[WORKSAMPLE] YIFEN ZHONG Selected Works 2011-2017
Master of Architecture 2019, MIT Email: yifenz@mit.edu Address: Room 433A, 70 Pacifcic Street, Cambridge, MA 02139, The United States of America
CONTENTS
01
[THE CATCHER] Teahouse by the Lotus Marshes 07/2015- 07/2016
03
[SOFT HOUSE] Soft Structure between Trees 03/2017-05/2017
02
[GROUND FOLDED] Children's Plant Museum by Pipa Lake 11/2013-01/2014
04
[FLOWING SATGE] Kickstarter-House in Schwäbisch Hall 04/2015-06/2015
05
[ENCLOSURE] The Extension of Wuyuan Museum 11/2014-01/2015
SUPPLEMENTS
THE CATCHER Teahouse by the Lotus Marshes Professional Project belongs to Tang Peng Studio Co-work with Prof. Tang Peng, Yu Haiyang (construction); My role: design, drawing, modeling 07/2015-07/2016, Location: Yixing, Jiangsu, China
01
[ Countryside ]
Site plan This teahouse is located at the countryside of the cultural town-Yixing. Around the site, there are rice fields, reads and lake, contributing to a poetic atmosphere by the lotus marshes. We tried to combine the traditional theme of Chinese tea with this "hermit" scene, to find the sense of Buddhist mood in this area. I proposed to make the teahouse as disguised as the barns, a simple straight line by lotus marsh, not to interrupt the fantastic scenery. It is a part of the landscape, a house belongs to there.
+ Echo the flat landscape
1
4
2
5
3
6
Process of evolution—diverse, clearly and comfortable
Countryside of Yixing and "Zen" spirit of tea
=
Far out of the eaves
Prototype
[ Form ]
When people enter into the teahouse, they will feel the change between inside and outside, and experience the different sceneries at different view-points. As if they are enclosed by the nature. Entrance
Continuation
Views come through
Public and private
Outside and inside
Different enclosed ratio
When those different boxes combined together, aligning or separating, different views, feelings, privacy and enclosure are created. Establishing a variety in this simple shape.
Multiple hierarchy in composition of pattern —CATHAY'S IDEA--Design Theory of Chinese Cultural Architecture
The sense of "layer" is crucial in traditional Chinese architecture. By the hierarchical layers in the sequence of space, the progressive relationship is built. Founded on the grid, there is a strong sense of continuity, which integrated all the parts of the building together.
Main tearoom
Passway
Lake
Courtyard
Small tearoom
Middle tearoom
Courtyard
Varying sceneries with changing view-points
Âą0.00 Plan
[ Add in the Scape ]
Get all things contended, and feel the seasons change but always with us. Sit in front of the water, and think of the past like the pre-existence. Hear the voice around like singing, and watch the movements like dancing. Meet the people like old friends, and talk about things through ages. Treat ourselves like hermits, and meet oursleves deeply inside our mind.
Aluminum sheetaluminum frame bolted on the purlins
Roof structureWooden purlin 180x90 @ 600
Basic steel structure
RoomsConcrete(big tea room) Wood(middle tea room) Bamboo(small tea room) Clay(accessary rooms)
[ Local Indentity ] Standing manganese aluminum sheet Aluminum frame-bolted on the purlins Waterproof breathable layer Thermal insulation Vapour-permeable layer Wood panel Timber purlin 180*90 @ 600 H-beam
100mm clay wall-local technique Leveling layer 5mm waterproof plasterboard 50*50 wood frame 18mm1:3 cement mortar 200mm hollow brick wall
1-1 section
Main tearoom
2-2 section
Middle tearoom
3-3 section
Small tearoom
Clear-finished veneer 18mm wood board 20*50 vertical wood frame Waterproof layer Leveling layer Reinforced concrete wall
480mm planting soil Filter bed 20mm drainage blanket 20mm 1:3 cement mortar Prefabricated reinforced concrete board
As the ancient Chinese philosophy Laozi said, "The Dao is the underlying principle behind the creation of the myriad things. The order of the process giving rise to the myriad things began with the Dao producing a kind of generative force." The form of our teahouse, is like the Chinese word" 一 ", engraved in the scenery. In this dreamlike countryside, we sit in here, watch the landscape and feel ourselves. The countryside of Jiangnan, the footprint of visitors, the chant of monks, the singing of farmers. We want to creat a poetic scene, for all the passengers. Just like an old Chinese poem gose" Being separated by the clear water, they looked at each other with love in their eyes without words." Suddenly, we find eternity.
[ Teahouse ]
The project was finished in July, 2016, and was opened in Sptember. With the changing from staw to flowers, the teahouse stands there, as part of the countryside views. It is a recption place for visitors to stop and enjoy the tranquility around. It is also a startpoint of the layout of the Lotus Marsh.
SOFT HOUSE Soft Structure between Tress Group Project, Tutor: Janet Echelman, David Feldman Caitlin Mueller Teaching Assistant: Pierre Cuvilliers 03/2017-05/2017, Location: Cambridge, MA, U.S.A
02
[ House for one person ]
Tree-sling equilibrium The tree slings are used to make the connec-tion of the hard net to the trees in 12 different points. At this connection, a normal and con-tact forces occur. The equilibrium at these points is represented by the equation F=µ*N while µ is the friction coefficient between the tree sling and the trunk. The lowest value µ = 0.15 is used to have a conservative analysis. These connections are thus stable for F < µ*N
[ Force ]
Force density method is a method to find possible equilibrium shapes of tensile net, from a defined net topology and anchor points.
Input: force density in each member, point load at each intersection points, anchor points Calculations:
With the force density method, the equilibrium shape of the net, the displacements of the net under loads from human or wind, the potential forces from anchor points can be predicted.
C - Branch Node Connectivity Matrix Q - Force Density Matrix P - Nodal Lods X - Free Nodes Dimensions Xf - Fixed Nodes Dimensions
The material used for building the structure is paracord. With its youngâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s modulus and cross section area, the stress on each member, the unstretched length of each member, the elongation of each member can be calculated. Then the relative force densities can be adjusted to make sure the stress on each member are within the safety range. It can also double check the impact of human loads and winds on to the structures.
[ Construction ]
Prefabrication
Install
lation
Adjustment
Force test
[ Meditation ]
In contrast with hard materials that go where they are told and behave rigidly once placed, soft materials and systems contribute to the creation of form through the specifics of their physical behavior: how they drape, bend, hang, stretch, and grow offers av-enues for formal possibilities, and also constraints. Their compli-ance means that they will always obey the physical laws of gravity and equilibrium, but they may change shape in unexpected ways to reach it. Mastering the formal palette of softness requires expertise in material behavior, structural engineering, and modelling (both physical and digital), as well as a willingness to collaborate with the soft system and the rules that govern its behavior.
GROUND FOLDED Children's plant museum by Pipa Lake Best 16 of Chinese Contest of the Asian Rookiesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Award for Architectural Students Personal Project, Tutor: Tang Peng 11/2013-01/2014, Location: Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
03
[ Scenic Area ]
Site
Pipa Lake
The site is located at the Zhongshan Scenic Area, Nanjing, Jiangsu. This project required us to design a museum for children about nature by pipa lake. This design came from the mountain, adapting to the topography to be in harmony with the site; and dealt with the trees around thoughtfully to accomplish the union of building and nature; and combined with diverse and vivid inner space to cater to the children.
Letting my building embedded in the slope was the first thought of my mind when I started to design. Since it was in a forest, I wanted to do no harm on the trees, so the building avoided the most lush place of trees. As children are easily attracted to slopes and ramps, I created different slopes for them to play. The ramps upside linked to the mountain and there were multiple heights downside. Opening to the lake was another cohesion to the beautiful scenery around.
Adapting to the slope
Sparing the trees
Continuous roof
Open to the lake
Site plan
Facade
[ Dialogue with the Mountain ]
08
09 -5.20
04 06 -6.50
01 lobby 02 grass area 03 neddle area 04 handicraft 05 broadleaf area 06 cafe 07 game area 08 video hall 09 office
05 -5.00
03 -3.50
02 -2.00
01 ±0.00
7 -6.50
Plan
Section
Section model 1:100
It was a building engraved in the mountain, cohesive with the site around. I wanted it to be attractive to children because of different heights of ramps, stairs and slopes, to create a place of discovery and exploration. Upside is a continuous ramp with the slope of 1:8, not too sharp or slow, with some cushions on it. Children can enjoy it as a lounge, a track or a playground. Downside are several stairs, slides, cliffs and seats, creating a various experience for children where they can chase, run, slide and sit. It is a place to educate them while having fun. Analysis of Slope
i=1:12 Too slow
i=1:4(original slope) Too sharp
i=1:8 Suitable
i=1:4 Outside lounge
i=1:2 Stairs
i=1:2 Slide
i=1:1 Climbing
i=1:2 Video area
lea
f ar ea
[ Embracing Diversity ]
e
Bro
ad
f Ca Meadow grass
Playground
The protective layer: 180mm soil layer The protective layer: 50mm sand layer Substrate layer in slip-resistant system 12.5mm drainage mat 50mm compression-resistant 160mm reinforced concrete composite roof steel â&#x2026; -beams 300mm deep
H=1m
I want to lay here forever! Time to play hide-andseek.
H=1m
So many chocies to have fun! There I feel the lake!
Approximate heights of children Year 3, H=1m Year 6, H=1.2m Year 9, H=1.3m
H=1.3m
0.9m
0.4m
H=1.4m 0.8m
H=1.2m
This is my private play. H=1m 1.3m
rea
sa
fa
re
a
as Gr
ne
ed
le
lea
I want to roll down along this slope!
H=1.1m
Time to have a rest. Wow! My views opened suddenly!
m
There are miracles under the gird!
H=1.4m
Âą0.00 H=1.2m
-2.00
-3.50
20mm wood sheet
-5.00
50mm screed Sparating layer Steel â&#x2026; -beams 300mm deep 200mm concrete bed
-6.50
FLOWING STAGE Kickstarter-House in Schwäbisch Hall Green Innovation Building in Europe—BIM Studio Personal Redid Project, Tutor: Odilo Schoch 04/2015-06/2015, Location: Munich, Germany
04
[ Small Town ]
Germany
Green innovation building in Europe
Munich
Cultural town about theater
Schwabisch Hall
Modern part of the town
Site
Campus Schwabisch Hall Headquarter of Bausparkasse Schwäbisch Hall AG
Site plan
This project required to design a Kickstarter-House in Schwabisch Hall, a beautiful, quiet town with a long history of drama-performance. Besides, there are many theatres around our site, which made it even more attractive to these drama-goers.
Drama-goers from around can come and rent my offices, rehearsal rooms,etc, to make preparation for their own dramas, which was the start of our plan.
Local Resources
Sunlight
Car waste
Heating system in campus&excrement
Electricity, Hotwater
Local stones
Local desiduous trees
Stone wall for technique room
Wood wall for rehearsal room
Morphological Table 3m 3m
4.5m
4.5m
Campus cafe 6m
6m
showing room
Entrance
Evolution Process
Height(office)
Height(rehearsal room)
Corridor
Facade
Garden
Heating
Sunshade
Roof
By caculations of energy demand per year
2
1
3
4
Heating 124KW/m² Solar warm water
Heating 79 KW/m² Solar warm water
Heating 54KW/m² Solar warm water
Heating 44KW/m² Solar warm water
Cooling 45KW/m² Electricity from solar plate, other supplement
Cooling 14 KW/m² Electricity from solar plate, other supplement
Cooling 0
Cooling 0
[ Transformation ]
I wanted to create a building having great connection with the town, the site and people. So I transformed the parking building mildly and most part of my building was hidden in the parking building. It was not just the extension of theater culture but also a new gathering point for the campus and the company.
Terrace
Evolution of Pattern
Original parking building
Wrapping
Inserting
Cutting
Eco-system Analysis
BIPV
Air flow wind system
Heating & Cooling sysytem(from campus)
High performance facade
Sun room
Green roof
Waste heating from cars
Thermal mass
Cooling system Heating system Ventilation Waste Water-recycling system Sunlight
Greywater storage
Rainwater storage
[ Ecology ] Materials Analysis
Detail Construction
The local wood is the material of slabs, which is cheap and eco-friendly. The U-value is 0.294W/m²k.
1 Wood panel 50cm •Wood from site •Glazed Opaque glass is the material of curtain wall. U-value is 0.234W/m²k. It is the main facade of the building.
2 Isolation rubber 100cm •Thermal insulator •Sound protection 3 Wood plate 150cm •Wood from site •Original surface
Local stones are the materials for recording room and technician room, U-value of which is 0.149W/m²k.
4 Air place 150cm •Recirculate interior air place •Heat air to stop green house effect in winter 5 Window glass •Low-e glass
The main material of walls inside is made form local wood. The U-value is 0.277W/m²k.
6 Double-layer glass with vacuum between •Opaque glass •Offering diffused light
Concrete walls as thick as 400mm are usd as basement, with the U-value of 0.48W/m²k.
I used mostly the local materials of the town and facilitated them concerning the function of the rehearsal rooms, recording rooms and the offices which need good isolation. And using "wrapping" and "vacuum" structure to lead to great light distribution and natural ventilation. By which I created a zero-energy building.
Energy Demands per Month
I used the heating-only system in Ecotect to simulate the environment in our site. As we can see from the graphs and tables, in winter (from November to the next February), the energy gathered from solar plates cannot satisfy the demands. To solve the problem, I will store the energy absorbed in other months as supplements. Besides, I can also use the excrement to provide with energy.
Direct Solar Gains Annual Loads Table
Energy caculation(KW/month)
Area with solar panels: 150m²(100m² for heating, 50m² for electricity); The efficiency from solar to heating is 0.8. The efficiency from solar to electricity is 0.2. Month
Energy
Heating
Electricity
Month
Energy
Heating
Electricity
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun
2,480 4,650 7,750 9,610 13,020 11,160
1,323 2,480 4,133 5,125 6,944 5,952
165 310 517 641 868 744
Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
14,260 10,230 8,680 6,820 2,480 930
7605 5456 4629 3637 1323 496
951 682 579 455 165 62
Total
92,070
49,104
6,138
108
57.7
7.2
Gains (KW/month/m²)
In total, the energy used as heating takes up 77%, while the other 23% can be used as other function such as for electricity demands. Energy demand per m² is 44KW per month. WIth the help of solar energy gathering of 57.7KW per m² per month, the building can get zero-energy.
Temperature in the Coldest and Hottest Day The coldest day -Saturday 29th, December
Winter ventilation
In the cold days, heating the space from 8 o'clock to 20 o'clock in order to save energy. The hottest day
Summer ventilation
-Sunday 22nd, July
There is no cooling system in our house, natural ventilation will benefit the temperature.
ENCLOSURE The Extension of Wuyuan Museum From Courtyards to Spaceâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;Research Project Personal Project, Tutor: Gong Kai 11/2014-01/2015, Location: Wuyuan, Jiangxi, China
05
[ Ancient Huizhou Region ]
Typical Huizhou views
Case study The traditional dwellings in Wuyuan
Paralleling(wall-wall)
Inserting(wall-room)
Snap-in(room-room)
Paralleling(room-room)
Sequence
Site The old museum window
wall
door
The site was located in the origin of Huizhou cultureâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;Wuyuan. We were required to design a museum as the extension of the orginal museum(which was designed by our tutor Prof. Gong Kai ten years ago) from the research of the courtyards. There was a river on the west and a mainroad on the left.
village
passway
HUIZHOU-Wu Guanzhong
Concept
building
courtyard
Enclosureâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;The typical form of traditional Chinese architecture, embracing the introversive style of Chinese culture, when buildings and courtyards are in figureground relationship in this case.
Process of Evolution Pattern research
embrace
divide
differentiate
integrate
accord
[ Labyrinth ]
Concept model 1:1000
Alternation of the outside and inside
One space wraps the other Layout like labyrinthâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;the traditional form of Huizhou settlements. Importing waterâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;the display of Huizhou elements like water to the court, water street and water ground.
Structure model 1:200
All the spaces are cohesive with the traditional "Hui" culture. The narrow asile, the hanging second floor, the multiple layers of passways and the subtle skylight are typical cultural elements. I tried to create a continuous feeling when people start to vistis the museum, and feel the spirit of traditional views. Besides, the small windows, the thick walls, and different usages of water are the basic decorations in "Hui', so I combined the complex symbols together, to build my museum like a cultural mark in the modern age.
[ Walls ]
19
16
04 18
Water guide Multiple courtyards Visit Stroll
17
03
11 05
12
02
10
01
13
09 08
06
07
01 lobby 11 interactive hall 02 ceramic hall 12 handicrfts studio 03 lounge 13 showing area 04 auditorium 14 temporary hall 15 temporary hall 05 interactive 06 temporary hall 16 paint 07 storage 17 research room 08 lounge 18 restaraunt 09 residence model 19 meeting room 10 residence hall
15
Âą0.00 Plan
The Design of Thick Wall
Double plastered wall Gravel layer 15mm cavity 50mm fiberglass insulation 240mm hollow brickwork
20mm slate 30/50mm battens Sealing strip Sarking membrane,vapour-permeable 24mm wood boarding Existing rafter
Diffused light
Exhibition of in and out
The materials presented there are cohesive with the site either natural or cultural: Brick—the black brick is a typical and economical material with rough texture. White wall—a symbol of ancient "Hui" Small windows—providing mild light and also the symbol of traditional residence.
25mm brick 15mm mortar layer 150mm reinforced concrete floor
Section
Section Model 1:100
[ Sequence ]
Ceramic hall
Residence hall
Entrance
Interactive exhibition
Calligraphy hall
Passway
Painting hall
Activities
Temporary hall
Sequence
Plants
People's visit
Walls-windows & exhibition
Continuous facade
Water flowing
Center courtyards
Riverside
Perspectives
[ Courtyards ]
In this project, Research was the basics. Most of the time, I was surveying the documents, analyzing the pattern of "Hui", and making hand-made models. It was a project focusing more on the discovering process rather than the final presentation. It required me to push myself as much as possible, discovered the heritage of the legendary ancient "Hui". So I tried to be respectful to our ancient intelligence. Use the elements like courtyards, walls, water street, labyrinth pattern, narrow passway, centrality and rituality, to create my building like the memory of our precious culture.
[ Aluminum Casting: Positive and Negative ]
My initial idea was to make the pattern also part of the sculpture without noticing that the casting part would shrink. And also the hard wood was cracked during milling, so MDF would be a better choice only for the pattern. The small one was connected by a wood stick. The big one was glued. Both of them worked.
[ Supplements ] 09/2013-11/2013 Personal project Tutor:Tang Bin
03/2015-04/2015 Group project, Co-worker: Wang Jialing Tutor: Zhang Meiying
Community Center for the Elderly
Residence District
03/2014-04/2014 Personal project Tutor:Liu Jie
Shatangyuan Renovation
Those are the other acedemic works I did in my junior years of undergraduate study. Models and collages of the site were the main ways of design.
International Students Apartment
Cultural Center
03/2013-04/2013 Personal project Tutor:Fei Yishan
04/2014-06/2014 Personal project Tutor:Yu Chuanfei
09/2013 Suzhou Pen sketch
08/2013 Bangkok Pencil sketch
09/2015 Izmir Photography
05/2015 Frankfurt Photography
09/2014 Tokyo Photography
05/2015 Frankfurt Photography
Wangshiyuan
Children
Ephesus
Clock
Centrality
My Zeil
Travelling has always been the most attractive things to be. Photography is what I like to memorize. All the photos in this portfolio were shot by myself.
Balloons
Light
Hermit
09/2015 Cappadocia Photography
09/2014 Tokyo Photography
01/2017 Bolivia Photography