Alfred Xuecheng Cai Architectural Portfolio University at Buffalo School of Architecture & Planning
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Resume
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Mรถbiusdome Slope Garden Building In a Building ROOTS Campus In the Park Forest Hill Building Case Study
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Alfred Xuecheng Cai xuecheng@buffalo.edu EDUCATION University at Buffalo School of Architecture & Planning | Buffalo, USA 02|2020 - 08|2021, Master of Architecture University at Buffalo School of Architecture & Planning | Buffalo, USA 09|2015 - 12|2020, Bachelor of Science in Architecture University at Buffalo Department of Classics | Buffalo, USA 09|2015 - 12|2020, Minor in Classics Architecture Department Study Abroad Program| Madrid, Spain 06|2019 - 08|2019, Architecture Campus Design Exchange Project Classics Department Study Abroad Program| South Italy, Europe 01|2017 - 02|2017, Ancient Greek and Rome Historical Inspection University at Buffalo ESL Language Course| Buffalo, USA 05|2015 - 08|2015, Summer Language Course in English AWARDS First Prize of 2018 Barbara G. Laurie NOMA Annual Student Design Competition 09|2017 - 10|2018
ORGANIZATIONS National Organization of Minority Architects (NOMAS) 04|2018 - Current
INVOLVEMENT Ancient Rome Architecture Investigation| Rome, Florence, Milan, Venice, Italy 05|2019 - 06|2019 Volunteer of Buffalo Chinese Christian Church| Buffalo, USA 09|2018 - 09|2018 Ancient Wooden Bridges Investigation| Zhejiang, China 06|2018 - 07|2018 Rail Transportation Study Around the United States| 10+ Cities, USA 05|2016 - 06|2016 Fine Arts in Paris Investigation| Paris, France 06|2012 - 07|2012 SKILLS AutoCad Rhino3D Rhino Renders in Vray Photoshop Indesign Microsoft Office
LANGUAGE Chinese English
Native Fluent
Illustrator QGIS Laser Cutting 3D Printing CNC Physical Model Making
Mรถbiusdome Instructor: Nicholas Bruscia
T
his building introduces the technology of buoyancy into architectural design
by combining shipbuilding experience. A water education center built in the Lockport area of the Erie Canal cultivates people's interest in water sports such as boating and kayaking. This project includes research on the Erie Canal, making ships by hand, and exploring the relationship between buoyancy and architecture.
The boat is built by the studio group of Alfred Xuecheng Cai, Benjamin Ezquerra, Jaxon Klein, Madelaine Ong, Sheikh Fluffynut, Xuan He, Chris Welch, Leah Carpenter, Jaidon Ramirez, Tom Cleary, Samantha Goembel, Pete Vidulich, Mira Shami, Mike Pawlak and Jennifer Persico.
Diversity of Contact
T
he keel and ribs deflected on both faces (XY Panel and XZ Panel) to fit
the shape of the boat. When the end-to-
Fig. 1
end joints on the XY face were combined, it becomes a Mรถbius band.
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 5
Fig. 4
Fig. 6
Fig. 7
Fig. 8
A
n arch structure with a closed curve became
group that still has a continuous structure from the
a long closed beam which resembles a
dome roof, through the middle pillars and go to the
curved Mรถbius band. The section of the beams all
floating structures which are below the waterline.
have different facings. Later, this infrastructure experienced multiple overlaps, displacements, scaling and bending, and eventually became a dome
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2-1
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Mรถbius strip
Final Structure
Concept 2-2
3-2
Solar Shading
Glass pieces
Tertiary Dome Structure
Solid Pieces
Secondary Dome Structure
Primary Dome Structure
Column Structure
Lobby Floors and Stairs
Buoyancy Structure
Buoyancy Skin
Structure
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Plan F1
Interior Space 1. Reception/Lobby/Gallery/Gift Shop 2. Conference Room 3. Flexible Classroom/Meeting Space 4. Commercial Kitchen w/Seating 5. Staff Offices 6. General Offices 7. Storage Space (2 x 200 SF) 8. Private Restrooms 9. Public Restrooms (2 x 200 SF) Semi-outdoor Space 10. Large Co-Working Space 11. Muti-Use Event Space for 75 Persons Exterior Space 12. Entrance Vestibule 13. Water Access
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1,000 SF 700 SF 800 SF 800 SF 200 SF 400 SF 400 SF 100 SF 400 SF
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1000 SF 1400 SF 9
200 SF 1600 SF
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Plan F2
Program & Egress
Sections
Slope Garden Instructor: Miguel Guitart Team project with Yifan He
A
n international Student Campus for University at Buffalo in Madrid, Spain,
this multifunctional facility is based on residency and teaching. The integration with t he lo cal cultu re a nd e nv ir o nme n t an d t he rational use of level differences are the main points.
Coherence of Levels
Roof Garden
Space Hierarchy
Concept Program Diagram
Roof View Public Space Mutipurpose Building / Lobby / News-Periodicals Zone /
Public Space
Workshop Areas / Auditorium / Archives / Restrooms / Interior Program Space / Book Shop / Retailshop /
Semi-Public Space Residential Space
Restaurant Semi-Public Space Lobby / Reception Area / Offices / Workshop / Lecture Hall / Children's Room /Special Collections / Archives/ Restrooms / Cafe / Administration / Reading Rooms Residential Space Coed Dormitory / Lobby / Student Residency / Restrooms / Cafe
Roof Circulation
Sections
1st Floor
2nd Floor
Public Circulation Private Circulation Elevator Egress
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1
2
2
Roof
Exploded Axon
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ll faces of the buildings that are exposed to direct
sunlight are covered with a facade made of bamboo. These bamboo poles can be moved to control the amount of sunlight entering in order to achieve the purpose of controlling the indoor temperature.
Elevation
1 Roof Slope View
2 Inner Court View
Building in a Building Instructor: Brian Carter he concept of a BUILDING IN A
T
BUILDING is inspired by the need
to provide a resiliency center where communities can meet, learn and play. Located on an urban site this new Recreation Center can be used throughout the year and will also offer refuge in times of emergency. The design creates two separate buildings in the heart of Cleveland that are distinctively different from one another yet combine together to create new connections to link existing streets and different neighborhoods in the city.
Hierarchy of Facade
Resilience Concept Light Outer Layer
Heavy Inner Layer
Bike Ramp
T
he space between these two buildings houses a ramp
experiences related to the activities within the Recreation
that provides a direct connection between the upper
Center and provide opportunities for passers-by to learn about
and lower levels of existing streets which bound the site.
programs and facilities that are available to the community.
This ramp, designed for pedestrians and cyclists, will
This new route through the neighborhood highlights the
enable free movement through and across the site, offer
contrasting characteristics of the BUILDING.
2nd Floor
1st Floor
Studies
Ground Floor
Structures
Horizantal Circulation Bike Circulation Vertical Circulation
Electricity Cold Water Hot Water/Heat Drain Intake/Air Condition Exhaust
R
ainwater that is collected within the frame is stored in tanks supported by the heavy
concrete structure of the INNER BUILDING. Power generated by a roof mounted photovoltaic array that consists of 4,600 sq.ft. of solar collection surface is estimated to be in excess of 92,000 watts. This energy from the sun will be stored in battery rooms within the heavy concrete structure of the INNER BUILDING. As a result the INNER BUILDING is serviced by systems that are inherently resilient and which have been planned to enable spaces on each floor to be used independently during power outages or at times of extreme weather during both the winter and the summer.
Competition
ROOTS Faculty advisor: Brian Carter Team Elias Kotzambasis, Alfred Xuecheng Cai, Jonette Cobb and Unnati Patel. Drawing support by Liangying Chen, Evan Martinez, and Michael Hoover. Exhibited at the 2018 Barbara G. Laurie NOMA Annual Student Design Competition and earned First Prize.
T
he brief of ROOTS is an initiative that seeks to connect the many parts of
the Woodlawn community and enable its growth. To create a gateway to the future Obama Library in Chicago, attention was given to the community culture and local environment, as well as energy saving (netzero) and env ir o nm en ta l pr o te c ti on i n t he design.
Organic Loop
East 63rd Street
63rd Street Railway
Community Gardens Farmers Market Supermakets Deli & Convenience Store Project Site Neighbourhood Boundary Major Axis
USERS
EX - OFFENDERS/AT RISK
STUDENT
PUBLIC/ RESIDENTS
EMPLOYEE
FOOD VENDOR/TENANT
Ex-Offenders/ at risk youths Attends seminars to become Buys produce that are grown Provides job training and Prepare food with the produce grow produce for themselves educated on healthy eating by the ex-cons/ at risk youths. teaches agriculture practices that are grown by the ex-cons/ and the Woodlawn habits. to the ex-cons/ at risk youths. at risk youths. community.
Use of building and plaza
1st Floor
Plans
2nd Floor
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8 11 7 5 6
4 3 1 2
Roof
1.Plaza Garden 2.Storage Area 3.Restaurant 4.Cafe 5.Market Place 6.Train Station 7.Training Facility 8.Housing 9.Roof Garden 10.Greenhouse 11.Parking Lot
Sun Diagram
Waste Management Circle
Solar (PV) Panels
Green Roof
Sun Shading
Phase 63rd Street: 2018
Circulation Diagram 63rd Street: 2021
63rd Street: 2030
Approach to the 63rd Street Station
1 Public Plaza
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2 Community Garden
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Campus In the Park Instructor: Erkin Ă–zay Team project with Deborah Urban, Poorva Mirashi
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ebuilding the urban relationship between east and west Buffalo in the
Kensington Heights area by redesigning the Erie County Medical Center (ECMC) and connecting the site with west Buffalo blocked by the Expressway to achieve regional economic recovery and population return, regional functionality (medical care) and transportation convenience is increased as well as the development of an environmentally friendy college campus with a Olmsted style park system.
Connection with Green
T
he connection between the east and west and the reconstruction of the Olmsted park system helps improve the relevance of regional schools and
medical facilities.
Urban Structures
T
he sinking Expressway partitions the eastern and western regions of Buffalo, resulting in the isolation of medical and school traffic in the region as well
as economic and demographic inequality. The new parkway system reconnects the main facilities in the east (such as ECMC) with the city’s main roads to form a larger urban public health system as well as the new Green Campus with mixed-
Current Situation 2020
use buildings providing a healthier and natural environment for surrounding schools and colleges.
Idea of connection
Parkway system
Green Campus
Historic Gallery
School's Extra Facade
Farmer's Market
Details
Main Entrance
Bus Circulation
Fillmore-Kensington Avenue Parkway
Bike Circulation
Erie County Medical Center Parkway
Delaware Park
Sisters of Charity Hospital
Medialle College
Individual Housing Canisius College
ECMC Office Building Apartment Housing
Senior Housing Community Center + Gallery
Erie County Medical Center
Mixed- Use Housing Supermarket
Forest Hill Instructor: Omar Khan Team project with Xuwen Zhang Exhibited at the University at Buffalo of Architecture & Planning in 2019
A
residential building with specific public spaces in Forest Hills, Queen’s,
NYC. The key to the project is to study the relationship between city and architecture, the relationship between public space and private space, and the vision of sustainable development.
Liberation of Space
D
esigning a building that combines ecology and
technology with the lives of ordinary citizens is the theme. Through the interaction between the citizens and science and technology, the public can participate in scientific research of food and medicine that is based on the plants. The building itself can
be
a tribute to the sustainable architectural concept and as an iconic building. The Public space become a flowing ecology facing the entire Society. It also serves as a trail for the Lab to associate plants into humans life. Ecological space surrounded by communities can stimulate people's awareness of protecting the environment as well. Plant Species and Research Trends
Residential Units
F2
F7
F3
F8
F4
F9
Selected Floor Plans
Croffead House Rush Dixon Architects
Outline Specifications 1. Foundation at perimeter wall - 36 inch wide x 12 inch thick site cast concrete strip footing with 3-#5 reinforcement bars
2. Perimeter wall below grade
Building Case Study Faculty advisor: Annette LeCuyer
T
he brief of this project is to investigate and
study the two buildings' material and structures. By doing research and using AutoCAD to draw the 3d axon section of the building, a deepened understanding of materials and structures, as well as exercise drawing skills and comprehension of architecture specifications was achieved.
- 12 x 16 x 8 inch CMU inner wythe with #5 vertical reinforcement bars at corners, openings and 48 inches O.C. - 8 x16 x 8 inch CMU outer wythe with #5 vertical reinforcement bars at corners, openings and 48 inches O.C.
3. External wall at ground level - 8 x 16 x 12 inch CMU inner wythe with reinforcement with #5 bars - 8 x 8 x 4 inch CMU outer wythe - 2 inch thick rigid insulation - 2 inch air space
4. External wall at upper floors - 8 x 16 x 8 inch CMU inner wythe with 3-#5 vertical reinforcement grouted solid at corners, openings and 48 inch O.C. and horizontal joint reinforcement at 16 inches O.C. vapor barrier - 2 inch rigid insulation - 2 inch air space - 8 x 8 x 4 inch CMU outer wythe
5. Ground floor - 4 inch compacted gravel - Vapor barrier - 4 inch site cast concrete slab on grade with mesh reinforcement
6. First floor/living room floor Floor - 2 x10 inch joists at 16 inch O.C. - ¾ inch plywood subfloor - ¾ inch wood strip finish flooring Ceiling - ¾ inch gypsum board
7. Roof - 2 x 8 inch rafters at 16 inch O.C. - ¾ inch plywood sheathing - Built-up roof membrane Ceiling - 2 x 4 inch joists at 16 inch O.C. - 4 inch batt insulation between vapor barrier - ¾ inch gypsum board
8. Parapet - 8 x16 x 8 inch CMU inner wythe with #5 vertical reinforcement at corners and 48 inch O.C. - Grout solid and horizontal reinforcement alternating courses - 2 inch thick rigid insulation - 2 inch air cavity - 8 x 8 x 4 inch CMU outer wythe with transparent waterproof coating with horizontal reinforcement 16 inch O.C. - Grout all sells of CMU blocks solid hook reinforcements - Flashing - Metal snap-on coping
9. Window at ground story - Site cast concrete sill - 8 inch bond beam lintel with 2-#5 reinforcement - Framed double glazed window
10. Window at first floor @ North
- Cast concrete sill flush with interior wall extruded out 2 feet 6 inch - Steel sash enclosing window panes - 4 vertically spaced 5/8 inch window panes at 2 x 4 feet - Reinforced concrete sill and built in 16 inch bond beam - 12 inch lintel / 8 inch lintel 2 #5 grout solid extended 8 feet
11. Window at first floor @ East - 3 vertically spaced 5/8 inch windowpanes at 2 x 4 feet - Cast concrete sill - Weeps 32 inch O.C. - 2 x10 feet flush to sill - 12 inch bond beam 2 #5 beyond grout - 12 inch lintel / 8 inch lintel 2 #5 grout solid extended 8 feet
Conibear Shellhouse University of Washington
Outline Specifications 1. Foundation
6. Floor at Dining
- 14 inch diameter steel pipe piles with (10) #7 bar steel reinforcement. Piles @ 10 feet O.C. and minimum 10 feet penetration into bearing layer - 3 feet x 10 feet x 2.5 feet sitecast concrete pile caps - 24 inch x 18 inch sitecast concrete grade beam with (4) #6 reinforcement bar bottom and (3) #5 reinforcing bar top
- Existing steel frame structure - 2-½ inch site-cast concrete topping slab - 2 inch corrugated steel deck - 3 inch R-l 9 rigid insulation - Vapor Barrier - 2 inch topping slab with floor finish - Continuous flush diffuser adjacent to curtain walls
2. Floor at Lower Level
7. Exterior Structure
- New floor finish material - acrylic self-leveling product (where required to level existing concrete floor condition) - existing 2 ½ inch concrete topping slab - existing 1 inch rigid insulation - 6-½ inch structural two way concrete slab with #5 reinforcing @ 12 inch O.C. each way - 2 inch R-l 0 rigid insulation on perimeter - Vapor barrier - 2 ½ inch topping slab
3. Exterior Wall - 10 inch cast in place sealed concrete wall - 12 #4 reinforcement - ½ inch airspace - 3 5/8 inch metal stud at 24 inch O.C. - 5/8 inch gypsum board with vapor retarding PVA primer at interior
4. Floor at Deck - W 14 x 33 steel beam - 1 inch rigid insulation between R-l4 insulation finish board - 2 inch composite corrugated metal decking - 2-½ inch concrete topping slab with mesh reinforcement - Hot rubberized asphaltic membrane - Protective sheet - Drainage - 1 inch rigid insulation - 2 inch topping slab with broom finish
5. Exterior Wall at Deck - 6 inch concrete curb at base - 5 ½ inch aluminum double glazed curtain wall system - 10 inch thick cast in place wall - ½ inch airspace - 3 5/8 inch metal stud at 24 inch O.C. - 5/8 inch gypsum board - Vapor retarding PVA primer at interior
- Exposed W 14 x 43 steel columns - Exposed W24 MF steel beam, painted - W16 x 64 steel purlins
8. Handrail at Deck - C 13 X 31.8 galvanized steel channel with (2) X ½ inch x 3 inch steel flat bar 4 inch O.C. & X ½ inch x 6 inch steel flat bar at center with oversized holes for cable - ½ inch diameter steel bar stiffeners O.C. bolt upstand assembly 12 inch O.C. - Stainless cable 3 inch O.C. secured to 6 inch flat bar upstand - ½ inch x 6 inch galvanized steel plate top rail - 3/16 diameter stainless steel cable
9. Window at Lower Level - 4 feet 8 inch by 6 feet window
10. Garage Door - Overhead track - Aluminum overhead door with ½ inch insulated glass
11. Roof - W16 x 36 steel beams - Painted steel purlins - 2 x 6 pressure treated tongue and groove decking - Plywood sheathing - Vapor barrier - R-21 - PVC single ply membrane on ¼ inch overlayment board