goals in the project. Firstly, the park’s localization aims to provide benefits specifically to Wulai, rather than to the city at large. Another one is to repair buildings and focus on light construction to reduce the impact on mountains and forests. To restore the connection between mountains, valleys, and rivers, the strategy involves minimizing plans for new constructions and repurposing previous amusement equipment into building structures whenever feasible. Upon completion of the entire project, Yun-Hsien is envisioned to transform into an ecological park. The emergent interplay among humans, nature, and space could serve as a paradigm, delineating a framework for rural Taiwan to cultivate its local identity (fig.9.2 & fig.9.3).
Renovation of Yun-Hsien Park 10 existing structure design a. b. c. d. e. f. g. h. i. j. k. l. m. n. o. cable car station (downhill) cable car station II (upper) hotel multi-purpose area toilet playground cafe and ecology pond restaurant ecology experience area grass stage toilet and lounge bar Lei lounge villa reception villa (m) 7 14 28 42 63 type 1 demolish and reuse type 2 strengthen and cover type 3 landscape intervention b. type 2 E.L. +367.2 - 381.4 a. type 2 E.L. +194.7 - 208.1 m. type 2 E.L. +435.9 446.1 k. type 2 E.L. +439.2 442.3 f. type 2 E.L. +430.8 435.8 i. type 2 E.L. +433.9 - 449.9 l. type E.L. +442.4 445.9 h. type 1 E.L. +430.8 436.5 o. type 1 E.L. +445.8 454.5 g. type 1 + 3 E.L. +431.0 434.5 j. type E.L. +437.3 439.2 n. type 1 E.L. +442.8 436.8 site Wulai Old Street New Taipei City Site Plan b c d e g h k m n o fig.9.1 context and accessibility fig.9.2 types of renovations
Ingredients of remedy
Regarding category two, most major buildings, such as restaurants, belong to this category. They have existed in the mountains and forests for more than 30 years. The impaired structures have become a part of nature. For the rest of the structures, we intervene in the lightest way, such as material changing, to reduce the impact on the environment. Besides, the hotel with traditional Chinese style dramatically appears in the forest. Therefore, we started with the material and reduced the complexity of the volume. These are the elements to heal this valley, small but integrated. Although it is not natural, it touches this mountain forest with lightly descending.
Renovation of Yun-Hsien Park 11 a. b. c. d. e. f. g. h. i. j. k. l. m. n cable car station II (upper) hotel multi-purpose area toilet playground cafe and ecology pond restaurant ecology experience area grass stage toilet and lounge bar Lei lounge villa reception villa section A section B
Section A
Section B
Hotel
Hotel
a b c d e f g h k n n fig.9.3 refurbished structures fig.9.4 view of the ecology experience area fig.9.5 view of the cafe and ecology pond fig.9.6 view of the hotel
Firm: Kai Architects
Supervisor: Chun-Kai Fang Time: Fall 2019 - Winter 2022
Type: Professional / Transportation / Urban design
Team: Chun-Kai Fang, Tung Chen (project coordinator of the Jiantan TOD), Li-An Yang, Xiao-Wei Lin
Site: Taipei, Taiwan
10. TODs in Taiwan
These projects aim to promote Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) in Taiwan, encouraging more people to live, work, shop, and entertain near public transportation stations. This is achieved through the promotion of sustainable transportation methods such as walking, cycling, and public transit. By reducing air pollution, global warming, and exhaust emissions, TOD helps mitigate environmental hazards. Through intensive and multifunctional land use, green spaces can be preserved, and amenities such as parks and sports facilities can be increased, creating a conducive environment for living and public gathering. TOD enables compact urban spaces, shifting infrastructure investment from linear expansion to concentrated development, thus enhancing investment efficiency and reducing operation cost.
12 TODs in Taiwan urbancorridorbookstore/cafe/bazaar/gallery/restaurants 52,000ft2 office278,500ft restaurants 14,600ft
southeast facade Jiantan TOD / competition edition
northeast facade Jiantan TOD / mid term report edition
fig.10.1
fig.10.2
northwest facade of Jiantan TOD / final edition
fig.10.3
diagram of the urban space of Jiantan TOD
schematic plan of Jiantan TOD fig.10.7 isometric diagram of Jiantan TOD fig.10.5 southwest facade Shilin TOD competition edition
fig.10.4
fig.10.6
The common approach of these projects is that we are looking for programmatic combinations with the station. How can a new program attached to a train station create a new lifestyle? On the previous page, the combinations include office + station and hotel + station. These three projects above, the combinations are dormitory + station, gallery + station, and a revitalizing plan + station. With all the projects, the goal is to create an equitable environment for those who cannot afford a personal vehicle. The implementation of diverse programs along the public transportation system contributes to achieving mobility justice.
13
fig.10.8 Hualian Station and the dormitory for TSA employee
fig.10.9 shematic plan of the Qidu TOD
fig.10.10 isometric of development of the Qidu TOD
fig.10.11 Hsinchu temporary station and the city gallery
fig.10.12 Qidu TOD
Firm: Kai Architects
Supervisor: Chun-Kai Fang
Time: Summer 2022 present (under construction)
Type: Professional / Single family housing and ancestral hall
Team: Chun-Kai Fang (lead architect), Tung Chen (project designer)
Site: Yangming Mountain, New Taipei City, Taiwan
11. C House & Ancestral Hall
This project involves the design of a residence and ancestral hall on a hillside. Hillside properties in Taiwan are subject to strict building regulations, making it challenging to maximize design possibilities within these constraints. Additionally, since the two buildings are located on separate lots, the review of building regulations was conducted separately. However, the final outcome should be a standalone structure. Therefore, the key lies in how to connect these two buildings through a semi-excavated basement. This feature adds an interesting dimension to the residence, making it appear as though two standalone structures are situated on a shared podium.
Firm: Kai Architects
Supervisor: Chun-Kai Fang
Time: Fall 2020 present (under construction)
Type: Professional / Transportation
Team: Chun-Kai Fang (lead architect), GH Chen (project manager), Tung Chen (project assistant), TYLin (consultant)
Site: Luzhu,Taoyuan, Taiwan
12. G18 Station / Taoyuan Metro Green Line
The Taoyuan MRT Green Line is located next to Taiwan’s most important international airport. It will serve the adjacent Aerotropolis in the future. This station operates as a transfer station for the already constructed Airport MRT. Therefore, my task is: 1. Examine the reserved transfer space and design the corresponding spatial layout 2. Design based on the TransitOriented Development (TOD) guidelines 3. Design urban space for the Aerotropolis master plan 4. Prepare construction drawings.
14 fig.12.3 construction drawing fig.12.1 concept drawing fig.11.1 ｗwest facade fig.12.2 exterior rendering B1 Plan 1F Plan 2F Plan
：今回 使用したヒノキの間伐材 製材しても太さが流通材の 105mm 角や 120mm 角に満たないサイズが 多く 商品価値が低いため 通常伐採されても粉砕されてチップにされるか 山に残置される 右：京都大学生存圏研究所での実物大モックアップによる重ね梁の載荷 破壊実験
Firm: Morita Kazuya Architecture Studio
Time: Summer 2017
Type: Intern / Professional / Renovation / Design Research
Role: Intern (all the drawings presented are drawn or made by the author)
Site: Kyoto, Japan
