portfolio.
YUKUN LIU
About Me
Education
Date of Birth
05-24-2001
Nationality
Chinese Language
Chinese, English Email
liuyk2022@126.com
Bachelor of Arts with Honours in Architecture (Class 2:1)
2021-2023
University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
Bachelor of Engineering in Architecture
2019-2021
Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University, Suzhou, China
Selected Works
Designer Assistant
Jun 2023 - Present
Fuzhou Huilong Construction Engineering Management Co.
Designer Assistant
Jun 2022 - Sep 2022
Fujian Fuda Architectural Planning and Design Research Institute Co.
Intern Architect
Jun 2021- Aug 2021
Fujian Electromechanical Coastal Architecture Design and Research Institute Co.
Intern Architect
Jan 2021- Feb 2021
Beijing Lantu Engineering Design Co. Fujian Branch
Software skills
• AutoCAD
• SketchUp
• Rhinoceros
• Grasshopper
• Lumion
• Photoshop
Exo-skyleton
Next-Gen Community Design
London, UK | 2021-2022 | Individual Work | Personal Practice
With population growth and ecological imbalance becoming global challenges, the programme will design a future community for living, housing, working, culture, education, recreation and commerce within a limited site area.
The site is on the south bank of the River Thames, across the river from the City of London. It is located in a residential area, adjacent to the commercial area. The project is designed to create substantial residential and office accommodation with a technological look and feel, whilst creating a beautiful new city skyline in harmony with the City of London.
The project is based on Topology Optimisation design methodology. After several experiments using parametric calculations, towers were designed as way to realise the idea of Vertical Living .The project re-planned the internal roads. The planning is based on Frei Otto's Wool experiments, in a parametric way.
Site Analysis
Surrounded by Tower Bridge Rd and Tooley St, it is a transport hub with an abundance of Tube stations, bus stops and nearby piers ensuring superior accessibility.
Nestled amidst historical landmarks, the locale offers a mix of heritage and modernity with stunning views of the London skyline, delivering luxury, comfort, and a taste of London's rich history.
Replanning
Following the selection of key internal transport connections, the community road plan was optimised by using wool experiment to optimise the connections to the control points.
Combined with the design concept of the community and the chosen tower plan, the final choice was made to plan the community roadmap in the form of a Central Island
Tower Settlement
Setting the base variables combined with the distribution of roads from the wool experiments initially set the height and location of the tower so that the district could balance the renewal of the city skyline with better natural light gain.
Masterplan
Tower Summary
Exoskeleton Tower (E.T.)
The principal structures are distributed on the exterior facade of the tower, with minor internal ancillary structures supporting the deck.
Exterior Deck Tower (D.T.)
Exterior decking to provide public space for activities or landscaping.
Cenrtal Void Tower (V.T.)
The central voids create attractive public spaces and a diversity of observation conditions.
Twin Tower (T.T)
The twin buildings create separate but connected architectural spaces through a mirror structure.
Topology Experiment
Structure Forming Process Topology Optimization
The Tower design will use topology optimisation to construct the basic structure. Topology optimisation is a mathematical approach to optimisation and this design experiment determines the placement of materials in the design domain based on the specific target loads and boundary conditions in order to achieve optimum building load performance.
Main Districts
The community has six districts:
The cultural and artistic functions are located to the south-west to serve both the community and the surrounding area. The exhibition and commercial areas are located adjacent to the Thames River for visitors from the pier and to prevent excessive noise from affecting the residential and office areas. The sports area is provided for the daily physical fitness of the residents. The central island is provided as a multi-functional community centre.
The Oasis Next 02
Post-Conflict Energy-Efficient Education Facilities
Ubari, Libya | 2022-2023 | Individual Work | Academic Study + Personal Practice
The project will use Ubari as a site case to design public care and education institutions for postconflict desert cities.
Ubari is an oasis town in the Fezzan region of southwestern Libya. It is in the Idehan Ubari, a Libyan section of the Sahara Desert. Ubari has suffered from the effects of the conflict, which have had a great impact on the lives of the residents. At the same time, many school-age children are unable to get the education and shelter they deserve, which is a problem faced by many desert cities.
The design scheme endeavors to create an educational environment for pre-primary school children in the Mashru' region. It intends to address the climate challenges of a desert city. It also aims to reduce costs and provide energy for subsequent use through the use of local materials and resources. And create well-being for school children and the community while minimising the impact on nature.
Ubari is divided into four districts, most of which are lagging behind in development. The ravages of civil war and foreign invasion have left Ubari in a state of disarray, triggering population displacements and economic decline, as well as creating educational deficits for countless school-age children. This deficit is most evident in Mashru', indicating that the area is in urgent need of attention.
More than 300 people died and more than 2,000 were injured during this period.
A battle for Ubari erupted in September 2014, and raged until February 2016 ceasefire.
Between 2014 and 2016, around 75% of its population have been displaced during its internal conflict.
Status of Education
According to City profile of Ubari
Most of the IDPs originating from Ubari municipality have started to return in the beginning of 2016. In all districts, the main reason for not attending school concerns the availability of teaching material. 2021 saw a welcome period of relative peace and political stability.
There is since May 2018 a tendency of increase in the hosting of IDPs.
And there are ONLY 3 public child care centers in Ubari.
Summer Sunpath
Winter Sunpath
Summer Prevailing Winds
Winter Prevailing Winds
Desert
Building Agriculture
Sport and
Recreation
Health
Commercial
Agriculture
Education
Public Services
Project Location
Primary Road
Secondary Road
Path
Distance
Satellite Image
Climate Sustainability Strategy Temperature
Precipitation
Climate Challenges
There is a great difference in temperature between day and night, with highs reaching 45 degrees Celsius and the lows not dropping below 0 degrees Celsius. Being one of the driest regions in Libya, ubari receives almost no precipitation and below the Libyan average.
Temperatures are horribly high at noon and in the afternoon, especially in summer. East and north-east winds prevail. There is a light breeze at times, but no strong winds.
Windrose Sunpath
Local, Sustainable, and Functional
The building endeavors to achieve thermal comfort and cross ventilation through its distinctive architectural form and the use of rammed earth walls. Each roof is equipped with large-scale photovoltaic panels, maximizing the conversion of natural light and reducing the dependence on artificial lighting. The building also features a variety of window designs that reduce the intensity of direct sunlight while providing visual connection between the interior and exterior spaces, igniting the curiosity of children and fostering their exploration of light and shadow. The use of louvered windows, predominantly, not only offers cost-effective solutions but also utilizes materials readily available in the local area.
West Elevation
South Elevation
More Than a Preprimary School
The facility will not only serve as a place for academic learning, but also as a sanctuary for play, reading, dining and rest for children.
The facility equipped with basic medical amenities to cater to the needs of the community. The library, open to the public, offers ample opportunities for students to continue their education and reading over the weekends.
Additionally, the project is aimed at generating employment opportunities for the local resident, which contributes to the local economic development.
The second floor reading space provides an expansive and relatively private learning environment. The north side of the building houses a large playground equipped with recreational facilities and a designated planting area, fostering an appreciation for cultivation and the great outdoors.
What do we sleep for?
An Exploration of Sleep Philosophy Through Space and Architecture
2023 | Individual Work | Personal Practice
During my undergraduate studies, I realised that most architecture students and practitioners suffer from sleep problems. Even we have become accustomed to it. Sleep is considered to be an enabler of productivity rather than enjoyment of sleep itself. In order to achieve "reasonable sleep", we become anxious about sleep deprivation when we can't sleep and even need to take medication. So I started thinking about the meaning of sleep and realized that more and more people are defining sleep in a utilitarian way of thinking. Yet what has caused this trend in us?
At
WHAT RULES?
Chapter 1 Utilitarian
Mr
Not Us Social Driver
It seems that we are not always really in charge in choosing our sleep. More and more people suffer from insomnia, and it's not just the immense stress that takes away the ability to fall asleep. Also, we don't have complete freedom over our sleep schedule and can even feel anxious about not getting enough sleep. We set sleep goals to be more efficient, but then give it up in order to strive for more free time. Is all this vicious cycle really just because we can't follow the rules and accomplish our goals?
We are like products without self-awareness on the giant assembly line of society, with mechanized procedures pushing us forward step by step. In pursuit of greater effectiveness, we choose to conform to the rules, but we also give up our true nature. We treat sleep as a means of restoring our energy and enhancing our productivity. Most people get so caught up in it that they can't stop to think about what sleep really means to our existence. At first, we may feel relaxed and experience the pleasure of being pushed by society, but gradually we become squeezed and manipulated products, unable to make our own choices.
Central Tower
The center that the assembly line surrounds is the tower of power. Because the most direct path to the tower is to be integrated into the assembly line, people willingly throw themselves into it in pursuit of power and profit. Yet how is this not driven by the invisible tower?
When
Let's explore!
Things
This is
Can anyone help me?
I seem to be trapped, could you help me open it.
Mr
Seems like it would be very hard to escape the system even
It seems that people who choose shortcuts don't get what they want and instead get stuck in suffocating situations.
Finally he can't bear to live in the "system" and chose back to the beginning.
WHO RULES?
Chapter 2 True Nature
Sleep is Sleep Against the Flow
When going to sleep is simply a result of feeling tired, sleepy, or simply a desire for a peaceful sleep, we return to the true nature of sleep. However, very few people are able to leave behind the convenience of going with the flow, deviate from societal norms, and resolutely follow their heart's choice. Even fewer are able to rise to the top despite this disregard for societal rules. Sleep is just sleep and I am just me. How many people are able to stay true to their hearts in today's society?
Unlike social drives, when you choose to focus on natural drives, you lose the automatic forward movement that seems easier. Everything needs to be chosen and discovered by yourself, even the paths that are not clearly guided. However, you gain freedom, which comes at a heavy price. Some will fall prey to the temptation and choose to go with the flow, while there are numerous others who step out of the assembly line loop and choose to follow the path of nature. However, who can definitively say who is right and who is wrong?
Self
We deeply believe that when sleep is no longer utilitarian, people's health will improve and their minds will be at ease. Perhaps it is by choosing to forgo those fleeting pleasures of the high places that we have the opportunity to explore the joy and fulfillment within our own selves.
Flux Film School
Innovative Education, Creative Insights in Cinematic Spaces
Liverpool, UK | 2023 | Individual Work | Academic Study
The design will create a new film school for the University of Liverpool at the junction of Oxford Street and Mulberry Street.
The design aims to fulfil the required function whilst introducing an innovative concept of film teaching - learning about the making and shooting of films through the experience of being in the architectural space. Also, because cinema is a popular art, the building introduces a new educational method of public presentation of works, which can introduce multidisciplinary cooperation, public participation and cooperation with film companies through the rich social space and open cinema setting. Through the interesting design of the space, it is hoped that it can arouse students' interest and effectively utilise the space for collaborative discussions, creating more interesting inspirations.
Collaboration
Encourage active collaboration among students, staff, and film professionals for interdisciplinary cooperation.
Inspiration
Creating cinematic spaces that inspire students to draw inspiration from their spatial experiences.
Functionality
Optimise space while meeting functional needs, with a balance of practicality and interest.
Social Hub
Establish diverse social spaces to meet communication needs andspark collaborative creativity.
Community
Engage the community in evaluating and enhancing student work, promoting community involvement.
Cinematic Space Analysis
FILM SPACE TECHNIQUE
Straightforward
Sequential narrative with clear objectives
Diverse View
Enriching narrative with varied views
Central Radiance
Triggering diverse development from a core
Holism
All aspects of the central event
Temporal-Spatial
Enriching depth through dimensionsvaried
The Essence
A gradual approach to explore deeper meanings
Inner Dissect
A comprehensive, multi-angle in-depth exploration
Omniscient
Understanding every aspect from a god's-eye
Detail-Centric
In-depth investigation of event particulars
Step by Step
Reveal differentcompletely face sequentially
Obscured
Things get ambiguous through a medium
Imagination
Leaving room for infinite speculation by omitting event details
Eureka Moment
Unexpected insight into the core
Tunnel Vision
Stuck in narrowed view, unable to escape limited thinking
Clients Analysis
Design Approach
SOCIAL CONDENSER
Embedding a cylindrical space within the site to form a central hub that acts as a social condenser and enhances the richness of the space.
CENTRAL CIRCULATION
Establishing an open flow between two entrances creates a central pathway. Strategically use the hub subtly divides functional areas visually and psychologically, directing the circulation of people.
VERTICAL JOURNEY
East: The vertical circulation is facilitated by a double staircase. West: An outdoor cantilevered corridor connects all floors, creating a spatial experience like a journey with rich scenarios.
CONNECT
ADAPT
Bridges connect the massing, travelling through the central hub. It creates a variety of spaces for socialising, and provides a variety of viewing perspectives for the user. The massing was slightly adapted to the climate and surroundings. The roof of the eastern block is also used to create a garden terrace that echoes the surroundings.
Ground Floor
First Floor
Second Floor
Perspective Section
By strategically placing the Creative Hub and the main corridors, the functional areas are ambiguously segregated. This ensures the most efficient circulation of different user groups without conflict. And an overhanging stair corridor, connecting the floors above ground, generates a convenient circulation while adding interest and interaction with the surroundings.
1 Parapet Caping 2-ply Bitumen Waterproofing
2 Double Glazing Acid-etched Glass
2 -ply 15mm Gypsum Fibreboard
Waterproofing
300mm CLT Wall 100mm Rigid Foam Insulation
3 WPC Decking
Chippings Protective Membrane
2- Ply Bitumen Waterproofing 200mm PUR Thermal Insulation
Board
Vapour Barrier 300 mm CLT Roof Slab Batten (fastened on spring clips)
Ceiling Ventilation System
Gypsum Fibreboard
4 Triple Glazing In Timberaluminium Window Frame
Double Glazing Acid-etched Glass 400*400 mm Glulam Columns
5 Carpet 60mm Cement Subfloor 40mm Mineral Wool Impact Sound Insulation 300mm CLT Floor Slab Batten (fastened on spring clips) Ceiling Ventilation System Gypsum Fibreboard Acoustic Ceiling Panels For Cinema
6 150*50mm Aluminum Facade ribs 30mm Aluminum Facade
Cladding Water-resistive Barrier 2-ply 15mm Gypsum Fibreboard 400*400mm Glulam Columns Intersperesed With Mineral Wool Thermal Vapour Barrier 30mm Timber Wall Panel Acoustic Wall Panels For Cinema
The main structure is dominated by CLT floor slabs and glulam columns . The façade is also created through the use of transparent and translucent materials. Different degrees of softness of light and shadow can be formed to meet different needs while increasing the interest and sense of hierarchy of the space.
ENTRANCE
LEGEND Academic Social Film-making
Technical Service Administrative
Other Works
Projects in Interships and Work
Fuzhou Senior High School Branch
Responsible for massing design, rendering for project bids
Primary Section
Secondary Section
Shared Space
Jinshan Juyuan Industrial Park Project D
Responsible for site analysis, rendering for project bids
Massing Design Modelling Concepts
Jinshan Juyuan Industrial Park Project D
Responsible for site analysis, rendering for project bids