ARCHITECTURE
PORTFOLIO XINYI BAI
CONTEXT PROJECT 1: Abandoned Space PROJECT 2: A New Community in the Old Town PROJECT 3: Transformation in Handan Steel District PROJECT 4: National Natural History Museum
PROJECT 1: Abandoned Space
The building sits on a vacant lot near a community and office buildings. It consists of 7 units, and its functions include cafe, convenience store, bar, bookstore and study room. These can meet the daily needs of people working nearby and residents. There are lawns and plaza in front of the building, where people can rest during the day.
1. Definition of Abandoned Space
The general definition of abandoned space refers to the conceptual description of the scattered and unorganized space in the block. 2016 1967 2005 2002 1996
1955
2019
The space between the buildings is
This abandoned
The narrow path between
The space under the overpass was not properly used
The space between the
The building has been abandoned for many years and has not yet been planned
The space between the
not well planned and all paved with
building has not
the community and the
and became abandoned space.
buildings is not well
for its future use.
buildings was not properly
grass, which makes the utilization
been demolished
road has no street lights, so
planned, which is used
used and was largely paved
rate very low.
because its future
it is prone to crime.
by residents to pile up
with bricks.
use has not been
sundries now.
planned.
The redundant space without design
The corner space between roads and bridges
2. Activities
The abandoned space with unknown uses
The intermediary space between buildings
3. Materials
Timber Old furniture
Wooden boats
Abandoned cabin
Abandoned buildings
Construction waste
Scrapped vehicles
Abandoned pavements
Construction waste
Abandoned buildings
Abandoned buildings
Old glass bottles
Construction waste
Steel The demands of daily life Study&Work Leisure and entertainment
Concrete
Glass
Abandoned Space
Empty large scale space
Plug-In City
Dark space
Messy space
Desolate space
Unattractive
Depressing
Narrow small scale space
-Peter Cook
When Plug-In City was proposed in 1964, it offered a fascinating new approach to urbanism, reversing traditional perceptions of infrastructure’s role in the city. This provocative project suggests a hypothetical fantasy city, containing modular residential units that “plug in” to a central infrastructural mega machine. The Plug-in City is in fact not a city, but a constantly evolving megastructure that incorporates residences, transportation and other essential services--all movable by giant cranes.
Frightening
Influence
1. Solve the problem of wasted space. Materials
Funds
Enterprises will recover waste materials for recycle and use them for construction.
Funds will be provided by enterprises,which can run the shops after remould.
Convenience store
Restaurant
Cafe
Cafe
Bar Cafe
Residents will devertise and support the project which help them improve life quality.
The government will provide relevant policy support and some info.
Cafe
Bar
Bar
Bookstore
Cafe
Restaurant
Convenience store
Bookstore
Cafe
The Typology of Device
2. Provide more activity space for residents.
Publicity
Policy
Bar
Bar
Bookstore
Restaurant Bookstore
3. Save energy and reduce environmental pollution. 4. Provide more employment opportunities.
Reading room
1
IT UN tion:
s
2
on ITSombinati N U c
ion
s
m
0c x40
a 00 cific 600x8
Spe
This combination is composed of three units, the middle unit is built on stilts, this structure is relatively stable.
Cellular Automata Through the information exchange and transmission of discrete individual cell units to surrounding cells, the state of the cell itself is determined, so as to achieve a self-organizing cooperative complex structure.
nt e re ts Diff o uni w t f o
S at NIT ombin
3 Uferent cnits Dif ree u h of t
S tio NIT mbina
4 U re n t c o
This U-shaped combination is more practical, and the open space in the middle can be used as a small plaza.
ns
e ts Diff ur uni o f of
Breathing Aggregation
5
ns ITS mbinatio N U co
nt s e re Diff e unit v i f f o
This U-shaped combination is more practical, and the open space in the middle can be used as a small plaza.
Through the information contained in the surrounding 8 small cubes: city sensible heat value, sky visibility, dominant wind direction, floor area ratio index, etc., solid/void of the cube is determined, thus emerging the final architectural form.
Analysis of Residents' Activities
The space required by different ages
The Age Distribution of Residents
1. The proportion of people between 30 and 60 years old is large, and the residents are mainly families. These groups are more in need of indoor leisure spaces, such as cafes and bars. They can work in cafe during the day and chat in bars at night. For students, study rooms are also necessary.
2. The proportion of people between 18 and 30 years old is large, and the residents are mainly young people. These groups are more in need of evening entertainment, such as bars. At the same time, they have a certain demand for convenience services, such as convenience stores.
3. The proportion of people between 60 and 90 years old is large, and the residents are mainly elderly. These groups are more in need of social spaces, such as activity rooms. At the same time, the elderly also have a certain demand for outdoor activity space.
Bookstore
Cafe
Ba
To provide residents with the convenience of buying books, they can sit on the stairs on both sides of the bookstore.
A place for residents to relax, chat, drink and eat.
A en ch
Convenience store
Study Room
24-hour convenience store can meet residents' simple daily shopping needs.
Provides a place for residents to study and work, where people can read books, study and work. Sometimes it can also be used as a meeting room and activity room.
ar
place that provides residents with evening ntertainment, where residents can drink, hat, and watch a band play.
Through different combinations of units, the building generates different spaces. From light pink to dark pink, it is divided into indoor space, semi-open space and outdoor open space.
Combining these spatial forms and the needs of the crowd, a public building consisting of 7 units is designed.
Isometric Explosion
Green roof Solar panels are placed under the lawn
Plank Material source: Abandoned cabin Specification: 200x600x4mm
Steel plate Material source: Abandoned buildings Specification: 200x600x4mm
Steel beam
Material source: Construction waste Specification: 360x136x10mm
Timber Floor Material source: Abandoned cabin Specification: 120x900x18mm
Lightgage steel joist Concrete slab Material source: Abandoned pavement Specification: 600x600x120mm
Material source: Abandoned Buildings Specification: 75x50x1mm
In this project, the government, enterprises and residents work together to provide different resources and contributions to the project, and jointly create a public building suitable for the site, making full use of space and bringing convenience to people's lives.
The abandoned space renovation project still has many shortcomings a n d c a n n o t m e e t e v e r yo n e ' s needs. So we developed a piece of application program in which we could see specific information about the function of the units in each project, the materials, and where the materials came from. You can also fill in your favorite function, layout and style in the application. The government will integrate these questionnaire information and refer to them. Use these to improve the project.
Night-time It can also be used as a small theater at night, where residents can watch movies. Study room and convenience store are open 24 hours a day, and the bar have a small stage where bands and singers sometimes perform here. It's also a good place to take a walk.
The design makes the whole community more open while maintaining the privacy of the residences, increasing the communication between the community and the outside.
The open courtyard shared by the whole community, located in the center of the community. It is a larger open platform where the community's public activities can be held.
The design of separating commercial and residential areas through the platform solves the problem that there are few public activity areas on the site and the roads are very narrow.
Each family has a small balcony that serves as a private courtyard for the residents. They can dry clothes, chat and rest on the balcony.
The communal courtyard used by the residents of the unit serves as a semi-private courtyard for the residents. It can be used for leisure and social activities.
PROJECT 2: A New Community in the Old Town
Through the application of the concept of traditional gardens in Suzhou, different levels of courtyards are set up for this community. From a small private courtyard balcony for each residence, to a semi-private courtyard shared by each unit, and finally a communal courtyard space on the ground floor. Increased interaction between residents.
SITE ANALYSIS
Residential & Commercial Area
4
2
Educational & Cultural Area
1
2
Jiachen Lane Brick Tower
Shuangta Market
1
4
3
Shuangta
Main roads & Water System
Pingjiang Road
1. It is the only existing one of the seven brick towers in Suzhou, built in the Song Dynasty. 2. The largest market near the site, it attracts many visitors to patronize. 3. Located in the courtyard of the two pagodas in Dinghuisi Lane. It is a pair of Buddhist pagodas. 4. Pingjiang Road is a historical street along the river, which is the most complete preserved area of Suzhou ancient city.
3
Winter
The site is located in Suzhou, Jiangsu Province, China. In Suzhou, the summers are hot, oppressive, wet, and mostly cloudy and the winters are very cold and partly cloudy.
Summer
Dry bulb temperature
Relative humidity
The average hourly wind speed in Suzhou experiences mild seasonal variation over the course of the year. The largest wind direction is southeast in summer and northwest in winter. S u z h o u ex p e r i e n c e s ex t re m e seasonal variation in the perceived humidity. The month with the most muggy days in Suzhou is July.
A New Community in the Old Town
Residents chat at the entrance of the building
The children are playing in the middle of the street
The daily activities of the residents are basically in the community
Vehicles are parked indiscriminately
The combination of residential buildings has evolved from the traditional enclosed courtyard in Suzhou.
Old people have trouble with their legs
UNIT A
S m a l l re s i d e nt i a l buildings for elderly people with a more private courtyard.
Lack of public spaces
Lack of communication with outside people
UNIT B
The roads are narrow and the stairs steep
Residential buildings fo r fa m i l i e s w i t h open courtyards.
Influence
A d d a l a rge p l at fo r m to separate the residential area and the commercial area
Convenience store
Restaurant
Through the architectural arrangement, the semi-public space is created to transition private space and public space
Cafe
Bar
1. A variety of housing types to meet the needs of different groups.
Insert elevators and large public staircases
UNIT C
2. Multiple courtyard types to meet the needs of different age groups and family members
GYM
S m a l l re s i d e nt i a l buildings for young people with an open public courtyard.
Reading room
UNIT D
TYPOLOGY
Large residential buildings for larger families.
Units distribution
UNIT A
UNIT B
UNIT C
UNIT D
One unit consists of 4 two-storey buildings with a total of eight living spaces, each housing 1 to 2 people (78 square meters).
One unit consists of 2 twostorey buildings and 2 fourstorey buildings with a total of twelve living spaces, each housing 2 to 4 people (130 square meters).
One unit consists of 3 four-storey buildings with a total of twelve living spaces, each housing 1 to 2 people (78 square meters).
One unit consists of 2 threestorey buildings, 1 two-storey b u i l d i n g a n d 1 fo u r- sto r ey building with a total of twelve living spaces, each housing 4 to 6 people (156 square meters).
Set up a wide pedestrian street as the axis of the site. Rotate it 30 degrees to adapt to the natural conditions of the site.
According to the division of the site, insert some different size of the blocks.
GYM
Cafe
Restaurant According to the typology design, the blocks are divided into different units.
Market
Reading room
Bar
Convenience store
In order to meet the demand of the light of the houses, the height of the buildings and the distance between the buildings are adjusted.
The commercial area on the ground floor not only provides convenience for residents, but also attracts visitors from outside into the community.
The platform connects different residential units, and it also separate the commercial area and residential area.
The square courtyards are used as each unit‘s own courtyard, while the circular courtyards are shared by different units.
The residential buildings are connected by platforms to increase the interaction of the residents, and each house contains a small balcony that acts as a private courtyard for the family.
HOUSING TYPES
UNIT A
The house has one bedroom and one living room, which can accommodate 1-2 people. There is a private balcony and a balcony connected to the neighbor's, it is suitable for the elderly.
SOUTH FACADE
SECTION PERSPECTIVE
UNIT B
The house has two bedrooms and one living room, which can accommodate 2-4 people. The public courtyard is more open, so it is suitable for family to live.
UNIT C
The house has one bedroom and one living room, which can accommodate 1-2 people. This type of residential building is independent and not connected, suitable for young people to live.
WEST FACADE
UNIT D
The house has three bedrooms and one large living room, which can accommodate 4-6 people. It is suitable for families with many members to live.
MASTER PLAN
EXPLOSION VIEWS 3
2
1
1. Used waffle structure to make the platforms, which can make the platform more stable, and can increase the distance between the columns, so that the whole community will be more beautiful. 2. The pipeline structure is set in the platforms. 3. Used the green flat roof as a sustainable element.
PROJECT 3: Transformation in Handan Steel District Through the comprehensive assessment of its production technology, architectural style and facility style, the relics with outstanding value are protected, partially added or reconstructed, and combined with the planned road to form a new block space, which not only highlights the industrial style, but also serves the new industrial space and enhances the economic value of the land.
Daytime Retain blast furnaces, coke ovens, silos, etc. with outstanding historical value, and keep the industrial style and original spatial pattern unchanged. On this basis, new formats such as cultural and creative industries are implanted, so that industrial buildings become a habitat for incubating contemporary cultural and creative industries.
PROJECT 4: National Natural History Museum
Exploring the relationship between nature and humanity, building natural harmony, integrating and coexisting. Embracing the future, and serving the people. Design a social, service-oriented, world-class national natural history museum.
SITE ANALYSIS
Location
The site is located in the Fengtai District of Beijing, China and is an important node on the South Central Axis. Prior to its renewal and transformation, the site and its surrounding areas were mainly used for residential and other industries, with a significant number of old neighborhoods nearby, in addition to the museum complex.
Background The Ashmolean Museum of Oxford University is the first public museum in England and one of the earliest public museums in the world. Its establishment marked the birth of modern museums.
The Natural Histor y Museum in London is located in the South Kensington area. With a total area of over 40,000 square meters, it houses approximately 70 million specimens from around the world.
The American Museum of Natural History is the largest natural history museum in the world and one of the primary centers for natural history research and education in the United States.
It was founded in 1716 in St. Petersburg and became part of the Russian Academy of Sciences in 1725. In 1934, the museum relocated to Moscow along with the Russian Academy of Sciences.
Comprehensive service facility Social welfare Cultural facility Sports
The French National Museum of Natural History is located within t h e Pa r i s B o t a n i c a l Garden. With a long history, it represents the pinnacle of the world's most abundant and rare collections of animal and plant specimens, as well as minerals.
Construction
Professional Distribution of Museums
Distribution of Natural Museums by Region
Entrance Exit
Astronomy
Natural science
Geology
Natural
Natural history
East
South
Central
North
Northwest
Southwest
Northeast
National Natural History Museum
Lack of open space surrounding the site
Past - Perceiving the value of nature within the space.
Clear zoning is established between public and logistics areas, which can be connected through elevated walkways.
The internal space of the site is cramped
The comprehensive hall is placed in the center, with exhibition halls of varying heights surrounding it.
Lack of display surface facing the city
The open and transparent interface along the Liangshui River on the northeast side of the site provides good landscape conditions, unobstructed views, and can serve as the main exhibition interface for the natural museum.
Shared public spaces and circulation spaces are introduced between exhibition halls.
Part of the ground floor space is raised to create a continuous system of pedestrian walkways.
Present - Achieving harmonious coexistence with nature through development. Future - Realizing a shared community of life between humans and nature through integration.
Exhibition area
Simulating Chinese topography
Business area
Management area
Abstract-generated geographical forms
Collection and preservation area
Positioning world "dual heritage"
Through abstract descriptions of the varied elevations in China's geography, a spatial form is created at the bottom of the architecture, abstracted as the concept of "the land of China." Research is conducted on our country's most important natural landscapes, including the Yangtze River, Yellow River, and five sites of World Natural and Cultural Heritage.
Education and public service area
Parking area
1. Underground space is reserved to enhance communication between the riverbank and the cultural and education courtyard. The external space is open to the public, connecting nature and the city to create a cohesive spatial effect. 2. Functional areas are clearly defined, and the natural space is treated in a three-dimensional manner, expanding the boundaries of the urban ecosystem.
1. Creating a celestial space concept indoors by simulating the 24 ancient Chinese constellations. 2. The internal space effect of natural weathering on the top and water erosion on the bottom.
The architectural design aims for simplicity while paying attention to detail. The façade and roof feature a mesh-like outer skin, emphasizing integration with the city and nature.
Form Generation
Design Strategy
Exploring the relationship between nature and humanity, building natural harmony, integrating and coexisting Embracing the future, and serving the people Social, service-oriented, world-class national natural history museum
PLANS & CIRCULATIONS Ground Floor Plan
First Floor Plan
Second Floor Plan
Main Visitor Educational Collection Research Administrative
SECTION A
SECTION B
ELEVATION A
ELEVATION B
INNOVATIVE APPLICATION OF LOW-COST MATERIALS
LOW CARBO CITY SYSTEM MASTERPLAN
Passive design: Wind environment
Solar photovoltaic panels
Green roof
Solar photovoltaic panels Deep shading
Vegetated swale
Permeable paving Rain Garden Storage System
Profile Perspective
Analysis of green and low-carbon oriented construction goals - Vitality space
Adjusting the architectural form based on the original design strategy, achieving low energy consumption and creating a healthy building through passive design, and utilizing photovoltaic roofs for solar power generation.
The National Natural History Museum should integrate and harmonize with other museums, public spaces, facilities, and the surrounding ecological environment in the region, emphasizing the overall and comprehensive nature of the museum cluster. The architecture within the region should be designed to promote integration, highlighting the concept of "boundless and shared" to make visitors feel a sense of boundlessness and integration.
The National Natural History Museum will showcase the unique natural landscapes of China, fully presenting the biodiversity of our country's biology and ecosystems, as well as highlighting China's rich natural resources. It will also exhibit the evolutionary history of the Earth and life.
APPENDIX - Other Works RURAL RECONSTRUCTION
FACADE DESIGN
COMMUNITY CENTER