URBAN ACUPUNCTURE PORTFOLIO OF SHEN TAO Selected Works 2019 - 2020
PROLOGUE
CONTENTS
Born in a small city by a lake, there were no magnificent high-rise buildings in my childhood memory, but warm relationships in the courtyard. Later, with the development of technology and living standards, more and more high-rise buildings were built in my hometown. However, what followed was the impetuous social atmosphere and the indifference of interpersonal relationships. Most people have little contact with their neighbors, and the excessive hype about privacy seems to run counter to interpersonal communication. While people lamented their lack of social interaction, they were unwilling to open their doors and take the first step. It is hard to say that this has nothing to do with the modern high-rise, high-density architectural form and the extreme compression of public space.
01 Super Life in Home Quarantine
Besides, when I travelled in different cities, I often woke up without knowing where I am, because the cities now seem to have the same face. They are all the same modern but cold tall buildings. People hurriedly walked through it or worked and lived in it all day, and rarely even raised their heads to find a trace of sky in the reinforced concrete jungle. With the rapid development of contemporary society, many important things have been left behind and the cities are becoming empty shells with glamorous appearances. In this portfolio, I would like to express my views and reflections on the problems existing in modern architectural design and urban development. During my graduate studies, I will continue to explore possibilities in architecture and urban design. The development of human society will never stop, and sticking to tradition is by no means an appropriate solution. Finding new solutions is the right direction for architecture and urban development.
Super Residence —— JDC 2020 International Student Competition in Architecture Design
02 A Bite of the City
High-rise Building Design for Lei Jun Science and Technology Building
03 Urban Acupuncture with Informal Space
Innovation-driven Urban Design of University-city Boundary
Other Works
Ancient Architecture Surveying for Wang Mingfan's Mansion Internship Projects at Anhui Provincial Architectural Design and Research Institute
01 SUPER LIFE IN HOME QUARANTINE
Super Residence —— JDC 2020 International Student Competition in Architecture Design Site: Wuhan, Hubei, China Site Area: 10,000 ㎡ Individual Work Instructor: Xia Zhang The outbreak of COVID-19 has revealed how our lifestyle has changed rapidly due to emergencies, and it has also revealed a series of problems that existing houses face when people stay at home for a long time. During the quarantine, houses originally designed for limited functions suddenly become places where we spend almost all our time. Residential areas of the same size require significantly increased functions. Because of my personal experience in Wuhan, I found a unique point of penetration, which is the life of Wuhan citizens during the epidemic. During the quarantine, we studied, worked and spent almost all our time at home. Through careful interviews with different groups of people, I found that the existing residence modes have problems such as unreasonable functional zoning, lacking in communication and personal space, interference between family members and so on. I hope that the community could be open and lively on normal days. Therefore, I put a large number of footpaths, platforms, gray spaces as the residents places for communication activities. These footpaths, platforms, squares and spaces under the frameworks are the main places for people to communicate. During the epidemic period, most people choose to stay at home for safety, and those public spaces previously intended for communication activities will be released. People can expand their residential territory according to their needs to ensure the living quality during home quarantine. The courtyards inside the clusters provide visual and sound communication between the residents and become the main place for communication. In addition, I also envisioned the use of framework spaces for different groups of people during the epidemic period. Based on these, I designed three kinds of unit changing forms, aiming to solve the problems caused by the the COVID-19.
Site Analysis
Framework Usage Fengguang Village, Wuhan, China
Donghu Lake View Point Plank Road
University Surrounding Area Natural Landscape
Spontaneity <8 Floors
High Density
The site is located in an urban village to be demolished next to the Donghu Lake in Wuhan. The village was formed spontaneously, and the terrible environment is the worst obstacle to dealing with the epidemic.
Airing
Chat
Concert
Exercise
Photograph
Yoga
Rest
Planting
Working
Babysitting
Playing
Reading
Donghu Lake Scenic Area Natural Landscape
Urban Village Reconsruction Area
User Requirements
Safe Distance Desk is next to the bed No clear boundaries between work and living space Often want to sleep at 14 or work at 24
weekend
1.0m
4.0m
>4.0m Safe Distance
A Single Man Bedroom becomes office, Life becomes irregular, Lack of communication...
weekday
S
M
L
High Density 9:00 am
Relationship Wake up early in the morning Used to go for a walk in the park Cannot go out now Have not been to food market for a long time How are our neighbors now
Both have a meeting on QQ Interfere with each other
Unit Design An Old Couple Life is not convenient, Have nothing to do, Lack of social interaction...
Children cannot stay at home all the time
Mom and dad always talk in my online class
U^%^^$^$ &*()*($#... Mom!
A Family of Three Interference among family members, Lack of social interaction...
A Single Man
An Old Couple
A Family of Three
A Single Man
An Old Couple
A Family of Three
At Ordinary Times
At Ordinary Times
At Ordinary Times
Activities WORK
WORK
CULTIVATION
COMMUTE
COMMUNICATION
COMMUNICATION
SLEEP
SLEEP STUDY
EXERCISE EXERCISE
MARKET 6:00
8:00
10:00
12:00
14:00
16:00
At Ordinary Times
18:00
20:00
22:00
6:00
8:00
10:00
12:00
14:00
16:00
During COVID-19
18:00
20:00
22:00
During an Epidemic
During an Epidemic
During an Epidemic
Exhibition Atrium
During the epidemic, the scope of people's activities shrinks sharply, which will cause a variety of life and psychological problems. This is a kind of atrium designed by me, which can be used as exhibition space during the epidemic period. Residents can see the exhibition and landscape of atrium through the large windows of their home, so as to reduce their psychological pressure.
Communication Balcony
The frameworks I designed can be used as traffic and communication space on normal days. During the epidemic, the spare space can be used as their private space . Neighbors can see each other without standing too close. It not only ensures the safety distance, but also provides opportunities to communicate.
Footpath Among Clusters
I use the footpaths to strengthen the connection among the four clusters as well as the connection between the cluster and the public space.
Cluster
Cluster
Cluster
Cluster
Uses of the Central Plaza
Usually, the central plaza is an open square and the center of public facilities in the community. During the epidemic period, it will become a center for material distribution.
Marketplace on Normal Days
Material Distribution Center during Covid-19
Balcony Concert
Each of these clusters has an atrium. And the balconies around the atrium provide opportunities for sight communication.
Unit Unit
Unit
Courtyard
Unit
Unit
Unit
Unit
Void to Solid
People can modify the frameworks according to their own needs to expand the interior space, which might meet the new functional requirements brought by the longterm home quarantine.
Plant
Study
A Special Door
House House+
Work
Play
When a resident only opened the upper half of the door, it would become a window. While maintaining a safe distance, it provides a window for people to communicate.
CONNECT MODE
SUSPEND MODE
A View of an Atrium
Axonometric Drawing
A View of the Central Plaza
02 A BITE OF THE CITY
WHU 2020 Spring Architecture Core Studio —— High-rise Building Design for Lei Jun Science and Technology Building Site: Wuhan, Hubei, China Site Area: 7,824 ㎡ Individual Work Instructor: Bing Lan Lei Jun, an outstanding alumnus of Wuhan University, donated RMB 99,999,999 on October 20, 2016 to build a science and technology building. Wuhan University decided to name the building Lei Jun Science and Technology Building and set the site at the Faculty of Arts and Sciences of Wuhan University, with Luoshi North Road on the west side, Bayi Road on the south side, and the Undergraduate School Building of Wuhan University on the east side. The main functions of this building will be scientific and technological research and development, public scientific research platforms, academic conference facilities, parking lots, etc. Besides, Leijun Science and Technology Building will provide guarantee for the later introduction of high-level talents for schools and enterprises to enhance scientific research and innovation capabilities. The development of science and technology is inseparable from the help of innovative thinking, and the sparks of thinking collision often come from the communication between people. I introduced the concept of public space penetration in the design, allowing the open urban public space to gradually penetrate into the originally closed science and technology building. The largest public space is the open office space in the middle of the building and the square formed on the ground floor. They can respectively provide the largest open office area and blur the boundary between the building and the city. Then there is the gradually changing atrium space, which could form the circulation of the public space inside the building and make the communication between office floors possible. Finally, small-scale public spaces were inserted, which are connected to the entire public space system through the atrium. Three levels of public space work together to make Lei Jun Science and Technology Building a sponge building, which can absorb the public space from outside.
Site Analysis
Main Roads
Subway Stations
Scenic Areas
Entrance
Scientific Researches
Universities
Tourist Attractions
The ground floor of the building is open to the citizens and forms a square for public activities, which can blur the boundary between the building and the city.
Form Generation 72m
84m 28m
Extrude
Initially determine the height.
Bite
Shrink the middle of the building inward.
Uplift
Introduce the city into the building.
Atrium
I inserted a vertical and varied atrium system in the building. The small public spaces on each floor of the building can be connected to the public space system of the building through the atrium.
Cut
Use inclined surfaces to cut the building.
Atrium
Form a vertical public space system.
Insertion
Insert the smallest-scale public space.
Office Building Stadium
8m Plan
24m Plan
32m Plan
44m Plan
48m Plan
56m Plan
Apartment Office Building Teaching Building
Scenic Spot
N 0 5 10
20
Formal and Informal
50m
After considering the office space users that the building must carry, I put some small public spaces on each floor, connected by the atrium, forming an open space system for the entire building. 64m Plan
03 URBAN ACUPUNCTURE WITH INFORMAL SPACE
WHU 2019 Fall Urban Design Core Studio —— Innovation-driven Urban Design of University-city Boundary Site: Wuhan, Hubei, China Site Area: 107,000 ㎡ Team Work with: Zhengyi Jiang, Yufei Wang Role in Team: Site Survey, Conceptual Design, Architectural Representation, Technical Drawings, Physical Model and Architectural Animation Instructor: Yang Shu The design site is located at the intersection of the city and Wuhan University. Based on the background of innovation in Wuhan, we hope to turn this area into an innovation zone. We used "informal space" as the entry point for design, and hope to stimulate the vitality of the existing area through the implantation of informal space, attract more people to participate in innovation, and create create the possibility of generating new functions. Through the implantation of informal space, we can also maximize the vitality and innovation capabilities of the area on the basis of retaining those buildings in good condition on the site. Considering that the site is located in the university-city integration area, we think it is possible to extend and diffuse the green space in Wuhan University, open the university-city boundary, and design the site in combination with rail transit, road traffic and site height difference. Specifically, we split the abandoned playground of International Software Institute, let the green space partly sink and combine it with the underground space design, and then deform the runway so that it can surround the entire site and connects the informal space dominated by sports and leisure functions. The core area of the informal space is formed around the playground. At the same time, the entrance plazas on both sides of the city and university will also become extended green spaces, which are the main gathering and distributing points for the crowd.
The Location of the Innovation Zone
Analysis of the Site and the Context
Hubei, China Wuhan University
Wuhan
Wuhan is known as the City of Universities and has more than one million college students.
The project is located on the boundary of Wuhan University. The two sides of the site are adjacent to the city, and now it serves as the research area of the Department of Information Science of Wuhan University. Our purpose of transforming this area is to help universities connect with the city and make this area a better innovation zone.
U
C
U=University
U
C
C=City
Interface Analysis
Luoyu Road Interface
Luoshi Road Interface
The Campus Interface (North-South)
Luoyu Road Interface (East-West)
Axonometric Implantation Forms of
Informal Space Research by Roenbloom and Wolek shows that engineers gain more knowledge informally. Informal organization is a collective consciousness, which originates from accidental communication and natural interpersonal relationships. In this area, we need more informal space to implement this project. The picture on the left shows informal space implantation forms, and the picture below shows the deformation of the playground, which can hold and organize the informal space.
Building Monomer Analysis Enterprise
Exhibition
Workshop
Entertainment
Citizen Activity
Commuinication
Commerce
Super Playground
Composition of Informal Functions
Workshop
Exhibition
Enterprise
View
Interdisciplinary
Sport
Commerce
Entertainment
Laboratory
Commuinication
Workshop
Entertainment
Interdisciplinary
View Sport
Composition with Sports Function Workshop
Market Entertainment Sport
Composition with Catering Function
Enterprise
Entertainment
Interdisciplinary
Exhibition
Citizen Activity Commerce
Composition with Outdoor Activities
There is a playground here, but as far as the current situation is concerned, the playground is not fully used. After we transform the playground, it will make this area full of vitality. In addition, it will integrate two innovative landscape belts to connect the campus and the city. It will provide a pleasant landscape and creative space for people working and studying here. Composition with Communication
Laboratory
View
Interdisciplinary
Entertainment
Vertical Funcions
Runway Rhythm
We designed the rhyhm of walking on the runway and let the runway cross the building floor. On the basis of a combination of each building's original function, we added some new informal spaces to carry informal functions and activities.
Aerial View
Office
Shop
Open Floor
Existing Building
Green Roof
Core Tube Studio
New World Tower is located at the intersection of Luoyu Road and Luoshi Road. The original podium function is a shopping mall and the tower is the office of the newly established company. The roof of this group has a good view of the school and the city, so we turned it into a roof garden.
Company
Shop
Function Replacement
Informal Space
Runway
Studio Office
Company
Shop Hotel
Interdisciplinary Shop
Existing Building
Urban Interface
Function Replacement
Terrace
Informal Space
Runway
Road
Greenery Extension
The buildings on the original site are small shops, hotels and offices. Taking into account the future construction needs, we will build a new laboratory building here. The relationship between this building and the playground cannot be ignored, so we set up some balconies facing the playground. These ladders and some of these entities will be used to host informal events.
Gym & Shop
Basketball Court
Existing Building
Laboratory Studio
The building on the original site is a student center and a basketball court. Considering the later development, we built a new twotower laboratory building. At the same time, considering the relationship with the playground, we let the group discussion room face it.
Interdisciplinary
Green Roof
Function Replacement
Runway
Entrance Box
Site
Sunken Plaza
Building Entrance
Platform
The first square is the city entrance of this area. Considering the connection to the sports field and the subway station, we built it into a sunken plaza, which will bring business opportunities. With three-dimensional transportation, citizens can reach the scenic runway in the area directly from the subway station.
We transformed the original playground into a sunken plaza. In this way, the playground becomes the center of innovative activities. It will absorb sight from all directions. The stairs around the square provide people with a public entertainment places. The walkway above the square connects different functions.
Road
Vertical Transportation
Entrance Mark
Site
Sunken Plaza
Height Zoning
Landscape Belt
Commercial Space
Trail Connection
Demolish
School of Software
Temporary Buildings
The third plaza faces the university and is connected to the university’s most important transportation line. This plaza has a lively public space, which can be used as an academic square and an internal market in different time periods.
Filed Gradient
Site
Demolition of Buildings
Build on Stilts
Column Grid Extension
Sunshade for Activities
Runway
Ancient Architecture Surveying for Wang Mingfan's Mansion | WHU 2019 Summer Practice Site: Xianning, Hubei, China Team Work with: Runlin Xin, Hao Xu, Haitao Ye Role in Team: Site Survey, Measuring, Technical Drawings, 3D Computer Modeling, Rendering Instructor: Xin Li Wang Mingfan's Mansion is the largest and best preserved Qing Dynasty residence in Hubei Province, which is known as "The First Residence in Hubei". It is a key cultural relic protection unit in Hubei Province and a famous historical and cultural village in China.
OTHER WORK
This is part of the result of Ancient Architecture Surveying for Wang Mingfan's Mansion in Xian'ning with my friends. During the summer vacation, we worked together on surveying and mapping in a courtyard of Wang Mingfan's Mansion. Every day I sat on the threshold and observed how sunlight entered the space through the square patio, and how rainwater flowed through the roof to where it should go. Everything was fascinating. Section and Elevation
ANCIENT ARCHITECTURE SURVEYING Ancient Architecture Surveying for Wang Mingfan's Mansion Academic Work This section shows my interest in ancient Chinese architecture. Ancient Chinese buildings are architectural miracles built by countless unknown craftsmen. I was deeply attracted by the bucket arches, beams, and various roofs. Inheriting these smart construction methods will bring more thinking directions for my future study of architectural design.
Structure and Detail
INTERNSHIP PROJECTS AT AADRI Qiupu Elementary School Yuanchang Garden Community Professional Work This section shows two projects that I practiced in Anhui Provincial Architectural Design and Research Institute. Their design practice deepened my understanding of design concepts and the definition of a human-oriented design and the fact that a qualified architect must combine user needs, practical functions and aesthetic values. My boss, Weijun Huang, and my colleagues would confirm the design and drawings consistently. This allowed me to understand that every detail must be carefully considered and polished to establish an ideal design. Rendering of the Patio
Qiupu Elementary School | Internship at AADRI | 2020
Yuanchang Garden Community | Internship at AADRI | 2020
Site: Hefei, Anhui, China Supervisor: Weijun Huang Team Work with: Fan Zou, Shiwei Li Role in Team: Site Survey, Conceptual Design, Landscape Design, Interior Design, Technical Drawings, 3D Computer Modeling, Rendering and Architectural Animation
Site: Hefei, Anhui, China Supervisor: Weijun Huang Team Work with: Xi Cheng Role in Team: Site Survey, Conceptual Design, Interior Design, Technical Drawings, 3D Computer Modeling and Rendering
Most elementary schools lack enough public spaces for children to play together. Therefore, we designed several indoor and outdoor public spaces for children's interactions and entertainment to improve their educational and living environment.
In this project, I put the most time into the interior design and its analysis. I studied how the large indoor living room can be changed into a small living room and a small guest room according to the needs of users. And I also designed the interior according to the plan I participated in.
Form Generation
Variability of High-rise Apartment
Variability of Foreign-style Houses
Public Space
Rendering
Interior Design of High-rise Apartment
Interior Design of Foreign-style Houses
SHEN TAO School of Urban Design, Wuhan University