Portfolio of Qiwei Li | UC Berkeley, M.Arch 2 + M.LArch 2 2024
The Polysemy in Landscape and Architecture
Portfolio of Qiwei Li 2013-2024
Arch + M. LArch | UC Berkeley
M.
CONTENT
PROLOGUE
POLYSEMY, A NEW UNDERSTANDING OF ARCHITECTURE AND LANDSCAPE
Architecture and landscape are both extensions of the human body, through which human connect with the physical world without a clear boundary. This extension has a polysemous expression of communication between human and nature, senses and emotions, logics and rationales, nostalgia and consciousness, and even political power and citizen rights. It is the residents and inhabitants who are shaping the design of architecture and landscape, while at the same time, architecture and landscape also shape the extended layers of the human body.
With five-year architecture learning experience, I found my interests in exploring the connection between landscape and architec-
ture. Based on this, I have been trying to promote architectural design through the consideration of landscape.
This portfolio is to explore the possibilities in creating a polysemous connection between architecture and landscape design in the natural environment and urban context. According to my understanding, I would like to explain the polysemous relationship between architecture and landscape in the following five projects.
[Part One: My work at SOM and RATIO]
-- Jeddah Central Oceanarium and Coral Farm
-- Riyadh North Pole Urban Design
-- Sydney CBD Office Tower
-- Cap the Kennedy
-- BSU Hotel
-- City of Aurora - River- Edge Park
[Part Two: Working outside of my full-time job hours]
Passive House in Pittsburgh,
-- House in Suzhou
-- House Redevelopment in the Bay Area
[Part Three: Designs from my student years
-- Reconstruction of the Urban Village
-- Visitor center design
-- Uptown Rec Center
-- Visitor center design
Part One
My work at SOM and RATIO
'FLOATING'
JEDDAH CENTRAL OCEANARIUM AND CORAL FARM
Professional Project at SOM
2021 to 2023
My role: from competiton to DD Phase, Rhino model, rendering, presentation layout, Grasshopper generation
Site: Jeddah, Saudi Area: 40000 m2
The Jeddah Central Oceanarium, situated on Jeddah’s magnificent coral shoreline, is a world-class destination that encourages visitors to explore and understand the marine life of the Red Sea.
It offers captivating insights into Jeddah’s local oceanic heritage.
It exhibits coastal, coral, and sea life that is distinct from anywhere else in the world.
It provides the chance to encounter hundreds of Red Sea species that would otherwise be inaccessible to visitors. It is a harmonious blend of beautiful architecture, cutting-edge exhibition design, captivating interactives, and engaging stories, all intertwined in a meticulously choreographed manner.
In this rendering, my role was to use Grasshopper to generate all the roof and bridge models. The site was created by others. The final rendering was a collaboration with others. My task was to adjust the texture and color of the roof and building.
Celebrates the Essence of Hejazi Architecture
The design celebrates the essence of Hejazi architecture through contemporary interpretation. Throughout the entire island the design channels the lessons learned from the Hejazi culture and style.This approach has guided the placement of individual buildings creating pathways between that allow for guests to discover new places, experiences and views as they move between the buildings.
An Amazing Journey
A Journey into Jeddah’s Red Sea A fun and magical submersion adventure. Each step of the journey is a new aquatic world. Each new world is a fantastical place that reimagines Jeddah’s natural environments, from the coast, through the reef to the depths of the Red Sea.
A Journey into Jeddah’s Red Sea.
A fun and magical submersion adventure. Each step becomes a pavilion, a new world to discover. Each new world is a fantastical place that reimagines Jeddah’s natural environments, from the coast, through the reef to the depths of the Red Sea.
Block Fuction and Urban Internsity Comparison around the Site
A Journey into Jeddah’s Red Sea. A fun and magical submersion adventure. Each step becomes a pavilion, a new world to discover. Each new world is a fantastical place that reimagines Jeddah’s natural environments, from the coast, through the reef to the depths of the Red Sea.
TICKETING
CORAL COURTYARD
In this rendering, my role was to use Grasshopper to generate all the roof and bridge models. The site was created by others. The final rendering was made by a professional team.
My role in this rendering: used Grasshopper to generate all the roof and bridge models. The site was made by others.
The final rendering was coordinate with professinal team
The Coral Courtyard is a 'bridge' to the edge of the reef and the Red Sea, while providing alternative access to the pavilions. Visitors will end the journey walking through the Coral Walk, a sunken path below the water level, and have the opportunity to admire the coral farming.
Ticketing Hall
The preshow walk-through is an introduction to the Oceanarium (through a performance showpiece akin to an immersive experience) builds excitement, while walking through "The Coral City" made up of corals, petrified crustaceans, and Roshan architectural features sets the unique stage.
• Be welcomed by the staff.
• The Adventure begins in a beautiful, naturally lit gallery hall with the first glimpse of the Coral Courtyard.
• 'Dive' into the Oceanarium World with the pre-show performance.
Pavilion 1 – Hejazi Coast
Naturalistic scenography with integrated, immersive media installations and changing atmospheres during the day. Visitors are transported to two enchanting above-water landscapes:
• The steep, dramatic Mountains with mysterious desert dwellers • The serene Mangrove Forest, teeming with wildlife • The shallow lagoon with lots of jellyfish and seahorses
My role in this rendering: used Grasshopper to generate all the roof and bridge models. The site was made by others.
in
This rendering is created by other teamates.
Pavilion 2 – Coral Lagoon and Reef Crest
• Walk through a dynamic barrel wave and underneath a reef sculpture
• Be surrounded by spectacular abstract coral scenographies displaying numerous tanks with beautiful fish species
3 – Descent to Deep Sea
A unique vortex tank combined with immersive projections, interactives and a kids' zone.
Pavilion 4 – Depths of the Red Sea
Unique viewpoints from all sides of the tank, tunnel, and the mezzanine. Large scale holographic experiences.
• A dream-like underwater experience with scenographic structures of caves, corals, and canyons
• Witness "extraterrestrial" sea creatures
• Experience a gigantic tank of sharks, rays, and other special fish species through unique viewports
Pavilion 5 – Back to the Shore
Visitors are transported to a Futuristic Underwater Observatory anchored in the Red Sea.
Pavilion
• An immersive tunnel showing large mammals swimming by • Center: a sunken “workstation” with a large hologram and 4 tables with playful learning interactives
• A kaleidoscopic jelly chamber with infinity mirror effects and a “transit hub” for the simulator ride
• Immersed in a gigantic vortex tank, engulfed entirely by shoaling fish
• Surrounded by dramatic visuals of swirling and falling water and sounds of surging water
• Captivated by digital displays of pearl diving and Jeddah’s fishing culture
This rendering and model are both mainly created by me 100% model 80% render
This rendering and model are both created by me under the guidance of team leader
This rendering is created by the exhibition team.
This rendering is created by other teamates.
This rendering is created by other teamates.
Pavilion 6 – Restoration and Production of A Reef
Visitors are transported to a world of science and technology. Demonstrates the global impact modern humanity has on nature, both positively and negatively.
• Be welcomed by the staff.
• The Adventure begins in a beautiful, naturally lit gallery hall with the first glimpse of the Coral Courtyard.
• 'Dive' into the Oceanarium World with the pre-show performance.
7 – Technology and Products from the Red Sea
Like in Pavilion 6, visitors are transported to a world of science and technology.
Coral Courtyard at Night
View from Red Sea
Pavilion
• The steep, dramatic Mountains with mysterious desert dwellers
• The serene Mangrove Forest, teeming with wildlife
• The shallow lagoon with lots of jellyfish and seahorses
My role in this rendering: used Grasshopper to generate all the roof and bridge models. The site was made by others.
The final rendering was made by professinal team, do the final photoshop adjust work
My role in this rendering: used Grasshopper to generate all the roof and bridge models. The site was made by others.
The final rendering was made by professinal team
This rendering is created by other teamates.
This rendering and model are both mainly created by me 90% model 75% render
The history of architecture in Saudi Arabia has been predominantly derived from its geographyand climate. and reflects the beauty of the Arabian culture. We have developed an approachthat respects the identity, character and authenticity while also introducing new forms ofarchitecture and urbanism that is focused on a sustainable future. We propose a future forwardvision that is immersed in nature, technology and elevating the human experience.
in Riyadh, the summers are long, sweltering, and arid; the winters are cool and dry; and it ismostly clear year round. Over the course of the year, the temperature typically varies from 49°to 110°F.An environmentally focused approach to design is paramount, with climate, nature andcomfort as the fundamental drivers for archi-
tectural design.
We developed a strategic approachwhich leverages passive techniques and reinforces them using sustainable materials andtechnologiesThis combines architecture with natural space and expresses the unique geologof the region.
The final rendering was made by professinal team
The final rendering was made by professinal team, help the prefessional team to model some entourage
The final rendering was made by professinal team, help the prefessional team to model some entourage
The final rendering was made by professinal team, help the prefessional team to model some entourage
The final rendering was made by professinal team, help the prefessional team to model some entourage.
'NEW CITY'
SYDNEY CBD OFFICE TOWER
Professional Project at SOM
2022 to Current
My role: from SD to DD Phase, Rhino modle, rendering, presentation layout, Grasshopper generation
Site: SYDNEY Area: 155,000 m2
The $3 billion project, called Central Place Sydney, is located in the heart of the citv's Tech Central innovation hub. This tower emphasized the need to "create experiences that people can't get at home or online. We are competing with the screen, which is an incredibly powerful magnet for our attention.
Central Place incorporates innovative solutions such as using black soldier fly larvae to convert food waste into carbon-reduced compost, providing on-site pet minding services, and offering fresh air and open spaces for the workforce.
In addition to its sustainability features, Central Place Sydney prioritizes employee well-being and engagement. Internal cafes and meditation spaces will foster social interaction and offer moments of relaxation.
The design departs from traditional office blocks, embracing communal aspects and providing access to light and views.
By creating a vibrant and flexible environment, the development aims to attract companies in cutting-edge fields, positioning itself as a catalyst for job creation.
The final rendering was made by professinal team, help the prefessional team to model some entourage,and some facade modification in Rhino.
'AURORA RIVER WORK'
'BSU HOTEL'
Part Two
Working outside of my full-time job hours
Independently managed all phases, from client liaison, pre-design, SD, DD and detailed design coordination. Including proposal creation, design, rendering, and presentation to client.
'PASSIVE HOUSE IN PITTSBURGH'
'SUZHOU HOUSE, ARCHITECTURE AND LANDSCAPE DESGIN'
2023.6 to 2023.8
Pre-design, SD phase, stop due to client's financial issues
2023.12 to current
Pre-design, SD, DD, CD, Now Under Construction with assistance from Haoyu Gu
Part Three
Designs from my student years
'TWO FACES OF A CITY' RECONSTRUCTION PLAN OF URBAN VILLAGES
Urban villages are often regarded as hidden hazards of urban development due to the incomplete infrastructure, the insufficient order and the high density. But at the same time, the existence of such has solved numerous problems in many cities due to their intractable process of urbanization. Urban villages in the metropolitan provide the newcomers with convenient transportation and allow them with a considerable amount of savings.
New urban areas continue to expand to the surrounding areas in Beijing. The original urban edge of the village slowly surrounded by tall buildings. This unprecedented speed of urbanization makes these issues more and more prominent and severe.
In the reconstruction project of Baofusi urban village, the functional space of the commercial complex is organized into two parts. By elevating the exhibition halls and office buildings to symbolize capital and power, the design also releases the ground floor to the public, which can create a decent and peaceful space for the citizens. And the separated retail space not only offers the
space for the original residents with a new mode and better condition of earning money, but also maintains and increases the activity intensity of this area. Therefore, by incorporating landscape into architectural design I want to make the urban environment more open to the citizens.
What I hope to achieve in this project is to build a synergy between the landscape and the architecture, which includes not only to meet the functional requirement and to have an impressive form, but also to have positive influences on people’s daily life, even to become a part of their life.
STEP 1: Density determination
[1] Arrange the Function
STEP 2: Algorithm of Density Distribution
[1] Extract the Path
STEP 3: Open Space Design
[1] Landscape Design
The north side is a venue including commercial buildings which need the passenger's flow along the street. On the east side of the site, convenient transportation area is suitable to sit offices.
[2] Different Levels in Functions
Traditionally, the urban complex is the combination of tower and podium composition, the bottom of the podium will make the public space become more rare. My strategy is to overhead some places like business, exhibition, making the ground all open, and sending the space back to the city and residents.
[3] Modular and Decentralized Floor Space
The traditional shops are arranged in rows, which is single. Hence, I separate them, and creat some interesting and diverse space.
Abstract t ship between buildings, pedestrians, and the path into a simplest unit by geometric methods.
[2] Apply to the Site
The abstracted points (buildings and their entrances), and the lines (pedestrian paths) are applied to the site, and a large number of simulations are carried out by using a computer processing, resulting in countless permutations.
[3] SELECT THE RESULTS
In all the permutations, using the extracted line (pedestrian path) to calculate the most efficient way of arrangement, through this arrangement to recalculate the location of the building and the direction of the entrance.
The commercial value of the inside is not high, so the inside of the site designed a lake, which can not only attract people to enter the community, tourists and residents can also wake around the lake, watch exhibitions, and have a good rest.
[2] Two Kind of Circulations
For the tourists who want to enter the community for resting, walking, watching the exhibition, there is a vision-wide and sceneryrich tour route
For the people who want to go to their office or go shopping, there is a highly efficient and diverse-choices path
VISITOR Look! This
PEDESTRIAN : The exhibition hall is like
SPEAKER: This
PEDESTRIAN : Different people are speaking here every day.
White-collars can
visit,
View from the tall buildings in the west, showing the small streets, two large scale public buildings, and a lake in this site.
VISITOR : I hear this roast duck restaurant is very delicious!
EMPLOYEE I love to work at this office building, confortable!
VISITOR: This is the most creative place in the city, where I can meet many interesting people.
VISITOR : I hear this roast duck restaurant is very delicious!
'MERGE ARCHITECTURE IN LANDSCAPE' HOUSING AND THE RECOVERY OF LOST RIPARIAN LANDSCAPES ON INTERNATIONAL BOULEVARD
Acadamic Project
Fall 2019
Individual Work Instructor: René Davids
Site: Internationa Blvd, Oakland, CA
International Boulevard in Oakland passes through some of the most ethnically diverse neighborhoods in the Bay Area, a cultural richness not reflected in the existing residential fabric which consists mainly of small apartment buildings and single-family houses on the side streets, many of them overcrowded.
What interests me most around the sites is the relationship between the house price and the natural view. the House prices on the Oakland hills with excellent view, quiet surroundings, cleaner air are high.
International blvd is on the flatlands in the middle area between the mountain and the ocean with lower house prices People living near International Blvd suffer from the traffic noise,not very clean air and no views. Hence, my proposal is to create a more habitable place for the inhabitants architecture and landscape design.
My strategy is that, first, daylighting the water under the ground makes the creek cross the site. Second, creating topography, like a hill on the site provides people living around could have a great view to see the mountain and the ocean when they step to the hill. At the same time, they could have a lovely public park with trees and. Third, introducing some public places like a gallery, auditorium, library under the hill could give them more public activities.Thus no matter where people live in the area all of them will have the chance to enjoy the charming comfortable and pleasant public place.
What interests me most around the sites is the relationship between the house price and the natural view. the House prices on the Oakland hills with excellent view, quiet surroundings, cleaner air are high. International blvd is on the flatlands in the middle area between the mountain and the ocean with lower house prices People living near International Blvd suffer from the traffic noise,not very clean air and no views.
Space Arrangment
Long Section Research
Creating topography, like a hill on the site provides people living around could have a great view to see the mountain and the ocean when they step to the hill. Hence, I try to analyze and draw the long section to find a way to mix the landscape and architecture.
Axonometric
Axonometric from North & West
'BRIDGESCAPE'
UPTOWN REC CENTER IN OAKLAND
Acadamic Project
Fall 2021
Team Work with Lucy Zhou (95% Physical model)
*for Lucy don't have architecture background, finish 95% of the drawing and rendering)
Instructor: Sarah Hirschman
Site: 2150 Telegraph Ave, Oakland, CA
This design addresses both of these concerns with the design of a new Rec Center for Uptown Oakland. The building will serve as an incubator/outlet for small-scale cannabis entrepreneurs as well as an on-site growing facility in a twist on the farm-to-table schema.
By keeping all production (and some consumption) inhouse, the supply chain will be shortened and alleviate the security concerns (and costs) associated with transportation.
More broadly, the Rec Center will propose a new model for community-based wellness and leisure activities, filling in programmatic gaps between, the East Bay Regional Parks system, and the Oakland Parks, Recreation & Youth Development department.
The design will closely examine messaging surrounding recreational activities and speculate on how a building might contribute to an inclusive notion of self-care and wellness for all ages, abilities, interests, and means.
This design is creating a cannabis entertainment center in downtown Oakland, which will be a landmark that attracts both residents and tourists to the site for relaxation and recreational activities.
A major West Coast port city, Oakland is the largest city in the East Bay region of the San Francisco Bay Area. Oakland is the center of the transportation system in the American West. Its motorway network is one of the best in the world. In addition, the Port of Oakland is one of the best and most beautiful natural deepwater harbors globally.
Site View
The site has excellent views of the Golden Gate Bridge to the northwest, downtown San Francisco to the west, and Downtown Oakland to the south.
From Program to Form: Bridgescape
In program research, the first step is to classify different programs. The second step is to analyze the connection between these classified programs, some of them are mutual influence, and some are one-way influence.
1) Classfication
2) The Connection of Influences
Connection
Oakland is a transportation hub on the west coast of the United States. The site is located in Oakland's Downtown, surrounded by four freeways, and there are many cannabis shops.
Bridge as Lanscape
Finally, the third step is to generate a diagram from the current results, which ultimately forms the shape of a bridge. The bridge can be a landscape that becomes a part of the Oakland city skyline.
3) Arrangement BRIDGE TOWER 1
- Architecture as a City Icon -
Structure Design
In structure design, our modle include three parts: reinforced concrete core-tube for vertical transportation, steel structure floor for "cloud", and vertical steel structure tower.
Team Work With Liu Xiao Songkai liu Dingqi Zhou Site: Tieshanping forest, jiangbei district, Chongqing Area: 1000 m2
The site is located on the mountain of Tieshanping National Forest Park in Chongqing, a place with beautiful scenery far from the city, and more than 100000 people come here every year for vacations and trips in order to connect the service space scattered on the mountain.
With minimal interference with the natural environment, the project minimizes the space and determines the form of the building by surrounding environmental factors such as sunlight, wind, and scenery. In the process, I studied the impact of the weather changes over time on human behaviors, and thus determined the state of tourists that the building would serve for different travel purposes at different time periods.
In such a natural environment, people can get away from the hustle and bustle of the city and enjoy a moment of silence and relaxation, and so the design of the project is inspired by the scenery and climate changes in the four seasons of the year. And the reason why adapting the form of the building to the site is to ensure that the building is hidden in nature,
The timber structure is adopted in design, and the advantages and disadvantages of the application of the wood structure and the design of the joint of the wood structure are further understood through the research and study.
'This project is not to destroy the structure of nature, but to integrate with the landscape'
Living with Mountain, Forest, and Sky
I completed 80% of the model and 25% render
Professional Works: Exhibition
In Guizhou, Dimen village to research the Chinese traditional wood structure, build the digital model and 1:5 physical model, assist the exhibition set up in Venice Biennale China National Pavilion and organize the material for publication.
Professional Works: Landscape/Urban Design
SOM Chicago Internship 2021.06 - Current
East Lancaster TOD, Chicago South Branch Riverwalk, North Pole Riyadh, Seeb City, King Saud University
Role: participate in different scales urban design projects from city planning to residential block design, complete GIS analysis, site analysis, Rhino model, diagram drawing, document layout.
Chicago South Branch Riverwalk, 2021.7 - 2021.8, Supervisor: Julie Obrochta
North Pole Riyadh, , 2021.12 - Current (2022.4), Supervisor: Sean Kinzie, Han Wang
East Lancaster TOD, 2021.6 - 2021.8, Supervisor: Julie Obrochta, Christopher Hall
Venice Biennale China National Pavilion Reseacher and Exhibition Assistant 2017.02 - 2017.07
