PORTFOLIO | Landscape Architecture Xinlei Gu
Selected Works | 2019-2022 Rhode Island School of Design Master of Landscape Architecture Email: xgu@risd.edu Tel: (401)-542-1323
ABOUT ME
Xinlei Gu Email: xgu@risd.edu
Experiencing different things makes you better at each one of them. This sentence is my life mantra and has been influenced on my attitude and the choices that I have made. I chose landscape architecture as my major course of study since it allows me to explore the world, from nature to humanities, engineering to athletics, rationality to sensibility.
Tel: (401)-542-1323
GENDER
LANGUAGES
Tel: +86 13666130720
Female (she, her, her)
English
Graduate Landscape Architecture Student
Address: 1 Point St, Providence, Rhode Island, United States
Proficient in Reading and Writing
NATIONALITY People Republic of china
EDUCATION 08/2019 - 05/2022
09/2014 - 06/2018
Rhode Island School of Design
Photoshop
Sketchup
Major: Landscape Architecture Degree: Master of Landscape Architecture
Illustrator
Lightroom
Indesign
Premiere
Nanjing Agricultural University
AutoCAD
ArcGis
Major: Landscape Architecture Degree: Bachelor of Engineering in Landscape Architecture
Rhinoceros
Hand drawing
Processing
Gravity Sketch
Procreate
YUYI Design, Shanghai, China - Landscape Architecture Summer Intern
06/2020 - 08/2020
• Work on several renders for project presentation (Wuxi opera house square, huazhu headquarter courtyard, etc.) • Help refine the digital model of project site (tool: Rhino, Sketchup). • Collect references for project presentation. • Design pavement scheme for Hainan museum. • Improved proficiency in using design software, e.g. Auto CAD, enhanced the ability of preliminary scheme logic analysis, and promoted teamwork ability
09/2021 - 12/2021
Rhode Island School of Design, Providence, Rhode Island of Design, United States - Teaching Assistant: Research, Thesis and design • Printing and preparing handouts, distribution of materials for class. • Organizing the course submission and archive folders, checking all work is properly documented, and submitting the course work to the department archive • Maintenance of the course site on Canvas.
2
Mother Tongue
SKILLS
EXPERIENCE 07/2021 - 09/2021
Mandarin
Center for Transformative Arts, Advocacy and Social Impact (TAASI East), Providence, RI, United States & Batticaloa, Sri Lanka - Landscape Architecture Summer Intern • Work remotely with local people, communicate with them and understand their needs • Research on local textile industry (their operation mode and textile industry), and develop adaptive economic mode to help improve local economic level • Develop proposal for innovative fabric production • Work on the master plan for the local women village
03/2019 - 05/2019
Sichuan Provincial Architectural Design and Research Institute (SADI), Chengdu, Sichuan, China - Landscape Architecture Intern • Work independently on landscape installation design and the project was finally built. • Work on the master plan for client. • Collected preference for presentation • Work on renders, designed small entrance square. • Improved proficiency in using design software, e.g. Auto CAD, enhanced the ability of preliminary scheme logic analysis, and promoted teamwork ability
PROJECTS
SELECTED WORKS 2019-2022
Part I P. 04-71 ACADEMIC WORK
NATURE COMMONS
DESIGN PRINCIPLE
URBAN COMMONS
MATERIAL & STRUCTURE
01
03
04
06
Break Through Barriers
Brownfield Restoration & Community Park Design
Humidity Manipulation Conceptual Design Exploration
02
Migration Corridor For Amphibians Ecologucal Planning & Design
Part II
P. 72-77
PROFESSIONAL WORK SAMPLES
SADI
01
04
Wuxi Opera House Square
Liujia-Ba Music Park
02
05
Huazhu Headquarter Courtyard Shanghai, China 2021
Intersection
Urban Design
Art Installation Design
05
07
"Many Centers" Connecting
Reshaping Landform
Urban Planning & Highway Design
YIYU DESIGN
Wuxi, Zhejiang, China 2021
In The Courtyard
Topography Design
Chengdu, Sichuan, China 2019
Jiang-jia Park Pergola Design Chengdu, Sichuan, China 2019
03
Mount Mogan Riverfront Planning Deqing, Zhejiang, China 2021
Part III
P. 78-85
OTHER WORKS
PLANT COLLECTION
DESIGN WORKSHOP
MODEL MAKING
DRAWINGS
01
02
03
05
Herbarium Specimen Making Providence, Rhode Island, U.S. 2020
Seawall Design
Providence, Rhode Island, U.S. 2020
Whitewood Butt-joint Making Providence, Rhode Island, U.S. 2019
Digital Illustration N/A 2018 - 2022
04
Surabaya Wetland Park Surabaya, Indonesia 2018
3
Part I
ACADEMIC WORK
4
01 BREAK THROUGH BARRIERS
Cabinates of Curiosity
Brownfield Restoration & Community Park Design Group Member: Yumeng Yan Location: East Providence, Rhode Island, U.S. Area: 13 ha Time: Mar.-May. 2020
Located on the east side of the Seekonk River in northern East Providence, Rhode Island, the Phillipsdale Historic District is a mill village covering over 80 acres of land along the Seekonk/ Blackstone River.The district contains a total of 114 historic structures, with half serving as worker housing, it is the largest concentration of historic resources built during the period of 1883 1958. Like many historic post-industrial sites that landscape architects are called upon to adapt to new uses, this area of the waterfront has significant challenges in terms of fragmentation, access, likely contamination, low functioning ecology, and identity. This project aims at transform the historic post-industrial site into a new mixed-ues community park, witch will creatively promote new forms of social life, urban nature, meaning, and value. Several design proposals have been developed to provide the opportunity for the residents of East Providence to connect to the river and the ecological program of creating viable habitat for a multitude of species.
5
ive rW ate rsh ed
Rhode Island
Local Anadromous Fish Species
Ten M
ile R
Name
width x length x depth
Breeding Season
minimun channel request (ft.)
Jun. - Oct.
6 x 10 x 2
May. - Nov.
5 x 10 x 2
May. - Sep.
5 x 10 x 2.25
Jun. - Oct.
20 x 40 x 4
American Eel A. rostrata
Blueback Herring A. aestivalis
Alewife
Site
Pomolobus
Shad
A. sapidissima
N
01
2mi
Omega Pond Dam
Construction time: 1918 Dam length: 200 feet Dam height: 18 feet Structural height: 20 feet Hydraulic height: 15 feet
Damed Fish Passage
Water Body
r
6
Stream
ive
The river cannot speak for itself. It needs loud voices of those who know it, and want to save it. -Providence Journal-
River
eR enc vid Pro
Some fish populations in the North Atlantic complete their breeding duties by flowing upstream along Narragansett Bay when breeding season approaches. However, urban development has caused a series of environmental problems, some of which have seriously threatened the reproduction of these migratory fish. Take the construction of dams, most of the rivers across the historic range of them are now heavily dammed, eliminating many of the spawning grounds.
Green Space Dam
1939
1959
1989
1997
Current
Site Issue
The main problem around Phillipsdale is that the dam blocks the normal movement of the river, interferes with the normal migration of fish and reduces the water quality upstream, at the same time, it has the least interactive water edge as a post industrial site. Meanwhile, as cities expand, there is less and less green space available to residents.
er
Site Edge Condition site
site
Seko
nk Riv
site
Phillipsdale was originally a wetland, but as the factory was built, the riverbank gradually hardened, and after the factory was demolished in 1997, the site is now an abandoned wasteland. The omega dam on the south side of the site was built in 1918 and has been in use since. The North side of the site is still industrial. The area of residential land on the east side of the site is increasing and the area of green space is decreasing.
old wharf+stone
wood column+stone
wood stick+vege
Omega Pond
site omega pond dam residential area factory rail road urban road
site
site steel wharf+stone
site vege
stone
7
Circulation
pedestrian
maintenance
Site Plan
8
Concepts
Phasing
?
1. Existing Condition
2. Fishway Building Establish fishway to help fish migration
1. Connect Water Body • Connectivity • Wetland Patch • Ecological Corridor
BARRIER
PASSAGE 3. Water Purification System & Tidal Islands
4. Road System
Through the terrain to build a natural water purification system and create several tidal islands
Construction of road network to increase the accessibility of the park
5. Vegetation Recovery
6. Service Facilities
By restoring the ecological environment of the park to build a pleasant climate, as well as purify water through a natural process
Placement facilities for residents to provide more recreational options
2. Activate The Edge • Intertidal Habitat • Sediment Catchment • Interactive Water Edge
HARDEN
INTERACTIVE
3. Create Buffer Zone • Flood Resilience • Submerge Habitat
INUNDATION
RESILIENCE
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Proposed Programs
River Edge Activate
From INDUSTRY , COMMUNITY to ECOLOGY
The purpose of the project is to make Phillipsdale:
As Phillipsdale is surrounding by the factories, community and river, this project aims to make the site call back to its surroundings. The proposed programs form a network to provide different experience for all beings in Phillipsdale, eventually make the site one of the most vibrant knods in East Providence.
A Production Site For Oyster A Community Park For The Residents Nearby A Wetland For Anadromous Fish And Water Purification
Bu
ffe r
Zo n
e
Fis hw ay E
nt ra
nc e
INDUSTRY x-sport field
COMMUNITY
rain garden chain
educational corridor
oyster field
Tid a
truck parking lot
oyster bar
canoe club
l Is
lan
ds
Ce nt ra
lP on
d
runoff garden railroad
central pond
vernal stream
tidal island fish way
ECOLOGY
10
Ka ya k
Ra
Co n mp
cre
te Pro tec
to r
Water Purification System 5 stages have been proposed to purify water of Omega Pond before it flows into Seekonk River
Stage 5
Stage 4
Stage 3
Stage 1&2
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Oyster Field
Oyster field at the shoreline of Seekonk river can purify the water and create multiple shoreline landscape. Also the oyster field could provide chance for public engagement.
Construction Oyster shells that have been recycled from the oyster bar can be used as construction material for road. Through this way can achieve the purpose of ecological sustainability.
Purification At the end of the runoff garden, oysters can filter pollutants either by consuming them or shaping them into small packets, which are deposited on the bottom where they are not harmful.
Education Trail right next to the purification field as educational site for visitors to have a closer look at the purification process of oysters.
Production The oyster field has been brought back and located at the shoreline of Seekonk River. It aims to provide local flavour for the oyster bar, as well as offer opportunities for community engagement.
Natural Fish Ladder
Use stones to create natural stairs for anadromous fish migration. Compare to the original fish ladder at the dam, the natural ladder has more gentle slope and leave more spaces for fish to rest between stairs.
Fish Ways Multiple fish ways in different sizes enable any species of anadromous fishes Moving upstream to fresh water to lay eggs.
Observation Platform The observation platform is for students, researchers or fisher lovers to count species and number of anadromous fish during migration seasons. It serves both the education and research purpose.
Railway
Fish View Fishes will perceive this fish way as an accessible and safe corridor during their migration, also the vegetated shoreline will protect them from predators such as eagles. 550ft, 2%
200ft, 3% 300ft, 4%
Shad
SEEKONK RIVER 0ft
12
Blueback Herring
300ft, 4.7%
Alewife
400ft, 4%
American Eel
OMEGA POND 16ft
Fish Way Entrance
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14
02 MIGRATION CORRIDOR FOR AMPHIBIANS Ecological Planning & Design Group Member: Chenjie Zhang Location: Sault Ste Marie, MI, U.S. & Sault Ste Marie, ON, CA Area: 1,970 ha Time: Sep.-Dec. 2021
Under the global warming environment, the overall northward shift of the bioregion has become an inevitable fact. This project focuses on the migration of amphibians (mostly frogs) since they are considered to be highly sensitive to climate change dut to their highly water-permeable skin and ectothermic life history. Usually it might take several generations for frogs to migrate from a existing habitat to a more ideal one. There are several barriers they may encounter during their migration such as dense urban area, farmland, rapid etc. In this project, a Frog Spacial Explicit Model is applied to create a migration network in dense urban area for frog to move through. Several programs are designed for frog habitat and human activities , frogs are the main clients in this project but at the same time we also try to use frogs as a zoom-in lens to explore multiple topics such as political border, ecological habitat, community engagement, etc.
15
Delimma of Amphibians Amphibians are likely to be highly sensitive to climate change for several reasons. Climatic shifts toward warmer, drier regimes are expected to have large effects on amphibians due to the physiological constraints associated with their highly water-permeable skin and ectothermic life history. These potential changes may affect stream flows, lake depths, the amount and duration of winter snow packs, pond hydroperiods, and soil moisture.
ANIMALS' NORTHWARD MIGRATION DUE TO CLIMATE CHANGE
Predicted Bioregions Representative concentration pathway (RCP) 8.5 was used to represent the 21st century conditions that are to be expected without dramatic reductions in greenhouse gas emissions or technological fixes
Site #3
Site #1 Site #2 Current
2050
16
2100
URBAN, BORDER and FROG MIGRATION
#1 | Sault Ste. Marie, ON, CA & Sault Ste. Merie, MI, USA
Frogs In Sault Ste. Marie
Sault Ste Marie, which means "the rapids on the saint marys river" in Old French, is once the country for Ojibwwa native nation. It has the most iconic water system management - soo locks that was designated to deal with the dramatic elevation change between the Lake Superior and Huron. However, both the fast moving water and these human infrastructures including the hard-edge riparians and international bridge deny the migration of amphibians and other animals. At the meantime, there is a well-preserved island called white fish island.
This chart shows all the frogs that lives in the region by their breeding season, life span, life circle. Since the travel distance various among different frog species, there would be several concentric circles instead of one. Some species are really vulnerable to climate change such as American Bullfrog, which takes almost 4 months for them to grow from eggs to mature, while their breeding is really short
#2 | Richelieu River Watershed
#3 | BWCAW
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Breeding Pool
Adjacent Post-Breeding Habitat Element
Upland Overwinter Habitat
Permeable migration corridor/habitat
Wetland Buffer
Core Terrestrial (radius depends)
Breeding & Over Winter Habitat
Post-breeding Habitat
Spacial Explicit Model of Frog Migration The center is the breeding pond and it adjacent upland over winter habitat. Every spring, Frogs will breed in the breeding pool and then use the permeable migration corridor to move to the surrounding post-breeding habitat to avoid summer heat. When it moves into winter, they will use the corridor again to go back to the upland over winter habitat for hibernation. Dash line circle indicate the certain range of frog and it various according to different frog species, in the article, the wood frog for example, 400 meters.
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Site Analysis
The landform, water flow and water catchments area we generated from the contour line, the existing forest and the urban fabric are four layers which is considered to be critical factors to apply the model on the site.
Surface Water & Catchment
Breeding habitat
the surface water flows and catchments allow us to decide the location of breeding pool
Topography
Over winter Habitat
the topography allow us to look at where the upland over winter habitats are
Existing Forest
Post-Breeding Habitat
the existing forest allows us to look at where are the post-breeding habitats, and where have potential to create one
Urban Fabric (Hard Surface)
Permeable Migration Habitat
Framwwork Plan
c
Apart from connecting the breeding pool and post-breeding habitat, we proposed several programs in the city and try to integrated them into the network, we have programs in the community on both sides to allow the migration go more smoothly, and a central land art at the border to celebrate this great migration, we want to let flow become visible at the border the urban fabric allows us to imagine the permeable migration corridor to connect the breeding pool and the post-breeding habitat and try to think about how human can be integrated in this great migration
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Community Corridor - "Finger" Valley The most important ecological feature is this finger valley, which is a perfect place for having vernal pools since there can form little deltas at the bottom of the slope. The portion of clay is relatively high in this area, which is good for storing water. So we would like to take advantage of these ecological elements, provide the breeding and post-breeding habitats for frogs and try to let human see and engage into this process.
Existing Condition #1 - Residential Area Residential Area Saymour St.
North
Existing Condition #2 - School Area Sault Area Middle School
Residential Area
Sault Area High School
neighborhood
Site 2
#1 Proposal
#2 Proposal
Site 1
South
Frog Habitat Strategy
20
Existing Forest Area
farmland
Existing Forest Area
several vernal pools at the bottom of the slope for frog breeding, we also use the cribbings on the slope for both the soil stabilization purpose and providing shelter for frogs in summer.
several vernal pools at the bottom of the slope for frog breeding, we also use the cribbings on the slope for both the soil stabilization purpose and providing shelter for frogs in summer.
Human Interaction Strategy
Human Interaction Strategy
A loop trail that connects the existing urban road allows people to walk through the vernal pools and have several view sights of the area and frogs.
This area is more educational since it has two schools here. Three spaces for the students to observe and interact with frogs.
Community Engagement - Backyard Habitat This program is less site specific but more about residents participance. These two communities can become a really robust network to connect the community corridor, central landart, and northern wetland.
North
Typology #1 - Bioswale (fast pass)
Typology #2 - Backyard Rain Garden (provide breeding habitat)
For those who are not so fond of frog, a narrow bioswale is enough for frog to move through.
For those who love frogs, a rain garden is perfect for frogs to stay longer in the backyard and they have more breeding pools during their migration.
northern wetland
Canada
Backyard Frog Habitat US-Canada Border
Frog House Type1
Frog House Type 2
Frog House Type 3 USA South
community corridor
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Three Seasons in Residential Area
22
School Area - Students & Frogs
student view
Platform #1 platform with binoculara for observation
frog view
student view
Platform #3
frog view
closer to slope for frog sound hear
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03 HUMIDITY MANIPULATION Conceptual Design Exploration Individual Work Location: Barrington, Rhode Island, U.S. Area: 0.3 ha Time: Sep-Dec, 2019
The design principle studio (RISD 2019 Fall) is about expanding and exploring issues of design thinking, investigative making, and conceptual development, while also exploring the dynamic, spatial, and environmental elements specific to the medium of landscape architecture. First phase of this studio launched a series of experiments that help to develop an expansive set of creative methods for investigating design issues. Second phase of the studio is about using these tools to analyze issues of site, qualities of landscape space, and finally, to deploy these methods to create and convey a design intention. In this project, I specificlly focused on the site humidity. Started from the soil profile analysis, I did several objective and sensual drawings and conceptual model to explore how the humity affect the site as a whole system. Departed from that, these processes helps me with developing design intension to ths site. The whole process is about humiduty manipulation.
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Tillinghast Farm
Seeing the SITE Start a site walk to observe how does the soil profile related to the rest of the site. the drawings below show the distinct landscape characterictis of each part of the site (topography and ground surface texture).
north side: residential area
south side: beach
Tillinghst farm is a private property owned by RISD for continuing education for adults and youth, located at south Barrington.
Soil Horizons
Examing Moisture Transitions
organic A-roots 11''
B-roots small marbles 15''
C-larger marbles 16''
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Beach
Marsh
Woodland
The brach is at south end of Tillinghast Farm, it is protected by sand dune stabalization.
Marsh is occupyied by spartina and phragmites. Here is the intertidal zone with brackish water.
The domain species in this woodland are oak, birch with the average hight of 70-80 ft.
Turf
The turf slope occupy nearly 1/3 of the whole site, it is also the area with the most dramatic topography change.
Feeling the SITE - Humidity Mapping A sectional mapping combines personal experience of the environmental phenomena with landscape local characteristics. It is focusing on humidity transition through Tillinghast Farm and different spatial conditions these transitions create. Additionally, These humidity transitions interfere with one another to manipulate the farm as a whole system.
Ground Surface
Groundwater
Bedrock south side: beach
north side: residential area
Modeling the SITE A sectional model conveys the thickness and richness of the different humidity conditions of the site, as well as reveals the threshold where different conditions overlaped. Material: hot melt glue, wire
Marsh
south side: beach
Threshold
Downhill Woodland
Threshold
Turf
Threshold
Uphill Woodland
north side: residential area
27
Occupying the SITE The sectional model has been rescaled into human scale and embeded in to the threshold between the turf slope and downhill woodland. The drawings below convey the exploration of imagining occupation of the landscape in alternative ways.
Collaged Section The sectional model has been flipped upside down to form a connection between tree branches and the turf ground. This collaged section can be considered as the visualization of humidity threshold, as well as the representation of a phisical intervention.ways.
28
Development - Manipulate the Humidity Departing from the collaged section and extended plan, a series of testing have been done to explore the manipulation of humidity on site. The interventions focus on intergrating humidity system both horizantlly and vertically, as well as creating various landscape durning different seasons.
Section2-2 1:16
Testing Model
Section1-1 1:16
Section3-3 1:16
Plan 1:16
normal rainfall condition
brackish water
storm condition
fresh water
brackish water
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Scene 1 | Summer
Scene 2
Scene 5
Scene 7
Scene 3
Scene 4
Scene 8
Scene 9
Scene 10 | Winter
Scene 6 | Fall
Storyboard - A Journey of Four Season The story is about a fantastical journey in the moss garden. A little girl is attracted by the garden and runs into the woodland. Time is fleeting while she is experiencing different landscape: the moss stair, the mound, the little pond, etc. The landscapes in different seasons are connected through this storybook.
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Model Work Scale 1'' = 16' Material: clay, cardboard, aluminium mesh
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04 IN THE COURTYARD Urban Design Individual Work Location：Shanghai, China Area: 0.3 ha Time: Jun. 2019
Longchang Apartment was built in 1920s - 1930s. It was designed by the British during the British Concession. The initial name of Longchang Apartment is the patrol house on Gram Road. It is the office site of the patrol house in the public concession. The whole apartment is in a square barrel shape which looks like an ancient Roman Colosseum, with a spacious courtyard in the middle, like a large square surrounded by five-storey buildings with grey concrete. After liberation, the south side of the patrol house became the office space of Yangpu District Public Security Bureau, while Longchang Apartment became the staff dormitory of the Public Security Bureau. Later, many people came in one after another. Most of them are office workers or businessmen in the vicinity. They move here because of the cheap rent and convenient transportation. It have maintained about 250 households all the time. Due to its unique historical role and value, Longchang Apartment in Shanghai was classified as an immovable cultural relic in 2004.
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1970s
1990s
Present
1970s
1990s
Present
1970s
1990s
Present
1970s
1990s
Present
1970s
1990s
Present
1970s
1990s
Present
Crowded Passway After the elevator is abandoned, only stairs and corridors are left for residents. With the increase of the number of residents, the amount of debris piled on the corridor further reduces the access space.
Fragmented Public Space With the increasing number of the residents, the central courtyard was divided into fragmented pieces from its former whole.
A Unique Chinese Life Pattern “Tongzi" building, also known as Tube-shaned building, is a housing style with Chinese characteristics. It is the result of the tense housing distribution system of Chinese enterprises and institutions in the 1970s and 1980s. The long corridors, bathrooms and toilets are all public space, usually preceded by offces invarious units or dormitories for single workers. The courtyard in the center of a tube building is usually chaotic because of its small size and lack of proper management. Therefore, dirty and crowded is a summary of this living environment. However, with the continuous development of society, the legacy of the tubular buildings are mostly included in the historical protection of the building, in addition to the building itself, people want to protect the "life pattern" in the tubular building, which matches the old Chinese saying, "distant relatives are inferior to neighbors". Therefore, in the premise that the building itself can not be renovated and modified to explore the preservation of the living mode of the residents in the tubular building, we have to start withe the compound courtyard in the tubular building. Courtyard is the public activity space of residents. How to maximize the use of courtyard for residents is the problem that this project tends to explore and solve.
Dense Living Space Today, the living space increases year by year. Apart from the stores on the first floor in the West and the public toilets on the north, the rest are for residents.
Absent Green Space The central courtyard was once an English garden at the beginning of its construction. Since then, it has become a hard concrete surface to satisfy the needs of residents (such as drying clothes, parking, etc.). Today, only a small amount of potted plants are left.
Disorganized Parking Space
Dimed Hallway
Public Restroom
Vehicles are parked in disorder in the courtyard. And as the number of bicycles parked in the courtyard increases, the parking space becomes smaller and smaller, and eventually parked crowdedly in the narrow space around the entrance.
Illegal Self-built Room The self-built room in the corridor increases residents' own livinf area, while at the same time makes the corridor more crowded.
High Density
34
MAPPING THE INTERACTIONS
we st
WEST SIDE sec
sid
e
WEST SIDE
tion
ele
va tio
n
ELEVATION
ELEVATION
ELEVATION
ELEVATION
CLASSIFIED BY AGE GROUPS Children
summary of interactions reading
sports
studying drying cloths
garbage
biking
pet
eating
bath
chat
parking
smoking
Youth
Middle Age
Elderly
triggered spaces
35
STRATEGY By increasing and enriching the courtyard space, more communications and interactions can be generated in the courtyard.
#1
MASTER PLAN 1 Ground Floor
#2 Create horizontal circulation
Generate vertical circulation
Generate grid
8
7 1
#3
#4 Interactions distribution
Spaces distributions
2 3
8
4
5
6
#Framework The central courtyard is socially and spatially enriched to satisfy the diverse needs from residents. 36
1. turf 4. outdoor dining space 7. living space
2. clothes airing bar 5. indoor reading space 8. elevator
3.outdoor reading space 6. indoor dining space
MASTER PLAN 2 Underground Floor & Parking Lot
5
8
7
7
6
2
1 7
3 4
2 3 4
8
5
1. public bathhouse 4. bicycle parking lot 7. laundry house
2. resting space 5. vehicle parking lot 8. elevator
3.outdoor theater 6. individual bathroom 37
CIRCULATION
SECOND FLOOR
By increasing the vertical space, the utilization space of the courtyard is greatly increased. Both are parked in underground parking lot, which no longer affects the activities of residents in the also changed from the first floor to the second floor and many functions have been implante time in the courtyard to interact and communicate with each other to continue this unique Chin
connecting stairways
open lawn
GROUND FLOOR
STAIRWAY
lead to the laundry house & individual bathroom connecting stairways
UNDERGROUND FLOOR
connecting stairways
PARKING LOT
38
h motor vehicles and bicycles e courtyard. The courtyard has ed. Residents can spend more nese life pattern.
STAIRWAY
lead to the bathhouse
CLOTHES AIRING BAR WESTERN PASSAGEWAY
EASTERN PASSAGEWAY
LAWN
MIDDLE PASSAGEWAY
BATHHOUSE STAIRWAY
lead to the bathhouse
39
Public Reading Space & Individual Bathroom At 4 p.m. in summer, the Western courtyard of Longchang Apartment was shadowed. At this moment, the outdoor semi-sunken public reading area became a popular place. Children can read extra-curricular books, talk with their peers or play some interesting games here after school.
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Outdoor Cinema The outdoor cinema provides a place for residents to watch movies, ive broadcasts of exciting sports events and traditional festival parties together. People sit on the big steps in front of the screen and communicate with each other. Such projections can have a fixed frequency, once a week or once a month, and over time it will become a unique "courtyard culture".
Public Bathhouse The public bathhouse will open during evening, and it is a quiet underground recreational space during the day when there is no water in the pool. The establishment of public bathhouses not only meets the health needs of residents, but also enhances the connection among residents. The seemingly ordinary daily activities have unexpectedly positive effects because of the different locations where they are carried out.
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MODEL WORK Scale 1:100 Material : Resin (3D print)
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05 "MANY CENTERS" CONNECTING Urban Planning & Highway Design Individual Work Location: Providence, RI, U.S. Area: 80 ha Time: Feb.-May. 2021
Many centers is a term from the book root shock written by MTF. In this book she mentioned the many center problem is very common in most of the American city, every neighborhood developed their own community center and these centers are detached from each other, therefore create a disoriented walking experience in these cities. 6/10 connector, as one of the main entrances to the downtown providence, has seriously segregated the urban fabric since it was built in 1935. While at the same time, the adjacent neighborhoods are rich in culture and has developed their own community centers. This project is seeking opportunities to add 6/10 connector into the ‘many centers system” and create a well connected and vibrant “many centers” network. “ The solution to the “ many centers ” problem lies in improving the connections among them. The passerby must be able to figure out how to move among the jumble of squares. We need images that compel transition, promote flow, and permit movement from one place to another. We need a permeable city, safe not because of its walls, but because of the engagement of its citizens, each and every one a guardian of the public piece/peace.” - “Root Shock”, Mindy Thompson Fullilove, M.D.
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RI Highway System
Timeline: Development of 6-10 Connector Related historical events and population Movement
6-10 connector
A large number of plants were built in Federal Hill and Olneyvile during the industrial revolution first and second industrial revolution, thus attracted many European immigrants. In 1880s the PW railroad has been built, but the urban fabric is still integrated.
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The 6-10 connector was built in 1935, by the time 1940 the urban fabric started to become fragmented because of the highway.
More entrances/exits and lanes were added to 6-10 connector. Federal hill and Olneyville were completely separated at this time
Nowadays the 6 - 10 connec tor has b ecome more complicated, with staggered lanes of high and low traffic making the highway a true barrier between two communities. There is also more and more no-mans land along the highway, and the two communities are gradually moving away from each other
Culture Hybridity & Physical Segregation Olneyville and Federal Hill are culturally rich, with a rich history of industry and many working class immigrants. Those immigrants started building their community since 1850s and at present day the areas around 6/10 Connector have distinctive foreign charateristics. Meanwhile, the 6/10 connector has seriously segregated the urban fabric since it was built in 1935, a 50ft elevation diverse that created by 6-10 connector became a barrier for two sides to have a communication.
PW Railroad
6-10 Connector
10 ft
60 ft Section 1
Section 2
Section 3
Section 4
Section 5 Olneyville has a large portion of Hispanic and Latino population.Most of these immagrants came here in 19 cnetury and late 20 century to seek for job opportunity at mills. The present Olneyville has a distinctive feature of hispanic culture.
Federal Hill is known as “Little Italy” in providence, Largely settled by ItalianAmerican immigrants in the early 1900s. While the neighborhood has evolved, the influence of the Italian people and culture is ever present.
Diverse Origins: Ancestry Mapping
Section 1 Section
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#1 - Create CONNECTIVE and NES
Increasing public amenity allows the communic neighborhoods and hybridization of dive
Emphasize neighborhood amenity allows the for pride, protection of neighborhood privacy a gentrification
Design Principles
#2 - Generate MOVEMEN
A well-connected, easily access pedestrian & bike frie the elimination of neighborhoods’ physical barrie and semi-public areas)
Neighborhood Palette: Many Centers System These little neighborhood centers are connected by existing commercial streets, the river and The two proposed public center on the highway. The vast no man lands adjacent to highway can be utilized as connection knots to form this coherent urban network.
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Restaurant
Church
Convience Store
School
Store
Library
Gallery
Theater
Existing Commercial Focal Point
Proposed Commercial Focal Point
Commercial Connection
Existing Ecological Focal Point
Proposed Ecological Focal Point
Ecological Connection
Existing Urban Green Land
Proposed Cultural Focal Point
STED SPACES
cation of different erse culture
rtification of local and prevention of
stage 1 | extend the existing land use
stage 2 | provide two linear roads on both side of the highway to connect the points. The area between the points is the intentional separation point, which creates the intimate feeling for the pedestrian.
zoning strategy | the upper connection point is a mixture of commercial, ecological and housing, the lower one is mainly focus on the cultural exhibition.
stage 1 | generate a railway highline
stage 2 | create two fully capped connection points (one for commuercial plaza, another for cultural exhibition).
spatial strategy | the 6-10 connector was mostly capped to create a direct connection between the two communities.
s
NT
endly network allows ers (connects public
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Existing Condition
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Strategic Plan
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The terraced buildings at the commercial area satisfied the entertainment and social needs and also address the terrain issue, the green corridor connect to the widen woonasquakuet river and merge into the urban existing greenway system. The separate part both connect the neighborhood existing small center such as the dog park here. Cultural exhibition area mainly provide spaces for the surrounding cultural institutions to hold special events.
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Legend
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Indoor Program 1. Incubation Studio (Oil paiting, Glass blowing, etc.) 2. Terraced Commercial Complex (restaurant , Bar, Cafe, etc.) 3. Proposed Housing 4. Community Bookstore 5. Community Gym 6. Library & Screening Room 7. Cultural Institution Outdoor Program 8. Rooftop Studio 9. Basketball Field 10. Rooftop Dining 11. Open Lawn 12. Vista Point 13. Reiver Recreation 14. Dog Park 15. Graffiti Exhibition Wall 16. Culture Exhibition Plaza 17. Pocket Park 18. Train Viewing Platform
Movement | Pedestrian Circulation
Area | Connective Spaces
minor road major entrance/exit secondary entrance/exit minor entrance/exit
Movement | Vehicle Circulation
outdoor public amentity indoor public amentity
Area | Nested Spaces
major urban road secondary urban road underground road major entrance/exit underground parking entrance/exit minor entrance/exit parking lot underground parking lot
outdoor neighborhood amentity indoor neighborhood amentity
Comercial Complex
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Urban Fabric | After
Proposed Commercial Building
Urban Fabric | Before
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Proposed Housing
Proposed Culture Institution
Existing Commercial Building
Existing Housing
Existing Culture Institution
Railway Highway
Green Corridor Before
After
Before
After
The green corridor aims to connect the Woonasquakucket River and Federal Hill and form a a green ecological corridor where rainwater can be collected and purified and discharged into rivers or municipal stormwater pipes. While at the same time, this green corridor is also an urban open green space where residents can gather, communicate, relax and sightseeing. The highway (6-10 connector) and PW railroad are fully capped and no longer as a barrier between Federal Hill and Olneyville.
Community Greenway
Community Greenway is the "separation point" between the two connection point (commercial complex and cultural showcase), aims to create intimate experience for residents. The highway is partially capped to intentially separate the two community, therefore protect the community privacy.
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As one of the most vibrant community center, the commercial complex is the extension of the existing commercial corridor, as well as the connection point of the two communities. Aims at providing multiple outdoor and indoor programs for social activities.
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Existing Condition
Commercial Complex & Green Corridor
This area is next to the commercial center of Olneyville where Broadway and Westminster St., the two busy roads meet. As another connection point, this area is mainly for education and cultural exhibition, where can hold some traditional cultural activities such as the Hispanic Heritage Month every Sep and Oct.
Existing Condition
Cultural Showcase
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06 INTERSECTION Art Installation Design Individual Work Location：Providence, Rhode Island, U.S. Area:300 sq. ft Time: Sep.-Dec. 2021
This art installation aims to show the intersection of the past and present of Market Square. As a slave trade market in the past, the Market square symbolized exclusiveness and oppression. While at present it has become the center of RISD campus and represents diversity and tolerance. The installation uses black straight steel to represent the darkness of the past and light curvy to represent freedom of today. While the two parts are inter-waving with each other, The two totally opposite characteristics begin to intersect and together shape the Market Square. The objective of this studio project is to understand how details and materials develop and change throughout the design preconstruction process. The knowledge of materials in the construction phases of design will finally be applied into an abbreviated technical drawing package
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Model Work Scale 1’‘ = 1’ Material: 1/8‘’ Plywood 1/8'' Black Plexi Glass 1/8'' Threaded Rod 6-32 Hex Nut
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07 RESHAPING LANDFORM Topography Design Individual Work Location：Providence, Rhode Island, U.S. Area:0.15ha Time: Jan. 2020
The project aims at rethinking the existing BEB parking lot in its relationship to S Main St and the Providence River’s edge by using landform and other architectural materials and devices. By reshaping the 11 feet elevation difference, the existing parking lot was transforming into a milti-function space. The project provides public spaces for students from BEB and ID building to gather, as well as intimate spaces for contemplation / viewing the river. Additionally, a diverse circulation provides various spatial experience and programmatic needs as well as ADA standards.
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Bayard Ewing Building, Providence
Principles
This monumental Greek Revival commercial building, with gable pediment facing the street and attic monitors, was built just as industrial construction shifted from stone to brick. Right not is used by architecture and landscape architecture department from RISD
ce iden Prov
e Sit BE
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increase pedestrian circulation and create gather area.
Site Photo
The site is the parking lot next to Bayard Ewing Building, often used by student and falcuties.
Parking Lot
create green spaces
Barrier
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The Only Passway
the previous parking lot is transformed into multifunctional spaces with gathering space, green space. The slope can also discharge rainfall.
Site Contour Plan
Site Overlay Diagram
Surface Permeability
Circulation (ADA path and Non-ADA path)
Program
Surface Water Flow Direction
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Detail Section 2-2 1/2”=1’
Detail Section 1-1 1/2”=1’
1 Detail Section 2-2
2
2
Site Section & Detail Section
Site Section 2-2 1/8” = 1’
1
Detail Section 1-1
Site Section 1-1 1/8” = 1’
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Site Model Scale 1/8” = 1’ Material: 1/8‘’ Carboard 1/16‘’ Carboard
Detail Model Scale 1/2” = 1’ Material: 1/16‘’ Carboard Aluminum Mesh Wire Clay Hemp Rope
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Part II
PROFESSIONAL WORK SAMPLES
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01 WUXI OPERA HOUSE PLAZA Location：Wuxi, Zhejiang, China Time: Jul. 2021
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02 HUAZHU HEADQUARTER COURTYARD Location：Shanghai, China Time: Jul. 2021
#1 Stone Zen Garden
#2 Karesansui Garden
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#3 Sculpture Garden
03 MOUNT MOGAN RIVERFRONT PLANNING Location：Deqing, Zhejiang, China Time: Aug. 2021
#1 Pebble Experience Section
#2 Ecological Exploration Section
#3 Waterfront Commercial Section
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04 LIUJIA-BA MUSIC PARK Location：Chengdu, Sichuan, China Time: Mar. 2019
Luxi Zhigu Tianfu greenway project is located in Baisha street and Xinglong Street, directly under the jurisdiction of Chengdu, Tianfu new area, along the Luxi River, starting from the boundary of the directly administered area in the north and Baoshui ditch in the south. This project aims to strengthen the embedding of art, show the new appearance of the times, and introduce a number of public art works reflecting urban culture and values; We should strengthen creative implantation, reflect the new ideas of the city, pay attention to the original design and differentiated creation of artistic landscapes along the line, tap regional characteristics and cultural connotation, and implant popular elements and popular colors; We should strengthen the integration of activities and open a new Bureau of greenways, guide more citizens and tourists into greenways, perceive greenways and enhance brand influence through unique and creative marketing activities. As one of the knods on the greeway, this music park is the place where people can stop to have a rest and feel the fun of interacting with music. Multi layers and programs allow visitors to feel the rhythm in different ways. I took charge of the concept design, modeling and rendering.
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05 JIANG-JIA PARK PERGOLA DESIGN Location：Chengdu, Sichuan, China Time: Apr. 2019 Xinqiao village gujiawan forest protection project is located in group 6 of Xinqiao village, on the west side of "Fanghua Guicheng" Park, adjacent to Fanghua Xiangcheng Greenway in the East and doctor canal in the West. It is surrounded by green water and has a good natural environment. Inspired by Antoni Gaudi's sculpture, the pergola project aims to be one of the most intagrammable installations in the park. I took charge of the concept design, modeling and rendering.
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Part III
OTHER WORKS
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01 HERBARIUM SPECIMEN MAKING Location：Providence, Rhode Island, U.S. Time: Sep.-Dec. 2020
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02 SEAWALL DESIGN Location：Providence, Rhode Island, U.S. Time: Sep.-Dec. 2020
Modular Unit Type
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Shoreline control at the interface of land and water is a pressing demand posed by climate change requiring out-of-the-box thinking from landscape architects to provide solutions within constrained timelines and uncertain futures. This pressing need of innovative approaches in solving these problems especially relates to building techniques. This project started from making three modular units, These stacked modular units both provide shoreline stability and respond to the dynamics of the interface of land and water. It will have to retain water and soil, as well as allow for aquatic habitat and accommodate human use and access at the water’s edge.
Section
Site Plan
Plant List
3D View
Grading Plan
Existing Condition
Construction of the Kayak Ramp
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03 WHITEWOOD BUTT-JOINT MAKING Location：Providence, Rhode Island, U.S. Time: Oct. 2019
Make Joint
First Finish
Fasterens
Second Finish
4 - First Paint
Oiled based wood stain, Danish teak
1 - Cut
8 - Perforated Plate Glue perforated plate to the whitewood
Use lathe to cut one 12'' whitewood piece into two 6'' pieces
11 - Final Sanding Sand with 200, 400, 1000 and 2000 grit sand paper
5 - Waiting for Trying
After 18 hours, the stain almost dried, but surface is still viscous
2 - First Sanding
9 - Drill Hole Drill hole on both sides
Sand to 60 grit
6 - Creating Texture
Use tissue to remove viscous layer
3 - Glue and Oiled
10 - Drive Nail Drive nails into the whitewood
Use woodglue to glue the two pieces and use wonderfill to fill any hole, then oiled
7 - Second Paint
Antique white wood stain
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12 - Finished
04 SURABAYA WETLAND PARK Location：Surabaya, Indonesia Time: May. 2018
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05 DIGITAL ILLUSTRATION Location：N/A Time: 2019 - 2022
The Outcast Tool: Procreate
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Mononoke
Gender Duality: Pregnancy
Tool: Procreate
Tool: Procreate
Sand Drawing: Shamisen Mod Base Animation Project Tool: Dragon Frame, Premier
Density Gradient: Urban Profile of Providence Tool: Photoshop, Procreate
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Xinlei Gu Selected Works | 2019-2022
Rhode Island School of Design Master of Landscape Architecture Email: xgu@risd.edu Tel: (401)-542-1323