COLLECTIVE INDIVIDUAL XIAOYAN (IVY) WANG
US, ITALY, CHINA, JAPAN...
I feel excited about testing my idea of “collective individual” in various urban contexts. I am always looking forward to the next experiment, in which I could try to figure out a relationship between distinct elements derived from dramatically different but also blended cultural and social ideologies.
CONTENTS
GATHER
1
Fashion Pocket
Seattle, US
9
Shanghai, China
35
Seattle, US
Seattle, US Japan
Rethink Lilong
LINK
Gallery/Live Space
Bonsai Garden
EXTEND
33
Pavilion at Discovery Park
Rome, Italy
TAKE A WALK
MERGE
19
INTERLOCK Eastern Paper Mill Seattle, US
39
1
FASHION POCKET Rome, Italy Studio Project 8-week, fall 2014
1.
ROME STUDIO || FASHION IN POCKET
GATHER
HAVE A TALK WITH OLD CITY WALL The idea of the project is to transform the Piazza di Porta Maggiore from a busy transit hub that people just pass by to an inviting public place to linger and experience while maintaining the continuity and beauty of the ancient wall.
to recall the history to connect with the existing urban fabric and to be part of the future that is the POWER of FASHION for the whole public
2.
J
ust as the creative magic of transforming fiber, fabrics, leathers, and other materials
into beautiful garments and accessories, the fashion pocket is going to be a part of the evolutionary Rome urban fabric, when seeing each element involved in the city area as a piece of fiber.
excavate the POCKETS
insert the FASHION UNITS
excavate the space between to make an UNDERGROUND PIAZZA
cover with an ELEVATED PIAZZA above the ground
3.
ROME STUDIO || FASHION IN POCKET
4.
T
he fundamental idea of the project is to transform the Piazza di Porta Maggiore from a place that people just pass through to an inviting public place to linger and experience while maintaining the continuity and beauty of the wall. There is going to be a Piazza above the ground and an inviting galleria below ground; providing places to gather and to celebrate the fashion traditions of Italy in the shadow of the historic wall. It will celebrate the past, the present and the future.
5.
ROME STUDIO || FASHION IN POCKET
6.
STORAGE CONFERENCE ROOM
LIBRARY
RESTAURANT
FASHION STORE
SMALL EXHIBITION
CENTRAL PIAZZA
LARGE EXHIBITION AUDITORIUM
8.
BONSAI GARDEN Seattle, US Studio Project 8-week, spring 2015
9.
2
JAPAN STUDIO || BONSAI GARDEN
TAKE A WALK
JAPAN STUDIO: EXPERIMENT ON SCALE AND LAYERING For a bonsai garden, Scale, Materiality, and Circulation are indeed the most challenging aspects. The project is concerned with the subtle relationship between human body and space, with an aim to create a collection of different sensorial elements. The space triggers the connection between each person. At this time, even the human ďŹ gures become part of the collection. 10.
Several current issues regarding Rainier Beach area, including noise from cars and planes, lack of walking area, limited public space, etc.
UP
The master plan we propose in the future is in an effort to make the area more pedestrian friendly, as a result corresponding more to the walking experience in Kubota Garden.
The diagram shows what the area will be like following the master plan we propose. Our projects will bring in more diverse activities around the whole neighborhood. the Wood Work-shop Studio
BONSAI GARDEN
Culinary Center
11.
JAPAN STUDIO || MASTER PLAN
12.
bathroom
bathroom
Cafe
indoor gallery gift shop
courtyard
workshop
lightwell outdoor exhibition
gallery
gallery
Cafe storage central courtyard Cafe
storage central courtyard
workshop courtyard
pausing point
workshop courtyard
pausing point
small courtyard
small courtyard
workshop
corridor
corridor workshop courtyard bathroom
bathroom
storage greenhouse
indoor outdoor
indoor outdoor
boxes placed on the site according to the grid above
13.
JAPAN STUDIO || BONSAI GARDEN
outdoor path with free access to gallery, Cafe and bathroom
indoor conditioned path with access to bonsai workshops, sharing the gallery with outdoor visitors
14.
“Subtlety” is the word first coming into my mind when thinking of Japanese garden and architecture. The experience of Japan, for me, is more about each detail I encountered along the way by walking. We listened to the sound we made when our shoes touched the ground, felt the breeze blowing through the branches of the trees on the side of the road, saw the view beyond framed by gate or trimmed by the elegant gesture of the roof.
SECTIONS SHOWING THE LAYERING OF THE SPACE
17.
JAPAN STUDIO || BONSAI GARDEN
Every detail is designed for people entering the space, either on the aspect of scale or rhythm, or even the location of a single door. Each turn makes a difference and the only way to experience it is by putting ourselves into the space. It is never possible to get the idea of subtlety if we drive a car or simply see from photographs.
18.
“to make architecture more human means better architecture, and it means a functionalism much larger than the merely technical one.” ——The Humanizing of Architecture by Aalto To me, a design that fits people’s psychological approach is functional.
15.
JAPAN STUDIO || BONSAI GARDEN
16.
3
RETHINK LILONG Shanghai, China Research & Design Experiment summer 2015 - now
19.
SHANGHAI || RETHINK LILONG
EXTEND
A NEW WAY TO GO BACK An ongoing experimental Independent Project based on undergraduate honor program research regarding the current state and characteristics of the Shanghai Lilong, a high-density dwelling system being developed during the colonization period, with a hybridized style from European townhouses and traditional Chinese courtyard houses. 20.
new apartment
F
ollowing the 1949 revolution, the Chinese government has put a large amount of effort into constructing new affordable modern apartments for citizens, in order to solve the problem of the expanding demand for new housing. The old lilong dwellings, as a result, are like left-over pieces, finding themselves more and more difficult to survive in today’s age.
old lilong
A NEW WAY TO GO BACK?
diverse daily activities happening in the “space between” —— a unique quality belongs to Lilong system 21.
SHANGHAI || RETHINK LILONG
22.
1
2
4
5
3
T
he idea is to merge the individual units into the public space between. Each family could see each other but still be in their own places. The aim is to re-collect the wisdom of living, rather than tearing down everything that is out of date. It is about striving for the greatest freedom within existing restrictions.
23.
SHANGHAI || RETHINK LILONG
24.
SUMMER
WINTER
OUTDOOR TERRACE
25.
TURN INTO INDOOR SPACE WHEN NEEDED
26.
DENTISTRY
COMMUNITY CENTER
LIBRARY TEA HOUSE COFFEE SHOP
SMALL STORE
GROUND FLOOR PLAN
A COLLECTIVE COMMUNITY
27.
SHANGHAI || RETHINK LILONG
28.
fig 1 fig 1
fig 2fig 2
fig fig 33
1
Bidonville on the hillside
2
PLAN OFPLAN XIASIOF ECO XIASI SCHOOL ECO SCHOOL
PLAN OFPLAN EAMES OFHOUSE EAMES HOUSE
Natural disasters always push people to reconsider the places they live in. After the tremendously destructive earthquake in Sichuan at 2008(fig 1, Natural disasters always push people to reconsider the places they live in. After the tremendously destructive earthquake in Sichuan at 2008(fig 1, fig 2), the long existing problem of unsustainable relationship between modern architecture and nature puts itself on the center of the stage. As mentioned fig 2), the long existing problem of unsustainable relationship between modern architecture and nature puts itself on the center of the stage. As mentioned by CUHK Professor Zhu Jingxiang, “Architecture is not good. It is an object against the nature. When natural disasters happen, the detachment hidden beby CUHK Professor Zhu Jingxiang, “Architecture is not good. It is an object against the nature. When natural disasters happen, the detachment hidden behind comes to the surface.” It is certainly too radical to question the legitimacy of architecture as a whole. The fact, however, really puts us on an emergent hind comes the surface. ” It is certainly to questionways the legitimacy of architecture as a whole. The fact, however, really puts us on an emergent spot totoredefine the architecture andtoo findradical more sustainable of living in the future. spot to redefine the architecture and find more sustainable ways of living in the future. Prefabrication is one of them. “It is a new system of building. A real architecture is not permanent but something can flexibly respond to any change Eams House model Prefabrication is one of them. “It is a new system of building. A real architecture is not permanent but something can flexibly respond to any change around it.” It is the idea behind Professor Zhu Jingxiang’s new bud school project carried out in Sichuan after 2008 earthquake.case In hisstudy seriesof ofpre-fabrication projects, aroundprefabrication it.” It is the idea behind Professor Zhu Jingxiang’ s new bud school project carried out in Sichuan after 2008 earthquake. In his series of projects, is far more complicated than the meaning of the word “prefabrication”. It is not just a system of manufacturing, transporting, assembling and The New TheBud New School Eco School inacomplicated Xiasi inbuilt Xiasi inbuilt August in August the isfirsttheproject first that word realizes that realizes Professor Professor Zhu’s prefabricated Zhu’It schangeable prefabricated prefabrication isEcoItBud farbrings more than theis2009 meaning ofproject the “prefabrication”. is notlight just light a systemimmutable, of manufacturing, and removing. new definition of2009 architecture, temporary against permanent, against movable transporting, against stable.assembling It is a process DO WE NEED ARCHITECTURE? steel architectural steel architectural systemsystem that was thatbuilt waswithin built within 2 weeks. 2 weeks. It is anItelementary is an elementary schoolschool designed designed for local forstudents local students and teachers and teachers after after removing. Itunified bringsmicro a new definition ofonarchitecture, temporary against permanent, changeable against immutable, movable against stable. It is a process from to unique (assembling small pieces a whole). Prefabrication infocus China after Earthquake the degree the degree 8 earthquake. 8 earthquake. The main The main being focusmacro being put put thisSichuan onproject, this project, therefore, therefore, isstandard howistohow resist to potential resistinto potential seismic seismic damage. damage. Simple,Simple, from unified micro to unique macro (assembling small standard pieces into a whole). Professor Zhu has spent years on finding out the balance between quality and efficiency, which are two key words he keeps talking about. ConvenSPRING SEMINAR RESEARCH light but light strong but strong steel2014 members steel||members are being are being assembled assembled on site.onSteel site.columns Steel columns and crossing and crossing members members act as act vertical as vertical and horizontal and horizontal primaryprimary weight weight bearing bearing structures. structures. Prefabricated Prefabricated wall panels wall panels are then are attached then attached to the to steel the frame steel frame on a purpose on a purpose of insulation of insulation and Professor Zhu has spent years on finding out the balance between quality and efficiency, which two key he keeps talking Conventionally prefabrication is always considered as an efficient approach to deal with either natural or and socialare changes suchwords as a destructive disasterabout. or a housing The meaning ofresponsibility prefabrication is not limited buildings arefacades by assembling small pieces covering covering withoutwithout takingtaking any responsibility any of carrying of carrying loads. Itloads. allows It allows the openings the openings to beto made to be flexibly made flexibly aroundthat around the facades the inconstructed favorin favor boom after the war. As a result it is inevitable for publicapproach to consider suchwith typeeither of architecture something cheap, and uncomfortable (fig 3). tionally prefabrication is plan always considered ascolumns an efficient to deal natural orassocial changes suchtemporary, as a destructive disaster or a housing of daylight oftogether. daylight and views. and views. The regularly with of regularly spaced spaced columns shows shows an obvious an obvious similarity to thattoofthat Eames of Eames House House designed designed by by need. To certain extent prefabrication Itplan isTheawith way rethinking what type ofsimilarity architecture people really New bud school projects in Sichuan by Professor Zhu, however, challenge the long existing impression of traditional prefabrication building in China boom after the war. As a result it is inevitable for public to consider such type of architecture as something cheap, temporary, and uncomfortable (figby3). EamesEames couplecouple in 1945.in In1945. Eames, In Eames, 4” by 4”4” wed by 4”flange wed flange columns columns standing standing every 7.5’ everywith 7.5’trusses with trusses spanning spanning between between determine determine the the can be understood as the extreme type of organic architecture. Does fish need a tank? Doeswith human need primary order. With order.the With primary the primary order order being set, allby set, other all elements other elements asZhu, windows ashowever, windows and cladding andchallenge cladding panelspanels can freely beand placed freely placed in favor. in favor. arrangement, incorporating high quality designs including earthquake resistant superstructure flexible space accompanied the use of vernacular Newprimary bud school projects inbeing Sichuan Professor thebecan long existing impression of traditional prefabrication building in China by architecture? “Chinese “Chinese Kite” materials isKite” one isword onefrequently wordapplication frequently used toused describe todaylight describe EamesEames house house for howforthe how extremely the extremely thin and thinlight and steel lightframe steel comfort. covered frame covered with with raw and ofincluding and natural ventilation to create desirable incorporating high quality designs earthquake resistant superstructure and flexible space arrangement, accompanied with the use of vernacular paper-like paper-like envelope envelope seem to seem fly away, to fly while away, indeed while indeed they are they substantially are substantially strong.strong. New Bud NewEco BudSchool Eco School appliesapplies the idea theofidea Eames, of Eames, raw indicating materials application ofweakness. daylight natural ventilation to create desirable indicating that thinness thatand thinness dose not doseequal not to equal to weakness. Withand proper With proper designdesign in dimension in dimension and conjunction, and conjunction, thin and thincomfort. light andstructures light structures can becan strong be strong or evenorstronger even stronger than heavy than heavy massivemassive ones. ones.
OR
?
2
1
It isItallisabout design and technology. all about design technology. elevation of and Djenan el-Hasan
Local Bidonville, Algiers Colonial Project: Djenan El-Hasan Before going into detail on the project, it is important to first understand theHousing bidonville and how it affected Simounet’s later design. Simounet was among the first to do a serious and comprehensive research on the bidonvilles of Algiers as a member of CIAM. Instead of treating them as merely shantytowns, Simounet and his group explored several qualities which, it was argued, corresponded to: “the best conditions defined by modern urbanism.” (Celik,112)Among them he was especially attracted to their perfect site response, their incorporation of topography and their flexible use of space. These positive qualities were found in the organization of the units, such as in the stacking of bidonville units along the hillside overlooking the horizon of the sea with their terraces linking different levels. Simounet concluded that “the dwelling unit is the only element of the bidonville that needed technical improvements.” (Celik,112)
1/2”=1’1/2”=1’ wall section wall section model model of eames of eames house shows house shows the the primaryprimary order(columns order(columns and and trusses),trusses), secondary secondary order order (horizontal (horizontal angles),angles), and ter-and tertialry order tialry (mullions order (mullions and and wall panels). wall panels). fabric of bidonville
? horizontal pathway vertical stairs
HOT POT?
ANOTHER LOGIC?
WINTER 2015 || SEMINAR RESEARCH
WINTER 2015 || SEMINAR RESEARCH
Typical Urban Form in China: formal & informal, urbanization & deruralization Different layers of times and spaces derived from different periods of social movements collide and intertwine and overlap with each other, making the street and the places around it act like a “hot pot”. In a hot pot, you can find anything, including some places and activities that can never be found within any pre-set urbanization theory or rule. What we want in the future may not be another internationally standardized modern neighborhood, but something derived from the existing vivid pattern, without losing the real flavors of a “hot pot”. 29. MORE RESEARCH ON DENSE URBAN AREA
the Reasons behind the Transformation: from Djenan el-Hasan to overall colonial architecture Sheila Crane mentioned in the article Mediterranean Dialogues, “the architect’s enthusiastic “discovery” of vernacular dwellings in North Africa ultimately served as a means of confirming pre-existing ideas that seemed to find their echo in unfamiliar landscapes.” In western society, the idea of modernism is evident in a preoccupation with clear and rectilinear spatial arrangement, which could be found in almost all colonial architectures by western architects. However, in those areas, is there actually another type of logic? 30.
31. MOSAIC OF INSPIRATIONS
32.
PAVILION at DISCOVERY PARK Seattle, US Studio Project 5-week, fall 2013
33.
SMALL STUDIO PROJECTS || MERGE
MERGE
OUTSIDE IN & INSIDE OUT The pavilion is growing from and into the surrounding landscape. A blurry edge and unclear threshold between the artiďŹ cial space and the nature creates an interactional experience. Dynamic interventions with the site makes the pavilion become a continuously varying space. The only consistency is the change itself. 34.
related spaces exist in a single frame box inside box space inside space time inside time life inside life
GALLERY //LIVE SPACE Seattle, US Studio Project 5-week, winter 2014
STUDY ROOM LIVING ROOM BEDROOM
LINK
EXPERIMENT ON CIRCULATION Staircases link each single space, at the same time creating rich amount of double-height spaces, allowing a continuously changing spatial experience, from narrowness to wideness, from darkness to brightness, from outside in, and from inside out.
DARK ROOM GALLERY&WORK SPACE
35.
SMALL STUDIO PROJECTS || LINK
36.
related spaces exist in a single frame box inside box space inside space time inside time life inside life pieces move around performing a drama of life
37.
SMALL STUDIO PROJECTS || LINK
38.
pieces of paper are fragile but when they interlock with each other they create force AND BECOME STRONG
EASTERN PAPER MILL Seattle, US Studio Project 5-week, spring 2014
39.
SMALL STUDIO PROJECTS || INTERLOCK
INTERLOCK
EXPERIMENT ON SUPER THIN WALL The idea of the project is to create a factory with well-divided but also connected function areas. Pieces of prefabricated thin wall panels interlock with each other, making the lightness and transparency of the space become possible.
40.
super thin
PLASTER model
41.
SMALL STUDIO PROJECTS || INTERLOCK
42.
What is ornamental? What is functional (authentic)? Nothing can be funcational all the time. At certain point, it becomes an ornament. Functionalism or authenticity is defined by “that” particular time and space.
SINGLE FAMILY RESIDENCE Kirkland, WA Professional Project ongoing
Wright? Right?
PROJECT ARCHITECT (INTERN) at STANNARD CONWAY ARCHITECTS The client is a fan of Frank Lloyd Wright’s early prairie house. I was responsible for the schematic design. The project provides me a chance to undertake a detailed study of Wright’s projects and understand how the functional spaces and proportion work in reality. However, the case addresess me into one concern: is it right, or in another word, authentic, to “repeat” prairie house in today’s age? It reminds me of a discussion once being carried out in a theory class, which is about during industrial revolution many architects tried to find out an appropriate approach to modern architecture while the whole public still lay back and build “copies” of classical styles. The same issue is never gone in real society.
43. PROFESSIONAL WORK || FULL-TIME INTERN
44.
a model made by studio colleagues showing the “hide & reveal” effect of the “rain veil”
GlAZING PANEL DESIGN Seattle, US Professional Project summer 2015
45. SUMMER INTERN PROJECT
DOTS TO LINE
SUMMER INTERN at CHIHULY STUDIO Working with Dale Chihuly, Parks Anderson and a graduate student on a pavilion project on the rooftop of Buffett Cancer Center; responsible for the creation of a “rain veil” glazing facade with digital modeling technology; cooperate with many local architects and artists
a photo of me checking the full-scale scheme at glass factory
46.
We are always standing at a point, which will ultimately be brought together with its past, and its future.