Architectural Portfolio - Shuo Li

CONTENTS

Palimpsest 1

Condado del Rey, Panama City, Panama

Academic

Individual work

Diving Tube

Miyun, Beijing, China

Academic

Individual work

3 Evolution

Dongcheng, Beijing, China

Academic

Individual work

4 Rebirth of Lop Nur

Lop Nur, Xinjiang, China

Academic

Group work

[1] Palimpsest

Duration: 2021/09 - 2023/05

Location: Condado del Rey, Panama City, Panama

Academic

Individual work

Palimpsest is an educational proposal crafted through graphic narratives and scaling transformations of the multiple morphologies of Condado del Rey as a way to challenge the current hierarchies that segregate its community. The design occupies a void area that exists between formal and informal communities and aims to repurpose this area by bridging these hierarchies. The texture of Panamá City serves as a crucial reference for this design. An outcome of asynchronous development, it holds great disparity in its morphology and materiality, as well as in the accessibility to infrastructures. Bounded by linear elements, the city districts are transformed into images and texts that form the graphic motherboard for the spatial design.

Confronting corporate developments on the city, the project proposes a public higher education facility for the community, consisting of a studio-based educational venue for the university. It comprises 10 linear parallel strips where formal and informal teaching can be developed. Each strip collects and merges fragments from the urban fabric and projects these forms and programmes into the landscape. An extended rooftop shelters the ground from the excessive sun in this tropical environment, while water and wind are used as a cooling medium, with channels running across the site to absorb heat during the day and dissipate it at night.

The Darien Chest

This research examines the colonial history of Panamá by analyzing cultural artefacts and documents from various institutions, including the General Archive of Indies in Seville. The Darien Chest serves as an entry point for this inquiry, given its intricate connections between Scotland and Panama. The chest symbolized the failure of Scottish colonialization in Panama, which led to the 1707 Act of Union. The project aims to identify weak affects within the documents, uncovering silences and contradictions within historical archives. By redrawing a more complex and mestizo story, the project seeks to represent minor voices and their material histories ignored in mainstream narratives, fostering a more nuanced and inclusive understanding of Panamá's colonial history.

Fig 2. The design begins with an understanding of the Darien Chest Fig

Site context

This project explores contemporary cultural productions in Panama, with a focus on Alfaro Brooke's artworks that depict the country's darker side. It examines issues of misplaced identity, marginalization, and colonial history during city expansion, aiming to bridge gaps and reuse void areas for public benefit. By producing the code of hyphen, the project seeks to interact with selected buildings, creating highly complex urban narratives and iconic boundaries in an effort to address the city's complex hierarchies.

Fig 4. The graphic code generated from the city texture

Fig 5. Site context of Condado del Rey, Panama City, Panama

Concept idea

The project focuses on environmental strategy through meta-graphic exercises. It proposes a boundary within the boundary in response to the 'hyphen' project, with individual programs as units. The project generates spatial volumes through the human scale, developing a series of units based on the graphics from the previous chapter. The educational program is an extension of Universidad Católica Santa María la Antigua, offering studio-based education for art and architecture disciplines. It emphasizes collaboration between disciplines and a division of formal and informal education.

Fig 6. The spatial extensions & a shading top view of the volume

Fig 7. A division of formal & informal education

Framed

30*45mm

Horizontal

Metal

10mm

The hall and its supporting programmes fit on the existing concrete framework

Framed glazing panels bounded by extruded circular wall

Horizontal shading boards fixed by aluminium beams

Structural timber boards fixed by metal beams and spacers

of the church

glazing panels

aluminium U-beams

aluminium U-beams

strips above and under the shading boards

metal shading sheets

50*75mm metal structural T-beam

Metal spacer between the timber boards

20mm timber boards

Fig 9. The technical refurbishment proposal of Iglesia Nuestra Señora de la Esperanza. The shading strategy leads to the breathable sunroof.

Fig 10. The technical details of shading boards pattern

Multiple-layered

5mm rigid extruded polystrene

Membrane underlayment

10mm thermal insulation

100mm reinforced concrete blocks

Membrane underlayment

5mm plaster cladding

Metal panels flow the water Membrane underlayment

100mm reinforced concrete slab Soil tamping

5mm multiple material floor finish fixed on counter battens

5mm air gap above the insulation

20mm thermal insulation layer

Membrane underlayment

100mm reinforced concrete slab

Soil tamping

Foundation footing

Reinforced concrete foundation

Fig 11. Technical isomatric of the floors, foundation & water channel Fig 12. Detail drawing of floor

Shading

Multiple-layered rooftop

Metal sheet skirting

Membrane underlayment

Metal coping on fibre boards

1mm Metal cladding

5mm Timber boards

8mm Mineral fibre boards

Spacer above the beam

60*120mm steel I-beam

Breathable timber grilled facade

Structural framework

10mm corten steel plates fixed on horizontal counter battens

5mm air gap above the insulation

10mm thermal insulation layer

Membrane underlayment

20mm reinforced concrete

6mm diameter horizontal steel rebar Corrugated metal plate

Metal spacer

5mm timber boards laminated

Aluminium column frame

3mm timber grilles

45*60mm aluminium U-beam

Metal shading plates connected to the beam

Fig 13. Technical isomatric of the breathable facade & structural framework

Fig 14. Detail drawing of facade & rooftop

Fig 15. Masterplan Fig 17. Plan of ground level

Fig 16. Plan of upper level

Building volume

The proposed building comprises ten horizontal units, with an emphasis on stimulating movement along the central axis. Educational facilities and studios are located on either side, with interstitial lounge areas intended to encourage informal interaction among students and faculty members.

Shading strategy

In accordance with the tropical climate of Panama, the design features an extended rooftop that provides shade to the ground level. Textured strips are positioned along the edge to allow for adequate penetration of natural light into the building interior.

Heat transfer

Water is utilized as a cooling medium in this project, with channels connecting the interior and exterior spaces serving to absorb heat during the day and dissipate it at night.

Topography

The building is situated at an elevated position on the site, allowing water from the front pool to flow organically towards the river.

Programmatic extensions

The proposed design fosters the concept of extended education, enabling interdisciplinary collaboration and informal teaching practices. External pavilions provide additional space for corresponding internal units, exhibition studios, and larger work areas.

Materiality

The design incorporates an archive of the city, with multiple materials serving as representations of their corresponding narratives.

Fig 19. Cross section of the building, pavilions & topography

Fig 20. Sliding sections for each strip

The project entailes a comprehensive understanding of scaling and materials, as well as an exhibition presentation. The proposal has been reevaluated within the proposed site, incorporating the existing church through a combination and refurbishment, it has seen the incorporation of technical designs that prioritize environmental concerns in Panama City. The programmatic understanding of the project has been developed, with a focus on its educational function and the target client, Santa María La Antigua Catholic University. The research is centered on the art discipline, which has resulted in a studio-based educational extension that takes into consideration the topographic conditions of the site. The proposed educational mode encourages both informal and formal teaching activities.

The design of the project follows a hyphen approach that creates a conscious division in flat architecture and generates its programmes based on its studio-educational features. The exterior design builds on the idea of utilizing spatiality from the previous exercise, thereby acquiring its fragmentary identities through programmes. The final exhibition of the project is of utmost importance, as it seeks to carefully present the entire design process through physical models and drawings. Its focus has been on situating the project within the material context of the city and presenting it in a human-scale and approachable manner.

Fig 21. Photograph of the studio volume & corridor

Fig 23. Photograph of the teaching unit & ceiling

[2] Diving Tube

Duration: 2020/05 - 2020/07

Location: Miyun, Beijing, China

Academic

Individual work

Miyun Reservoir, as the largest and only source of drinking water for Beijing had been enjoying a developed industry under the support of favorable policies during the last century. Nowadays, most suburbs of Beijing are developing their economy under the macro environment of urban expansion. A future for this district is blossoming with an increasing population and gradual economic prosperity.

Diving Tube selected a deserted mine pit located in Miyun, which establishes a deep-dive activity center in the pit by the research of its energy environment and historical background. While providing a complete picture of deep diving and living experiences, this project aims to understand the humanity, history and culture of Miyun.

Physical context

The site is located in the Yan Shan mountain range which is situated in the north of Beijing. Sha Chang reservior is closed to the site, moreover, the surrounding traffic is convenient, which is included by the land and the air.

Several

is

Topography

Mi Yun granary, which is closed to the highway, has a high level of agriculture.

The area closed to the highway is more developed. There are several landscape gardens in the area.

Sha Chang reservior is located in the east of the site, which is smaller than Mi Yun reservior. However, this reservior is more stable in water supply.

The site was a famous mining industry zone in the last centary. It is an industry ruins park now.

The south of the site is a modernization residence community.

small villages which

enconomic backwardness is built in the half way up to the mountain.

Concept idea

Facade study

Undeveloped period (absent - 1969)

Physical context Brief

Deep

Welding the pilars

Installing bolts of ring bean

Flatting by concrete

Hotel modules

Installing bolts of frame bean

Installing reinforcement

Installing steel wall

Installing bolts of hinge joint

Installing ring steel parts of hinge joint

Installing reinforcement

Installing concrete slab

Installing taps

Installing steel frame

[3] Evolution

Duration: 2019/10 - 2020/01

Location: Dongcheng, Beijing, China

Academic

Individual work

The studio aims to give the increasing worldwide concern over environmental issues of smog and global warming in Beijing. The project situates in the central area of the city, a green area next to the Ming Wall garden in Dongcheng. This project intends to discuss opening human perception to nature, a possibility of revering nature’s power. According to net zero regulations, architects should recognize the essence of nature and incorporate such understanding into architecture to express the thoughts on environmental protection.

The project discusses dynamic conditions in scales of nature, an organic approach that architectural technology negotiating with the landscape. It creates the variation through holographic projection technique, then gives an account of nature’s charm. The project proposes a museum programme, fitting into the triangle area.

In close proximity to Beijing Railway Station, the theme of the exhibition serves as a crucial factor. Following an analysis of the typology of various public buildings in Beijing, it was observed that there exists no exhibition that permits unrestricted ingress and egress, with visitors often being confined to the exhibition space without the ability to engage in other activities.

The site is situated at the intersection of two urban arterial roads, with a subarterial road facing southwest on the north side, and a historic Ming City Wall remnant on the south side. The site's overall shape forms a right-angled triangle towards the southwest. In light of the site's road relationships and the types of surrounding buildings, the new building should conform to the two roads and extend the architecture red line area inward.

The north side of the site faces the Beijing Hutong, while the northeast side is in proximity to the Beijing Railway Station. Moreover, the east side of the site is close to the Ming Dynasty City Wall Ruins Park. To consider the privacy needs of the hutongs and parks, and the impact of the city's arterial road, the new building should be appropriately elevated. Furthermore, given the uniqueness of the site at the intersection of the city's arterial roads and the view of the train station on the northeast side, the height of the new building should not be excessively high.

An isometric view of the site indicates a declining trend in the height of buildings in the northeast direction, starting from the furthest office building, Beijing Railway Station, Hutong, and Ming City Wall Ruins Park. To guide the site effectively, the new building needs to be deformed after an overall elevation treatment. The original height should serve as the highest point, while the road intersection should be the lowest point, thereby lowering from east to west.

Preliminary investigation analysis of the site shows that it is located in a densely crowded area. Therefore, in the spirit of the green concept of coexistence between humans and the environment, the building roofs should be fully utilized. As such, the roof of the new building can provide a space for people to walk according to their height, and trees can be incorporated into the design to realize the concept of symbiosis between people and the environment.

When selecting building materials for new construction projects, it is important to consider the surrounding site. The railway station located on the east side of the site serves as a vital transportation hub in the city, and its multi-pillar space is visible in the vertical view. As a result, steel with a "sense of line" can be utilized for the pillars of new buildings to reflect the site language.

The choice of roof building materials should also be influenced by the surrounding sites. The Ming City Wall Ruins Park is the most prominent building in the area, constructed of bricks which were pioneers of ancient Chinese construction materials during the Ming Dynasty. Therefore, bricks are a suitable material for the building roof, as they pay homage to the historic context of the site.

Roof Upper level

Ground level

Basement

The British Museum is renowned for its streamlined design, characterized by a singular, uninterrupted pathway that extends from the entrance to the exit, with rest areas strategically positioned between exhibition halls. This design approach has proven to be highly effective and will therefore be employed in the construction of the new building.

The Mitsubishi Corporation Galleries The Mitsubishi Corporation Galleries

Great court restaurant

Anthropology library

Reading room

The Waddesdon Bequest

Brass Plaques from Benin

The Lewis Chessmen

Parthenon sculptures

Pizzeria

Brass Plaques from Benin Ford Centre for young vistors

The Clore Centre for education

The exhibition gives people nearby free space in the central part of Beijing. It makes the visitor cozy with no wall but pillars. Therefore, I make walls by the front-projected holographic display, which are projected from the pillars. Moreover, the project walls can be changed according to the location of the entrance, which is set on the hypotenuse of the triangle boundary. We could get the path according to the calculation result of the shortest walks of grids and lines between entrance and pillars. Then the path we get could extrude to dozens of project walls. The final step is to make the pillars and the roofs.

Set the boundary of the architecture

Construct grids in the boundary

Reduce lines of the grids randomly Link the entrance point and every points in the grids

Calculate the shortest walk between entrance point and grids points through the selected lines

Delete lines passing through the atriums

Delete lines near the entrance and construct an antechamber

Construct pillars according the grids point

Construct underground walls by a height

Construct roofs on the pillars Construct walls on the ground according to the distances between boundary and point and grids points

Step 1

Girds rotated 45 degrees

Step4

Pillars and roofs according to the grids and the distance of paths

Shortest walks between entrance and the points of grids

Walls

entrance or atrium Entrance 01 Parameterization Entrance 08 Entrance 15 Entrance 02 Entrance 09 Entrance 16 Entrance 03 Entrance 10 Entrance 17 Entrance 04 Entrance 11 Entrance 18 Entrance 05 Entrance 12 Entrance 19 Entrance 06 Entrance 13 Entrance 20 Entrance 07 Entrance 14 Entrance 21 Path Path Path Path Path Path Path Path Path Path Path Path Path Path Path Path Path Path Path Path Path Selected path Selected path Selected path Selected path Selected path Selected path Selected path Selected path Selected path Selected path Selected path Selected path Selected path Selected path Selected path Selected path Selected path Selected path Selected path Selected path Selected path Type 01 Type 08 Type 15 Type 02 Type 09 Type 16 Type 03 Type 10 Type 17 Type 04 Type 11 Type 18 Type 05 Type 12 Type 19 Type 06 Type 13 Type 20 Type 07 Type 14 Type 21

without going through

Thefirststepistoexcavatefoundationsinthegroundaccordingtothesitesofbeams.Each columnfoundationismadeofthree-thirdscubes.Secondly,setfourmainsteelrebarsatf -ourcornersofeveryfoundationinordertomakethefoundationsolid.Thirdly,setfourm -inorsteelrebarsbetweenmainrebarsineveryfoundation.Then,setthreeloopsofst eelstirrupshorizontallyandverticallyaroundthemainandminorrebarstomakethe foundationnoteasytodeform.Afterward,fillthefoundationswithconcreteanddig fourholeswith30mmindiameterand100mmin-depthonthesurfaceofeveryf -oundation.Lastly,placetheflangeplateonthesurfaceandconnectittothef -oundationwithfourexpansionboltsandtightenthemwithnuts.

Excavation

70mm diameter steel rebars

20mm diameter steel stirrups

Expansion bolts

15mm flange plate

First,seteighttapsineverydepressionofcorrugated webinordertofixthesteelbarsontheplate.Next, settwosteelrebarswitha3minlengthand30mm indiameterateachdepressionofthecorrugated webandfixthembytaps.Then,putverticalste -elrebarsabovethe transversesteelrebarst -oensurethecorrugatedwebfirm,thenfilli -twithconcrete.

20mm flange plate

10mm glazing panel

50mm floor finish

Steel welding Upper glazing cell

Glazing pedestal Lower glass cell

Beam & connectioncolumn

40mm concrete panel

20mm membrane waterproof

Details of beam

90mm corrugated web

Details of roof

Taps Steel rebars Vertical rebars

Details of glazing groove

Details of joint

Details of webcorrugate Details of waterproof layer

Makethree curvedattheendofthe waterprooflayerinordertostopw -aterpenetrateintothe corrugate -dweb.Thenmaketheglassc -ellatthegap betweenthew -aterprooflayerandsurfac -etile.

Foldedlayerwaterproof

[4] Rebirth of Lop Nur

Duration: 2020/08 - 2020/10

Location: Lop Nur, Xinjiang, China

Academic Group Work

Collaborator: Zixi Li

Lop Nur, located in Xinjiang Province, China, is a desolate and uninhabited region dominated by the Yardang landform and vibrant colors. Once a flourishing oasis with the prosperous civilization of Loulan, it now attracts people seeking to cross the no man's land or explore the mysterious Loulan ruins. However, this journey is perilous, fraught with danger. Amidst this harsh landscape, architectural structures emerge as beacons of hope, providing spiritual support and symbolizing resilience. They offer solace and reflection, connecting explorers to the past and inspiring visions of rebirth. In the desolation of Lop Nor, the interplay between the barrenness and architectural marvels reflects human aspiration and resilience. These structures become sanctuaries, reminding us of the strength of the human spirit and our ability to find beauty and meaning in even the harshest environments.

Loulan, the ancient country existing more than three thousand years ago, had beautiful grassland and lakes. Later, due to the environmental destruction by local residents, the land turned to desert and the country disappeared.

Sun Tomb is one of the most important sites discovered today among the ancient country area. There is a circular open space in the middle, surrounded by several seven wooden stakes. Each stake is more than a foot high. It shows like a number of rays in the shape of the sun, which represents new born.

Thesis: Spiritual Intention

Lop Nur, one of China's largest no man's lands situated in the Gobi Desert, presents numerous challenges such as water scarcity, absence of mobile phone signal, and extreme weather conditions like sandstorms. Despite these difficulties, Lop Nur continues to captivate people due to its enigmatic nature and ancient ruins, accompanied by mysterious legends often associated with disappearance and death. Many individuals are drawn to this place, disregarding the dangers involved. Some opt to drive through, while others choose to walk or cycle across.

The disappearance of the ancient civilization of Loulan in Lop Nur was a result of environmental destruction caused by humans, representing a form of biological selfdestruction. Similarly, those who venture into Lop Nur symbolize a spiritual self-destruction. According to Freud's theory, humans possess two instincts: one driven by love and the other by death. The instinct of destruction and aggression is inherent in everyone, driven by impulses rather than conscious decisions. Motivated by these impulses, individuals aim to achieve a sense of accomplishment by crossing the no man's land, seeking inspiration or a sprouting spirit in a unique environment, or finding emotional sustenance.

The lines in the accompanying picture symbolize the binary simulation of a black hole, representing destruction. The background images of Tolstoy, John Lennon, and the crowd surrounding a bonfire represent the three spiritual pillars of life: literature, music, and emotion, respectively. Together, they allude to the profound impact of these elements on human existence.

Site context

Lop Nur locates in the south-east of Yuli County, Xinjiang Province, China. The climate here is dry and hot with strong erosion. The highest temperature in summer of the place is more than 40 degrees centigrade, while the lowest temperature in winter is below - 20 degrees centigrade.

From March to May, it belongs to windy season and from June to August it regards as gale season.

Affected by the climate, most people choose to go through the land in September and October, so the temporary buildings can be built during the two months.

Topograhpy

The site locates on the South Bank of Lop Nur, with an integral Yardang landform rising from South to West which is unique. The characteristic of the landform is a combination of wind erosion mounds and hollow formed by weathering, intermittent water erosion and wind erosion, parallel to the prevailing wind direction. Therefore, the relatively flat part of the area is selected as the design site.

Preventing round chairs by deleting multiple inscribed circles.

Cut concentric circles and break it with straight lines.

Cut concentric circles and break it with straight lines.

The display stands is set up by dividing several concentric circles equally.

Each of them consists of annular resin boards inclining from inside to outside, which effectively changes the direction of the wind and prevents direct strong wind blowing.

The Plan of Sun Tomb Location Of Bearing Column

Reconstruction of the Plan Find Modulus and Repeat Composition of Upper Plan Break the Monotonous Plan

The bookcases is set up by dividing several concentric circles equally.

Rotate 180°

After putting the precast iron pieces into the bearing pillar and inserting the end of the pillar into the reserved hole position of the resin board, expansion screws will be used for connection.

Trimming fabric to wrap the accessories on the resin board, and connecting the cloth with the resin board with expansion bolts.