Cong Wang (Rebecca) 2011 Portfolio
WANG, Cong (Rebecca) Flat 23A, 13/F, Kwan Yick Building Phase 1, Sai Ying Pun, Hong Kong 00852-51623079 rebecca4.hku@gmail.com
Education The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China Bachelor of Art (Architecture Study), First Class Honors, GPA: 3.73/4
Princeton University, Princeton, USA
09. 2008-06.2011 02.2010-06.2010
Exchange student in Architecture Department, GPA: 3.94/4
Tsinghua University, Beijing, China Undergraduate in Architecture Department, GPA: 91/100 Experience
09.2007-06.2008
OMA Trainee
09.2011-now
Cities without Ground Research Project (the University of Hong Kong)
06-08. 2011
Explored on the “groundless” condition of Hong Kong by researching and mapping circulation networks that join a range of public spaces.
2010 Venice Biennale (the University of Hong Kong) Assisted in preparing for exhibition in 2010 Venice Biennale on HKU’s research and design projects in China rural areas. 21st Century Infrastructure of New Jersey Project (Princeton University)
07-08. 2010
07. 2010
Researched on urban planning related issues in NJ.
Diesel Cultivate Project Researched on the street stall structures in Hong Kong, designed and fabricated a permanent foldable newspaper stand for fashion brand DIESEL.
Rural China Project in Xi’an, China (the University of Hong Kong) Researched on the village composition, housing typology and related lifestyle in rural areas in Midwest China. Came up with a proposal on a sustainable housing design using local material and techniques.
Honors
06. 2009
07. 2009
First Class Honours
2011
Chiap Hua Cheng Foundation Scholarship, Chiap Hua Cheng’s Foundation
2011
HSBC Scholarship for Outstanding Mainland Students, HSBC
2010
Spence Robinson Scholarship, Spence Robinson Limited
2009
The Sola Gratia Foundation Academic Award, The Sola Gratia Foundation
2009
HKU Worldwide U/G Student Exchange Scholarships, the University of Hong Kong
2009
Friends of HKU Scholarships, the University of Hong Kong
2009
C. V. Starr Scholarships in 2010, the University of Hong Kong
2009
Dean’s Honours list, the University of Hong Kong
2008
HKU Foundation Scholarships, the University of Hong Kong
2008
HONG KONG SHOPPING MUSEUM 2011 Spring Design Studio III Assistant Professor Yan Gao
Background Information
HONG KONG = SHOPPING --In 2010 the number of mainland tourists arriving into Hong Kong reached 22.7 million, accounting for 60% of all tourists – triple Hong Kong’s population. --In 2010, the spending of mainland visitors in Hong Kong has reached $400 billion, which is one-third of the total income gained from the whole tourism industry of the year. --With its low tax and abundant choices, HONG KONG IS BECOMING A SHOPPING PARADISE FOR MAINLAND TOURISTS.
Problem
--An expert commented: “It is interesting to note that almost half of mainland tourists consult online forums (47%) and recommendations from friends/families (48%) when looking for information, as there is not yet an official agency that provides shopping and tourist information about Hong Kong.
Couple
Female Tourist
Male Tourist
Mainland Tourists’ Activity Patterns
Mainland Tourists’ Activity Analysis
Site Analysis
--Study of mainland tourists’ activities shows that the majority of their time is spent on shopping around Central, Causeway and TST. --With equal distance and traveling time to the three major shopping spots, ADMIRALTY becomes an ideal site for A SHOPPING MUSEUM.
Concept
INFORMATION + VIEWING PLATFORM --Besides shopping, Hong Kong also provides a fantastic chance for visitors to appriciate the panorama view of its cityscape and Victoria Harbour. --Facing water, the chosen site in Admiralty has the potential of serving visitors with breathtaking view of the Hong Kong as well as useful information on shopping. --Thus, content of the museum is proposed as a combination of information and view. On the one hand, shopping INFORMATION is displayed inside the museum; on the other hand, VIEW OF HONG KONG is displayed outside the museum.
Concept Drawing
Analysis
VIEWING PLATFORMS Viewing platforms are placed inside the museum with specific height and orientation in order to orient visitors towards specific viewing destinations.
View towards TST
View towards CENTRAL
View towards CAUSWAY BAY
Design Process
Set up several “TELESCOPE BOXES” as viewing platforms.
Connect the anchor points generated by the escalator to create a TRIANGULATED STRUCTURE.
Set up 3 lifts as structure, and connect the “telescope boxes” with escalators.
Add secondary structure.
Programme
INFORMATION + VIEWING PLATFORMS --Viewing platforms are placed inside the solid boxes, serving as both viewing platforms and resting platforms, for visitors to view the cities and exchange information and stories. --Remaining space serves as displaying space. While information is displayed inside the museum, its transluscent skin enables the visitors to see the city view outside the museum.
Viewing Platform
Interior View
0M
40M
80M
160M
Site Plan
Section
BIRDSONG HOLLOW FLOATING HOTEL 2010 Spring Design Studio Princeton University Professor Catherine Seavitt
Before 5 min
Now 1 hr to 3 days
Legend Natchez Trace Primary Roads Secondary Roads Stream Residence
Existing viewing spots for the Bridge Ponds Flood zones of higher probab Flood zones of lower probab Forest
Site Analysis
BIRDSONG HOLLOW VALLEY --The proposed site is a valley called Birdsong Hollow, with a beautiful bridge above it. As people always drive at a fixed speed without really stopping and staying long enough, they MISS the chance to fully appreciate the BREATHTAKING VIEW at the valley. --However, should driving in a car all the way and leaving all the potential fun of nature behind be the whole story?
POSTCARD FROM THE FUTURE
Concept
OFFER A DIFFERENT EXPERIENCE --This “postcard from future” represents the concept: adding additional structure alongside the bridge to provide more possibilities for people to experience the valley. --Instead of driving past the valley in five minutes, now they have the freedom to linger, to stay,
TO FULLY APPRECIATE.
Program
FLOATING HOTEL The proposed program is a hotel located within nature. It should be lifted above ground so that people get bird eye view of the site. Instead of one building complex, SEVERAL STATION-LIKE STRUCTURES could be provided for people to travel between them.
From either end of the bridge, people are free to park their car and take a cable car to the opposite side. Along the way, they can stop at any station to enjoy a picnic or have a quiet afternoon sunbath. For those in love with the view, they can go to adjacent towers and take a room to stay overnight.
Public space (Station, restaurant etc)
Hotel rooms
VALLEY PANORAMA View
DIFFERENT ROOM, DIFFERENT VIEW Different rooms have different characteristics. Some give you a chance to observe the bridge at a weird angle (underneath the arch), providing a perfect view- point for those amateur photographers. Some face towards the valley with a huge French window—for lovers, nothing could be more romantic than sitting face to face in front of the window with sunset as background, holding each other’s hands and make this moment eternity. If you are so fed up with the dead color of the city, come here and choose a room towards the mountain. Let spring and summer’s tender green give a massage to your eyes, or get amazed at the full colors of the fall leaves. --Birdsong Hollow Hotel Guidebook
VIEW OF BRIDGE
MOUNTAIN & NATURE
Program
DIFFERENT ROOMS --Hierarchy exists among different stations. --The tallest towers are connected by cable cars and serve as stations between the two endpoints of the bridge. They all have three stories, with elevators as vertical circulation means. --Through bridges different stories connect to adjacent secondary stations, which are at a humble scale and have only one or two stories. They serve as hotel rooms, as opposed to the primary station, which provide space for picnic, sunbathing and other activities.
SPORTS COMPLEX IN KENNEDY TOWN, HONG KONG 2009 Autumn Design Studio II Assistant Professor Joshua Bolchover
Before
SPORTS
After LEISURE
COMMERCE
LEGEND
COMMERCE
View Corridor
LEISURE
N
VIE SPORTS
wn y To ed r Front
Ken n Wate
SPORTS COMMERCIAL LEISURE
Analysis
TRANSFORMING THE WATERFRONT The project is approached in TWO SCALES. At the larger scale, an urban strategy is proposed to revitalise the Kennedy Town Waterfront. At the smaller scale, a sports complex is designed to serve as a focal point.
2014
2013
2012
2011
2010
2009
2008
2007
CARGO
W
Urban Strategy
WRAPPER, CONTOUR & STRIP For the final urban strategy, three elements are introduced: STRIP Connect people from inner city to waterfront, connect surfaces. CONTOUR Define edges of profile and create sitting area. WRAPPER Act as inhabitable space itself. Define half enclosed space. Sizes of the wrapped area vary to accomodate different programmes.
Wrapper
Contour
Strip
Concept
KENNEDY TOWN SPORTS COMPLEX View Corridor Noise
H ig
hw
H ig ay
Block Noise
hw
ay
H ig
hw
ay
Design concept starts from the solution to the existing problems. To prevent disturbance from highway, an earthwork serves as a “wrapper� to wrap around the soccer field. It ensures privacy and provides spectator area. Two view corridors are opened to allow for sea views for pedestrians.
RESEARCH
RURAL URBAN FRAMEWORK
2009 & 2010 summer research Intern Assistant Professor John Lin Assistant Professor Joshua Bolchover
The Qinmo Village Green School GUANGDONG PROVINCE The school has a curvilinear form according to the existing rice terraces on the site, blending into its agricultural setting. Facing the village side the building is stepped in section creating a seating area for the basketball court and playground whilst allowing filtered light to enter the classrooms. This forms a new theatrical public space for the village for large events and morning assembly.
Qinmo Sustainable Village Development -Old School GUANGDONG PROVINCE The Qinmo village project seeks to re-build and sustain the village community. To renovate the old school, bricks were recycled and a roof garden was built.
Shijia Village House SHAN’XI PROVINCE
Starting from researching on the life style and local housing of Shijia Village in China, a design was come up to combine traditional rammed house typology and modern design.
REDESIGN FOR ALDO ROSSI
2011 Autumn Course Assignment Assistant Professor Tao Zhu
A column in an Aldo Rossi building is redesigned to incorporate activities. The column is a column of memory. It evidences the flow of people, it provides for different scenarios. It is a stage for different activities. Passing, exercising, observing, reminiscing...... While layers of activities are incorporated, the column remains as a monument on the street, carrying the memory of the city as well as Aldo Rossi.
MAPPING MY LIFE 2010 Spring Course Assignment Princeton University Professor Mario Gandelsonas
China
Henan Province
Zhengzhou, Xinxiang and Jiaozuo city (Political boundaries)
3-12 years old. Kindergarden and elementary school.
Zhengzhou city, urbanised area 1991
Lines represents the route we travel through to visit each other. Each colour represents a season during which we travel through this route. Spring Summer Autumn I was 3 years old.
1991
1992
1992
1993
1993
1994
1994
1995
1995
1996
1996
1997
12-15 years old. Junior high school.
The line weight represent the frequency we call each other. Calls between my family and our relatives. Calls between our relatives. Dashed line means we only call each other for important holidays.
I was 12 years old. My dad went abroad to work.
1997
1998
1998
1999
1999
2000
2000
2001
2001
2002
2002
2003
2003
2004
I was 16 years old, my dad came back. My grandparents passed away.
2004
2005
2005
2006
2006
Street blocks I pass through frequently. Street blocks I pass through less frequently. My school.
My Family Tree
My home. My friend’s home.
15-18 years old. Senior high school.
WITH FRIENDS
Route I
travel through to go to school everyday.
Route I travel through once a week or less. Newly developed area in the city.
WITH RELATIVES
OBJECT
BAMBOO FOR KIDS 2010 Autumn Design Studio III Honorary Assistant Professor Vincent De Graaf
Program
BAMBOO STRUCTURE FOR KIDS Playtime can be a wonderful opportuntiy for children to learn to focus their attention and build self confidence and self esteem. As BAMBOO WEAVING TECHNIQUE provides an opportunity to create a space, the question becomes how to make different types of space for different play-learning activities.
translucent partition
view frame
seat to the exterior
A FULL SCALE MOCK-UP is made to test the structural rigidity of the weaving technique. It provides various ways for kids to interact with it.
seat to the interior
climber_positive facade space
hide and seek_negative facade space
social play area
spatial maze possible play conditions in sections 1:100
PROCESS
1. Make a skeleton.
2. Weave an “opening� and add onto the skeleton.
3. Weave the strips.
4. Densify to make it rigid.
WHAT CAN YOU DO WITH IT?
ANALYSIS OF UMBRELLA 2008 Autumn Design Studio I Assistant Professor John C.H. Lin
Analysis
OBJECT VS MOVEMENT The project starts from the analysis of a foldable umbrella. By cutting sections during the folding/unfolding process, the movement of the object is documented.
Analysis
MOVEMENT OF THE UMBRELLA ARM Movement of the umbrella arm is also studied. Apart from its GEOMETRY, the TRACE it creates IN SPACE is also documented.
Concept
FROM AN UMBRELLA TO A FOLDABLE STRUCTURE The umbrella can contract and expand, while creating different space during the process. Taking that as a concept, possibilities are studied to create a FOLDABLE STRUCTURE.
STUDY MODEL 8
By putting together and connecting simple modules, a complex form was created. When folded, all the elements rests on one plane. When opened, it presents different forms at different stages.
THE END