BOYA ZHANG Portfolio
2014-2016
MSc Landscape Archtecture TU Delft Mobile: 0628 984 134 Email: zby.fts@gmail.com
Contents
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Walkscapes Redefining the pathnetwork in Emscher Landscape Park
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Falling Green Border Design in Tuin Mien Ruys
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Oerol 2015: Birds-I-View Interactive land art installation
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Landscape in boxes, boxes in landscape Dutch Waterscapes: Design of A Recreational Landscape
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Beijing 2019: International Horticulture EXPO Masterplan of EXPO Park
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Educational trail in pine forest
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Wutongfu Residence Construction drawings
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How do people use the public space? Researches based on observation
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Walkscapes
Site
Redefining the pathnetwork in Emscher Landscape Park
Graduation Project Reseach & design, multiple scales 2015.9-2016.6 Individual
Fragmentated landscape
Ruhr area, Germany *
My graduation studio is ‘Flowscape’. Among all kinds of flows, I’m particularly interested in the flows of pedestrian. During my visit to Ruhrgebiet, Germany, I found that the flows of pedestrians were hindered by the characteristic landscape there. Therefore I worked on that, with the paths as my operating tool. My project consists of research and design. Through site-specific research, I attributed the problems in Ruhr to the fragmentation. Through theory studies, I figured out the general characteristics of pleasant paths. With the inputs from research, I categorized the paths into 3 categories, then I came up with design principles for path making. Moreover, detailed designs were made for representative spots to illustrate the principles. Nowadays, we do need cities that function well, but we also need cities that are interesting to be there. Thus the recreational aspects need to be stressed. The conclusions I drew are not only valid for my site, but also meaningful to this universal trend.
2 1 Emscher Landscape Park: building connections in fragmentation *
Ambiguous image of ‘park’ land * 1
2 Concept
Path network as the framework for fragmented park system
Industrialization changed the landscape in Ruhr completely, resulting in strong fragmentation. According to Kevin Lynch, legibility is significant, thus fragmentation is problematic. Emscher Landscape Park was a project aimed to make connections, however, it’s hardly to be perceived as a whole from pedestrian perspective. Thus, I’d like to make the connections. In the context of a park system, path network is a powerful tool. * Images with * are adapted from open source data on internet.
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Existing paths in Emscher Landscape Park
Typology of new paths
Regional scale: Paths with limited spatial quality
Design principles of ‘Backbone Routes’
Standard segment
Backbone routes and connector routes establish the structure, so the design is focused on these two. According to my research (see p.32), a good path is a balance between repetition and variation. Thus the design principles stress the repetition and variation. Water system as the base of routes, covering the whole park system
Backbone routes regional scale; multiple programmes; related to water front
Pedestrian lane Cyclist lane
Variations on sections
Site scale: paths with 3 different atmospheres
Separate lanes
Lanes on different heights
Paved lanes
Combine with streets
Destination routes
Osterfeld, Oberhausen,
site scale; mainly for strolling; related to certain parks Cycling lane Width:3~4m Asphalt with signs
Variations according to features in landscape *
Walking lane Width:2~3m Macadam
Facilities
Seating object White concrete
Conncetor routes
Bike racks Steel
Light post
Trash bin
site scale; connecting different routes & parks; functional
Signage
Paths along rivers
Paths in parks
Sign posts
Paths inbetween
Maps & story boards
Trees
Backbone routes define the structure of Emscher Landscape Park; Conncetor routes sticking different elements together
Alnus * This is not the full list
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Carya cordiformis
Fraxinus excelsior
Carpinus betulus
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Design principles of ‘Connector Routes’ Model of a connector route
Shared lane
Shared lane for cyclists and pedestrians Width:3~4m Asphalt
Detailed designs
Site plan
Standard segment
Facilities
Light post
Backbone route Connector route Destination route
Signage
Trash bin
Based on the proposed design principles, I selected Osterfeld in Oberhausen as the representive site to project the principles.
Sign posts
Firstly, different routes were positioned on site (see image above). Secondly, I selected a typical piece among the network. (see image right). I made a scheme according to the design principles and site specific conditions; and illustrate them with design.
Design tricks for strategic points Access points
Narrowing
Opening
Tunnel
Widdening
Lighting
Detour
Softening
Foci
Railways/highways Water Parks
Marking
Art
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Section A-A
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Details
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Upgraded routes in users’ eyes
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Crataegus monogyna
Detail 1: when connector meets backbone To backbone route
5.00m To backbone route
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Detail 2: highlight on backbone route
Cafe
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Cyclist lane Platform
Embankment
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Detail 3: variations on backbone route
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Mr.L & his daughter
I see tourists and local people as two major user groups. The stories here show how does the new path network changed their perceptions on the environment. Mr. L lives in Oberhausen. He has a 5 year old daughter. In general, they are happy with their town, however, sometimes they found that taking a walk can be boring. After the park upgrade project is done, he and his daughter found more fun. Some previously inaccessible but interesting areas can be accessed now. Besides simply walking, there’s much more to do. The views change with time and seasons. They discovered the hidden charm which they never noticed before. Mr.T loves travelling. He had been to Oberhausen several years ago. He can recall some interesting spots, but the city in general was not…very satisfactory. The crazy railways and highways looked chaotic. He just got lost all the time. This time, surprisingly, it’s completely different now. At certain points, he sees inviting openings, and he can clearly recognized something is happening. The ever plain, straight, desperately long trail was enriched with details. It’s really enjoyable to take a walk on the riverside promenade now. And he finds that no matter where he wants to go, he can just go to the waterfront promenade, since that connects all the attractions.
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Mr. T Hi.
Nice
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Falling Green Border Design in Tuin Mien Ruys Garden, 14 sqm Dedemsvaart, NL Design: individual, 2015.8 Implementation: teamwork, 2016.5
In an one week workshop, my colleague students and I got a tiny shady corner in the nursery of Garden Mien Ruys. We were asked to make a design with plants for that. Fortunately, my proposal was selected as the implementation plan among 9 students. Together with my teachers and fellow students, we went back to the garden again and executed my design. It takes time for the plants to grow. The effect is unknown but promising.
Site
An untraversed, shady corner in the nursery
Our border was located in a remote corner of the nursery. A strong constrast was fromed by its quietness and the popularity of the rest of the garden. The atomosphere of the nursery reminded me of backyards in European fairytales. Why European? Because most asian yards are inward space, while western ones are outwards. Although the nursery is quiet, it’s still an outward space-gardeners show plants here. I’d like to follow the quietness but also make some difference. I’d like to create a space which is totally inward. You can only experience itas a surprise when you reach here unconciously. To make the narrow space looks spacious, I’d like to seduce people to sit down under the existing tree, so that the tree becomes a dulcet shelter instead of mass. Since the border was already enclosed by trees, if I just continue the layers of green, a complete enclosure will be created. Meanwhile, I was inspired by a melody called ‘Mountain Qingcheng’. Qingcheng is a Chinese mountain which is famous for its tranquility and numerous temples. When I listened to the melody, I felt like a stream is moving thorough rocks, coming to me. I designed an artificial stone, due to it’s quite low, when a visitor sits down, they have literally the same posture as a monk. In front of the visitor, I placed different layers of plants with different shades of green. The further the plants are, the higher the plants are. They cover each other but do not hide. Thus, a scene of falling green was created for visitor in this secret corner. 12
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Concept Sitting quietly under the shelter of canopy, facing green coming towards you.
Plants
Plan
Name
Quantity
Lamium ‘Pink Pewter’
17.5m2
Houttuynia cordata
19m2
Hosta fortunei ‘Hyacinthia’
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Lunaria rediviva
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Euphorbia palustris ‘Walen-
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burg’s Glorie’ Actaea simplex ‘Brunette’
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Tiles & Sitting stone
Section
The making of the border * Photographed by Xiaolu Sun 600mm 400mm
Planting plan
One month after implementation
Cement Tile Dark Grey Quantity: 3
400mm
100mm
Concrete Block Pale Quantity: 1 (This has to be specially made) * Photographed by Tuin Mien Ruys
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Oerol 2015: Birds-I-View Land art installation Teamwork. 2015.4-2015.11 Oerol Festival, Terschelling + BK EXPO, Delft
Site
Oerol is an art festival held every year on Terschelling. Together with my fellow students, we joined Oerol 2015. In collaboration with Vogelberscherming NL, we made an interactive installation to show the dilemma of nature conservation. The whole project consists of 3 stages. Firstly, we designed & tested with prototypes in Delft. During Oerol festival, we built up the structure in one day, and moved it 500 meters with visitors. We attracted around 3000 visitors in 10 days. After that we held an exhibition about this project in our faculty. I learned 2 things in this project: teamwork and think practically. In a team of 16, I was good at transforming abstract concepts to concrete projects, and executed that. Realizing ideas is much more complicated than coming up with them. My teammates and I fixed various practical problems: working with limited budget; negotiating with different sectors; comforting annoyed visitors; etc. These experience helped me to act like a practitioner. 16
Polder on Terschelling
Concept Real life situation
Sustainable life style
Organic dairy; bird-friendly
Massive production birds in trouble
Comsumerism life style General public
Project situation Team
Visitor
Collective data
The data tells whether build it higher or longer
Our daily choices may have impacts on landscapes worldwidely. There’s no right or wrong, but there’s a consequence. On Tershcelling, people’s choices on dairy products influenced life of meadow birds. We made a role play game to make people aware of such a situation.
Daily goals & final goal
Life style questionaire Take a plank from end & add it at front 17
Stage 1 Designing & testing
In this period we came up with bunches of ideas and tested them with scaled models and 1:1 prototypes. The final decision is made according to the playfulness and the feasibility.
Stage 2 Oerol Festival Our project was a construction site. People who came here played as construction workers. We were the ‘construction managers’, but we gave freedom to visitors to use their creativity. Thus most visitors said they love our project.
Stage 3 Exhibition in faculty
After coming back to Delft, we made an exhibition in autumn. By that time the Oerol studio was already finished. Together with my teachers, I was in charge of the designing and building. Fortunately, I managed to made it in parallel with my peronal deadlines.
Design sketch (by author)
Final design of the exhibition. (In colaboration with Michiel Pouderoijen)
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Opening of exhibition
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Landscape in boxes, boxes in landscape
Site
Dutch Waterscapes: Design of A Recreational Landscape
Klappolder happens to contains all the ingredients of polder landscape. It has boezem, representing the past of polder. It has green houses, logistic halls, and crop fields: the typical polder production. It even has a piece of newly built nature reserve, which is perhaps the future of polder. Moreover, it’s surrounded by neighborhoods and infrastructure.
This project is aimed to evoke the awareness of water issues in polder. In adjacent to river Rotte, Klappolder is a representative case. Based on the analysis of existing water management scheme, technical solutions were proposed for practical problems, such as improving the water quality. Besides that, pavilions were made at strategic spots, highlighting different values of water. The pavilions were made with same sizes, but the composition and materials vary according to the surroundings. While people take a break in those pavilions, they’ll understand the values of water through the framed views.
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Logistics
area
Green ho
uses
Rotte
Polder is probably the most characteristic Dutch landscape, and the water works in polder shows the Dutch wisdom wordlessly. Nowadays, on the one hand, issues like climate change are challenging the capacity of exisitng water management; on the other hand, because windmills and ditches are replaced by inconspicuous pumps and tubes, it’s hard for people to get aware of the significance of water management.
Klappolder-Rotte Basin-Rotterdam region
Nature reserve
Klappolder, Bleiswijk, NL Academic, individual 2015.2-2015.4
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Klappolder
Crop field
In summary, it bears all the functions that a polder could have, and it’s well accessible.
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Bleiswijk neighbor ho
ods
Old boez
em
Lost values of waterscapes
tte
Water management Wildlife habitats
Recreation
Irragation
Cultural heritage
Extreme rainfall asks for more restoring and discharching capacity
Recreational bike ways are made, but there are no space for stop and stay
Irragation water can be insufficient in dry weathers
Old water works are disappearing from visual landscape
Wetland birds need more connected, quality habitats
Rotterdam
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Ro
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A2
Intervention area
Street scale water management solutions Existing
The pump in klappolder serves some areas beyond the polder boundary. Therefore, when improving the water system, the discharging unit served by one pump was taken as a whole (1). However, in terms of recreational value, only a part of Klappolder is valuable. Hence the detailed design was only made in this part(3).
Positioning the boxes in landscape
Proposed
Ditches in polder
Enlarge the capacity + soften embankment
Box next to pump; water management Ditches in green house zone
1 Discharging unit
2 Klappolder
Enlarge the capacity + add recreation
3 Key intervention zone
Box in reserve; water as habitat
Water system: before and after
Ditches in residential neighborhoods
More capacity + greened embankment
Box in constructed wetland; water as recreation
Box in open field; water as irragation
Legends Rotte Old boezem
Ditches in logistics zone
Retention wadi + plant purification
Ditches along highway & railway
More capacity + retention wadi
Box in old boezem; water as culture
Ditchs Direction of Water Culvert Pump
Pump (high to low) New water Reeds
Overflow Segeration Street scale purification
Wetland plants with purification effect
Boundry of discharge area
Constructed wetland Schoenoplectus lacustris
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Phragmites australis
Typha latifolia
Lythrum salicaria
Caltha palustris
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Veronica beccabunga
Juncus effuses
Ranunculus aquatilis
Lysimachia vulgaris
Box in old boezem: viewing the heritage
Box next to pump: viewing the water management
Boezem
Boezem Ship lock
Stablize the dike
Box in field: viewing the irragation
Weir
Pump
Sluice Fields
Water storage pond
Ditch Irragation ditches
Green house
Existing pipe New pedestrian bridge based on the existing bridge
Box in reserve: viewing the habitat Wetland birds
Meadow birds
Box in constructed wetland: viewing the purification
Clean pond Sluice
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Site
Gui River, Yanqing, Beijing
Beijing 2019: International Horticulture EXPO
Master Plan of EXPO Park
Masterplan of EXPO Park
Yanqing, Beijing, China Academic, teamwork 2014.3-2014.4
Concept Multiple themes
Multiple activities
Sustainable development in post-Expo period
This project was my bachelor graduation project. Our task was to make a masterplan for the coming International Horticulture EXPO, as well as details of the key nodes in the EXPO Park. There were 3 challenges in this projects. Firstly, we shouldn’t impact much on the almost unspoiled nature. Secondly, the EXPO Park was extremely large, covering 960 hectares. Thirdly, the EXPO only last for 6 months, but the EXPO park would be permanent. We must take the post-EXPO period into consideration.
Node: main entrance
To take advantage of the river, we made a meandering artificial tributary in the park. To avoid to pollute the river, constructed wetlands were placed at the junctions. We divided the big park into different theme zones, so that people wouldn’t get lost in its largeness. Exhibition gardens were made with certain modulus. After EXPO, they would be transformed to smaller allotment gardens. Thus the EXPO park could profit in its whole life span. This proposal was highly recognized by the jury. We were honored that it was sent to the local government as a reference for the real plan.
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In collaboration with Anzhuo Chen, Xiangyan Wei, Dongbai Yu
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Site Pine forest
Manual mesurement: principle
a h1
O c
b h2
A
B
Build the terrain in SketchUp
Educational trail in pine forest
Wutongfu Residence
Xishan National Forest Park, Beijing
Tangshan, China
Professional project during internship in Jingdufengjing Tourism Planning & Design Institute
Professional project during internship in LANDTHING Architects
2014.1-2014.3 Xishan used to be a state owned tree nursery, and it was opened tourists in recent years. In 2014, Jingdufengjing was commissioned to design a path in the pine forest, telling the history of forestry in Xishan. Path in use
The story was told through numerous signage boards and playing facilities. I engaged as a Landscape intern in this project, my task was to position the facilities properly and design the space around the facilities, namely the path. The first challenge was that there was no accurate terrain map in such a hilly site, but we needed the data urgently. And the only tools we had were several tapes. Therefore I built a 3D triangle network with the trees, and measured the site manually. The second challenge was that my design should be as humble as possible, thus it wouldn’t compete with the beauty of the forest and the playful facilities. Thus I selected the timber as the main material, and I didn’t make any eye-catching form.
2013.7-2013.8 Wutongfu was a residential community in Tangshan, China. LandTHING Architects was commissioned to design the exterior space in this community. I worked for this project in the phase of construction drawings. My task was to help the senior designer to make the details. At the beginning, I just digitalized the hand drawing sketches in AutoCAD. As project went on, I accumulated relevant knowledge rapidly, and I was able to make simple details individually. Because of the limited time, we had to work 7 days a week, 12 hours a day. Fortunately, I survived from the pressure, and helped the team to finish the project on time.
Top plan of pergola*
Junction between column and girder* Pergola under construction
This trail was particularly favored by families with children. Because of this project, our team get many following commissions from the same client. I was honored that I involved in such a project. *Copyrights reserved © LandTHING Architects
* Photographed by Jingdufengjing 28
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How do people use the public space?
People’s movement in public space, Den Haag Walking speed
Tracks of movement
Do people walk differently in different streets? Yes. Attractiveness of the streets slow people down. Moreover, the more pedestrians on the street, the slower the people turn to be.
Physical obstacles
Researches based on observation Multiple places 2015-2016
This part shows my observations and reflections on people’s behavior in certain environment. I believe that excellent spatial designs are strongly user-oriented, therefore I’m particularly interested in people’s behavior in specific conditions. Designers may have specific expectation on how do people use the space they designed, however, in many occasions people don’t behave as designers expected. How does that happen? When designers lack the knowledge of how do people use the space, the gap betwen ideal and reality occurs. I spent a lot of time on street, where I recorded what I saw with my pen. When I came back home, I summarized and analysed what I saw, and compared that with theories on books. Through these studies, I gained deeper understandiing on people’s preference on outdoor space. With these inputs, I’m able to produce more accurate designs.
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Dynamic & static
Cyclists & walkers
Do people always follow the specified path? Not necessarily. Around Grote Kerk in Den Haag, people turn to follow the path with least resistance.
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Characteristics of favored strolling paths
Delf in the eyes of school-aged children
All paths in parks are supposed to made for strolling. However, not all of them are favored by strollers.Referring to Lynch & Appleyard’s studies on driving experience, I scored the walking experience on different paths with diagrams. By comparing popular paths and unpopular paths, I came to the conclusion that a plesant path is the balance between repetition and variation.
Different groups of people have different perceptions on space. Through literature review, we concluded the characteristics of school-aged children. Through interviews, we found children’s favorite spots in Delft. In general, children need safe space where they can use their creativity and motor skills. This complies Kaplan & Kaplan’s preferrence model.
Vondel park, Amsterdam Seen as popular paths
In collaboration with Daniela Haug
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Thank you ! More information: https://nl.linkedin.com/in/boya-zhang-3542596