Architecture portfolio for UCL MArch Architectural Design

REJUVENATION Jianyu Zhang

B.Arch, North China Unversity of Technology Selected works 2019-2021

Prologue

The word "Rejuvenation" represents the process of restoration and resurrection, it comes from Latin "Juvenis" which means young. By observing the world we know that everything is in a state of evolution, which means there is no everlasting thing in this world, even the greatest building like the hanging garden of ancient Babylon perished in history. So every once in a while we have to give birth to a new building or building style. It is the Rejuvenation of Architecture.

My interest in the theme "rejuvenation" is based on the background of the great urbanization in the twenty and twenty-first centuries. In the book "The Death and Life of Great American Cities" Jane Jacobs critique "rationalist" planners of the 1950s and 1960s. She thinks some of the factors of urban renewal projects divide and destroy communities, and these factors are still causing a lot of problems in the field of architecture and urban planning. This portfolio is selected works on solving the up-rising urban problems by architectural solutions.

The journey began with "Intertwined vector", which is an experiment that breaks the traditional form of the bridge and embodies the word bridge with new definitions and programms. The second project is my graduation thesis called "the resurrection of ancient settlements", focusing on a typical Chinese settlement in Sichuan, which is now decaying due to urbanization. To solve the conflict between rural settlements and urbanization, I have proposed an ideal architectural solution that "rejuvenate" the traditional settlement forms. The third project is finished at Berkeley summer school, it aims to solve the future housing problem in San Fransico with art devices.

The journey ends at "Sanctuary of mind", a project that was designed to heal mental illness caused by modern city life.

Contents

01 INTERTWINED VECTOR Habitable Bridge Design Individual Work Page 01

02 RESURRECATION OF ANCIENT SETTLEMENTS Traditional Workshop Design Individual Work Page 06

03 SAN FRANCISCO OBSCURA Residential Building Design Individual Work Page 11

04 SANCTUARY OF MIND Wellness Retreat Design Individual Work Page 16

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01 INTERTWINED VECTOR Habitable Bridge Design Location: Virtual Location Date:23/September/2019 Work type: Individual Work Tutor: Jing Li A bridge is commonly known for its function of crossing, But it doesn't necessarily stop there. Though our history designer put different functions into bridges. In the Medieval era, some bridges work as a fortress against the enemy. Whereas in Florence bridge functions as a market. Moreover, the form of the bridge involves by time, from wood to stone masonry, from stone arches to cast iron trusses.

In modern days designers start integrating other functions on bridges, such as museums, exhibition centers, etc. In this project the goal is to explore the boundary of a bridge and Install it with top-notch modern facilities, that can host public archery and martial art competitions.

Project Background Enviornment

Town

River

Cliff

Mountain

Martial Arts

Archery

Gallery

Viewing

Void

Semi-Open

Open

Close

Concrete

Wood

Steel

Glass

Function

Space

Material

Concept Massing 1

1.Prototype box

2

2

2.Division and rotation based on the functions

3

3. Reform the upper volume to creat opening.

4

4. Split the into 3 differ

Concept Generation I really enjoy the show from here.

The view up here is extrodinary.

Archery is all about direction and precision.

Although I am in the fighting cage, I can still feel the sunlight and the fresh air.

e bottom volume rent parts.

5

5. Insert the core volume that contains the arena.

The key elements of martial art are strength and the flow of force.

6

6. Reshape the volumes with sharp edges.

7

7. Intertwine different levels by creating openings.

Rest Area

Gym

Training Area

Reception

3

Shell Of Archery Center

Wooden Shell

Concrete Ballistic Shield

Shop/Gear Rental

Archery Range Viewing Platform

Rest Area Archery Range

Plaza

Training Area Sunken Plaza

South Entrance

Section A-A

4

North Entrance

Sunken Plaza

Training Center Archery Range Reception

Arena

a

Viewing Platform/ Training Hall

Gym Rest Area Archery Range Rental Center

Archery Range

Exhibition Center

Reception

Section B-B

A

B

B

A

Archery Range

Rest Area

5

Gym

Arena

Rental Center Viewing Platform

Viewing Platform

Archery Range

Prefabricated Panel

H-beam Skeleton

Wooden Core Details

Shear studs Reinforcing fiber H beam 100x200

Archery Range Two archery ranges overlaying on one another with the shell of sharp shapes, demonstrating the strength and directionality of the space.

Framing connection

Floor Details

H beam 100x200

Prefabricated Panel t=10mm

Fastener

Wooden Wall Details

Arena The void provid adequate amount of light for the arena to emphasise the spacial hierachy of the perfomance stage.

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02 RESURRECATION OF ANCIENT SETTLEMENTS Traditional Workshop Design Loction: Dujiangyan, Sichuan, China Date: 30/June/2021 Work type: Individual Work, Graduation Design Tutor: Lin Yuan With the development of urbanization and the advancement of urbanrural integration, the traditional settlement form of Linpan in Western Sichuan is gradually losing its vitality. This traditional settlement form is facing great challenges on the economy and landscape preservation.

The local economy is decaying rapidly causing multiple related social problems like population loss, low-income families, and dilapidated houses. This project is a pioneer project in this area, setting an example for the future building styles and building functions in this region. The idea is to transform Linpan settlement to meet the common needs in the new era and activate its industry while preserving and spreading local culture. During this process, a new type of architecture was created to face the upcoming future.

Site Analysis Ancient Dam

Dujiangyan Government Building

Site

City Stadium

Outskirt Park

Train Station

200M

500M

1KM

Site Primarary School

The project is located in southeast direction of Dujiangyan City, Where a tradtional form of settlement known as "Linpan" reside. And the settlements are in a state of decaying due to the rising urban area.

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Chengdu Direction

Two Different Forms Of Linpan Field

Field Trees

Breach Residence

Residence

River

Trees

River

The original form of Linpan is defined by 3 different layers. The first layer is buildings, providing residential space for the locals. The second layer is consists of trees that surround the building in organic shapes. And the third layer is the fields where farmers grow their crops. But in some settlements, the layer was destroyed by contemporary irregular expansion of buildings.

Problems And Solutions Culture

Challenge

Agriculture

Gastronomy

Diapidated House

Population Lost

Empty Nester

Scenery

Traditional food

Abandoned

Moved Out

Live Alone

Rebuild

Jobs

Repopulate

Rice noodles

Viewing Platform

Open

Linpan

Rice Wine

Art Studio

Workshop Restaurant

Economy Boost

Closed

Local

Tourist

Artist

Circulation Concept

This project aims to preserve the traditional form of Linpan while Functioning as a Cultural center.

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The rice noodles workshop demonstrates the rice noodle making process to the audience.

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Art

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Artists make artworks about Linpan and their artworks will be exhibited in the same area

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8

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ller

Ga

ine

Rice wine workshop shows people the process of traditional wine making.

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Bar

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Offi

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Log

gia

Pa

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Ground Floor Plan

1 2 13 3 3 7

12

11

5

4

10

6

14 9

01. Storage 02. Reception 03. Exhibition 04. Restaurant

05. Kitchen 06. Tea House 07. Shop 08. Bar

09. Wine Cellar 10. Office 11. Activity Center 12. Art Studio

7 8

13. Rice Noodle Workshop 14. Rice Wine Workshop 04

20

40

Meter

Rice Wine Workshop/ Bar/ Exhibition

Structural plywood t=9mm Prefabricated waterproof roofing sheets t=4mm Furring stripes 50x50mm Thermal insulation foam t=25mm Structural plywood t=4mm

Edge Panel 500x75mm

3275

Roof Beam 650x200mm Secondary Beam 150x150mm Furring stripes 50x50mm

Roof Beam 650x200mm

10075 4750

Beam 650x200mm

9

350 1000

Footing foundation Concrete sub-Slab

1000

600

Ground sill 200x200mm

Furring Stripes 25x50mm

Aluminum sash(attached outside)

Plywood t=5mm Floor joist 50x200mm Rigid Insulation foam t=50mm Prefabricated waterproof flooring sheets t=4mm Plywood t=5mm

Building Exterior On the exterior, the building preserved the traditional "Linpan" pattern, surrounded by forest and fields. Creating a harmonic view. Tourists can walk freely among the locals in the field, without disturbing the them, observing and learning their cultures.

10

Rice Noodles Workshop Rice noodles workshop is a combination of the exhibition room and traditional workshop, where people can see the entire process of rice noodle making. The idea of the workshop is to preserve and spread traditional gastronomy culture.

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03 SAN FRANCISCO OBSCURA Residential Building Design Location: San Francisco, United States Date: 14/Auguest/2021 Work type: Individual Work, UC Berkeley [In]Arch Adv Tutor: Keith Plymale, David Jaehning The traditional residential building is restricted by the idea of stacking repeated living units. We only realized it when the pandemic hit the world.

People were constrained at home during this difficult time, and disconnected from the outside. With no public function modern high-rise residences are like a 'prison' So, it is a new trend to integrate public space inside a high-rise residential building in the future, especially in a postpandemic era, where the public function is needed to bind the community.

San Francisco Obscura is a residential architectural experiment transformed from multiple art devices, breaking the traditional form of residential buildings, creating an art-like living environment for people.

Movie Frames Analysis The main idea of frame analysis is to interrogate the image and look for geometry and architectural ideas embedded beneath the images. And use these geometries to generate architectural devices that will be transformed into architectural space.

Image1

Image Balance

Vanashing Points

Geometry

Frame Model

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Image2

Image3

Collage Image

Step1 Apply a grid to the original image and then cut the images into pieces by using the grid.

Step2 Using the technique of shear and cut to obliterate the image without destroying the grid.

Step3 Post-process the image by blurring the image and creating contrast in color.

Step4 Cut and extrude the paper on different sides. by the given rules.

Collage Model The goal of the College Model is to build an architectural device. It is a translation process from 2d to 3d based on the image. It is a way to create architectural structure out of the interpretation of color, texture, light, and shadow.

Internal Space The Building program is organized by extracting the tectonic structure out of the collage model, whilst the art devices were transformed into public functions and inserted into the building program.

Platform Viewing

Cen

ema Sky Cin Gym

13

Sky

rden Sky Ga Cafe

rden Sky Ga

ema Sky Cin

tair entral S

a y Cinem

Library

Unit Plans 3

3

4 2

1

1

2

3

1

2

4

2

4 4

3

Flat1 1st Floor Plan

3

Flat2 1st Floor Plan 3 3

4

4

Studio 1st Floor Plan

5 3

3

4

5

5

4 5

4

3

Flat1 2nd Floor Plan

Flat2 2nd Floor Plan

Studio 2nd Floor Plan

4.Bathroom 5.Terrace

1.Kitchen 2.Living Room 3.Bedroom

0 4

20

40

Meter

Insertion Of Public Space In the Post-Pandemic era, we need to rethink the idea of community. The idea is that public function can be introduced into a residential building and become an essential part of living.

3

2

1

7th Floor Plan (Library & Sports center)

7

5

6

11th Floor Plan (Exibition & Residence)

4

5

6

7

3rd Floor Plan (Residence) 1. Library 4. Flat 1 2. Sports Center 5. Flat 2 3. Outdoor Café 6. Flat 3 14

7. Studio 8. Exhibition center

0 4

20

40

Meter

01. Apartment Common living space

02. Studio Shared living space

03. Library Community library

04. Exhibition Public exhibition center

05. Sky Theater Community movie theater

06. Sky Garden Community garden

In the building, people live in a dynamic Space, where each floor has a different function from one another.

The space was translated directly from the Collage.

So the characteristic of solid and void are presented in the building.

Perspective Section

Studio Residence 3 Residence 2

Studio Viewing Platform Residence 3 Residence 2

Sky theater Gym Residence 3 Residence 2

Studio

15

Studio Interior The studio provides a transparent living space in a modern highrise building.

Sky Cinema Sky Cinema is a combanation of Cinema and café featured by the light and shadow

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04 SANCTUARY OF MIND Wellness Retreat Design Location: St Mortiz, Swiss Date:11/December/2019 Work type: Individual Work Tutor: Mingshuai Pan As a result of urbanization, modern People tend to live their life in a fastpaced living style. The high-pressure lifestyle can lead to multiple mental issues like depression, anxiety, social phobia, bipolar and autism. Now mental illness is becoming a major concern for those who live in the city. whilst architecture constantly evolves to meet the needs of society and part of its social role is to assist the well-being of those who transit and use their spaces daily. Some architectural spaces that have implantation of nature can be therapeutic towards people who have mental issues. This project aims to explore the possibilities of architectural spaces that have healing functions and study the different relations between humans and nature in an artificial environment.

Great Urbanliztion

Project Background

The City is Expanding fast.

People go to work in crowded cabins.

Or experiencing traffic jam.

Urban Disease

Walking in the crowd is suffocating

I need somewhere quiet.

I am so tired of my work.

Depression is eating me. Staying at home is not a solution.

Search: Place to rest and heal your mind.

SANCTUARY OF MIND

To The Sanctury

St.Mortiz, Swiss

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I can't wait for it!

Site Analysis The site is located at St.Mortiz, Swiss. A town with multiple bus stations and a train station. It is also surrounded by mountains and forest, which makes St.Mortiz an ideal location for mental healing.

Tourist Center

Train Station Pier

Site

Middle School

4 Different Human-Nature Relations Distraction

Healing Interior green space Roof/ Small courtyard

Hallway Ground Floor

Nature elements that have been placed at the far end of space will distract people from their mental pain.

Meditation

By touching the nature or looking at the nature at a close range, Is a process of healing.

Depressurization

Trail/ Sidewalk

Lawn

By looking and interacting with nature at midrange. Provided a great atmosphere for Meditation.

Swimming Pool

Shore

Water is one of the best mediums for people to depressurize their minds

2nd Floor Plan 01

A

5

4

10

Meter

01. Residence 02. Café 03. Therapy Center 04. Swimming Pool 05. Terrace

3

B

2

5

1

B A

Ground Floor Plan 01

A

2

5

09. Bar 10. Viewing 11. Residential 12. Restaurant 13. Kitchen 14. Storage 15. Equipment

7

8

8

4

3

6 4

1

9 A

18

10

Meter

01. Reception 02. Swimming Pool 03. Bathroom/shower 04. Changing Room 05. Sauna 06. Consulting Room 07. Gym 08. Courtyard

B

12

13

8

10

5

8

11

14 15

B

Interior Rendering

Viewing Platform Semi-open space that has the view of the adjacent lake

Restaurant Restaurant with a bare concrete wall to provide an unique atmosphere

Spa Area The hallway of light and shadow stand for the spiritual aspect of the area

Swimming Pool With a closed building envelope but have semi-open property

Sauna Steam is also a form of water that has the function of depressurization

Concrete Hallway Using concrete as material, combined with light and shadow

Sections

Courtyard Section B-B The residential space was split into 2 parts with an internal courtyard. The courtyard played an important role in circulation, that people have to walk through it if they want to go to the next space.

Viewing Space Section A-A Part1 The viewing space is a series of spaces on different levels. Indoor viewing space with different functions. And outdoor viewing space with open and semi-open envelopes.

Swimming/ Spa Area Section A-A Part2 The Spa area is centralized on the element water, where there is an indoor swimming pool with an exterior platform by the shore and a small sauna area.

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Interior Rendering

Jianyu Zhang B.Arch, North China Unversity of Technology JianyuZhangCHN@gmail.com +86 15201238695