Portfolio of Chenzhe Fu 2022

PORTFOLIO OF CHENZHE FU

Bachelor of Architecture

Bachelor of Interior Architecture Auburn University

PROLOGUE

Architecture is the connection between the environment and humans. Through material, form, and construction, architects use their professional skills and aesthetic perspectives to construct their unique language to interpret their understanding of space, nature, and gravity. With the foundation of the history of humankind and cultural memory, architects tend not only to solve problems in the current situation: environmental crisis and political impact, but also propose new concepts for the development of humans and the future. My twelve semesters pursuing degrees in Architecture and Interior Architecture, and related knowledge in history and humanity at Auburn University built a solid foundation for me to create my language to propose solutions and concepts.

In this portfolio, I would like to discuss my perspectives on connecting the environment and humans. Through four public projects and interior-focused works, I propose and examine new approaches and techniques that celebrate the relationship between culture and space as well as interactions between people.

CONTENTS

Mountain and River

Chattanooga Cultural Center For Aquatics and Dance

Brick Beyond Form

Performing Arts Center Of The Central Academy of Drama

Construct of Imagination

South Atlanta Reading Place

Nature and Cluster

Montgomery Elementary School

Interior Architecture Projects

Implosive, Explosive, Look-With, Materials, Interior Architecture Thesis

Other Works

Photography

Mountain and River Chattanooga Cultural Center For Aquatics and Dance

5th-Year Architecture Studio,Pre-Thesis Design, 2022 Fall Auburn University Instructor: Charles Garcia Site: 211 E M L King Blvd, Chattanooga, TN Group Work Before Mid Review - Jiaxin Yan, Han Li Individual Work After Mid Review

“I try to give people a different way of looking at their surroundings. That’s art to me.”

– Maya Lin

The new cultural center located in the heart of Chattanooga, connecting three different areas: the Central Business District, the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga campus, and the City Hall Area, Makes the cultural center become the aggregation point. Through analyzing city elements, Mountain and River as the two Chattanooga icons, are symbolized in the project for Aquatics and Dance.

This project incorporates the studio thesis topics. The topic is grey space, an architectural concept proposed by Kisho Kurokawa. Grey space is an intermediary space between indoor and outdoor, which illustrates the ambiguity and multivalency of architecture and allows the compromise and co-existence of the two spaces.

Precedent Study on Grey Space

Grey Space Diagram

Ground Floor Plan

The ground floor is the level for people to and exterior pool provides spaces for people a food market are located underneath the dance the entry-level for the aquatics program as well sinks under the ground, which provides opportunities activities happening in the aquatics space.

Exterior Perspective From South

Basement Floor Plan

gather and play. The public plaza, ramped stairs, people participating in activities on the site. A cafe and dance for people to enjoy. The ground floor is also well as providing courtyard space. The aquatics area opportunities for people on the ground level to view the

1/32’’ Concept Model

Exterior Perspective From West

The second and third level forms by grey spaces, entrances, and circulations. Grey space such as rooftop garden and courtyards gives people a new experience, in which they are inside the culture center and still outside in the natural environment. In addition, the grey spaces are open for public use and guarantee a certain sense of privacy. The entrance for dance encourages people to interact with the urban environment, in which the transparent glass provides a view to the Bessie Smith Cultural Center across the street. Circulations such as bridges and ramped stairs allow people to interact with the activities on the site visually and physically.

Third Floor Plan

The fourth and fifth levels are the dance programs’ spaces, including dance studios, support spaces, staff services, and locker rooms. The rehearsal and performance studio provides 30 ft high space for the fly space and upper catwalk as well as providing 100 seatings. Medium and small dance studios are on the other side of the building and are attached to the aquatics building. Staff and support spaces are at the fifth level. In addition, there is a courtyard space for the audience or actors to enjoy the outside environment. Double-height corridor space brings sunlight and external connection. The outer facade changes based on the program, informing the idea of fluid.

Basement Swimming Pool

Fourth Floor Dance Studio

Second Floor Exterior Roof Garden

On the one hand, the facade in the dance part is partially upwarped to bring in sunlight and partially downwarped to increase indoor-outdoor interaction. It becomes more like the flowing water in the river. It represents the idea of fluid to reflect Chattanooga’s famous icon: the Tennessee River. However, by lifting the dance program - the river up, it creates strong contrast with the aquatics program below it.

On the other hand, the facade in the aquatic part is designed with different transparency to limit the sunlight and people’s view into the pool, reflecting the Chattanooga mountains. Just like the view of mountains goes away gradually, the view into the interior goes away gradually as the facade goes up. In addition, the rectangle form creates strong contrast with the organic form - the dance program above.

Brick Beyond Form

Performing Arts Center Of The Central Academy of Drama

WorkShop, 2022 Summer Instructor: Yiqi Song Site: The Central Academy of Drama, Beijing, China Individual Work

“Architecture starts when you carefully put two bricks together. There is begins.” – Ludwig Mies van der Rohe

The site sits in the heart of Peking, Dong Cheng District, surrounded by many historical Chinese Courtyards (SiHeYuan). The Arrow Alleys (Hutong) area is on the west side of the site, while the Central Academy of Drama of China is on the east side. The proposed performing art center provides a soft transfer space from the city to the school. In addition, it offers exterior space for people to gather and rentable programs for the local community to use. The brick building informs the traditional teaching methods and inspires innovative teaching techniques.

By carefully considering the texture, form, and tectonic of brick, the facade not only reflects or connects the traditional Chinese brick culture but also proposes a new idea that determines the potential possibility of using brick. The front elevation and roof maintain the same language in the Hutong region and connects the urban and school area.

Gable Roof

Narrow Alley (HuTong) 8’ Wide

Chinese Grey Bricks

Vertical Language

After Researching many famous brick buildings, one thing started to become attractive to me - Facade Transparency. The different transparency of the brick facade shows the different intentions of the architects and how they understand the form of bricks. It also creates the illusion that the top is light and the bottom is heavy.

So the concept uses different transparency of the facade to tell different stories for each floor, making the west facade the storyteller of the internal activity for the urban area. From bottom to top, the transparency increases, making people passing by easily understand. Meanwhile, architectural elements such as Vertical language, Grey brick, and Gable roof from surrounding Chinese HuTong create connections to the site.

Exeter Library / Louis Kahn

Willey House / Frank Lloyd Wright

Jyväskylä University Building / Alvar Aalto

Indian Institute of Management / Louis Kahn

Yale University Art Gallery / Louis Kahn

Sever Hall / Henry Hobson Richardson

The new performing arts center serves both The Central Academy of Drama and the local community. The major space for the project is the performance auditorium which provides more than 200 seatings with related support spaces. The secondary space of the project is the activity space and the office space. The activity space provides classrooms, communal working, and social areas. The office program provides open offices and meeting rooms. In addition, I want the building to become usable to the general community, and I create retail spaces as well as rentable classrooms and studios that serve the city. To further serve the public, the exterior occupiable areas on the ground floor provide spots for the local people to play and gather.

Inside the building, the triple-height atrium space also provides an area for the general public to use and enjoy. Meanwhile, the atrium serves as the major circulation space. The monument stair is the beginning of the circulation which lets people have the chance to have a glance at the interior, and people circle the atrium space to go up. As the floor goes up, the functions of the different programs become more private. The first floor provides retail and rentable spaces; the second floor provides the entrance into the auditorium and the student activity space; the third floor provides the office area. The ceiling of the atrium would reveal the designed brick form, and the skylight brings natural light into the building.

Exterior Perspective (West Entrance)

Third Floor Interior Perspective

Second Floor Interior Perspective

Construct of Imagination South Atlanta Reading Place

4th-Year Interior Architecture Studio, 2021 Fall Auburn University

Instructor: Jennifer Pindyck Site: 236 Trinity Ave SW, Atlanta, GA Individual Work

“I like ruins because what remains is not the total design, but the clarity of thought, the naked structure, the spirit of the thing.”

– Tadao Ando

“We are living in unprecedented times, at least times that we have not experienced before, with the possibility of creating great change for the way we live, communicate, and understand the world. We have a responsibility as designers and creators, to look at the places we live, work, and play with new questions, new answers, new possibilities. ”*

This project focuses not only on one design process but also on many different experiments. Starting from analyzing one of the favorite things, then interpreting the language to turn it into a visual experience, finally experimenting with digital models, and then apply to a real-world site to create the ideal space. From deconstructing the favorite and reconstructing the necessary, the design challenges the imagination and provides a different perspective on architecture.

Occupying and Constructing Space From The Favorite Things

My favorite thing is the movie interstellar (Figure 1). Interstellar is a 2014 science fiction film. The most exciting things in the movie are the story and the visual effect. Therefore, I created two image sets through a 3d-construct to create my reading on the two things.

The story involves many stages of developing things. My first image set (Figure 2) showed the main journal of the story. The spaceship leaves the nearly dying earth to find the next livable planet and meet up with the Endurance(spaceship). Endurance takes a long time to poach the wormhole to travel to the next galaxy. Nearby the wormhole, Endurance becomes so tiny that the crews on the ship can do nothing but wait to cross.

The visual effect in Interstellar describes the universe and emotions. The director talks about emptiness, light & shadow, and expressions of unknown things through different lenses. My second image set (Figure 3) uses different perspectives on reading one single object - the 3d construct. When you see one thing from different angles or rotations, each angle or rotation creates its unique scenario or world.

“Describe it by creating a piece reflective of your experience of this favorite thing. Use materials around your house, found objects, materials from the outdoors, etc. “*

(*Assignment Description)

The 3d construct is made from leftover cardboard and tapes to tie different pieces together. The primary space for the construct is a triangle form with objects hanging to reflect the universe. In contrast, the other space was covered with painted cardboard and tracing papers to reflect the journal throughout the movie. Later, I captured the experience and edited them to create the image sets.

Figure 4 Constructed Space

By analyzing the images’ characteristics (Figures 2&3) provided and defining the possible activities that could happen in the image set, I built a Rhino Model (Figure 4) that talks about the exciting monuments in the 3d construct and the image sets.

My constructed space (Figure 4) translates my imagination of the image sets into some actual. I started to write down small phrases to help me build the place. Some phrases may sound confusing such as “Places for people to be outside but still feel like inside” and “Exterior spaces for people to stay alone and walk around to enjoy nature.” However, those phrases help me jump out of the box and think beyond the limits of architecture.

Figure 1 Interstellar Poster

Figure 2 Story Image Set

Figure 3 Visual Image Set

After constructing the ideal space in the digital realm, I then applied the triumphant moments in the digital to one actual site in Atlanta. Atlanta is heavy with old building stock and can serve as an example to other cities as a progressive model of adaptive reuse. The site is a ruin that only lefts with the exterior brick facade. The project takes advantage of the existing frame and turns it into an adaptive reuse project. Through analyzing the site and Atlanta, I decided to design my idea into one reading place. In addition, using the reading place to promote the activities for the local community.

The reading place allows people to work individually in a communal atmosphere while reducing the distractions of daily life. The reading place plays a valuable role in providing havens for silent study and spaces that can inspire. My concept for the reading place is about Work, Play, and Gather. Work represents the different reading environments, Play represents the playfulness momentschild play and exterior reading space in the building, and Gather represents the courtyard space for people to enjoy and relax.

Program Diagram

Existing Building

NTS

The third level is the private reading, including small reading rooms, intimate curtain-covered reading spaces, and a bridge across the courtyard. The flow of the arch ceiling relates to the personal reading spaces and the private reading rooms, which focus on the slight arch. The arch ceiling uses a similar arch language to the existing facade.

The second floor is the semi-public reading space and children’s play area, which provides three partially closed areas and guarantees privacy for people who read inside. Each one of the three areas provides different subjects of books. Children’s play on the second level gives the children the space, toys and books to play and read. Creating a double-height space provides a safer environment, better natural light conditions, and an extensive view of the courtyard space. The arch ceiling on the second level follows the structural grid and the grid of the three semi-public reading areas.

The ground floor provides public space, including the public foyer, public reading area, and courtyard. As people enter the building, they will pass through the entrance and waiting room to get into the building. It is the process to slow down, which is different from rapid city speed and allows people to begin their reading journal. With both translucent and transparent glass, space can interact with the street directly and indirectly. The courtyard space is enclosed but open to the sky. The failing water inside the courtyard provides white noise and attracts birds to interact with the area. The interior arch ceiling on this floor follows the existing facade grid and the structural grid.

Second Floor Plan

Third Floor Stair Perspective

Second Floor Exterior Stair Perspective

First Floor Waiting Room Perspective

Cross Section Perspective

Existing Building Parking

Street Street

Circulation Diagram

Nature and Cluster

Montgomery Elementary School

4th-Year Architecture Studio, 2022 Spring Auburn University

Instructor: David Hinson

Site: 405 Maxwell Blvd, Montgomery, AL Individual Work

“Form ever follows function.”

– Louis Sullivan

“In this studio, students are challenged to synthesize all prior studio and lecture course experiences and apply these skills and knowledge to a comprehensive architectural design problem.

Student will develop the ability to respond to site characteristics in the development of an architectural project, demonstrate the ability to design sites, facilities and systems that are responsive to relevant codes and regulations, demonstrate the ability to make design decisions within a complex architectural project while demonstrating broad integration and consideration of site conditions, life safety, structural systems and environmental stewardship. “*

This project let me build architecture knowledge in the practical realm beyond the schematic design phase. It allowed me to practice and learn about design development & tectonic integration, MEP systems, and specifications. Through researching and solving practical problems, I understand Architecture from a different perspective, in which architecture is about designing and solving problems.

The site sits on the Montgomery western side of the downtown area, surrounded by two major streets: Maxwell Blvd and Clay street. Maxwell Blvd is the center line for Montgomery’s future development plan. On the southern side of the site is Cottage Hill, the central residential area for Montgomery. There is a twenty-eight-foot topo change from the site’s southwest corner to the northeast corner. The most gentle slopes sit on the site’s northern and eastern areas. Meanwhile, the surrounding buildings’ materials are brick, while Montgomery is rich in red bricks.

Site Analysis

Program Area

The Concept for this project is to use clusters to maximize the advantage of gentle slopes on the northern and eastern areas of the site. In addition, the clusters for classrooms and office areas set a clear boundary between learning and working. While the programs are laid out in clusters, the exterior space can fill in the gaps between the two clusters. With the twelve feet topo change on the northern side of the site, the cluster for classrooms can now reach the second level and have the egress on the other side of the building. The entry-level for the school is at ten feet topo, which opens the school entrances to the south - Cottage Hill. The medium center is at the turning and connecting point for the office and classroom clusters, which determines its hierarchy in the building.

Section Perspective

Section Perspective

Exterior Perspective (Main Entrance)

Exterior Perspective (Ecological Garden)

The overall design uses the steel frame structure. The project has two structural girds: beam and girder, open web steel joist. The cafetorium, media center, and gymnasium use the open web steel joist, while other areas use the beam and girder. In addition, several lateral bracing walls are installed to support the horizontal force and load.

Considering the pandemic and students’ health, my project researches and involves the VRF and fresh air supply system to the design process. There are seven mechanical systems zones that provide individual exterior exchange and supply systems. In addition, the fire sprinkler system is another consideration for understanding the fundamental elements of buildings.

Wall Section

05 Interior Architecture Projects

“Reconfigure the basic elements of an interior—floor, ceiling, wall, window / door— to propose a speculative social space that unfolds in time through the changing shape or dimension of potential activities.”*

*Assignment Description

AIRA 2150 Elements Of Interior Architecture I, 2020 Fall Project: Implosive, Explosive, Look-With Instructor: Kevin Moore

“Extend observations of social geometries / surfaces to propose a speculative interior using geometric and rule-based design methods introduced in lectures, readings and discussions.” *

*Assignment Description

Interior View Plan

“Extending observations of speculative surfaces to propose, construct and document an interior space including methods of geometric and rule-based order, surface qualities and experiential effect.”*

*Assignment Description

Structure

Implosive Team Project with Drew Haley Smith

Explosive Team Project with James Foo

Project: Materials Individual Project

AIRA 2160 Elements Of Interior Architecture II, 2022 Spring

Instructor: Jennifer Pindyck, Student Client: James Foo

“Pick a partner in the class. You will be designing a space for them. Design a space for contemplation or a space for joy. Designing the space with ONE material.”*

*Assignment Description

My Client Wants: A comfortable space for joy. Different experiences during different time of day. Only natural light. Something to do with the gravity. Something circular.

Section Perspective

Project:

Negotiations In The Building

2022 Summer Interior Architecture Thesis, Individual Work

Instructors: Matt Hall, Jennifer Pindyck, Kevin Moore, Rebecca O’Neal

The project uses an existing building in Montgomery, Alabama, which requires redesigning only the interior. The building is at the corner of High and South Court Streets. My design is based on sustainability. Sustainability is not only about the environment but also about the relationship between people, the human experience and, and the accessibility . All units receive good quality shaded light from the south, and the shared space receives northern light. There are also semi-public spaces at the border of private and shared spaces. Residents can decide what they want to display or share, while other neighbors can choose to use or occupy the semi-public areas. In addition, the Residential units can shift to Airbnb units, which allows the building function as apartments or hotels. All the units are ADA accessible, including bathrooms, allowing a greater variety of residents including the disabled or elderly.

NTS

NTS

Materials Concept Diagram Residential Plan Airbnb Plan

Residential Living Room

Airbnb Bedroom

SHIFTABLE

Ground Floor Lobby