Portfolio of Di 2017

DESIGN OF BALANCE

Chen Di's Portfolio U.Va School of Architecture

dc2dk@virginia.edu | 434-249-5014

My design philosophy defines architecture as the BALANCE OF CONTRADICTIONS, such as exterior and interior, old and new, developed and undeveloped, human and nature.

By revealing the hidden opportunities behind the tensions in a certain context, my design creates architecture which can transform the crisis and problems into harmony and stimulus.

a ruin of a demolished house in Nanjing, China. 2011

RESUME

Di Chen

Education Background: 08/2014- University of Virginia with Master Program in Architecture graduate date - 05/2017 09/2008-06/2013 Southeast University(SEU) with Major in Urban Planning

Working Experience

Univeristy of Virginia dc2dk@virginia.edu 434-249-5014

Research Experience

01/09/2017-01/13/2017 Studio Gang, New York City

Extern

01/2017 - 05/2017 Research Assistant in “Public Pedestrian System of Lohas

Participated in American Museum of Natural History project.

Park in Hong Kong”

06/2016-08/2016

Figured out spatial organization from raw materials. Built digital model and drew

ESWAY GSP, Nanjing Intern

Conceptual designs of an underground entrance and office interior space. Visited

analytical diagrams.

construction site.

05/2015-06/2015 U.Va China Summer Program “Emerging Typologies“

01/04/2016-01/08/2016 Stantec, Charlottesville Extern

Visited multiple cities to witness the stimulus behind the rapid development of

Visited construction site of Frederick County Public School in Winchester, Vir-

China.

ginia and communicated with clients.

Did urban research by visiting site, making maps and diagrams, and writing an

08/2013-09/2013

essay.

Woods Bagot, Shanghai Intern

Helped to finish large amount of work including designs, diagrams, translations

02/2013-06/2013 graduation Project “Barcelona Encounters: Meeting Place”,

and etc.

La Salle, Barcelona

Won employers’ high praise because of professionalism, commitment, and cre-

Worked with Spanish students from La Salle to do urban research on Cerda Grid

ative thoughts and ideas.

in Barcelona.

07/2012-10/2012

07/2009-09/2009 Cultural Preservation Survey in the old town of Nanjing

Tianhua Architecture Design Co. ltd, Shanghai Intern

Took interview with local residences and participated in taking photos of the old buildings in this area with an NGO.

Skills

Digital: SketchUp | Rhino | Revit | Grasshopper | AutoCAD | Adobe Photoshop | Adobe Illustrator | Adobe InDesign Craft: Laser Cutting | Wood Working | Resin Casting Languages: Native Chinese, Fluent English

Awards and Honors 2014-2016

U.Va School of Architecture Departmental Aid Award

2012

Scholarship from Jiangsu Transportation Institution

2011

Honorable Mention in the “S+C2011” International Competition

Relocation

1

Rethinking Modernity

Smithsonian Museum of Navigation Washington D.C., US Academic/Independent Supervisor: Li, Shiqiao - University of Virginia 2016.8-2016.12

Infiltration

7

City Among Water

Strategic Resillent Center

Norfolk, US Academic/Group Supervisor: Jull, Matthew & Bailo-Esteve, Manuel - University of Virginia 2016.1-2016.5

Penetration

15

Between the Walls

Gallery & Library

Washington D.C., US Academic/Independent Supervisor: Ripple, Jeana - University of Virginia 2015.3-2015.5

Activation

In-between Street

Productive Village

Chalottesville, US Academic/Independent Supervisor: Lorenz, Esther - University of Virginia 2014.8 - 2014.12

21

Relocation

Rethinking Modernity Smithsonian Museum of Navigation

HUMAN IS NOT THE CENTER OF NATURE. HUMAN IS PART OF NATURE.

1

REVERSED SEXTANT This studio project started with the research and rethinking of sextant, one of the 18th century scientific instruments, which indicate the dawn of modernization.

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4 in

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Through the long history of navigational instrument evolution, sextant is the most successful version before the modern GPS system as it is convenient to use and accurate to measure by using double reflection principle to bring object and horizon in one vision.

The original sextant's mechanism can be viewed as a human centered operation, which is the source of all the consequences of today's modern world, that the object(sun or star) is moved to fit into human standard(horizon).

Therefore my installation is tended to reverse the principle of a sextant by discovering the horizon's own horizons.

The final production is to add more weight on the back by using the same language of the first transectional pieces thus forming a bone-like strcture.

One eye can see the horizontal horizons while the other can get a view of the vertical divisions. Both have different density of lines in order to adapt to different size of objects.

2

SITE PLAN

The site is located at the National Mall of Washington D.C. Adjacent to other museums upholding modern categories of knowledge. Following the installation design, this new Smithsonian National Museum will be focused on navigation.

This museum will inspire the public about the close relationship between human and environment with exhibition of premodern navigational instruments.

Also, the museum itself will be integrated

with environment so that the visitors can explore the building by navigating themselves with the environmental references such as the sun or the landmark.

3

ARCHITECTURE AS INSTRUMENT NORTHERN STAR UNION STATION

UNION STATION

UNION STATION

CAPITOL

CAPITOL

CAPITOL

SUMMER SOLSTICE SUNRISE

SUMMER SOLSTICE MIDDAY SUN

MONUMENT

basic volume The best location for the building volume is the north part of the site. The height of the building will be the same as the adjacent East Gallery.

NORTHERN STAR UNION STATION

UNION STATION

NORTHERN STAR

MONUMENT

One of the navigational references is landmark. I choose three most important landmarks - the Union Station, the Capitol, and the Monument - to establish the three main orientaions for the cuts.

CAPITOL

MONUMENT

To get rid of the excessive volume of the building, these two cuts are based on the orientations of sunrise and sunset on solstice days in DC.

NORTHERN STAR

EQUINOX SUNPATH

EQUINOX SUNPATH

SUMMER SOLSTICE SUNSET

SUMMER SOLSTICE SUNSET

SUMMER SOLSTICE SUNSET

WINTER SOLSTICE SUNPATH

SUMMER SOLSTICE SUNRISE

SUMMER SOLSTICE SUNRISE

SUMMER SOLSTICE MIDDAY SUN

MONUMENT

SUMMER SOLSTICE SUNSET

sunrise/sunset

CAPITOL

SUMMER SOLSTICE SUNRISE

MONUMENT

SUMMER SOLSTICE SUNSET

SUMMER SOLSTICE MIDDAY SUN

SUMMER SOLSTICE MIDDAY SUN

UNION STATION

EQUINOX SUNPATH

CAPITOL

SUMMER SOLSTICE SUNSET

MONUMENT

landmark

SUMMER SOLSTICE SUNRISE

SUMMER SOLSTICE SUNRISE

SUMMER SOLSTICE MIDDAY SUN

WINTER SOLSTICE SUNPATH

WINTER SOLSTICE SUNPATH

SUMMER SOLSTICE MIDDAY SUN

northern star/summer solstice

sunpath

final volume

In order to create more comfortable spatial experience for both north and south side, both facades will be slopes, the angles of which are determined by the altitude of the northern star and the midday sun in summer solstice in DC.

Besides all the previous static references, it is also necessary to introduce some dynamic ones. Therefore these two cuts are based upon the sunpaths on eqounuxes and winter solstice of DC.

To extend the spatial experiences, the outdoor space is also organized related to the environmental references.

concept model 4

NORTHERN

EXPLORE!

1 SUNDIAL PLAZA

2 GPS TRENCH

3 ENTRANCE

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8

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4 SUNPATH ATRIUM

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5 EQUONUX GAP

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2

6 THE STAIRS

7 CAPITOL OVERLOOK

8 UNION STATION VALLEY

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9 MONUMENT TERRERANCE

10 THE GALLERY 5

PLANS +8.10M PLAN 1:500

+8.10M PLAN 1:500

+14.10M PLAN 1:500

+14.10M PLAN 1:500

-6.00M PLAN 1:500

-6.00M PLAN 1:500

0.00M PLAN 1:500

0.00M PLAN 1:500

1st floor plan

+8.10M PLAN 1:500

-6.00M PLAN 1:500

2nd floor plan

+8.10M PLAN 1:500

+14.10M PLAN 1:500

+14.10M PLAN 1:500

-6.00M PLAN 1:500

0.00M PLAN 1:500

0.00M PLAN 1:500

3rd floor plan

4th floor plan

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Infiltration REVERSED SEXTANT

City Among Water Strategic Resillient Center

ARCHITECTURE IS ALSO RECYCLABLE.

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DENSITY VS FLOODING

High Urban Density

Vulnerable High Urban Density

Flooded Area

Point of Interest

Transportation Infrastructure

In 100 years, the sea level will rise as high as 8 feet in Norfolk. As a coastal city, a lot of area will be affected, especially those places with high densities. It is essential to explore a way of facing and responding to such situation, not only good for the local residence by providing them new home, but also creating paradigm answering the global climate change issue.

Flooding animation

Urban map - Flooding and density 8

IMMERSED IN URBANITY

MACARTHUR CENTER

CITY HALL

SUNTRUST BANK

VIRGINIA PORT AUTHORITY

Final stage

OVERLAY OCCUPY ATTACH FLOODING WALL

We choose to place the site in the downtown area as our goal is to make our design benefit the majority of the citizens.

In order to fully engage with density, our final design scheme is to integrate the new buildings with the old structures rather than put them on the vacant land.

Concept exploration 9

OVERLAP, OCCUPY & ATTACH

OFFICE RESEARCH COMMAND STAFF CENTER INFRSTRUCTURE

Elevate

OFFICE RESEARCH COMMAND STAFF CENTER INFRSTRUCTURE

"OCCUPY"

OFFICE TOWER OCCUPATION + ATTACHMENT

OFFICE TOWER OCCUPATION + ATTACHMENT

VACANT SHOPPING MALL MIX-USE LAND OVERLAP OCCUPATION OVERLAP

PARKING GARAGE OCCUPATION + OVERLAP

OFFICE TOWER OCCUPATION + ATTACHMENT

Engage

PARKING GARAGE OCCUPATION + OVERLAP

SHOPPING MALL OVERLAP

OFFICE RESEARCH COMMAND STAFF CENTER INFRSTRUCTURE

By Program ByBy Program Program

By Program

Recreation Recreation Recreation center center center

Offices/Research Offices/Research Offices/Research

Recreation center

Offices/Research

infrastructure infrastructure infrastructure infrastructure

By Program ByBy Program Program

By Program

OFFICE TOWER OCCUPATION + ATTACHMENT

Office

Bank Bank Bank tower tower tower Bank tower

VACANT SHOPPING MALL MIX-USE LAND OVERLAP OCCUPATION OVERLAP

Townhouse

Multi-story Multi-story Multi-story mixed mixed mixed useuse use

Multi-purpose Multi-purpose Multi-purpose Multi-purpose

Garage

Parking Parking Parking garage garage garage Parking garage Renovation Typologies

Shopping Shopping Shopping mallmall mall Shopping mall

"ATTACH"

Command Command Command Center Center Center Command Center

Connect

PARKING GARAGE OCCUPATION + OVERLAP

Multi-story mixed use

VACANT SHOPPING MALL MIX-USE LAND OVERLAP OCCUPATION OVERLAP

"OVERLAP"

Mall

We developed three approaches of inserting new programs into old structure: occupying, which is to put the new program inside the original structure; attaching, which is to place the new structure side by side with the old one; and overlaping, which is to lift the new structure over the existing one without interfering it. Thus all these methods help to bring new life to the flooded city by infiltrating it with new program.

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ENGAGING SITE

New Volume

Connection

STAT ION 1 COMM LOBB AND CE Y NT

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CENT

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STAF F

CENT

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CE OFFIC

E LO

BBY

STAT IO

N2

ARCH CE

NTER

NEW LIGHTRAIL LINE

RESE

Office -> Office

EREN

Garage -> Research & Conference

CONF

Vacant Land -> Public Center

Entrance level - integrated with metro On the site, there are multiple types of buildings and spaces. According to their locations and programs, all the old structures will be treated differently with the most suitable method and program.

As all the program is spread out around site like a campus, the pedestrian system between different buildings is quite important. And with the ground transportation is all beneath water, a elevated metro line will connect this new

hub with the rest of the city.

11

ELEVATED URBAN LIFE

Public Center

Research Garden

Office

Conference Center

Vertical Connection 12

HOW TO RENOVATE A GARAGE

ASSIGNMENT3

ARCH 7230 Design Development Di Chen

GARAGE RENOVATION

glass handrail

glass handrail glass handrail earth

earth

earth gutter

water gutter proof layer gutter patio floor finish water proof water proof layer garage precast double T slab patio floor finish patio floor finish precast garage precastgarage double Tdouble slabT slab garage concrete beam garage concrete beam garage concrete beam insulation

insulation

insulation

double paint glazing double paint glazing double paint glazing

glass handrail

earth gutter water proof layer patio floor finish garage precast double T slab

garage concrete beam insulation

double paint glazing

double paint glazing double paint glazing

glass handrail glass doublehandrail paint glazing wood floor

glassfloor handrail wood wood floor

double paint glazing glass handrail wood floor

insulation garage precast double T slab gutter water proof layer balcony floor finish

insulation insulation garage precastgarage double Tdouble slabT slab precast gutter gutter insulation water proof layer water proof garage precast double T slab balcony gutter floor finish balcony floor finish water proof layer garage concrete beam garage concrete beam balcony floor finish garage concrete beam

garage concrete beam

ASSIGNMENT3

ARCH 7230 Design Development Di Chen

GARAGE RENOVATION

A good concept requires careful detail design. In this project, I take charge of the renovation of the garages on site. As the typical structural member in a garage is the precast double T slab, which can be removed without breaking the whole double paint glazing structural system, there is opportunity to double paint glazing create patio and atrium in a garage space.

double paint glazing

wood floor steel concrete decking insulation I beam ceiling

wood floor steel concrete decking glass handrail

earth gutter water proof layer patio floor finish

wood floor insulation steel concrete decking I beam insulation I beam ceiling

garage precast double T slab

garage concrete beam

ceiling

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HOW TO RENOVATE A GARAGE

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Penetration

REVERSED SEXTANT

Between the Walls Gallery&Library

MAKE NECESSITY BECOME ENJOYMENT.

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A CONNECTING SITE

Metro exit

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up down

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outdoor gallery -14.00ft

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down

-12.00ft

outdoor gallery down

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down

down

-10.00ft

-12.00ft

down down

down

cafe -8.00ft -10.00ft

outdoor gallery

down

down

outdoor gallery

-16.50ft

SITE

down down

down

-6.00ft -19.00ft

secondary performance space

down

secondary performance space

+3.00ft

down

down

down

up

up

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outdoor gallery +9.00ft

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+4.50ft

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50FT

Dupont Circle

Located between the two population concentration of the Metro exit and the Dupont Circle, this project provides the opportunity to link these two spots and creates an active public space in between as right now these two places have little connection.

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EMBRACING WALLS

outdoor gallery performance cafe

1.5ft 3ft

The unique site which has an existing builiding on the boundary requires a partition wall to seperate. Thus, another wall paralell to it helps to define the public circulation on the ground level, creating a street-like space on the urban scale. Meanwhile, on the building scale, the walls can also perfectly be integrated with the programs of library and gallery by being turned into stacks or armature.

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WALL DETAILS solid wall integrated with stacks

1 2

3 4

windows with louvers

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5 solid wall integrated with stacks

windows with louvers

In order to keep the consistency of the building language, the walls are made of horizontal pieces, which become louvers on the facade and stacks in the interior space.

Since this building has a huge west elevation exposed to the harsh summer west sun, the louvers are quite crucial for both thermal performance or interior lighting condition. Along with the frosted glass window and ceiling, they helps to provide reflected diffusive light which is perfect for exhibition and reading space.

solid wall integrated with stacks

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windows with louvers

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1. 100/150/15 mm welded steel box-section edge joinst

6. 450/40mm louver covered with wooden veneer for shading

2. 600x600mm reinforced concrete column

7. 450/40mm louver covered with wooden veneer as stack

3. frosted glass glazing

8. insulated wall

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down

secondary performance space +3.00ft stacks

down

down

down

-23.50ft

performance hall

outdoor gallery +9.00ft

0.00ft

PLANS

up

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-23.50ft

+4.50ft

down

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ground floor plan 1/16" = 1'

below ground floor plan 1/16" = 1'

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50FT

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-20.00ft

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up up

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tunnel

dow

+26.00ft

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+52.00ft

dow

+26.00ft

dow

+78.00ft

outdoor gallery classroom

-14.00ft

balcony

down

down

down

outdoor gallery

classroom

-12.00ft

down

-10.00ft down

down

down

stacks

-12.00ft

lobby down

down

down

stacks +39.00ft

reading area

+26.00ft

stacks

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dow

down

cafe -8.00ft -10.00ft

outdoor gallery

balcony

up

up

down

up

outdoor gallery

-16.50ft

up down

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down

dow

down

up

-6.00ft

up

-19.00ft -19.50ft

research

secondary performance space

up

up

up

down

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down

secondary performance space +3.00ft stacks

stacks

research

stacks

stacks

+78.00ft down

down

down

research down up

up

-23.50ft

performance hall

outdoor gallery +9.00ft

0.00ft

up

-23.50ft

+4.50ft

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50FT

below ground floor plan 1/16" = 1'

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50FT

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5th floor plan 1/16" = 1'

3rd floor plan 1/16" = 1'

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+78.00ft

up

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50FT

offic

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classroom

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offic

offic

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offic

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+52.00ft

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dow

dow

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050FT 10

25

th 2nd floor plan 1/16" =41' floor plan 1/16" = 1'

ground floor plan 1/16" = 1'

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50FT

offic

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dow

dow

down

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+65.00ft

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classroom

balcony

classroom

classroom

studio

down

reading area stacks

+91.00ft

stacks

studio balcony

up

up

research

studio

balcony

up

up

down

down

up

down +91.00ft

+91.00ft

stacks

research

stacks

children’s space

stacks

stacks

reading area

stacks studio

+78.00ft

+91.00ft research down

indoor gallery up

dow

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dow

dow

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up

dow

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or gall

ery

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4th floor plan 1/16" = 1'

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50FT

5th floor plan 1/16" = 1'

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6th floor plan 1/16" = 1'

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7th floor plan 1/16" = 1'

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STREET WITH ROOF

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Activation

REVERSED SEXTANT

In-between Street Productive Village

ARCHITECTURE CONNECTS BEYOND ALL BOUNDARIES.

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BROKEN CITY

Downtown Mall

Downtown Mall

Friendship Court

Friendship Court

Belmont Neighbourhood

Belmont Neighbourhood

activity density

building typologies

Downtown Mall

$

Friendship Court 5 or more floors

4 floors

MIXED USE

RETAIL

building height 3 floors

2 floors

1 floors

> 18m

12 - 18m

6 - 12m

tree canopy < 6m

Belmont Neighbourhood

program

PUBLIC

land use RECIDENTIAL

F&B

OFFICE

PRODUCTION

PARKING

The site is located in an interesting context: adjacent to railway and belmont Bridge which are some form of strong spatial barriers and in between the lively Downtown Mall and the quiet Belmont Neighbourhood. Due to the railtrack, the urban context on either side is so different not only spatially but also socially. The railtrack generates barriers both physically and economically.

Therefore, his project is all about the connection of these three profoundly disconnected areas, Downtown Mall, Friendship Court public housing and Belmont neighborhood.

parking 22

REUNITE

railtrack - urban barrier

Belmont Bridge - New barrier The connection with the Downtown Mall and the Belmont Neighborhood is faced with the barrier of the rail track and the existing Belmont Bridge. To cross the railway, there are 3 three ways: to simply walk over the rail, to cross by a pedestrian bridge or to go underground.

The first solution will encounter security problems and the third one may easily create negative space for public. So the best way to get to the Downtown is to use a pedestrian bridge, which can integrate with the in-between street.

As for the connection with the Belmont Neighborhood, with the bridge bring heavy traffic to the south corner of the site, people from the Belmont Neighborhood cannot cross the intersection freely.

Therefore, by removing the bridge, on the one hand people can get rid of the heavy traffic on the ground; on the other hand the Downtown Mall may have the opportunity to extend to the east.

Undergo - return ground to pedestrian

New Bridge - Connection 23

EXPLORATION

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FINAL PLAN

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1

A

C A

B

B

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STREET LIFE

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