Application portfolio for RISD by Wanjin Feng

P O R T

F O

I O

PROJECTS 1

An Encounter with Van Gogh Museum Design

Shared Housing in SF

Wanjin Feng | Emily

Interior Design

Residential Design

World of Cracks Memorial Space Design

Transformation Katsuyama Bookstore Comprehensive Design

AN ENCOUNTER WITH VAN GOGH Vincent Van Gogh is a Dutch Post-Impressionist painter who is among the most famous and influential figures in the history of Western art. His canvases with densely laden, visible brushstrokes rendered in a bright, opulent palette emphasize Van Gogh’s personal expression brought to life in paint. However, Van Gogh was full of misfortune, loneliness and poverty in his life, and suffered from illness in the half of his life. I use materials and variety circulations in this project to introduce Van Gogh’s rough life. In the exhibition area, visitors will not only appreciate his paintings, but also experience Van Gogh’s lifelong persistence, pain, hesitation, and collapse like a hundred holes through the heart. This museum is located near the most developed commercial center in Shanghai. The exterior is an old Shanghai building, the interior is in sharp contrast between the extremely simple and modern design. As an experiential mu-

Photo Credit: John Towner

seum, this will give visitors a completely different feeling.

Museum Design Location: 383 Huangpi S Rd, Xin Tian Di, Huangpu Qu, Shanghai, China

Design Narrative

Location Photo

DN UP

UP DN

Level 1 Four part of Van Gogh’s creation

DN UP

UP DN

1. Learn and try

2. Dim tone

3. Bright colors, short strokes

4. Mature personal style

Part 1 Level 2 DN

Exhibition Wall

Part 2+3 Van Gogh’s life was full of misfortune, loneliness and poverty, and he suffered from disease during half of his life. Visitors here will

DN UP

not only appreciate his paintings, but also experience Van Gogh’s

lifelong persistence, pain, hesitation, and collapse, just like experiencing a hundred holes in the heart.

In this project, I used different lines to represent his state of mind Part 4

and state in different periods. Part 1: The narrowed route represents the initial failure of Van Gogh to be supported. Part 2, 3: Despite Cafe & Retail 3

1 2

the twists and turns of the road, Brahman Part 4: He was tortured by

1 2 4

Rogh Circulation

Level 3

disease, poverty, and incomprehension, and eventually he suffered

Exhibition Wall

UPUP UP

Lounge

a thousand wounds and died. In the choice of materials, I used perforated metal as the exhibition wall. This special design allows

Reception Area

Cafe & Retail

Loading Duck

Egress Exit Stairs

people at different stages to see people at another stage. This also represents different stages of life, and will constantly look back on

Museum Staff | Museum Visitor | Outside Customer

the past and look to the future until the end of life.

UPUP UP

Floorplan

Material Board

Level 1

Level 2

Level 3

SHARED HOUSING IN SAN FRANCISCO The Mariotto family is the owner of this building since its construction in 1955. There are a three generation extended this family. The family and home company occupies the 2nd and 3rd floor condominium. The 1st floor condominiums will be shared with an artist homeless out of humanitarian concern. Maria Mariotto is a 45-year-old single mom. She lives together with her 16-year old daughter Simona and her 75-year-old father Frank. Maria operates a home business, so she needs office space for herself and 9 other employees. Maria serves as the landlord for the low-income tenants in the other two units. In this project, I rationally plan the diverse space needs of different people, and set up Japanese-style garden design and tea art according to the owner’s preferences.

Residential Design 13 Wood Street, San Francisco, CA 94118

Site Analysis

Climate and Demographic Analysis San Francisco’s climate is Mediterranean, with warm and

People in San Francisco are usually highly educated,

dry sum- mers and dry and humid winters. The Pacific, Cal-

mainly young and middle-aged. Their income is very high,

ifornia cold cur- rents, and surrounding hills have a signifi-

which is 3.5 times the national income. However, the home-

cant impact on climate. Temperature changes throughout

less surviving has always been a huge problem for San Fran-

the year are very low, but usually vary across the city’s mi-

cisco. Because of the pleasant climate, they have always

croclimates.

had good living conditions.

Climate

Demograghic Less than High School 65+

High School <25k

55-64 <10

24-44k

45-54

College or Associate

10-17

Master or higher 75-149k

35-44

45-74k

18-24

Bachelor

24-34

Site Description

Age

Income

Education

13 Wood Street is a three-story residential condominium building. Each story contains a separate condominium unit, for a total of three units. The building is located in the Laurel Heights Village area of San Fran-

Other

cisco, CA. The building has been owned by the Mariotto family since its construction in 1955. The Marriott’s are a three generation extended

White Black

family. San Francisco, Calif., is just one example of what the growing homelessness crisis in America looks like. Drugs, mental illness and a lack of

Sheltered

From outside Unsheltered

Hispanic

Native

Asian

clear countermeasures have exacerbated the problem, generating national concern. : Site Location, Photo Credit: Snazzy Maps

Low income race

Homless sheltered situation

Where homeless from

Diagrams Spaces Proportion and Relationship Artist

Family Work

Family

Level 1 Work Artist

Family

Artist Space Design

Level 2

Working Mode

Living Area

Sleeping Mode

Working Area

Sleeping Area Level 3

In this project, what is important is the re-

device. When he sleeps, the bed hidden

lationship between the spaces of working,

in the ceiling will be moved to the ground.

family and artists. The working area needs to

In the work area, the owner can observe

be open and requires good communication

through the garden whether anyone is in

with the owner. The home area should be rel-

the office without leaving the living room.

atively private and occupy the most import-

The remaining space is used by the family,

ant position.

and the viewing area is increased to meet

The garden is arranged in the center of the

the entertainment needs of the family. The

building. This design strengthens the con-

owner has a private space in the second

nection between the spaces and beautifies

half of the third floor, which also meets his

them. Half of the first floor is for the artist,

needs in the home office.ch also meets his

where he will have basic living security and a

needs in home office.

vast creative space. There is a special electric

Maria

Families

Aritist

Guests

Wokers

Garage

Bathroom

Personal Office

Artist Room

Living, Dining & Kitchen

Family Room

Public Office

Bedroom

Elevator

Cafe Kitchenette

Closet

Eress Exit Stairs

Floorplan

Level 1

Level 2

Level 3

WORLD OF CRACKS In Japan, due to the economic depression for a long period, the rate of suicide continues rising. In 2003, according to statistics provided by the Japanese police, 34,427 people in total (95 people each day) committed suicide. To relieve the situation, Japan government has tried every effort to stop them. In Okinawa, Some people volunteered patrols to stop suicide. Infrared cameras are equipped to monitor if someone is going to jump off the cliff. I decided to create a space which can help the suicide as possible. Even though various methods of suicide are provided here, my purpose is not to promote suicide. It is to allow those who want to commit suicide to feel and think about their lives again before they chose to die, and ultimately lead to the choice of being responsible for themselves.

Memorial Space Design The Peace Memorial Park, Okinawa, Japan

Site Analysis

31.6%

68.4%

Age 0-19

Gender

50-59

20-29

60-69

10.5%

30-39

Mainland, Japan

13.4%

40-49

16.4%

19.3%

70-79

16.7%

12.8%

80+

Mainland, China Okinawa-jima, Japan

Reasons of Suicide

Taiwan, China

Health

Finance

Family

Debt, bankruptcy, unemployment, etc.

B a d c o n n u b i a l i t y, death of the closest family, unharmonious parenthood and etc.

Physical disease (Cancers, other incurable diseases and etc.) Metal diseases (Depression and etc.) Psychological diseases (Schizophrenia and etc.) Other diseases (Alcohol abuse, drug abuse, disability and etc.)

At the Peace Memorial Park, wartime photographs and objects are displayed at the Peace Memorial Museum, and the names of those who perished during the Battle of Okinawa are inscribed on the “Cornerstone of Peace” monument. The Peace Prayer Memorial Statue that prays for the souls of those killed in wars and for

The Peace Memorial Park is lo-

everlasting world peace can also be found on

cated in the Mabuni Hill area of

the site, and the National War Dead Peace Mau-

Itoman city; the southern part of

soleum, along with 50 monuments from other

the island where the final battle

prefectures and organizations are all located on

in Okinawa took place during the

Mabuni Hill in the southern region of the park.

Second World War. The Park enjoys a pleasant view of the rugged and beautiful coastline on its southeastern border. At the end of World War II, the US Army and Marine Corps invaded Okinawa for its strategic value with 185,000 troops. The dead, of both sides, were nearly 230,000. When Japan was to be forced to surrender, two Japanese generals directed the army and civilians to resist the US Army. At last, thousands of people would rather jump off the cliff.

Relationship

Career Negligence in work, interpersonal relationships, severe work and etc.

School

Being crossed in love, partner's having an affairs and etc.

Being bullied, busy schoolwork and etc.

Concept Suicide Most suicides have suffered pains that we can’t understand and suicide may be a better way. Because other people can’t really figure the situation of suicide to themselves, though they really want to protect them. Only suicide themselves can persuade them not to commit suicide. In my view, recalling good memories is the best method. As long as they can remember what they cherish most, they will succeed to stop themselves.

Letters

The Echelon Effect - Your First Light, My Eventide

Suicide, especially Japanese who are taught

This song is absolute music. It has no lyrics and I want to use the rhythm to the space to guide the suicide.

not to bother others, may leave a suicide

It hit me that life is so good and how blessed I am. It once brought me to tears and I realized how grateful I am to be alive.

note. Letters may remind them of good memories.

Proof of Living

Audiograph

I regard proof of living as the last art before suicide and I provide various tools. Suicide may recall his whole life and consider it once again.

Cracks

Relics I think suicide relics may be the message of suicide to the people he cares about most. This might help.

Cracks I choose the concept of cracks which has two meanings. The cracks represent a condition of suicide who are desperate and heartbroken and also torn into pieces by life. The other meaning is hope. l expect there’s a bud of hope sprouting in the cracked soil. I really want them to survive. The hope con-

est. It would be like the oasis of life, though

tinues enhancing from a bud to a whole for-

there’re cracks here now.

I combine the element of chiff into the plan as well as the cracks. An interior lanscape of cliff was set.

Cliff

Diagram

Pools I set pools inside to simulate the natural landscapeof zen as a peaceful place to consider.

Ceiling Spotlights stage

the

concentrate

external light into the

central

open

area.

Crack

Pillars

It’s the final crack of the space and the tunnel

The pillars contain all of

to the cliff. I hoped that suicide could have

the functions of recalling

the last chance to consider those who they

memories

cared most and themselves.

before. They can be re-

mentioned

garded as monuments. They are arranged by a matrix as Cornerstone of Peace in the park. The matrix is a serious form for monuments.

The interior space is inspired by the rhythm of this song, it is

the cracks on the top.

Sightseeing Area

narrow at the beginning, then gradually wider and suddenly

I want to tell them that when life gets hard and want to give

open. My aim was to bring the suicide who experienced the

up, remember that life is full of ups and downs, and without the

Tourists here can not only commit suicide,

downs in the prelude a moment of enlightenment. I controlled

downs, the ups would mean nothing.

there are two other sightseeing areas that I

Stones

set up for normal visitors.

The stones are a part of

the rhythm of the space by the amount of light filtering from

the interior landscape of Zen. They make no practical sense for the suicide, but form a peaceful place to consider.

The cracks above are narrow at the beginning and the interior space is dim.

Then the cracks above become a little wider and the space inside grows lighter.

The cracks above are wider before the open area but still dim.

Design Narrative

Check the relics in the pillars Put the suicide note into the pillars Do anything they want with the tools provided onto the pillars There is an interior landscape set to create a holy atmosphere of Zen. Though most Japanese believe in Shinto Religion, they still admire Buddhism. They like the mystery and peace of Zen. Besides, I set the stones of different height for normal visitors.

World of Cracks

Water

Interactive Area

Resting Area

Stage for Suicide

Sightseeing Area

Suicides Visitors

TRANSFORMATION KATSUYAMA BOOKSTORE Tokyo contains most collections of ukiyo-e and is the best place to spread it. There’s no museums collecting ukiyo-e and few bookstores in the surrounding. The owner loves visiting the bookshops which are exhibiting the prints of ukiyo-e and convenient to look up some information about it. Ukiyo-e, a Japanese drawing form to record scenes from history and folk tales, flourished in the Edo era for its themes and style closed to the folk. Because of its elaborate and work and competition from photography, it has declined today. I found a artist, Shinji Tsuchimochi who is determined to spread the ukiyo-e and succeeded in combining the ukiyo-e and manga. I’m moved by his spirit and I’d like to help him.

Comprehensive Design Kōtō-ku Tōkyō-to, Japan

Background Research Color Prints

present and recall Tokyo in his childhood.

The owner, Shinji Tsuchimochi, is born in Tokyo, 1979. He majored in Japanese painting of Tama

produced woodblock printing.

Art Universty. During university, he was inspired by

in landscape, flora and birds with elegant brushwork

Shinji Tsuchimochi (Owner of the project)

02 late 17th – early 18th centuries

Utagawa Hiroshige(1797-1858), who was specilized

masters.

Following the deaths of Hokusai Hiroshige and Following and the deaths of Hokusai the Restoration of Meiji 1868, andMeiji Hiroshige and the the rapid westernization saw Restoration of 1868, the rapid woodblock printing turn its westernization saw woodblock printingtoturn its services to services journalism, and face journalism, and facephotography. competition competition from from photography. Practitioners Practitioners of pure ukiyo-e of pure ukiyo-e became more became rarer and taste turned rare, from and tastes turned away away a genre seen as a from a genre as a remnant remnant of anseen obsolescent era. of an obsolescent era. But by But by the 1890s the tradition the 1890s the tradition was was moribund. moribund.

Emergence of ukiyo-e

Peak Period

Introduction to the West

Descendant Traditions

he earliest ukiyo-e artists came f ro mearliest the w o r l d artists o f J acame panese The ukiyo-e from the world of Japanese painting. Yamato-e painting of painting. Yamato-ehad painting of the 17th century developed 17thofcentury had developed a the style outlined forms which a style ofinks outlined forms which on allowed to be dripped inks to be dripped on out a allowed wet surface and spread a wet surface and spread out towards the outlines, becoming towards the outlines, becoming the dominant style of ukiyo-e. the dominant style of ukiyo-e. The term "ukiyo", which can be The term "ukiyo", which can be translated as "floating " floating world", translated as world", was homophonous with an an ancient was homophonous with Buddhist term term signifying ancient Buddhist signifying"this world of sorrow andand grief". "this world of sorrow grief".

While the late 18th century saw hard Whileeconomic the late 18thtimes, centuryukiyo-e saw hardaeconomic ukiyo-eand saw peak intimes, quantity saw a peak in quantity and quality of works, particularly quality the of works, particularly during Kansei era (1789duringThe the ukiyo-e Kansei era (1789– 1791). of the period The ukiyo-e of the period of1791). the Kansei Reforms brought of the Kansei Reforms broughtand about a focus on beauty about a focus on beauty and harmony that collapsed into harmony that collapsed into decadence and disharmony in decadence and disharmony in the centuryasasthethe reforms the next next century reforms bbr rookkee ddoowwnn a an dn dt e tnes n i osni so n s rose, the Meiji rose, culminating culminating ininthe Meiji Restoration of 1868. 1868. Restoration of

The export of ukiyo-e slowly grew at the of beginning of the The export ukiyo-e slowly grew century. at the beginning of the in 19th The arrival 19thofcentury. TheCommodore arrival in Edo American Edo of American Matthew Perry inCommodore 1853 led to Matthew Perry inof 1853 led to the Convention Kanagawa Convention Kanagawa in inthe 1854, which ofopened Japan which opened to to1854, the outside world Japan after over the outside world after over two two centuries of seclusion. centuries of seclusion. Ukiyo-e Ukiyo-e prints were brought prints were brought back to the back theprints US. Such prints had US. to Such had appeared appeared i n P a r i s in f r oParis m a tfrom l e a sat t t least he the 1830s, andtheby1850s the were 1850s 1830s, and by were numerous. numerous.

Prints from the late-20th and 21st have evolved Printscenturies from the late-20th and 21st centuries have evolved from the concerns of earlier from the concerns of earlier the movements, especially movements, especially the sōsaku-hanga movement's emphasis on individual emphasis on individual expression. Screen printing, expression.mezzotint, Screen printing, etching, mixed etching, mezzotint, mixed media, and other Western media, and other Western m ethods have joined methods have joined traditional twoodcutting r a d i t i o n aamongst l woodcutting aprintmakers' m o n g s t techniques. printmakers' techniques.

Emergence of ukiyo-e Emergence of ukiyo-e

Peak period Peak period

Introduction to the Introduction to West the West

Descendant traditions IDescendant traditions

20th century

community.

The Tenpō Reforms of 1841– 1843 sought to suppress outward displays of sought luxury.to As a result, 1841–1843 suppress many ukiyo-e artists designed outward displays of luxury. As a result, many and ukiyo-e artists of travel scenes pictures designed travel scenes andand nature, especially birds pictures Landscapes of nature, especially flowers. had been birds and flowers. Landscapes given limited attention since had been given attention Moronobu. Thelimited landscape genre since Moronobu. The landscape has come to dominate Western genre has come to dominate perceptions of ukiyo-e, though Western perceptions of ukiyo-e, u though k i y o - e ukiyo-e h a d a had l o n ga hlong istory preceding these late-era masters. history preceding these late-era

mid-19th century

ukiyo-e like his idol. He created a series of ukiyo-e to

Decline Decline

Late flowering

19th century

and harmonous colours. He was determined to draw

sellers and magazines. It has been popular among the

In prints, the color was added by hand for special commissions. In prints, colour was added by Demand color in the earlyhand for for special commissions. 18 t h c e nfor t ucolour r y w ains the m eearlyt with Demand 18th prints centuryhand-tinted was met with tan-e with tan-e prints hand-tinted with orange. These were followed Thesewith werea followed inorange. the 1720s vogue for in the 1720s with aand vogue forthe pink-tinted beni-e later pink-tinted beni-e and later the lacquer-like ink of the urushi-e. of the urushi-e. Inlacquer-like 1744, the ink benizuri-e were the In 1744, the benizuri-e were the first successes in color printing, using multiple woodblocks— using multiple woodblocks— one thethe beni pink onefor foreach eachcolor, colour, beni and green. pinkvegetable and vegetable green

late 18th century

The site was once an ordinary bookstore selling best-

16th century

Takabashi, Kōtō-ku Tōkyō-to, Japan

Japanese art since the Heian period (794–1185) followed Japanese art since had the Heian two principal paths: nativist period (794–1185) had the followed Yamato-e tradition, focusing two principal paths: the nativist on Japanese themes, focusing and ChineseYamato-e tradition, on Japanese kara-e themes and inspired in aChinesevariety of sinspired t y l e s . Tkara-e h e h ainnad variety - p ro d uofc e d styles.ofThe nature thishand-produced shikomi-e limited nature of these shikomi-e limited a the scale of their production, the scale theirsoon production, a limit that ofwas overcome limit that was overcome by genres thatsoon turned to massby genres that turned to massproduced woodblock printing.

Decline

Late Flowering

Colour prints Colour prints

mid-18th century

Pte-history Pre-history

late 19th century

Pre-history

Collections of Ukiyo-e in Tokyo

Heritage of Ukiyo-e in today’s Japan Museum

Bookstore

Stick the sketch to the woodbrick

Cut the lines of the sketch into the woodbrick by the woodcut knife

Print completed

Rub the paper with the baren

Chisel the wood brick according to the lines

Motherboard Completed

Line the motherboard with paper

Dye the motherboard by colors from deep to light repeatedly

Design Narrative

Fuctional Planning

Site Map Book Store 40%

The site is located in a busy street and the influence of the noise concentrates close to the ground. So, the apartment is planned on the second floor. The bookstore is open in the most time and

Exhibition 40%

Katsuyama Book Store

Apartment 35%

Exhibition

sells books on ukiyo-e only. The owner works on

Conference Room

ukiyo-e irregular hours in a workshop, which can be a form of spreading ukiyo-e and enables visitors to experience the whole process. Some of the First Floor

guests may buy the works and negotiate the price Conference Room 8%

Workshop 20% Noise

Private

Exhibition

in the conference room. Besides, he sometimes exhibits his works. So, he has to live there. According to the areas calculated and an outdoor space still required for passing outdoor reading and chatting space while the workshop is oc-

Public

Book Store

Katsuyama Book Store

2cd Floor

cupied, I made the plan above.

Public

The bookstore is open in the most time. The

Time Use on First Floor

owner works on ukiyo-e irregular hours in the workshop. It is equipped with traditional bed car-

Private

4500m²

3053m² Outdoor

APT

Book Store

70% Book Store

25% Workshop

5% Exhibition

riages for the experience. Besides, he sometimes

Workshop

Apartment

holds his own exhibition on both the first and the second floor.

Multifunctional Spaces There are many bookstores where display ukiyo-e and sell books on ukiyo-e, but there’s no bookstore led by an ukiyo-e artist. A few artists are still working on it, but they can’t afford a gallery. Most of them work in their own house or a small workshop but difficult to find. And I found that most people came to know about ukiyo-e through museums and bookstores and the bookstore is much closed to people. To save costs, the whole process of spreading ukiyo-e can be collected in one space.

Space Transformation

Concept

Workshop

Exhibition

pages because it’s part of the bookstore both

When the workshop occupies the first floor, the bed carriages are to be set on

The bookshelves are equipped with switchable glass. When exhibitions are

in general and in detail.

the tatamis. Besides, another two vacant bed carriages are for experience. The

held, the desks and chairs will be removed and the glass will be electrified. The

bookstore on the second floor will be closed, but the outdoor reading area is

works can be set on the glass.

My main concept was the side of flipping

I chose two opening shelves connected by door hinges as the entrance, represent the

still available.

culture of ukiyo-e welcoming the visitors to

Carving the wood brick requires elaborate work, so the workplace must be

learn about it. The passings-by will soon no-

bright. Above the wood brick is a flask filled with water hanged and irregular

tice the ukiyo-e bookstore and they’ll be glad

reflection of light will brighten the carriage up when the light of the electric

to have a visit.

bulb hits the water. The shadow will disappear.

To promote the reading environment, I set

When the artist is working on ukiyo-e, the work process can be watched. It

some LED panel lights to brighten the shelves

can be a way of spreading ukiyo-e.

for picking books conveniently.

To keep the distance from the visitors, booms are to be adjusted the height.

First Floor

Conference Room

Book Store First Floor

Stairs Outdoor Sitting Area Stairs Second Floor

Workshop

Second Floor

The second floor is mainly for copying the works of the ukiyo-e artist and a reading room as well. The works are on the shelves so that the learners can conveniently copy right in front of them. Most of the books on the second floor are restored in the seats. Book Store

Therefore, copying works and reading can be separate.

For the exhibition, I chose to set the folding tables and chairs. They can be folded and removed into the shelves so that the building does not need a storage room. The books on the shelves can be concealed by the switchable glass when the exhibitions are held instead of being removed, which can save lots of time.

Second Floor

Apartment

Bathroom

Besides the booms, wood boards which

The site area of the apartment with a balco-

The toilet, basin, washer, and the bathroom

controlled by a starting handle are hanged

ny outside is 55.24 m². I set a living room,

in the Japanese restroom are separate and

by steel cables to the ceiling to hide the

an open kitchen, a bedroom, a bathroom

can be used at the same time all day. The

shelves and the works can be displayed on

of traditional Japanese style, and storage.

compartment with the washer is for the

the wood boards.

The porch is 200mm lower than inside and

changing room before and after a bath.

paved with tiles. The bedroom is planned 1. Workers remove the wooden boards

away from the busy street and faces south.

from the steel cables and equip them to the shelves. 2. When the wooden boards are equipped, the exhibition on the first floor is ready. 3. The exhibition is available for the visitors.

Storage 1.

Bedroom Living Room

Balcony 3. Restroom