PORTFOLIO BAICEN ZHOU The University of Sheffield 2012 - 2017
CV
EDUCATION
WORK EXPERIENCE
HONORS
BAICEN ZHOU
2016.09 - Present ARB | RIBA Part II M.Arch Architecture Sheffield School of Architecture (SSOA)
2015.07 - 2016.07 More Design Office (MDO), Shanghai Junior Architect
2011 - 2012 Head’s Scholarship for top 20% students 2013 - 2014 Dean’s Scholarship for top 10% students 2014 - 2015 3rd Prize of Learning Capsule Design Competition
2011.09 - 2015.07 BArch (Hons) Architecture, University of Nottingham Ningbo China (UNNC)
Worked with local/international architects and interior designers; Conceptual design; Schematic design; Renovation project study; Model making; Learning interior design from architectural perspective; Interior construction drawings; Communicate with LDI, clients, contractors and suppliers. Learnt architect's intermedia role within the industry.
REFERENCES
Date of Birth: 1993. 04.09 Email: baicen_zhou@126.com Tel: 07599668151
2014.03 - 2014.07 Exchange Student University of Sydney, Faculty of Architecture, Design and Planning (USYD) 2008.09 - 2011.06 Nankai Middle School, Tianjin, Science student
SKILLS Design Programs: AutoCAD 90%, SketchUp 90%, Adobe Photoshop 90%, Adobe lnDesign 90%, Revit 70%, Adobe Illustrator 60%, Ecotect 50%, Rhino 50%, Adobe Premier 40% Languages: Mandarin - Native English - Academic English, Professional Working Proficiency Other Skills: Sketching, Model-making, Digital Fabricate Skill, Photo-shooting Skill.
2014, Summer Chapman Taylor Architectural Design, Shanghai Architectural Design Assistance, Internship Worked with international team; Communicate with clients; Translated for local architects and clients; Conceptual design; Initial schematic design; started to understand the role of different party and working stages in the process of a project being built.
2012, 2013, 2014 Summer and Winter Break Tenio Architecture And Engineering Cooperation, Tianjin Architectural Design Assistance, Internship Deliberated spaces through model-making; Graphically designed analysis diagrams; Translated biding booklet accurately; Improved working efficiency under time pressure.
2013.02 - 2015.07 Student Union Souvenir Shop Product Designer, Graphic Designer
LLEWELLYN TANG: Head of Department of Architecture and Built Environment of the University of Nottingham Ningbo llewellyn.tang@nottingham.edu.cn JUSTIN BRIDGLAND: Design Director of More Design Office justin@moredesignoffice.com
VALUE PROPOSITION I believe activities and spatial experience is the spirit of an architecture piece. This should be the most decisive generator which drives the whole design process. Imagining from general program to detail how users engage with the space and how they feel the space with multiple senses have always been the key methodology of my design. Thus knowing the place, the culture and try to see the space from the people's perspective and feel for them is part of the role of an architect. A truly successful piece of architecture can influence user's behavior subconsciously. Therefore it is architects responsibility’ to initiate conversations to empower the assimilation of architectural discourse and practice through intelligent curiosity and ambition in order to achieve the collective future.
01
02 - The Beauty of Silence
SELECTED UNIVERSITY PROJECTS
12 - Down to the Sky
06 - Urban Optimizer
15 - The Secret Garden 19 - Journey
20
21 - NO.1 Ningbo Road
SELECTED PROFESSIONAL PROJECTS
25 - ZW VIP Suite
23 - LN Museum Shop
27 - Vanke Sales Office
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29 - Future Forum 30 - Parts in Whole 31 - The Pavillion
ARCHITECTURE INTERVENTIONS
32 - The Zen Cat House 33 - The Reception
SELECTED UNIVERSITY PROJECTS
Beauty of Silence
02
Urban Optimizer
06
Down to the Sky
12
Secret Garden
15
Journey
19
SELECTED UNIVERSITY PROJECTS The Beauty of Silence 2016-2017 Y5 _SSOA
VISUAL SENSE
The project is located in Princes Dock Marina in Hull city center, intents to provide people with hearing loss spaces for consultation, treatment and social life and people living in urban environment a moment of inner peace. Hearing, Smelling, Touching and seeing forms our perception of each space in different scales. We can see 180 degree along 2 axis, we can hear sound from distance or through the wall when we cant see, smell of the place generates the atmosphere and we can only touch the surfaces within in reach. We live in the urban environment and get use to ignore the secondary senses. All the spaces are carefully designed to activate user’s senses and bring calmness, heal the stress. Series of spatial experiences forms the narrative along 2 axis of the building with threshold attraction positioned along each axis.
AUDITORY SENSE
OLFACTION
SOMATOSENSORY
2 2
THE BUILDING SAUNA TOWER
SITE PLAN 1:20000 PLAN & AXO 1:2500
DROP-IN CLINIC
KAYAKI TOWER
SIGN LANGUAGE TRAINING CENTER
DIVING TOWER
SECRET GARDEN
SECRET GARDEN
CHANGING ROOM
DROP-IN CLINIC
THE MAIN POOL
CHANGING ROOM SIGN LANGUAGE TRAINING CENTER THE MAIN POOL
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KEY SPACE 1 DROP-IN CLINIC It’s a fully open space with maximam visual connection. All light coming in is diffused created the sense of softness
Aucoustic wall panels are used on the majority of wall surfaces.
The hanging structure on top of the central reception diffused scent and spread in the space bringing calmness.
In order to control the vibration, 6 platforms are designed as timber floor on top of 6 seperate steel structure. Users can only feel the vibration of the actiity on the same platform.
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KEY SPACE 2 THE HEALING POOL - Big scale transpucent skylight lit up the whole space. - All the main functions can be seen ditectly on the main circulation axis.
- Waterscape is going through the pool. User can hear not only the sound of water created by people’s activities, but also different volumn of water dripping.
- The entrance sauna tower is open and facing the central axis of the space. The scent and heat coming out of it brings calm and warmth.
- Different level of the warmth and humidity can be felt throughout the space. - All floor surfaces people stand or sit on and handrails are intentionally designed oak wood for softness and warmth. 5
SELECTED UNIVERSITY PROJECTS
RIVERSIDE PARK
SITE - XIUSHUI STREET NEIGHBORHOOD
Nice and quite space along riverside with greenery. Also has a panorama view of Ningbo downtown.
2016 Y3 Spring _ UNNC Urban life optimizer is a “healthy life” themed community center project which located in Xiushui Street neighborhood Ningbo China. It contains the function of health consulting, aging people rehabilitation, communal dining, urban farming for the community to increase their healthy rate and lab spaces which offer medical processionals to conduct their research after working due time. The whole scheme is based on renovation of Xinfeng building which has been built during the republic of China era which the government planed to take down soon. The design intention is to create innovative spaces which promote and cultivate healthy life style from community level in this wellpreserved traditional Chinese building. Through the study of Haishui district I found that Xiushui neighborhood is the last historical block which remains the same function as residential use. Under the high speed of Chinese city urbanism, all traditional valuable buildings are lack of preservation and the trace of the history is fading away from the city's pattern. Set a successful model of preserving an old building and make it a starting point of making the whole historical block alive is one of the main goal.
MOON LAKE AREA Historical block before goverment demolish all old buildings and developed it into commercial area with restaurants in “fake antique” buildings
SIT E
Urban Life Optimizer Within Xiushui Street neighborhood, building from Ming and Qing Dynasty are the majority on this site which shows the profound history of China. The location of the neighborhood is one of the best in Ningbo downtown while the living condition is really bad due to the poor preservation. The majority residences of this community is aging people who lives alone. Most of these aging people has serious health issues because of poor medical care system and unhealthy lifestyle. A community center which can bring people together and improving their living quality through dining, exercise and health consulting system is urgently needed in this neighborhood.
ZHONGSHAN PARK
SPATIAL DESIGN INTENTION
Biggest park in Haishu district with a lot of activities happening. Most of the aging people gathering around to talk, trying out Peking opera, singing and dancing.
Instead of traditional health consulting pattern which is formed within small closed private room, a new pattern of opened up health consulting mixed with relaxing spaces will be created.
BELL TOWER COMMERCIAL STREET Commercial street with foods and retails. New and identical architectures which immitate traditional Chinese architecture with modern building techniques
TIANYI SQUARE Biggest and most crowded commercial area with all type of functions.
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RENOVATION STRATEGY
SITE PLAN 1:2000
Xinfeng building is located located next to the central node which is the junction of 2 main public circulations which has the condition to achieve higher public accessibility. Xinfeng Building was built during the Republic of China period. It's architectural language can speak for that time in the history. There are several architectural essence which can be preserved and used to create innovative spaces such as facade, roof and light wheel. The renovation strategy is based on the principle of keeping original main structure while open up the space interiorly for public use. Facade
Original light wheel provide great chance to bring sunlight and nature into the space.
Roof
The flat part of the roof can be developed into a roof planting area with great natural light and oppeness.
Light Wheel Sharing Spaces
Original Facade
Original Layout
Original Main Structure
Original Secondary Structure
Roof Shading Structure Preserved Original Roof Glass Glazing Preserved Original Facade Added Basement Commercial Building
Public Building
"Gate"
Presearved Facade with one part removed
Renovated Internal Layout: Opened Up for Public Use
Simplified Structure supported by light steel structure
Renovated slabs 7
PLANS 1:500 B
C
A
B
A
B
C
B1 Informal Health Consulting Space with library and cafe & Stuff offices
C
A
B
A
B
C
A
B
A
C
B
GF Informal Health Consulting Space & Rehabilitation Center & Research Center
C
A
A
C
B
F1 Communal Kitchen and Cateen & Stuff Dinning Hall
C
F2 Roof Planting Space & Stuff Roof Garden
SECTIONS 1:250
A-A
B-B
C-C
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KEY SPACE 1 The Main Hall
Relaxing space mixed with library and informal health consulting space. Patients will meet the professionals for a cup of coffee and talk about their physical or psychological problems without feeling ashamed and burdened because of their problem. Also provide oppotunities for residences to socialize.
Light steel structure support concrete frame
Bricks integrate with glazing
Light steel structure with glazing
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KEY SPACE 2 Roof Top Planting Space
The whole healthy lifestyle system starts from healthy diet. People can learn how to plant their own safe vegetables in urban farm and also learn how to cook healthily in communal kitchen.
Shading Device Aluminium Panel
Photovoltaic Panel Glazing 10
ELEVATIONS 1: 250
South Elevation
ELEVATION DETAIL DESIGN 1:50
JOINT POINT DETAIL PLAN 1:30
The Medical Research Center offers reaearch labs for the professionals to carry on their own research after due hour. A nice and friendly environment is necessary. Carried on from the light steel structure, the facade is formed as 2 layers: nomal glass facade with vertical movable timber shading panel and a Glass Fin-facade which can provide various of environment internaly.
West Elevation
STUFF ROOF GARDEN
North Elevation 11
SELECTED UNIVERSITY PROJECTS
FORM FINDING - CLOUD
MAP THE SKY
Down to the Sky 2014 Y2 Spring _ USYD This children pavilion scheme is located in the quietest part of Victoria Park, downtown of Sydney. The site is surrounded by trees and grassland which create a really enjoyable environment. We found out that people are using the shortcut on the grassland a lot where there is no built path. We want the scheme to be discovered not only people who are free and wandering around but also people who are in hurry and have no time to go further to explore the park. In order to attract all kinds of people whose using the park for different purpose we chose that area as out site in the first place. All conceptural element came from the observation of sky. Sky is the farthest thing from us but it is also the most inspirational and the most desirable thing from our childhood. Birds are flying and singing, leaves are waving with the wind, clouds are changing shapes in ever y moment. If the pavillion can capture all the element from sky and get the sky down to the ground, with children’s imagination, they'll play with it and build their own fantasy in their mind palace.
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SECTION 1:100 PLANS 1:200 The plan is simply shaped through the contour of the park’s grassland and because of the contour’s leaning to a certain angle, the underground space can fade on to the ground softly. Thus Cafe area for parents is located on the east end of the building which can enjoy the view towards the city and also has visual connection with both underground and upper level spaces. Parents can keep an eye on their kids while enjoy their coffee. The climbing framework on the top has reflective platform on it. Children can climb up to the platform and step on the image of sky and touch it play with it. There are 3 ways to get the basement: staircase from cafe for parents, one ladder and one spiral slice for kids to get down through a fun way. Kids can enjoy the sky image on the wall through periscope, natural light through transparent column and the color of the sky through hollow pipe. 13
MATERIALITY TRANSPARENT PLASTIC COLUMNS - lead the light in and create spots light points on the floor underground.
KEY SPACES HOLLOW METAL COLUMNS - Capture the sky through the hollow columns and their reflective inner surface can reflect the color of sky MIRROR PLATFORM -Reflect sky pieces from different angle. Children will feel like steping on the sky by walking through them. CLIMBING STRUCTURE
- Children can climb up and by looking down to the reflection of the slab, they can feel that the sky is blow you and extents into the ground. REFLECTIVE SLAB
- Floating clouds shape with various type of reflective, transparent or translucent material such as glass, mirror and shallow water pond.
PERISCOPE
- Reflect the sky pieces on the mirror and project them on underground walls
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SELECTED UNIVERSITY PROJECTS
DESIGN PROCESS
This project is a dwelling mixed public space project. The clients are a group of artists who work in Hangzhou downtown currently. They are working for commercial used art pieces for living. Believeing in artwork should be generate naturally through inspiration, this project intents to provide a secret garden for them to enjoy living, working and absorbing cultural scent from local community.
SITE - XIAOHE HISTORICAL DISTRICT Dwelling / public area divided
The Secret Garden 2013 Y2 Autumn _ UNNC
Courtyard on riverside for dwelling
Central axis to draw people into public garden
Tea room for public along main street
Vehicle Circulation & Car parking
Change of volumn and contour
Add 2 gateways to created the sence of secret
Small gardens & water area
CURRENT LIFE
Lack of communication
Repeated life
Deadline pushed artwork
DREAM LIFE
Share life with friends
Inspired by the public
Slow pace of life 15
Roof Garden
Single Apartment B
Single Apartment A (Disable)
Shop
Shop
Bike Rental Shop
Art Studio GF
C
B
C D
0 1m
Single Apartment B Single Apartment C
Tearoom
Couple House A&B GF
Family House B&C GF
Art Studio F1
A
Couple House A&B F1
Family House A GF
Family House A F1
B
Family House B&C F2 Family House B&C F1
Family House A F2
PLAN D
SECTIONS
10m
A-A
A
Parking Sculpture Garden
Road Sculpture Garden Dwelling
Gateway Artshop Secret B i k e Entrance Garden Rental Garden
B-B
Commercial Street Main Public Space
C-C
Courtyard 0 1m 10m 16
STREET ELEVATION D-D
KEY PUBLIC SPACES
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SECONDARY PUBLIC SPACES
DETAIL DESIGN 1:200 In order to follow the local structural logic and fit in the overall atmosphere with surrounding residential blocks, timber has been chosen as the main material which form the structure and exterior facade is timber. Light timber framed structure is covered by wooden shingles on the exterior facade. Because of the humid climate there, except normal rock wool insulation, vapor barrier is also added into the layer of walls. For leading more sunlight in long depth dwelling, a interior courtyard has been designed toward north which is fully opened with timber frame patterned glazing on 3 sides of it.
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SELECTED UNIVERSITY PROJECTS Journey 2012 Y1 Autumn _ UNNC
BACKGROUND - The Great Philosopher - Immanuel Kant's Working & Living Space in UNNC "THE JOURNEY IS THE DESTINATION."
VISION
KEY SPACES
------ DAN ELDON
Kant’s life can be divides into 3 parts according to his 24-hour narrative: inevitable space which include working space and bathroom (thinking is his job and he cannot stop thinking since he was born which has the same property of people using bathroom);relaxing space which include kitchen, dinning room and living room (he loved cooking and enjoying delicious food and share them with couple of friends); dreamy space which include bedroom and observatory (he is also an astronomer). He took a walk every afternoon and use the view to think through different perspective. Moreover he has a theory which illustrate that all the complex thing is just the combination of the most simple things. According to all this information, the form of the building is based on 3 boxes which is the most simple element in space. A rotated and twisted path which can provide different perspective on different height for him connects three spaces which contain his 3 parts of life. The aim of the building is to create a journey which can provide the most efficient life-work relation with a multi-perspective journey inside.
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SELECTED PROFESSIONAL PROJECTS
NO.1 Ningbo Road
21
Vanke Sales Office
23
LN Museum Shop
25
ZW VIP Suite
27
20
SELECTED PROFESSIONAL PROJECTS NO.1 Ningbo Road 2015-2016 _ MDO
NO.1 Ningbo Road is a renovation project which is a biding project on conceptual design phase. The original building is called Shenhua Office Building which located in the bund area of Shanghai. However with the outdated design and poor maintenance, the building is loosing it’s attraction. The rent is surprisingly cheap for an central-located office building in Shanghai. I’m involved in all stages in this project, including current building analysis, facade renovation strategies and interior spatial design. With the aim of “low budget”, we found 4 main problems of Shenhua building and proposed 5 simple yet effective facade renovation strategies for stronger branding and modern feeling. For the interior design,our intention is to create simple, elegant and flexible mixed-use meeting space which can draw people in and make this building alive again. Our methodology is design spaces through sketches, and try out material texture by making collages. Meanwhile we design details through 3D model building process.
CURRENT PROBLEMS ① Interior outdated and in need of renewal ② Podium lack of public space to draw people in ③ Entrance is not inviting ④ No street presence - solid facade and inwards looking
FACADE RENOVATION STRATEGY Modern dark metal frame entrance Replace F1 solid facade with glazing Add ads panel on "the gold corner" Add "clip on" LED light screen on glazing Building sinage on the top
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CENTRAL ATTRACTION DESIGN
Retail Showroom
Retail Showroom Double Height Atrim
CAFE Flexible Meeting Space
New Central Staircase Flexible Meeting Space
Dark Grey Brushed Metal
Arison White Marble
Black Zebra Marble
Hanging Greenery 22
SELECTED PROFESSIONAL PROJECTS
PLAN 1:150
ELEVATIONS 1:100 A A-A
Changing Room
Hanging Lamp
Display Shelf
Display Table
Display Table
LN Museum Shop 2015-2016 _ MDO Display Shelves The Shop is located in the entrance hall of LN Museum. The main display content of the museum is Guangzhou’s urban planning and the city’s history which the Pearl River plays an key role within. The concept of the shop design is generated from spatial experiences and elements from the river. The shop space is connected to the main hall from 3 accesses. A smooth circulation is formed by the curved display tables and seats in the center of the space. Inspired by riverside walk at night, lights lead the way within the space. The lamps focus the spectator’s sight onto the display table. Horizontal bands of lights is set as the backdrop for the display shelves. The highlight of the space - featured ceiling is inspired by the traditional boat covers with their bended form, as well as from the willow baskets and their rich pattern, their ability to allow light through. The translucency is accentuated by tens of layers and the lights among them to create a fabric like shadow play. Our design team worked through spatial design, interior design and furniture design. It is now under construction and will be open to public with the museum by October 2017.
Display Table
Touch Screen
Display Table B
B
Seats Display Fire Escape
B-B
Display Shelf
Metal Mesh
Display Table
Seats
Touch Screen
Display Table Fire Escape Display Table Cafe Bar Changing Room
Display Shelves
Storage Feature Wall A 23
DETAIL DESIGN 1:30 - 1:10
20
20
5
20
20
5
24
SELECTED PROFESSIONAL PROJECTS ZW VIP Suite
DINNING SPACE ELEVATION
2015-2016 _ MDO
This project is a VIP suite for ZW company’s important guest which include series of relaxation functional spaces. An open cafe and semi-open dinning space was designed in 2015. Following the fluid shape of the office tower, all the spaces are arranged into a circular shaped plan with fully open view towards the facade. This is the first luxury project our design team have worked on. Thus we looked into number of precedents and visited several luxury hotels to find out the principal of this typology. Aiming to achieve luxury spatial experience through elegant design, material palette is crucial. We spent considerable time to look for the right material composition and thinking about how to put them together in detail.
MATERIALITY
Brushed Gold Stainless Steel
Dark Grey Oak
Golden Dream Marble
Coffee Color Leather
Arison White Marble
25
CAFE SPACE ELEVATION
MATERIALITY
Brushed Brass
Brushed Gold Stainless Steel
Dark Grey Oak
Golden Dream Marble
Marsala Color Leather
Arison White Marble
26
SELECTED PROFESSIONAL PROJECTS
INITIAL SKETCHES
PROJECT PHOTOS
Vanke Sales Office 2015-2016 _ MDO The Vanke sales house is a renovation of an existing building left in a park unused. The original building was uninteresting, except that it’s plan focused onto a central garden. The design concept was reveal this relationship through a series of layers to create a secret inner garden, The outside edge of the building was reclad with atimber screen and was only interrupted by a single entrance. The garden side was cleared of unwanted architectural elements to create an open facade that wrapped around the garden. The focus of the interior plan was a long bar with gently curves responding to the park, this element works as a focus and a spatial device, encourage visitors to enter and explore the showroom. A vertical timber screen to the rear of the bar creates a further layer allowing visitors a suggestion of what lies beyond, but does not reveal the view of the park until they reach further into the space.
PLAN 1:200
Our design team worked through spatial design, interior design include hard and soft furnishing. It finished construction in 2016 and currently under use.
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ARCHITECTURE INTERVENTIONS
Future Forum
29
Parts in Whole
30
The Pavillion
31
The Zen Cat House
32
The Reception
33
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ARCHITECTURE INTERVENTION
OVERVIEW
PARTICIPATION TOOLS
OUTCOME
SOFT SKILLS
Future Forum 2016 Y5 Spring _ SSOA Future Forum - a team with 14 student from SSOA, co-designed with the charity Sheffield Futures who provide services for vulnerable young people and their users on renovating part of their current building to create a more inclusive environment for the young people. The key aim has been set is by carrying out series of participation activities, form a brief and feasibility report collaboratively after 6 weeks. During the process, our team applied “participation - analysis -design“ working cycle process. The team place ourselves as “mediator” between Sheffield Futures, young people and the project. The team designed a series of participation activity to not only gather useful information, but also to listening to users’ voice as one of them, give them the sense of engaging and ensure the outcome we achieve is tailored for their use. There are 3 main outcome from this 6 weeks work we provided to our client and hopefully can be passed on to future architect. 1, PARTICIPATION TOOLKIT which is a step-by-step guide to help future architect run their own participation events with hints and tips from our experience to get the most out of each activity. 2, BRANDING DEVELOPMENT ANALYSIS which is an exploration of existing branding and initial development of new branding scheme. 3,BREIF AND FEASIBILITY STUDY which provides a narrowed down brief, schedule of accommodation, series of initial proposals based on all information we have collected from participation activities. Meanwhile, all the softs kills we have gain from this project is extremely valuable. On top of group work, communicate with clients, stuff, young people and architects, we have learnt a great deal about the infinite possibility of an architect's role. 29
ARCHITECTURE INTERVENTION
Parts in Whole 2014 Y2 Spring _ USYD
PARTICIPANTS Baicen ZHOU & Jiahui LI How to translate a real life object into abstract element and create complex spatial effect with simple repeated modules in a certain system? The basic element of this sculpture piece came from a fold back clip which can form a triangle and then a 3D dome by the way they clip on each others’ end. The clip is simplified into 2D cardboard pieces with the outline and 3 typical intersections. With the flexibility of the cardboard, all pieces joint together to form a semi-sphere which has tessellation effect by repeated graphic pattern. Reflective silver paint has been used on the surface of each cardboard piece to create more dramatic visial effect. Under different lighting condition, exaggerated light and shadow effect can be created not only in the negative space the sculpture formed, but also on it’s reflective complex structure.
30
ARCHITECTURE INTERVENTION
The Pavillion 2014 Y2 Summer _ UNNC
PARTICIPANTS: UNNC Architecture Department
TESTING MODELS
The pavilion is built for the 2014 Graduate Summer Exhibition consists of 3019 piece non-hierarchical surface structure that extends in three parts through the atrium of the Science and Engineering Building at the University of Nottingham Ningbo China. As a spatial design element of the exhibition, the structure bends through the space, enclosing and framing the work of the students. As the exhibition covers students' work from four academic years, the pavilion meanders and grows in complexity through the space, metaphorically following the development of us in our studies as we advance in educational career. Each of the 3019 unique pieces in the structure is made of custom milled plywood. Each piece has four notches through which it is attached to four pieces. The structure is developed as a reciprocal from and adapted to the requirements of the space. We as a group were engaged in extensive design development and testing to finalize the conception, design, detailing and construction of the pavilion.
EXHIBITION LAYOUT Y0 Work Students' Life Display Y3 Work
Y1 Work
Y2 Work Lift Lift
DESIGN PROCESS
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ARCHITECTURE INTERVENTION
LOCATION
ELEVATION
ISOMETRIC
PROJECT PHOTO
The Zen Cat House 2016 _ MDO THE CAT HOUSE The cat house is part of a luxury apartment renovation project. While most of the cat houses is standard and looks temporary, I took this opportunity to seek for a solution which make the cat house as part of the apartment, which can state that the cat is a real member of the family not as a additional pet. As this part of the design is fully assigned to me, the cat is my client. During the site survey stage, I have spent some time observing the cat’s behavior and habit. I concluded the characteristic of the cat as “ZEN” and this becomes the concept of the design. Following the minimalism style of the apartment, the cat house design intent to achieve a elegant while playful layout. Clean geometry has been applied by minimal structure. The material composition has been considered carefully as well. The contrast of soft fabric and rough sisal creates comfortable yet functional surfaces within the house.
CLIENT
32
ARCHITECTURE INTERVENTION
RECEPTION SPACE
TEST MODELS
The Reception 2015-2016 _ MDO
This reception is part of the office design for a high-tech aluminum producer. As the first impression of anyone walking into the office, the reception space needs to communicate the company’s features inclusively. As the key piece of furniture in this space, the reception desk plays the role of highlighting that image. Aiming to make this piece not simply a reception table, but a art piece which can represent the highest quality of the company, this design has been carefully and repeatedly tested through 3D modeling and physical model making.
RECEPTION DESK ELEVATION
As aluminum rolling sheet is one of the main product of the company, it has been chosen as the material of the desk and by controlling the shape of each sheet and the difference between all the layers, an organic, fluid aluminum volume can be created and fit it’s function properly.
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