Designing Environments PORTFOLIO Jingyi ZHANG (784195)
SITE analysis: concrete lawn The top diagram shows the population density of the concrete
lawn in a day. It is produced by overlaying several population density maps drawn at a particular time in that day. The red colour marks the highest population density. As the color gradually transforms into yellow then white, the density drops. It shows clearly on the map that the most traffic area on this site is the main pathway sitting in the middle of the concrete lawn.
The bottom diagram illustrates how people use this site. Several activities and their relationship with time are observed. Taking into consideration that people may do several activities at the same time, this diagram allows the area representing different activities to overlap.
Based on the diagram, several conclusions can be drawn:
• The main function of this site is to facilitate movement; • This site is most crowned from 12pm to 3pm ; • Intensity fluctuation is strongly related to the time when classes start and end.
SPACIAL COMPOSITION: Front view
This model is composed of 5 cuboids. The arrangement of these basic ge-
ometries is at the center of design. Instead of using very complex geometry, simplicity is pressured. In addition, a gradation of color (from black to grey and white) is applied, which instantly creates a hierachy inside the framework. It tells the audience where the focal part is and really makes that part stands out.
This photo is taken from another angle. It demonstrates
the power of simplicity. Even though the frame itself stays the same, the effect it creates can be quite different if people view it from different directions and angles. For example, the front view photo gives people a simple but unified impression.Whereas this photo impresses people by its complexity and irregularity.
It is worth mentioning that
this model is made out of paper. Each strip is a prism made by folding a piece of flat hard paper. Even though paper is very weak in strength, these strips can be very strong in compression.
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SECTION
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PLAN
SCALE:1 :1
PLAN
SECTION SCALE: 1: 1
LANDFORMING: 1
3
4
PLAN
SCALE:1:1
PLAN
This model manipulates the landscape in a really subtle way.
Plenty of small hills are created on the ground level and several platforms can be found on the biggest hill. They function as shelters or seats where people can sit down and take a rest . PARTICIAL SECTION1 SCALE:2:1
PARTICIAL SECTION2 SCALE:1:1
PARTICIAL SECTION3 SCALE:2:1
ASSEMBLAGE: GRAFTING
Section
To me, grafting means that the boundary of each element has to be interrupted by other elements. It shows violence and great conflicts. Unlike disjunction, which places contrasting elements in adjacent to each other to indicate the conflicts that are about to happen, grafting presents the conflict as it is to the audience. The picture at the right shows the part of this model which well demonstrates the idea of grafting.
100 word Narrative--MEETING: “You sure you can come? I only stay in Beijing for 6 hours. And it’s early in the morning.” “Yeah of course! Miss you.” The airplane landed. I’m excited but also anxious. However, all the worries disappear as soon as we meet. She is still wearing that backpack, which she used to wear 5 years ago! Time didn’t leave any trace on her. She is still the girl I know well! “Hi Xiaosa!” “Hi! Jingyi Zhang!” Suddenly, the airport turns into the playground for only us two. We are talking loudly and laughing heavily, regardless of the angry view from people nearby.
This
Spatio-Temporal Narrative
collage is telling the 100-word story about MEETING activity. Various heads cut from both human and animal images are pasted on top of the body of the two main figures in this narrative.This indirectly shows the various topics that they are talking about.No matter what face is on top of the two figures ,or in another word, no matter which topic the two are talking about, they all laugh heavily.The strong feeling of happiness is what all these images try to express.
SUPERPOSITION collage Scale: 1:250 This superposition collage is developed via two steps: firstly, trace the
plan of concrete lawn, the assemblage plan, and the spatio-temporal narrative into one piece of paper; then highlight the interesting geometry using collage making methods.
EXPERIENCE collage Scale:1:100 This partial sectional collage is developed from the rectangular area
in the superposition collage. Incorporating wood material, this experience collage aims to illustrate people’ experience inside the space.
Final Project: In the final project, we are asked to redesign the concrete lawn, incorporating MEETING activity and WOOD material.
Unintentional meeting is the focus of this design. To avoid any unwill-
ing unintentional meeting, this undulating landscape is created. So that people can easily slide into one of the valleys to avoid any embarrassing meeting.
Additionally, several aboveground buildings are created both for inten-
tional meeting and unintentional meeting. Because unintentional meeting is usually changeable. It is very likely to change into an intentional meeting if the two sides feel the need to discuss some more serious issues.
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Top left: PLAN Scale: 1: 200
Top right:
PARTICIAL SECTION 2 Scale: 1: 50
Middle right :
Photo of the pavilion shown in partical section 2
Bottom right:
PARTICIAL SECTION 1 Scale: 1: 100