Jenny (Linxi) Zhang Architecture Portfolio 2023 Syracuse University School of Architecture 864-605-8357 | lzhan102@syr.edu
Activate Suburbia
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Hidden Therme
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LPC headquarters
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A Place Closer to Dream
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Sweep Scape
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This portfolio is my previous design which represents my interest in architecture. In my design, I am especially interested in the relationship between spaces, sequence, and formal aesthetic. In my previous project, I experienced urban design, monumental design, and small-scale spacial design. I am particularly interested in the social, environmental, social engagement with community, and political issues related to the existing context.
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Quarry thermal bath
NYC preservation
Youth athletes center
LINXI ZHANG
Thank you for viewing my portfolio.
Suburban public space
ARCHITECTUREPORTFOLIO
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2023
Contents
Bike trail & Communit y Center
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Project one - Activate Suburbia
Activate Suburbia | Renovation | Fall 2021
Activate suburbia Partner: Qi Liu Site location: Mattydale, NY Completed Fall 2021 Instructor: Lawrence Davis
“Activate Suburbia” is a renovative exploration of a vernacular block in Mattydale. Considering the existing challenges of the aging population and the high unemployment rate in this community, the purpose of this project is to energize it by attracting young generations and stimulating the local economy. This project increased commercial density and residential density by adding units on the re-zoned block. Aiming to provide higher income and various public services for the residents, it also introduces new programs of basketball-bar, restaurants, and offices to activate the block. The three main public spaces embedded into the volume, flexible for night markets and dances after dark. Right: Northern Axon of the renovative block Software use: Adobe Illutrator, Rhino
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Project one - Activate Suburbia
Activate Suburbia | Renovation | Fall 2021
Top: Section drawing cutting through the basket-bar and home offices Bottom: Section drawing cutting through residential units Software use: Rhino, Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Photoshop
Top and Bottom: Unfolding elevation of East and West sides demonstrating the continuity of the materiality Software use: Rhino, Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Photoshop
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Activate Suburbia | Renovation | Fall 2021 With Middle-Public Stipe
semi-publlic greenhouse
Semi-Public Greenhouse
Private Greenhouse
Residential Housing
Semi-Public Greenhouse
Private Greenhouse
Residential Housing
private greenhouse residential housing
Project one - Activate Suburbia
Existing Condition
With Middle-Public Stipe
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Right-Top: Evolution of private and public greenhouse Right-Bottom: Existing view of each residential unit Left: Overall plan of the block after renovation
Each existing residential unit will have a shared semi-public greenhouse with their neighbor, but also a private greenhouse for their own use. Within the private greenhouse, residents can grow their own fresh vegetables and fruits, which could potentially help them to get access to the resources of fresh food. Other than the existing unit, there are also three additional residential units attached to the greenhouse, those could be rented out to others for a home office and small restaurant, which is to help them to gain more income. 8
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Activate Suburbia | Renovation | Fall 2021 Connected Greenhouse
Commercial unit type one
Existing housing type one Commercial unit type two
Apartment unit
Project one - Activate Suburbia
Existing housing type two
Combination of each housing unit axon
Top: Each complex of unit after renovation contain two existing residential units, apartment unit, two types of commercial units, and greenhouse Bottom: Plan analysis of unit complex after renovation Software use: Rhino, Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Photoshop
By efficently utilize the existing property, residents are able to have a greenhouse near their home, own small bussiness by renting out the home office and small store front. The residential block now become a mix-use block. 10
Combination of each housing unit plan
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Project one - Activate Suburbia
Activate Suburbia | Renovation | Fall 2021
Right: Plan and Section of the middle public space Left-Top:Middle public stripe during daytime, playground,coffee house,basketball court Left-Bottom:Middle public stripe during night time, night market,bar,dancing The public stripe located in the middle of the block is meant to attract people to the block. The residential block now become live. People can come and have various day and night activities. Not only the residents of the block itself, people who live around can also benefit from this. 12
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Project one - Activate Suburbia
Activate Suburbia | Renovation | Fall 2021
SITE
NEARBY
Top: Evolution of the reassembly of the block. Bottom-Right: Exploded axon diagram showing how to reuse the old materials. Bottom-Left: Exploded axon demonstrating the inside of each residential unit. Software use: Rhino, Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Photoshop,Vray
The newly built units will reuse some of the existing material from the nearby community, due to sustainability and economical considerations. Plywood, Metal, Vinyl, and Wood are used as the main construction materials. 14
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Project one - Activate Suburbia
Activate Suburbia | Renovation | Fall 2021
Right: evolution of private and public greenhouse Left:evolution of private and public greenhouse Left:evolution of private and public greenhouse “Activate Suburbia” is a renovative exploration of a vernacular block in Mattydale. Considering the existing challenges of the aging population and the high unemployment rate in this community, the purpose of this project is to energize it by attracting young generations and stimulating the 16
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Project Two - Hidden Therme
Hidden Therme | Sustainability | Spring 2022
Hidden Therme Partner: Rui Cao Site location: Grosseto, Maremma Completed Spring 2022 Instructor: Luca Ponsi
The “Hidden Therme” is a project locate in Grosseto, Maremma. The project is to create a thermal bath that completely merges into the site. By carving out various scales of spaces from the mountain to introduce a thermal bath guiding by experience and light. The whole project focuses more on the interior than the exterior, use water in a sustainable way, and celebrates hot spring water. Create a nice balance between the dense and loose, heavy and light, dark and bright, hot and cold. The design is based on the research of orientation, circulation, functions, and sequences (for both water and human being). The project is closely related to the existing site of the quarry. The narrative of our project focuses on curating experiences. The scale changes between rooms and the changes in views will create various lighting and visual qualities. The project gradually reveals the curved valley of the quarry as visitors progress. Right: Physical model of the negative space of the design. Each color represents the room and water temperature of the space. Material use: Plaster, paint,Blue foam, Foamcore
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Project Two - Hidden Therme
Hidden Therme | Sustainability | Spring 2022
Underground Above Ground
Right: Exploded axon of the spaces. Left-Top: Circulation diagram Left-Bottom: Existing abandant quarry site photo The main Thermal bath spaces are embedded within the quarry. There are also smaller programs like a meditation room, benches, stores, and fountains located in the middle of the open space. This is to create a nice balance between the scale of the program and also create a variety of functions. People are able to view the water flow. The waste water from the bath will be collected in the water tower nearby, for agricultural use after cool down. 20
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HUMAN PATH
Hidden Therme | Sustainability | Spring 2022
HUMAN PATH
MAN PATH WATER PATH
Calidarium
Project Two - Hidden Therme
AN PATH
Tepidarium
WATER PATH
TER PATH
Fragidarum
ER PATH
Right: Main level plan Left: Flow of human and water
Humans climb up to the hill along the room temperature changes from cold to hot. Water flows the opposite. The spring water was pumped to the top of the mountain with originally 37 degrees celsiustemperature. Water will cool down by the stone as it is led down by gravity. 22
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Hidden Therme | Sustainability | Spring 2022
Project Two - Hidden Therme
Loggia
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Plan geometry transformation of Fragidarum, Tepidarium, Calidarium. Traditional geometry patterm from Pompeii. Orientation of the program locations are based on the orientation of the abandoned quarry. As well as the daytum lines from the surrounding context.
Stores
Right: Bottom level plan, half open loggia and stores. Left-Top: Analysis diagram of the pompeii and European thermal bath. Left-Bottom: Orientation diagram demonstrating the relationship between the bath and context.
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Hidden Therme | Sustainability | Spring 2022
Project Two - Hidden Therme
Celebrating Spring Water
Loggia
Calidarium 26
Tepidarium
Fragidarum
Pathway 27
Project Two - Hidden Therme
Hidden Therme | Sustainability | Spring 2022
Top: Sectional negative space physical model Bottom-Left: Demonstrating the relationship of spaces in height Bottom-Right: Backside of the model
This project deals a lot with different heights, and relationships with the context. The negative space model shows the void of space. By putting them into the accurate relationship of height, to show the dramatic change of views that visitors can experience.
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Project Three - LPC Headquarters
LPC Headquarters | Landmark Preservation | Fall 2022
LPC Headquarters Partner: Yuxi Dai Site location: 315-317 Broadway, NYC Completed Fall 2022 Instructor: Rami Abou-Khalil
This project is to design an LPC headquarters on top of an existing landmark. To fully respect the context landmarks. The design has setbacks on all sides. A cantilevered hearing hall is “bitten” into the landmark. Open the corner plaza to invite the city in, as well as to watch the hearings through the jumbotron. The bookshelves also serve as circulations to provide a special experience when staff circulates. The facade pattern and material are highly influenced by the inside program. The LPC exhibition space, which locates in the existing building serves as a museum and a space for hearing introductions.
Right: Render of the design as a whole. Software use: Adobe Photoshop, Vray, Rhino, Adobe Illustrator
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Project Three - LPC Headquarters
LPC Headquarters | Landmark Preservation | Fall 2022
Left: Formal transformation analysis Right: Axon diagram of circulation and four main programs Middle: Plan of the 11th and 14th level; Partial render of the plaza during daytime and nighttime pecial experience when staff circulates. The facade pattern and material are highly influenced by the inside program. The LPC exhibition space, which locates in the existing building serves as a museum and a space for hearing introductions.
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Project Three - LPC Headquarters
LPC Headquarters | Landmark Preservation | Fall 2022
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Project Three - LPC Headquarters
LPC Headquarters | Landmark Preservation | Fall 2022
Perspective sections of North-South, East-West. By cantilevering the hearing hall, the corner plaza will be giving back to the public. Where citizens can watch the hearing from the jumbotrum instead of going into the hearing hall. The hearing hall was made most important by its monumental location.
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Project Four - A Place Closer to Dream
A Place Closer to Dream | Youth Athletic center | Fall 2020
A Place Closer to Dream Individual work Site location: Syracuse, NY Completed Fall 2020 Instructor: Valerie Herrera
“A Place Closer to Dream” is a project that has a close relationship with the context. It is a youth athletics center. The project derived from the datum line from the context of residential housing and the existing school. The building is in an L shape which creates a courtyard for the architecture and the city. The city and the building merge at the corner. Every corner is treated differently. The swimming pool in the courtyard is used for ice skating in winter, and the yard becomes an active space the whole year long, to provide a rest space for the city.
Right: Overall axon of the design, showing the relationship of the athletic center with the nearby school and other context. Software use: Rhino, Vray, Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator
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Project Four - A Place Closer to Dream
A Place Closer to Dream | Youth Athletic center | Fall 2020
Right and Middle: Collages Left: Program diagrams Software use: Rhino, Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator
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Collages were made to analysis the historical aspect on how the I-81 highway in Syracuse influenced the economical and social evolution. By deeply researching the problem Syracuse has, provide a design concept that could help to improve the city. 41
Project Four - A Place Closer to Dream
A Place Closer to Dream | Youth Athletic center | Fall 2020
Left: Main level plan drawing Right: Formal transformation of the design There is a large auditorium space located at the back of the design, which has operating folding doors, that could be able to open during summer and enclosed during winter. In order to host larger concerts or community events. Climbing walls are at the exterior of the design, which is to efficiently operate the space but also bring fun activities to children nearby.
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Project Five - Sweep Scape
Sweep Scape | Architecture as Access | Spring 2023
Sweep Scape Partner: Greta Ulatowski Site location: Chicago, Illinois Completed Spring 2023 Instructor: Joel Kerner
Sweep Scapes serves as an access point between a public bike path in Chicago (the 606) and a green Boulevard by being a field house and a Garden for the community and its bikers. The design gives the space the building takes up on the site back to the city and further expands it by having a fully bike accessible ramp throughout the building which leads up to the green roof, another green area for Chicago. The first level is fully expose to the outside in order to give the space back to Chicago residents and further, even expand it. Through utilizing ramp circulation, green spaces, and sport court projection, these sweep scapes extend the experience of the 606 and provide further public recreational space in Chicago throughout the year in our project. To provide a green space for the nearby residents and better serve the community. Right: Roof level plan of the project; Event space, BBQ station, skylight, bike route Software use: Rhino, Adobe Illustrator
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Project Five - Sweep Scape
Sweep Scape | Architecture as Access | Spring 2023
Right: Axon within context Left: Zoom in axon of the design itself
To create a multi-layered garden highly responds to the nearby context. Our design allows people to experience nature at different height levels as they try to climb up to the green roof. All the circulation in the building serves as public ways in which they can quickly pass through or explore the building and green roof. Our design scheme consists of layers that have a strong contrast between each other. One layer is a stark rectangle while the other is sweeping topography. The monumental floating box can be seen by people driving by and under, it marks the intersection of the 606 path and humboldt boulevard The building provides access points to pedestrians on both the North -South, East-West axis. One is the existing 606 trail way, and there are also 2 circular ramps provided for entering the 606 from the ground level. The circular ramp is also used for structural support and provides MEP and Storage space inside. 46
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Project Five - Sweep Scape
Sweep Scape | Architecture as Access | Spring 2023
The floor level that matches the 606 becomes another form of man-made landscape by using topography and drapery to create rooms that are individually insulated and can be climbed and skateboarded on. Court lines project and distort this continuous rubber surface as to encourage people to reinterpret what our known forms of sports are for themselves. This is so people are not limited by the regulation of the court line, but explore based on their own interest.
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East-West perspective section
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Project Five - Sweep Scape
Sweep Scape | Architecture as Access | Spring 2023
Right: Structural analysis of partial building. Including primary structure, secondary structure, and the structure for individual units attached on the main level. Left: Detailed drawing of partial building. Including wall detail, fan room detail, and fundation detail. Right: Since the main level of the building is open to outside, only the small unit attached on has wall insulation. The HVAC system was put at the bottom level, and the income air and output air are at a distance of more than 10ft.
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Project Five - Sweep Scape
Sweep Scape | Architecture as Access | Spring 2023
Photographs of physical model. Including facade detail, roof garden, structure, 606 trail bridge, circulation, context.
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Internship Physical model
Internship work | Physical Model Making |Fall 2022
Selldorf Architect Internship Firm: Selldorf Architects Location: NYC Completed Fall 2022 Program: Institution
Physical model made for an institution building in Washington DC. The model was originally taken from Rhino digitally and transformed into a physical model. The main part of the building and site were laser-cutted. The trees are made of paper and wood sticks. There is no other color in this model in order to keep the purity of the relashionship of space.
Right: Physical Model with site. Laser cut chipboard. Material: Chipboard, glue,paper,woodstick Software use: Rhino, lasercut
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Drawings-Water color, ink
Drawings | Sketches on trip | 2019-2021
Drawings Individual work Water Drawing & Ink drawing Collages Completed 2019-2021
Watercolor drawing when I traveled to San Li Tun shopping plaza in Beijing. I used contrasting colors to represent the facades. Pen drawings during the trip to the Forbidden City in Beijing and the Church in Harvard when I visited the campus. The flying bullets represent the pressure that comes towards me. Badminton rackets and shields, thus are a method for me to relax and release the pressure. A collage of my self-portraits. Made with pieces of my life: train and plane tickets, exam sheets, images of me playing badminton, drawings, etc. Which is to use those elements from my life to represent my daily life.
Top: Watercolor Middle: Ink drawing Bottom: Caryon drawing & Paper collage
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Handsketches
Italy | Sketches | Spring 2022
Hand Sketches Individual work Hand sketches during field trip Completed Spring 2022 Italy
Hand sketches during field trip when study abroad in Italy, including geometry analysis, facade analysis, volumn analysis.
Pencil sketches on paper
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