Mingjie Zhang_Aug2019_Portfolio

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MINGJIE ZHANG Architecture Portfolio 2017 - 2019 Selected Works

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Mingjie Zhang 2019 Portfolio

Contacts Email: jack1998cs@gmail.com

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Patterns & Surfaces

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Dystopian Dream

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p.14 Fields & Grounds

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p.20 Living House & Neighbourhood

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Phone: 0425 558835 Website: jack1998cs.wixsite.com/home Address: 15 Macartney Avenue, Kew, Melbourne 3101

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The Library & The City

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Mingjie Zhang 2019 Portfolio

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PATTERNS & SURFACES

Exploring the intricate relationship between patterns and surfaces. This study focuses on both digital creation and fabrication. Digital softwares such as Rhino provides opportunities to manipulate the general forms and contours of a surface. This particular surface is then divided into 10x10 portions, each holding a unique structure that add up to become a mesmerizing patterned surface. The fabrication stage consists of both manual and automated process: 3D geometric structures are unravelled into 2D strips, which are then lasercut onto white cardboards. Special patterns are then manually carved onto individual surfaces, furthering the unique characteristics of each module. Modules are then folded to their 3D forms, and stitched together to form a landform with terraneous narratives.

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Mingjie Zhang 2019 Portfolio

This study of patterns and surfaces allows a great degree of freedom in creativity; hence many of the manually carved patterns are based on baroque-styled ornaments,as seen in the picture. These individual components contribute to a larger, more complex canvas, much resembling modern urban fabrics.

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DYSTOPIAN DREAMS

The concept of dystopian dream is, contrary to its name, not entirely about people struggling to live in war-ravaged lands, surrounded by disease, crimes and poverty. Instead, think of it as a dream for idealists, a dream so very distant yet so appealing: to offer shelter and protection for those in need, even just for a little while. Lincoln Square, situated not far from the University of Melbourne, is chosen as the site to develop upon. Having a natural downwards contour, this project utilises a range of stairs, platforms and ramps to complement the natural landform. Small nooks and strips of undercover areas protect residents from not just unpleasant weathers, but also unpleasant visits from local authorities. Afterall, it is a dream of pureness and freedom - a dream born from the dystopia.

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Mingjie Zhang 2019 Portfolio

Long section depicting various levels of the proposed design - stairs are very prominent means of travelling from one level to another, and they also vary in size to double as seating areas. The site is mainly constructed from concrete, a material very fitting to the themes of the dystopian dream.

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Mingjie Zhang 2019 Portfolio

Hand drafted concept of site layout.

Site plan, with contour and shadow.

SPATIAL PROGRESSION DIAGRAMS Selected perspectives illustrating site functions and human interactions.

Pancake model, with plantation.

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FIELDS & GROUNDS

The challenge of fields and grounds lies within the premise of creating something that fuses these two aspects instead of separating them. Repetition, sequence, mediation are all crucial aspects which defines the parameter of a project - in this proposed housing estate, repetition is used as the primary principle. Identical modules of housing is the central focus of the proposed plan - most of the units are 5m x 5m housing/dining units, while amenities units are half that size and the central conference centre is quadrupling the standard size. Together, they form a miniature grid of living environment, connected by various pathways and stairways. Many units are designed to be accessible from not only the ground floor, but also from (and to) another unit’s roof space, which is considered to be the public realm. The entire site is slightly sloped downhill towards a body of water, which hosts a small stage and amphitheatre for musical performances.

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Mingjie Zhang 2019 Portfolio

The body of water acts as a venue of live music performance, where the stage appears to be floating, surrounded by a ring of raised steps as a small amphitheatre. On the right: Diagram illustrating the concept of repetition, a mock up spatial plan and a site plan with contour lines.

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Mingjie Zhang 2019 Portfolio

Long Section 1

SITE MOVEMENT DIAGRAM Individual modules are interconnected through various paths and stairways.

Long Section 2

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LIVING HOUSE & NEIGHBOURHOOD

Located in the heart of Carlton, the living house challenge is an ambitious one - to transform a heritage Victorian house into a modern, spatious abode sufficient for a family of five, all within a narrow strip with only 5m in width. This design proposal seeks to overcome the many problems of the existing house, while bringing together a versatile living environment that is capable of adapting to a 30-year time frame. The current establishment offers a narrow, linear layout with poorly lit interiors, and this proposal drastically changes these aspects through a unified living space as well as taking advantage of natural light sources. The living neighbourhood is the second part of the project: this living complex is capable of holding up to 18 individuals, each to their own rooms and ensuites. A sizeable communal kitchen and dining area is located in the very centre of the establishment, and could be easily accessed from all floors. Despite the seemingly broken-up layout of individual rooms, the entire site is connected via shared walkways and stairs, therefore encouraging its residents to interact with one another, instead of keeping to themselves.

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Mingjie Zhang 2019 Portfolio

Brutalist Dream The original concept for the back facade of the house sought to offer a distinctly contrasting experience to the heritage front. Hence, works of Le Corbusier are referenced for their brutalist nature - concrete blocks with sharp corners and concise cutaways, strip glazing and structural piloti, etc. A vertical slit is added to the plain surface as a subtle motif. While it is not the major source of interior illumination, something about rays of light reaching inside through ‘cracks’ on the surface is simply, magical.

Long Section

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Mingjie Zhang 2019 Portfolio

Long Section

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Mingjie Zhang 2019 Portfolio

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THE LIBRARY AND THE CITY

The library and the city are on some level, always intwined. The library is always the crown jewel of knowledge in a city, and a city of knowledge could always be found within a library. This poetic duo informs and motivates the design for my library. Project - InMotion is designed with movement in mind. Movement, both in a lateral and vertical sense, is translated into a system of conveyor belts, travelling pods and two-axis elevators, designed to be forever in motion, to move along people as well as knowledge. Figuratively, movement embodies a journey - for people to discover their sense of belonging, to find the knowledge they seek, to encounter surprises and to chase their dreams. No bookshelves are at the same place they were an hour ago, no one is stationary. This way, the inside of the library becomes a miniaturised city, and movement vehicles people to meet with knowledge.

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