Yufan Liang Portfolio

Alleyway: the Threshold

Ruinophilia & The Off-Modern Ruin- Chinatown Portsmouth Square

Individual Academic Work

Instructor: Lyndon Neri, Rossana Hu, Christina Cho Yoo University of California, Berkeley Spring 2023

Off Modern ruinophilia involved with the remainders and reminders, and their relationship between human, the lifestyle, and the modern urban spatial patterns. It reconciles itself to the speculative city experience and allow people to reimagine the ruins, the ruins are not about simply the motif, but rather to incorporate the experience into the modern present.

The basis for adaptive reuse more often than not, are actually non-romantic relics from the past. These remnants nevertheless pose important questions in terms of sustainability and construction waste management, as well as deeper philosophical questions regarding originality and authorship.

In our confrontation with this set of issues, we refer to Svetlana Boym, who suggests “off-modern” relationships between preservation and development, advocating for designers to engage with traces of the past - past authors, builders, failed projects, and revealing the traces of non-realized compositions.

The site model of south elevation shows the south facade

My reflection upon the unprecedented urbanization process and changes surrounds the Portsmouth Square initially inspires this project. The human scale urban vernaculars like alleyways and their life-enhancig informality have been demolished or gentrified to pave the way for large-scale modern architecture.

Hilton is built around 1968 when people seek for efficiency, instead of comforts. It is a living machine that has blocks of rooms stacking. The design prompts my critic on Hilton tower, which tend to over-simplify or overlook the importance of understanding of the city.

Analytical study: deconstruct the architectural elements of the alleyway

The different scales of museums, exhibition rooms intersect through vertical staircases

Void spaces penatrate from the Portsmouth Square into the Hilton Tower as a continuous pathway

When walking inside Chinatown, it is fascinating to see all the activities happening at the same time, it is this activity intersection, connection and integration that attracts me. Alleyway, as a urban form, acts as a activator that not only fosters these activities, but also as a container holds generations of people, daily behaviors, and history It is the urban living rooms in Chinatown.

View from the alleyway in the Portsmouth Square

Corridor connects museum space and the skylight

Typical Floor Plan 6th

Typical Floor Plan 5th

Section B

View from one side of the Alley street on 5th floor

The creation of intersection of different activities on the Alley street

The medium size alleyway connects the residential housing on both sides that re-energizes the community and create a potential communal space.

It is the ‘vertical alleyway’ as well that acts as an agency that activate the vertical alleyway.

The object encounter is staircase, which acts as both circulation and functional space. The staircase could enter the second floor and the third floor for both units. It connects to the museum at the end.

Typical Floor Plan 7rh

Typical Floor Plan 8th

View of the medium scale of Alleyway, housings are on both sides

Chunk model of medium-scale alleyway

Typical Floor Plan 5th

Speaking about the whole-schematic design, my idea is to design the connection and the merge of old and new. And the bridge is as a mean to connect the old and new. The west side of Portsmouth square changed dramatically along the time, whereas the east side does not change too much.

Off Modern ruinophilia involved with the remainders and remiders, and their relationship between human, the lifestyle, and the modern urban spatial patterns. It reconciles itself to the speculative urban experience and allow people to reimagine the ruins, the ruins are not about simply the motif, but rather to incorporate the experience into the modern present.

Boat House

Duplex House

Individual Academic Work

Instructor: Kristen Sidell University of California, Berkeley Fall2021

This project is about four quadrants of spaces are aligned along a linear shifted spine, within each quadrant, the ground plane has varying degrees of elevation to allow different experiences of the sculptural interior form and variation of light.

The shifted spine has a rotational quality that organizes the sculptural roofs. It is achieved by different size of spaces rotating around the spine crossing at the central area. The spaces are arranged in different heights to create a sense of spatial complexity and it is a response to the varying heights of the roof, which is represented in this unfolded elevation.

Site Plan

Composite drawing of plan, section, and elevation, it shows a motion of rotation and anchoring

Acrossed spine is the circulation

Living room with the balcony

The shifted spine has a rotational quality that organizes the sculptural roofs. It is achieved by different size of spaces rotating around the spine crossing at the central area. The spaces are arranged in different heights to create a sense of spatial complexity and it is a response to the varying heights of the roof, which is represented in this unfolded elevation.

Acrossed

Collective Housing

Individual Academic Work

Instructor: Rudabeh Pakravan University of California, Berkeley Fall 2022

The project is a collective housing, which is generated from the observations of Broadway, Oakland, CA. Staring off from the urban experience when standing at the Broadway. The design further developed from a conceptual chunk model. And then it expanded and grown into a collective housing.

The design is a townhouse which consisted of 45 units in the site area of 0.8 acre. It is featured in bringing both sides of views of Broadway together. By providing a unique and vivid living condition, it aims to further challenge the rigid city grid.

The design further developed from a conceptual chunk model. And then it expanded and grown into a collective housing.

It is a townhouse which consisted of forty-five units in the site area of 0.8 acre. It is featured in bringing both sides of views of Broadway together. This is a chunk model that consists of eight units.

Chunk model consists of 8 units, unit type includes studio, one bedroom, two bedroom

I am interested in different perspectives shifting at one spot at the same time. And to challenge to the rigid city planning.

Ground Floor Plan 1/8” = 1’-0”

Second Floor Plan 1/8” = 1’-0”

Section 1/8” = 1’-0”

Exterior view from Broadway Street

Interior view inside the typical bedroom

Floating Auditorium

Community Center/Theater

Individual Academic Work

Instructor: Mia Zinni

University of California, Berkeley Spring 2021

The form is generated by the Boolean operation of two rectangles. And the main concept is about shifting. One is slightly shifted from the other. Programs are aligned with the shifted grid, and circulation is wrapped around two sides of the auditorium.

By doing that ,The concept is bringing the view around the corner of telegraph and 22 street. Again, stairs are shifted on both sides connecting with the foyers. So two foyers functions as circulation and they provide views as well.

The main program is the circulation, which is wrapped around the circulation. Part of the circulation is the foyer as well. People can view the south-west side of Oakland city and get a view of the city.

The opening of the facade responses to the volumne of the auditorium. With an opening roof garden at the top, the building crewate a leasire place in the busy downtown Oakland city.

Massing Model

Auditorium is wrapped around circulation

grid system is tiled, which challenges the existing city grid. The foyer, ground garden, and roof garden create some vividness both interiroly and exteriorly that act as activator for the Oakland dwellings.

Circulation is wrapped around two sides of the auditorium

The whole auditorium is floating at the center of the building, and the circulation warps around the auditorium space.

The

Level 3

Diagonal Living

Collective Housing

Individual Academic Work

Instructor: Johnathan Cummings University of Toronto Spring 2020

The project is the first attempt of designing a large-scale residence. Through the precedent study-Kitagata Housing by SANAA, I referred the single row architectural volume that is as similar as the design of Kitagata Housing. The single row will reduce the chunkiness of architecture and make the whole building light, which think is an aesthetic representation of the building. It also facilitates the circulation that make the movement smooth and convenient.

Residents can simply circulate around by the hallway. The building highlights its lightness in many aspects, not only in construction, but the program design is also innovative and matches the vivid spirit of students of new generations. combine laundry with circulation together to incorporate a new living habit: laundry is redefined. The design of the building responses energy of students, aiming to design a comfortable living environment as well as stimulating creativity of students at the same time.

Residents can simply circulate around by the hallway. The building highlights its lightness in many aspects, not only in construction, but the program design is also innovative and matches the vivid spirit of students of new generations.

The facade is a reponse to the context. Archietcture is about consistantly renovating and the facade creates the scaleless and weightless feeling in a historical neighbourhood. While the roof follows the similar shape of the surrounded housing.

Facade condition

01: Vapor barrier with taped joints for air tightness

Single room1

- Area:20 sq.m.

- Occupation: 1-2 people

02: Breather memberane

Single room2

- Area:20 sq.m.

- Occupation: 1-2 people

03: 20mm window glass

04: Folded stainless steel capping

05: 12.5mm Gypsum Gyproc WallBoard plasterboard with taped joints. Expamed plaster beads, skim of plaster

06: 60mm Kingspan rigid insulation

07: Steel frame deck, comprising 152UC 37, 203 UC 60 + 88.9

CHS 8, 150 * 50 mm C24 treated softwood

08: Warmcel cellulose fibre insulation min. 250mm between beams

Double room

- Area:42 sq.m.

- Occupation: 2-4 people

D02: 167 * 18 mm softwood window sill fixed to 25mm plywood

D03: 167 * 18 mm softwood window sill fixed to 25mm plywood

The traII gent|y fo||ows and preserves the topography, connectn the project W|th the town and the road, meanwh|Ie Ieadmg to the best points of view to observe the majestic uins and mystic beauty of f coastal landscape. The volume of the architecture is hidden in a crevic to minimize footprint and intervention of the surroundings and the ruins. Immersed in the subterranean tranquity between the skylight and the rock formation, the visitors can perform meditation, participate in yoga or enjoy a peaceful meal. With the main volume of the architecture hidden, the spaces function for meditation, healing and relaxing. Creating a tranquil environment, the majority of programs consist of planty of relatively private spaces, which include Yoga Room, Sauna, Bathing, etc. The building also provides public services open to visitors and locals, yet it keeps the private and public space in a balanced condition. The first, the third floor, and the roof are mainly about public spaces whearst the second and fourth floor are private programs. The first floor contains a public theater, some administrative and community rooms. Programs on the second floor are Yoga/Medtation room, and Sauna room. On the third floor, there are Gallery, open Lounge space. The Restaurant and cafe on the fouth floor. And a public walkale space as the rood space for people to view the beautiful scene.

The Interstitial

Y3R Meditation Mine Competition Group Work, 2022.07

The first, the third floor, and the roof are mainly about public spaces whearst the second and fourth floor are private programs. The first floor contains a public theater, some administrative and community rooms. Programs on the second floor are Yoga/Medtation room, and Sauna room. On the third floor, there are Gallery, open Lounge space. The Restaurant and cafe on the fouth floor. And a public walkale space as the rood space for people to view the beautiful scene.

Underground space creates a tranquil and peaceful sense

The volume of the architecture is hidden in a crevic to minimize footprint and intervention of the surroundings and the ruins. Immersed in the subterranean tranquity between the skylight and the rock formation, the visitors can perform meditation, participate in yoga or enjoy a peaceful meal.

With the main volume of the architecture hidden, the spaces function for meditation, healing and relaxing. Creating a tranquil environment, the majority of programs consist of planty of relatively private spaces, which include Yoga Room, Sauna, Bathing, etc. The building also provides public services open to visitors and locals, yet it keeps the private and public space in a balanced condition.

Skylight Corridor Interior

Unite

Student Center

Individual Academic Work

Instructor: Brian Boigon University of Toronto

Fall 2020

The project explores new approach to unite people together. By adding a new route to connect two roads, the building is featured in dynamic integration and vivid interaction among people. When walking along the ramp, there is a slow ascent through the buildings levels that has a degree of reveal allowing the passerby to peer into the spaces through the separation between the floor planes and the ramp.

The space contains an atrium inside to create an open environment for students. In addition, there is a number of plantations on atrium of the ground floor to generate a natural garden inside. Rooftop is made of truss structure that brings natural sunlight into the center of the building. Along with the glass rounded inside, the reflection light and the sunlight together create a bright environment.

Program

Four floor

Area: 1000 sq.m.

Height:11m

Circulation Diagram

Third floor

Area: 1000 sq.m.

Height: 8m

Second floor Area: 1000 sq.m.

Height: 5m

Ground floor

Area: 1400 sq.m.

Height: 0m

Site Diagram

The ramp wraps around along the building, the atrium is at the center

Re-sheltering

Renovation of Bryant Park

Individual Academic Work

Instructor: Sonja Vangjeli University of Toronto

Fall 2019

The project is an exploration of public space. It is challenging to construct tangible landscape by using the intangible features of public space. Since the landscape site is continuously generating and changing, people’s habit and activities are logically depending on the history of the site. It is important to understand the history of the site, since the current appearance is a result of changes based on its history.

Landscape and people are contemplate that people’s behavior changes the landscape and landscape influences how people’s living experience continuously at the same time. The project is trying to have a conservation with future people in 30 years. It’s conventional that the technology will not change too much of people’s living style. And trying to add a romantic and poetic environment into life. It is suggesting people to slow down and experience what is genuinely precious in life.

- Separate walking & sitting space

- Creating new space

- Improving circulation

- Creating new space

- Improving circulation

- Little pathway for 1-2 people to walk at the same time

- Improving circulation

- Creating a more private space

- Allowing group activities

- Creating a more private space

- Improving circulation

- Enhancing experience

renovated

Zig-zag Corner Bifurcation

Diagram of details of

flower beds

Right angle Hollow Diangnal

Waves

Swimming Center

Group Academic Work

Instructor: Simon Schleicher University of California, Berkeley Spring 2022

The design derived from the view of the site, where is located in Iceland. Celebrating the view of the endless field, the swimming pool is achieved through mainly the truss system. The structure is calculated via Karamba. With a total mass of 778437kg, the Bending Moment Max.: 78.92 kNm, the design is achievable.

The design derived from the view of the site, where is located in Iceland. Celebrating the view of the endless field, the swimming pool is achieved through mainly the truss system

The structure is calculated via Karamba. With a total mass of 778437kg, the Bending Moment Max.: 78.92 kNm, the design is achievable.

Plan

Metal Sheet Truss

Swimming Pool

Facility Room

Swimming pool facing the North

Net

Individual Academic Work Instructor: Salman Khalili-Araghi University of Toronto Fall 2021

The project explores how spaces and people’s interactions been modified by COVID-19. It keeps people from gathering together. “A net” is demonstrated to reveal the invisible diaphragm in between people. However, it could be reinvented into adaptive infrastructure that help people to accommodate with this quarantine life.

The net is generated by grasshopper and kangaroo. Using different weight and the strength of the rope as parameters, a human-scaled network is generated.

3/8” Twisted sisal rope

Rope knot

3/4” Manila rope

Force (F): 0 N

Force (F): 10 N Acting at the center

Force (F): 30 N Acting at the center

Force (F): 70 N Acting at the center

Force (F): 70 N One corner is pulled up

Force (F): 70 N Two corners are dragged

Force (F): 120 N Dragged toward opposite direactions

Force (F): 120 N Drag one toward y-axis while the other upward

Force (F): 120 N Two corner are toward different directions

112*112 timber post

3-1/2” *3/8” bolt at each column

Norch column at base plate and provide continuous weld

Force (F): 240 N Two corners are stretched toward opposite directions

Force (F): 240 N One corner is dragged upward by a force

Force (F): 240 N Two corners are dragged to twist

Column base.W16 beam cut in half at center of web

Mass concrete footing

Twisting

Individual Academic Work Instructor: Nicholas Hoban University of Toronto Spring 2019

This project mainly explores the functionality and materiality of parametric design. Studying tools of parametric design, the process is consisted of three stages. The first stage is to design the fundamental geometry. And the next stage is designing the supporting structure. The first two stages is to be familiarized with fundamental knowledge of parametric software and the fabrication. The final stage is to advance the skill that to design the façade. 3D printing technique was used in this process and the body structure of the tower is fabricated by laser cutting technique.

Stage one: using a parametric tool (grasshopper) to create the tower from basic surface. It is to familiarize with the parametric design for layering the `.

Stage two: Adding supporting structure to the tower. used the stabs for supporting the weight. To maintain the aesthetic of the tower, the stabs are twisted following the curvy shape of the geometry.

Stage three: To advance parametric skills, this final stage is to design a facade using 3D printing technique. Patterns are projected onto the facade surface by using morph technique.

Study Models