Selected Works 2021-2023 by maosen_xu

MAOSEN XU

PORTFOLIO

SELECTED WORKS 2021-2023

Maosen Xu Contact

Education

Cornell University

Cornell University Master of Architecture (Professional)

Email: mx93@cornell.edu Cell: (001)347-558-2926 408 E Lincoln St, Ithaca, NY, 14850

McGill University Bachelor of Science in Architecture

Softwares

Work Experience

3D Modeling and CAD: Rhinoceros Sketch-Up AutoCAD Revit

Archermit, Chengdu, China Architectural Designer Intern

Rendering and Animation: V-ray Enscape Lumion D5 Blender Visual Representation: Adobe Creative Suite Adobe Premiere Pro Adobe After Effect Parametric Tools: Grasshopper

2022.08 – 2025.12

2018.09 – 2022.06

2023.05– 2023.07

•Worked closely with the firm principles in various phases of small-scale architecture projects, including research, schematic design, modelling, visual representations, and work drawings. •Participated in the conceptualization and schematic design of a tea-themed rural guesthouse sited in Xindu, a town near Chengdu. Responsibilities included the creation of detailed 3D models utilizing SketchUp, as well as rendering visuals using Lumion software.

Cornell University, Ithaca NY, USA Photographer and Video Editor

2022.10– Present

•Contribute to managing the social media platforms for the Cornell College of Human Ecology. Responsibilities include documenting special events through photography and videography, assisting in the cataloging of assets, and editing videos, using Premiere Pro and After Effects for social media channels such as Instagram and YouTube.

China Southwest Architectural and Research Institute Co, LTD, Chengdu, China Architecture Designer Intern

2020.07– 2020.09

•Engaged in the schematic design of a 3,000 square meter activity center in Ziyang, China. Responsibilities included 3D modelling with Rhino and diagram creation using Adobe Illustrator. •Actively participated in a design workshop, where I independently developed and presented a comprehensive schematic design for an exhibition pavilion at the National Medical Centre in Chengdu. This involved extensive research and site analysis, diagrammatic representation using Adobe Illustrator, 3D modelling in Rhino, and producing high-quality renderings.

Skills •3D modeling, rendering, and visualization •Physical modeling, 3d printing, laser cutting, parametric design •2D visualiztion, free-hand drawing •Videography, photography, drone photography (licensed in USA and Canada), post-production, video editing, and basic sound design

01 1275 Jefferson Ave Healing Trauma with Liberating Architectural Experiences: Buffalo East Side Cultural Centre

02 Rust Resonant Structures for Reflection and Exploration: Alligator River Red Wolf Viewing Deck & Conservation Centre

03 Mesh A Modern Addition to the the Historic Union Station: The Future Chicago Transit Hub

04 Bassin Street Elementary School A Sustainable School in Montreal’s Former Industrial Quarter: The Waterfront Elementary School

05 161 Middle St. The Adaptive Reuse of a Deserted Power Station: The Satellite Co-working Space

2023 Fall

ONE

Portfolio Maosen Xu

1275 Jefferson Ave Location: Buffalo, NY, USA Group Work, Team Member: Maosen Xu, Guorun Yang, Zifan Wang In response to the devastating mass shooting in Buffalo, NY, targeting the African American community, our project proposes a transformative urban memorial and cultural center. This initiative, emerging from the site of a local grocery store, aims to celebrate African American culture, particularly through its performing arts like jazz, rap, and street dance. Our design, a blend of long strips and volumes intricately woven into the urban landscape, stands as a testament to resilience and cultural empowerment. At the heart of this project is a cultural complex centered around a theater, serving as a beacon for African American culture. It will host performances by grassroots and studio artists, fostering community engagement and cultural exchange. This complex is designed to be more than a performance space; it’s an anchor for the African American community, enhancing neighborhood cohesion and encouraging local gathering over suburban dispersion. Our architecture, symbolizing the scars of a painful past and the potential for growth, embodies the concept of reclaiming space. It’s a physical and metaphorical representation of healing and remembrance, paying homage to the victims and echoing the struggles faced by African American communities. This project is not just a memorial; it’s a dynamic space for cultural resurgence, embodying hope and progress for the African American community in Buffalo.

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Portfolio Maosen Xu

The Tops Friendly Market site in Buffalo’s East Side is steeped in historical and socio-political significance. Predominantly African American, this area has been impacted by discriminatory real estate policies like redlining and blockbusting, which have limited homeownership and perpetuated racial disparities. Efforts by African American families to integrate into white neighborhoods often involved paying above-market prices, highlighting ongoing struggles against systemic inequality. Additionally, the Kensington Highway, replacing Park Avenue, has created a stark division between the city’s white and black communities. This infrastructure change facilitated white flight to the suburbs, further entrenching urban segregation. This background is key to understanding the complex dynamics of the neighborhood.

Abstract Reasearch Model

ONE

Concept Diagram

Exploded Isometric Diagram

In response to the transformative journey of healing from the shooting, we have thoughtfully designed our project with ten principal strips, each symbolizing one of the ten lives lost. These strips form the foundation of our innovative skating park. This design choice aims to shift the community’s focus from the shadow of the tragedy to a more vibrant and hopeful future. Elevated atop these symbolic concrete strips, we have integrated four distinct spaces, each offering a unique setting that celebrates and supports the rich cultural tapestry of the African American community. These include an outdoor performance area dedicated to street dance and rap, a bar designed for jazz performances accompanied by refreshments, and a more formal theater for hosting shows and concerts. Program Diagram

Portfolio Maosen Xu

Section A

Section B 8

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Portfolio Maosen Xu

Ground Floor Plan

Interior View from the New Tops 10

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Second Floor Plan

Interior View from the Jazz Club 11

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Section C

Section D

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Additionally, we have retained the original function of a grocery store, expanding it to include a free market space. This area offers local business owners and individuals the opportunity to not only generate new income but also to prominently showcase and promote local culture. In a respectful nod to those who have passed, these spaces are designed to be semi-underground, symbolizing both remembrance and reverence. This thoughtful design intertwines memory with progress, offering a space for community engagement, cultural expression, and economic revitalization. 13

Portfolio Maosen Xu

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2022 Fall

TWO

Portfolio Maosen Xu

Rust Location: Alligator River National Wild Refuge, NC, USA Group Work, Team Member: Maosen Xu, Guorun Yang As an endangered species teetering on the brink of extinction, the red wolf holds a critical place in our ecosystem. The project embodies a consistent structural language and tectonic logic that seamlessly unfolds across the landscape, serving as the ultimate breeding and research facility within the broader narrative. It places a strong emphasis on delineating a clear separation between humans and wolves, as well as between visitors and researchers. This deliberate design creates an immersive experience that has the potential to reshape visitors’ internal perception of red wolves. While it underscores their inherent danger, it simultaneously imparts a profound appreciation for their existence, discouraging harm to these magnificent creatures. The project is composed of three distinct sections: one dedicated to visitors, another for researchers, and a collaborative space for both to engage. However, the majority of the site is intentionally reserved for researchers and the red wolves themselves. The red wolf viewing platform, elevated above the ground and situated atop the clinic, cleverly conceals itself behind a perforated skin. This distinctive approach sets it apart from conventional zoo-like institutions, effectively separating people from the wolves while preserving ample space for the animals to roam. The project, at its core, recognizes and respects the physical freedom of red wolves to the greatest extent possible. It achieves this by offering a flexible boundary definition, encouraging enhanced family interaction and fostering a conducive environment for reproduction.

TWO

Red wolf’s launching motion by frame

Contraction and tension from the sphere Initial research into red wolves has unveiled the intricate bone and tendon system that equips them to achieve speeds of up to 46 mph in pursuit of prey. The Sphere Project aims to showcase the dynamism inherent in their skeletal and tendinous structures, a feat accomplished through the careful manipulation of compression and tension between the struts and strings.

Sphere Aluminium sheets Elastic bands

The sphere is meticulously crafted from hand-folded aluminum sheets. Initially, oversized aluminum sheets are trimmed down to a manageable size. Subsequently, they are carefully pressed into a concave mold twice to enhance their structural integrity

Part One

Portfolio Maosen Xu

Observation Tower The viewing tower, a precursor to the main building, translates the essence of Red Wolves into architectural form through three expressions. It captures their agile and powerful hunting motions in its framework and cables, reflects their rugged nature in weathered materials, and signifies their intricate connection to the environment through interlocking spaces. Designed as a journey aligned with the pocosin’s landscape, an ascending promenade leads visitors from a low pocosin view to a panoramic vista, with an unexpected introspective space at the roof level. The tower’s skin acts as a gauge for dynamic water level changes. Notably, the tower intentionally offers limited Red Wolf sightings, encouraging contemplation and imagination regarding their history and elusive presence in the habitat. The site is situated within North Carolina’s Alligator National Refuge, renowned for its unique wetland ecosystem known as ‘pocosins,’ characterized by acidic, sandy soils. This area experiences significant water fluctuations, with the refuge anticipating a three-foot rise in water levels over the next decade. Consequently, designing a structure that not only accommodates but also harmonizes with this dynamic wetland environment has become paramount.

Projected expansion of acidic waters within the area.

Tension-Compression Structures

Classic Tensegrity System

Suspension Cables (Tension) Regid Frame (Compression) Abstracted Tensegrity System

Folding Spaces Individual Folding Members

TWO

Exterior Render

Portfolio Maosen Xu

Transverse Section

First Level Stair 22

Longitudinal Section

Contemplation Sky Box

4th Level Viewing Deck

TWO

Plans 23

Part Two

Portfolio Maosen Xu

Red Wolf Conservation Center The second part of the project extends the structural and Tectonic principles established by the tower, expanding harmoniously across the landscape to serve as the ultimate breeding and research facility within the overarching narrative. This endeavor places significant emphasis on maintaining a strict separation between humans and red wolves, visitors and researchers, thereby creating an immersive experience designed to shift visitors’ perceptions of these inherently dangerous yet precious creatures. It fosters understanding without providing a justification for harm. The project consists of three primary components: spaces for visitors, areas dedicated to researchers, and shared interactive zones. While designed to prioritize researchers and the red wolves, a unique feature is the elevated red wolf viewing platform situated atop the clinic. Discreetly concealed by a perforated skin, it distinguishes itself from conventional zoo-like institutions by effectively separating people from the wolves, ensuring ample space for the animals. The project’s loose boundary definition prioritizes the red wolves’ physical freedom, encouraging family interaction and reproductive success.

TWO

Portfolio Maosen Xu Ground Level Plan

Scheduling 26

Massing Generation

Volume Generation

Linkage Generation

TWO Second Level Plan

The Research Center is designed with two distinct volumes to create a clear separation between visitors and scientists. The northern volume is designated for visitors, while the southern one is dedicated to scientists. An intermediate space functions as both the entrance and an observation area, allowing guests to observe red wolves and the working scientists. Space for Vistors Reception Lobby Roof Observation Exhibition Auditorium

Space for Wolves Wolf Overlook Clinic Reproduction Enclosures

Space for Reasearchers Offices Intermediate Laboratory

Portfolio Maosen Xu

TWO

The building has been elevated above the ground to mitigate potential rising water levels. Its interior spaces draw inspiration from the structure, featuring a series of ‘hanging boxes’ that gracefully undulate and intersect. This deliberate design eschews a distinct plan hierarchy, intentionally disrupting the visitors’ internal spatial orientation. The goal is to convey a sense of the wolves’ natural habitat, imbued with a feeling of uncertainty and danger. The building achieves a sectional separation between visitors, scientists, and wolves, effectively isolating them physically. However, it preserves visual observation, allowing guests to maintain a connection with the habitat and its inhabitants.

Extensive use of weathered steel cladding, both inside and out, engages visitors. Polished aluminum interior panels create mirror effects, seamlessly merging the exterior with indoor spaces, immersing visitors in the red wolves’ habitat. This choice not only connects guests with the wolves’ environment but also establishes a striking contrast with the rugged steel, conveying the wolves’ untamed living conditions.

Portfolio Maosen Xu

2023 Spring

THREE

Mesh Location: Chicago, IL, USA Individual Work: Maosen Xu

Based on the initial site analysis, it appeared counterintuitive to introduce another train station to the area, given the presence of two sizable train stations within walking distance. However, a more in-depth examination of these existing stations has led to the realization that neither of these transit hubs effectively serves the daily transportation needs of a megacity like Chicago. They are considered outdated in many respects. Despite the availability of various public transportation options, such as buses, subways, and shared bikes, each train station or transit hub operates independently, lacking any meaningful connections to adjacent transportation facilities. Hence, the project’s primary objective is to restructure the current site by creating a mesh of connections and integrating diverse transportation modes. By relocating the regional train service (Metra) terminal from the existing union station, I aim to enhance daily commutes by constructing a facility that accommodates modern and faster train technologies while preserving the city’s historical legacy for those arriving from afar. To achieve this, we propose an efficient circulation system that functions both horizontally and vertically, facilitating seamless transfers between different modes of public transportation.

Portfolio Maosen Xu

Woolly Path Conceptual Mapping This diagram of a woolly path is created based on population density weights to identify an optimal formal configuration.

Circulation

Transportation Terminals

Service

Offices

Program Diagram 32

THREE

Program Diagram

Exploded Isometric 33

Portfolio Maosen Xu

Concept Model

THREE

Basement (Terminal) Plan

Ground Level Plan

Third Level Plan 35

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Cut-away Isometric

Longitudinal Section

THREE

2022 Fall

FOUR

Portfolio Maosen Xu

1734 Des Bassins St Location: Montreal, QC, Canada Team Work: Maosen Xu, Emil Cayouette This project was developed as part of the core studio program at McGill University. My teammate and I aimed to design a functional and sustainable school, employing comprehensive design. The chosen site, situated in the southern part of Montréal Island, was once the city’s industrial hub, favored for its proximity to water. However, as the area transitioned from industrial use to residential developments, it began to feel disconnected and out of place. Despite recent renovations, the district still lacks appeal for residential life. We identified a critical issue with the site: a significant lack of green spaces, which could lead to health concerns in a post-industrial residential area. Our solution involved strategically positioning the main building along the canal’s hypotenuse. This layout allows for a spacious, green schoolyard that opens towards the city, addressing the need for greenery and enhancing the area’s livability.

FOUR

Portfolio Maosen Xu

The rest of the city has little green space

The green spaces are concentrated along the canal

This region is densely covered by BIXI, a bike rental service in Montreal The community is highly accessible by public transit

New condos have been constructed along the waterfront

Commercial/Offices Residential Education Industrial

Mapping

Concept Diagram

Services

FOUR

Interior View from Gardin

Exterior View from the Waterfront

Portfolio Maosen Xu Ground Floor Plan 1 Main Entrance 2 Kindergarten Entrance 3 Kindergarten 4 Support Spaces 5 Gradin 6 First Cycle Entrance 7 First & Second Cycle 8 Second Cycle Entrance 9 Second & Third Cycle 10 Third Cycle Entrance 11 Gymnasium

FOUR

1 Gymnasium 2 Storage 3 Motor Development 4 Lockers

Basement Level Plan

1 Music Classroom 2 Kindergarten 3 Seating Area 4 Kitchen & Cafeteria 5 First & Second Cycle 6 Second & Third Cycle 7 Performance Space

Second Level Plan

1 Support Spaces 2 First & Second Cycle 3 Performance Space 4 Breakout Room

Third Level Plan 43

Portfolio Maosen Xu Detail Wall Section

R: ROOF R-27.5

W: Wall R-25

F1: Foundation R-18

F2: Floor

- 20 mm galvanized standing seam siding - 30 mm facade structure - 20 mm vapor barrier - 10 mm air barrier - 320 mm insulation - 400 mm glulam beam - 10 mm gypsum

- 90 mm wood panel + structure - 20 mm air barrier + joints - 10 mm vapor barrier - 130 mm insulation - 120 mm 3-ply clt - 40 mm insulation - 10 mm gypsum - wall finsih

- 20 mm self leveling cement - 90 mm anhydrite screed with underground heating - 75 mm insulation - 220 mm 5-ply clt - damp prof and gas membrane - 150 mm gravel

- 20 mm self leveling cement - 90 mm anhydrite screed with underground heating - 10 mm cover - 220 mm 5-ply clt - 10 mm floor finish - 400 mm glulam beam

Longitudinal Section 44

FOUR Structural Isometric View Glu-Lam Posts (W30-D30) and Beam (W30-D40)

Glu-Lam Truss

Slab on Grade

Footings

Continous Foundation Wall

Portfolio Maosen Xu

FOUR

Front Elevation

Back Elevation

Isometric View 47

Portfolio Maosen Xu

2021 Spring

FIVE

161 Middle St. Location: Ottawa, ON, Canada Individual Work: Maosen Xu

This project goes beyond mere redesign; it embodies an academic and creative exploration of adaptive reuse in architecture. Central to my approach is a critical formal analysis that rigorously interrogates the interplay between contemporary innovations and historical elements. This analysis isn’t confined to preservation; it’s about reinvigorating the old with the new, crafting a dialogue between different architectural eras. In this context, formal analysis transcends traditional boundaries, combining aesthetic, functional, and cultural dimensions. It involves dissecting architectural forms, materials, and spatial configurations of the existing structure, then thoughtfully integrating modern design principles that complement and contrast these elements. This process is not just about physical transformation but also about reinterpreting historical narratives and cultural values, giving them new relevance in a contemporary setting. 49

Portfolio Maosen Xu Mapping

Cultural

Political

Residential

Educational

Industrial

History The existing building, 161 middles street, was a fossil fuel power plant built to supplement electric power for streetcars in the early 1900s. The decommission of most fossil fuel power stations in the ’70s and the adoption of the hydroelectric plant have made this building emblematic of the city’s history of electrification and the evolution to a greener future. The project, set on Victoria Island, a location rich in cultural and historical significance, becomes a case study in this endeavor. The task at hand is the transformation of a derelict structure emblematic of Canada’s electrification history. By focusing on the office space and employing a blend of design, research, and critical analysis, my aim is to create an architectural synthesis that balances respect for historical integrity with the vibrancy of modern design, thus establishing a unique architectural identity that resonates with both past and present.

1818 50

1874

1912

FIVE Analysis

The existing building lacks the spatial diversity to accommodate a variety of programs

Reorganize the interior space by plug-in small volumes

The existing façade is too austere and old to reflect a multifunctional space in a contemporary sense

Extend the added interior space to the outside

Although the building is accessible to diverse groups, it is lack of certain basic services, such as a café

Expand to accommodate additional services, and excavate to reveal the buried structure and open up vantage point to the abandoned turbine

Although the building is located next to national museums, the history of the community is not fully exhibited.

Existing Buillding Envolope

Interior Strategy

Zoning

Linking

Pushing

Partioning

Folding

Extending

Cutting

Pulling

Pushing

Exterior Strategy

Zoning

Extending

Portfolio Maosen Xu To maintain its historical lineage, the original brickwork of the building has been preserved. Enhancing energy efficiency, a doublelayer construction is utilized. Diverging from conventional CMU construction, this project utilizes the same bricks for both the interior and exterior, mirroring the original earth bricks. This approach brings the raw, industrial aesthetic indoors while accommodating advanced insulation, vapor barriers, and an air gap, thereby bolstering sustainability during Canada’s cold winters. In contrast to the brick aesthetics, the interior structure predominantly features steel, enabling the creation of cantilevered and nested spaces within the original industrial configuration. The exterior façade also incorporates weathered steel, striking a harmonious balance between old and new while retaining a rugged appearance.

R: Roof Construction -1.2 mm EPDM sealant layer; -180 mm thermal insulation to falls; -Vapour barrier; -Roof slab made of -280 mm in-situ reinforced concrete -10 mm cast-iron cladding

W: Facade Construction -350 mm original brick wall -150 mm Cavity -Blueskin WP 200 Membrane -12.7 mm DensGlass Sheathing -Air Barrier -180 mm Gutex Insulation -Vapor barrier -130 Interior brick finish

F1: Foundation -5 mm cement-bound filler; -65 mm anhydrite screed with underfloor heating; -25 mm support for underfloor heating pipes; -180 mm Insulation -350 mm precast reinforced concrete ribbed floor slab

F2: Floor Construction -5 mm cement-bound filler; -65 mm anhydrite screed with underfloor heating; -180 mm ins-situ+50mm precast reinfoced concrete ceiling slab

FIVE

Transverse Section

Longitudinal Section 53

Portfolio Maosen Xu Ground Level Plan

Second Level Plan

Third Level Plan

Basement Level Plan

FIVE

Maosen Xu Cornell University Email: mx93@cornell.edu Cell: (001)347-558-2926