The idea of using construction technology to address social issues has long driven my passion for architecture, reflecting both its practical value and its potential for social change. My focus on “liminal conditions” comes from my experience living in a indigenous village, where I moved between the urban core’s skyscrapers and the low-rise, deteriorating structures of the village. This contrast deeply shaped my design philosophy. I believe architecture can reveal the dynamic relationships between individuals, communities, nature, and cities, and I aim to contribute to these connections, addressing challenges like sustainability, rural-urban conflicts, and spatial equity.For me, architecture is not just about concepts or drawings—it’s about practical solutions. I believe new technologies are essential, and this focus on technology is my next goal.
Content
1 Green-Dam on Brownfield
Liminality of Production
Promote urban-rural exchanges and environmental sustainability through the design
2 Building-Field on Tempelhof
Liminality of Culture
Provision of flexible, culturally adapted spaces for refugees to facilitate their integration into new environment
3 Hibitation for Nest-Empty
Liminality of Economic
Moving walls and CLT materials create personalized and flexible living spaces.
4 Identity Sculpturing for Kharkiv
Liminality of Sprit
Adaptive reuse methods to repair and convert war-damaged buildings
Since the industrial era, urban expansion has consumed rural land, with urbanization encroaching on 6.15 million hectares of farmland annually. Factories built on city edges often become brownfields due to industrial restructuring, creating a mixed landscape of brownfields and farmland. In response, we propose a new landscape system that establishes a “boundary with thickness” between urban and rural areas. The building separates the urban from the rural in its landscape: the countryside and the city on either side. In its internal space it promotes the exchange between urban and rural. Through the transformation of brownfield sites, we alleviate the conflicts between urban and rural areas. By “folding” urban and rural areas at the landscape and functional levels, we can realise green production, improve urban and rural ecology, and form a paradigm for promotion.
Folding Landscapes: Prototypes for an Urban-Rural Union
The conventional relationship of urban and rural space is being overturned, as population growth in cities outpaces the productivity and availability of agricultural land. Rapid urban development has also stressed socio-economic stratification, creating issues of “food equity” as low-income communities experience a disproportionate lack of access to fresh foods and an adequate diet. Climate change as well as natural and manmade catastrophes further threaten the resiliency of our cities and food systems. As a whole, the “ecology” of living is becoming increasingly vulnerable, with concerns for social welfare running parallel with demands for more responsible environmental stewardship.
The collapsing relationship of urban and rural space is many years in the making. Since the industrial revolution, the city and the countryside have been developing on interdependent but increasingly differentiated tracts; while the agro-industrial complex in rural areas centered on maximizing the yield and stretch of arable land, metropolitan areas incubated the two-headed economic engine of creative/intellectual capital and industrial manufacturing made possible by population density. In the 20th century, these dual motives already began to generate tensions; as each domain struggled to support the growing demands of the urban population, cities worldwide began to expand into liminal landscapes, pushing back rural space and increasing the transportation distance between food production and the city center. Consequently, agriculture was required to intensify the productivity of each parcel of land as well as annex undeveloped land previously considered unsuitable for agriculture, with deleterious effects to the environment due to increased waste, chemical treatments, and habitat loss.
Concept: A Boundary with Thinkness
In this context we reflect on whether rural people yearn for the bustling city and urban people miss the natural wilderness.Perhaps city people want to see urbanized landscapes and farmers want to see endless fields.
We created two pure landscape patterns by designing a new landscape system: building a thick border between urban and rural areas, while transforming brownfields and increasing the area of cultivated land.
“Do rural people yearn for the bustling cities, and do city dwellers miss the natural wilderness.”
Typology of Facilities in Brownfield
WuHan Steelworks in China
Open Space
Confined Space
Semi-Open Space
Buildings
Railway Overhead Travelling Crane Pipe Track
Storage Trank Water Tower
Chimney
Clarifier
Landfill Waste
Cooling Tower
Refining Twoer
Blastfurance Wairehouse
Open facilities in brownfields often exist outdoors with linear, continuous auxiliary spaces, making them ideal for reactivation as public spaces.
Such spaces are highly enclosed, have restricted access, and are unsuitable for prolonged occupancy. Their structure and circulation present challenges for redevelopment.
The surface or interior space can be reused by this kind of typology facilities. It can have some activities which open to the air.
Some buildings in the brownfield can be reused directly to have some functions. The structure of this is strong and can be the part of the supporting system of new design.
Planting Units
Through these planting units and structures, plants are planted on different slopes, creating a landscape effect on the surface of the structure, harvesting crops and exchanging with the construction.
According to the characterics of different types of space in brownfield to realise the reuse. Convert a brownfield site into an urban landscape park by transforming it into a rich mix of functions and activities. To mitigate the environmental damage caused by industrial residues through greening.
People can use it as a park and do numerous activities inside. Breathe new life into this abandoned factory area.
Brownfield Adaptive Reuse
Brownfield After Reusing
Processing Area & Entertainment Area
Products are produced mechanically in the interior space and go through the many stages of storage, transportation, and consumption.
In entertainment area, users can have food, visit some exhibition, have some view even experience the planting there.
Interior Spaces Analysis
In order to create a thick border between urban and rural areas, we have designed a marketplace, a restaurant, a processing plant, a logistics centre and an ecological corridor for its internal space. The building is used as a transit point between urban and rural areas, promoting urban-rural trade, achieving food equity and increasing biodiversity between urban and rural areas
Water-Supply Station
After irrigation of sloping crops through the introduction of natural water rivers, it is re-collected through a purification system as pure water to provide a ustable water source for the city
The slopes planting system culminates in a "tsunami of farmland", restoring the original independent pattern of the countryside and minimising the negative impact of the city
System Analysis
Section1
By designing a new landscape system: building a boundary with thickness between urban and rural areas, we create two sets of pure landscape patterns while transforming brownfield sites and increasing the area of cultivated land. Specifically, a landscape building was designed based on the brownfield: the two sides of the building are purely rural landscape and urban landscape, respectively. Through the spatial arrangement inside the building, more natural elements are brought into the city, making the landscape a basic element of urban development, and the concept of nature and ecology is introduced into the city.The many functions within the building make it inherently capable of facilitating exchange between the two sides, and therefore a thick, transitional boundary.
The Final Concept
[Liminality of Culture]
Research Project
Site Location: Berlin, German
Tempelhof
This design addresses the conflict between German residents and refugees, drawing inspiration from Hsieh Ying-Chun’s participatory design approach. It empowers refugees to actively participate in building their own communities, aiding their integration into German society. The design utilizes highly adaptable modular systems, influenced by Shigeru Ban’s techniques, making the modules easy to use, versatile, and quick to assemble. Physical models were created to demonstrate the simplicity and potential of the modules. Recognizing the cultural conflict highlighted by events like the Cologne incidents, the design includes workspaces for Middle Eastern women to engage with German society, as well as prayer spaces to respect their cultural and religious practices, fostering integration while maintaining cultural identity.
Refugees in Berlin
Sexual Assaults in Germany：
On 31 December 2015, hundreds of refugees from North Africa and the Middle East gathered at the Cologne train station in a mass incident of sexual harassment
The 21st Century: Refugee Crises and Policy
The conflict centers on issues of integration, resource allocation, and cultural identity.
Gender Segregation in Middle East
Gender segregation in the Middle East is rooted in many aspects restricting women’s roles.
Survivorship:
Most survivors lost their homes, loved ones and possessions in the Holocaust. At the end of the war, many Jews became refugees and went into exile, seeking asylum in other countries.
Refugees： Germany took in millions of refugees during this period.After the collapse of the Soviet Union some people travelled to Germany in search of a better life, either legally or illegally.
Middle East Refugee Conflict：
1.Challenges of social integration, cultural conflict, terrorism oncerns and economic burden after hos–ting refugees (2million).
2.Problems of resettlement,
loyment, housing and education
settle down resolve conflict education & employment future citizen?
Refugee’s Future?
Refugees in Germany face an uncertain future due to legal barriers, integration challenges, and discrimination.
Since World War II, Germany has experienced waves of refugees, starting with post-war displacement, followed by asylum seekers from Eastern Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. Policies evolved, balancing humanitarian responsibilities with concerns over integration, security, and public opinion.
Strategy 1
Identity - Culture
Organize the confusing ethno-cultural relations of this large group of refugees.
Strategy 2
Regional - Merge
Promote gradual contact and integration between groups.
Strategy 3
Economic - Participatory
Involvement of various groups in community building to save costs while promoting integration.
Site Analysis
Tempelhof Airport is located
Berlin
Hsieh Ying-chun
Open Structure Modular System
People build houses and public spaces based on their needs, forming communities. In this process, the refugees are cooperating with the citizens to build the Tempelhof, a civic park, and to help the refugees to integrate better into society and native culture.
Completion
Demonstrate the structure of the building in profile and the relationship of people in spatial scale.
Dwellings designed for one or two people are compact, efficient living spaces tailored for singles or couples. This unit prioritize functionality, comfort, and privacy, with flexible layouts to meet diverse lifestyle needs.
Residence is the most basic condition for living in a new environment. This house type meets the most basic living needs and scenarios, and uses fewer materials and a smaller area (38m2), greatly reducing construction costs. The sustainable design also reduces the cost of daily use and carbon emissions. For the using of modular open system, the space can be easily expanded and upgraded in the future.
Residence 1 Plan
Interior View
Section A-A’
Dwellings designed for the family that have 3-4 members. Inspiring from Europe native housing arrangement, this unit satisfy the basic requirements of a family.
This unit, covering approximately 43m² of land, is designed to make efficient use of space, significantly conserving land resources and reducing construction costs. The double-floor layout maximizes living areas by creating distinct functional zones, while also offering privacy for family members. Upstairs areas can be designated for sleeping and personal spaces, while the lower floor can be used for communal activities. Additionally, the efficient use of space helps reduce the environmental footprint of construction, making it an economical and sustainable housing solution.
A public space was created that serves the current park character of Tempelhof while offering the users the possibility of resting, exhibiting, gathering, and so on.Able to create places of exchange for multicultural people
It is a small restaurant space that can be used by a diverse group of people to make and sell diverse cuisines, providing employment while promoting cultural integration.
A mini shop caters to customer needs or niche markets, can integrate into multi spaces. Its small-scale design is adaptable for uses like snack stands, convenience stores, or pop-up kiosks, offering flexibility for entrepreneurs.
Ground & First Floor Plan
Residence 2
Public Space
Mini Shop
A workshop for Middle Eastern women to design and provide textile work based on traditional Middle Eastern textile culture and techniques.
Plan
The two-story design offers sufficient indoor space for the workshop. Skylights with soft materials are incorporated to bring in ample natural light, creating a bright and inviting atmosphere. The outdoor section, seamlessly integrated with the building’s structure, provides a dedicated area for hanging textiles, supporting the workflow of the textile workshop.
Market
As an outdoor public space, the market aims to provide a platform for interaction and exchange between traders and consumers of different cultural backgrounds.
The market features a flexible modular design, adjusting stalls and layout to support diverse businesses and promote community engagement and cultural integration.
German Refugee History
Textile Workshop
Prayer space designed based on the combination of Muslim culture and modern architecture in the refugee body. Respecting the religious needs of the refugees while supporting cultural diversity.
The design uses minimalist geometry with the introduction of natural light and the use of translucent facade materials to create a serene, sacred environment for prayer.
The open-plan layout adopts a strategy that transforms the workshop into more than just a functional space; it also serves as an area for exhibitions and experiences. This flexibility allows the space to adapt to different uses, fostering interaction and engagement.
Plan
Prayer Hall
This oliver oil soap workshop aims to empower women in the Middle East by providing employment opportunities in a culturally respectful environment.
Olive Oil Soap Workshop
This issue highlights a conflict between two groups: German residents and refugees, driven largely by cultural differences and integration challenges. Architect Hsieh Ying-Chun’s participatory design approach inspired me, especially his idea of involving refugees in building their own communities, which helps ease their integration into German society
From a construction technology perspective, this approach required a highly adaptable modular design to accommodate the diverse spatial needs of the refugees. Drawing on Shigeru Ban’s modular techniques, I designed small, easy-to-use, versatile modules that are quick to assemble, ensuring refugees can operate and adapt them with minimal difficulty.
Each space I designed was constructed as a physical model to demonstrate the simplicity of the module’s operation and its potential for further development. Recognizing that the conflict is also cultural, I acknowledged the cultural divide between Middle Eastern societies, where women often face inequality, and European values of gender equality. In response, I included dedicated workspaces for Middle Eastern women, offering them opportunities to engage with German social and economic culture, supporting their integration. To further respect their cultural and religious beliefs, I incorporated prayer spaces, enabling refugees to create their own community while also integrating into broader German society.
This is a public space built using a truss structure, designed to showcase the potential of this modular system in terms of structural possibilities. The design highlights the versatility and strength of the truss, emphasizing its capacity to support various spatial configurations.
This small and flexible module can also be used as a component in the construction of building elements such as ground floors and other structural parts. Its versatility allows it to seamlessly integrate into different architectural contexts.
Wood Frame Truss
Flexible Stairs
Combination of Different Structures
The Community
The final combination forms a community that aims to promote communication and integration among people of different backgrounds and cultures. The community encourages residents to work together in community building, promotes social interaction and the sharing economy, and creates a living environment that supports multiculturalism and inclusiveness.
“A modular approach to design and building construction need not imply any particular scale for the modules themselves, and it in fact points out that a greater number of smaller modules can lead to a greater level of flexibility.”
v
Residential Communities in the Wave of “Empty Nest Youth”In China
In recent years, the phenomenon of “empty-nest youth” has gained increasing attention in China. This term typically refers to young people who leave their hometowns to live alone in urban areas. Most of them belong to the post-1990s or post-2000s generations and are concentrated in first-tier and emerging new-tier cities, pursuing career advancement, educational opportunities, or an independent lifestyle. However, due to the high cost of living and the fast-paced urban environment, they often face challenges such as emotional support deficiencies, social isolation, and mental health issues.
These young individuals tend to rent rather than buy housing, adapting to career mobility and the uncertainties of life. Their housing needs are highly personalized and diverse, leaning towards spaces that are both affordable and capable of offering comfort and a sense of belonging. As key drivers of consumption, their unique demands are also fueling the growth of emerging industries like the sharing economy and flexible leasing models.
China’s rental market has faced the dual dilemma of high prices and poor housing quality in recent years. On the one hand, with the acceleration of urbanization, especially in large cities and popular areas, demand for rental housing has surged, and rent levels have continued to rise, making them unaffordable for many young people and low-income groups. On the other hand, due to the pursuit of short-term profits by some landlords and improper maintenance of housing, the quality of rental housing is generally poor, with problems such as old facilities, insufficient lighting and poor ventilation.
China has 240million single population of marriageable age. Marrige rate has decreased 49.3% in since 2013 !
House price to income ratio in China up to 29.09, which is much higher than most developed country
Prevalence of non-marriage among young people in recent years.
Analyze the commonalities and specific needs among different groups, classify and integrate these needs, and implement them in spatial design. This approach maximizes the utilization of space resources while meeting the personalized demands of diverse populations, thereby creating a flexible and adaptable shared space.
Calculaion
The operation is performed with the help of the magentizing plug-in. In the calculation design, the basic functional requirements of the residential unit are reduced to a flexible space, and the three spaces of bedroom and bathroom are strongly arranged on a rectangular plane of 32m2. The maximum spacing between the blocks is used to constrain the overlap between the three. The area values are defined as 12-16m2; 6-8m2; 4-6m2 respectively according to the per capita residential area. Finally, the overlapping area occupying more than 14.3% of the total area is screened by genetic algorithm and further screened according to the spatial pattern.
Calculation Outcome
The design is based on the calculated alignments, and the calculations are screened according to the planar relationships and properties and deepened so that they can be used in the project.
Based on the calculated results with the previous analysis eight basic units were filtered out and their functions and spaces were designed to arrive at the desired floor plan. Build model to test the space relationship.
Movable Wall Structure
The use of CLT, which is lightweight and has excellent load-bearing properties, as the main material, together with the use of drivers and slides to form a movable wall, enables flexible space generation. CLT can be prefabriced which can realise fast and flexible construction.
Plan 1
The apartment results from the previous calculations.The atrium was retained to allow for better lighting and to create space for activities. Moving walls and flexible outdoor spaces create a variety of personalized living units. Residents can choose the most suitable relationship between the units according to their needs. The thicker walls in the plan are fixed walls, which are the main load-bearing structure of the building.
Demonstrate the structure and part of the function in the building. Use of explosions to show their relationship throughout the building.
Diagram
Community Space
Planting Box Staircase and Elevator
System
Community Space
Demonstrate the presence of public community-type spaces in the building space by drawing exploded views from the solid model.
Indoor Perspective
CLT, as the main building material, can greatly reduce the renovation of interior spaces. And it creates a cozy atmosphere through the texture of wood.
Outdoor Perspective
Outdoor spaces with lots of greenery and small furniture such as tables and chairs provide plenty of space for residents to socialize.
Overview
Complex,fragmente and diverse space are shaped external through movable walls. The internal atrium enriches the spatial experience by creating a strong and regular form with a complete and uniform shape.Together with the planting boxes, a larger area of greening possibilities are realised vertically, resulting in a richer and more varied living space.Public spaces and activities encourage tenants to come out of their homes and create more interaction.
Living
Different units locate in this level for living. It is more private than other levels and satisfy the user who pay attention to private
Open Space
32% of this floor is open public space, which is suitable for the people who needs more social chances
Connect with Atrim
with the people
the atrim.
The lower floor can have more communication
active in
Flexible Home
This design centers on the tension between community and space, addressing how flexible spatial design can respond to the diverse needs of tenants. As a unique social group, empty-nest youth often experience a conflict between personal mobility and a sense of community. By utilizing movable walls and CLT materials, the project imbues the space with high adaptability, allowing tenants to freely define their living environments based on their lifestyles.
Inspired by Henri Lefebvre’s theory of “the production of space,” the design emphasizes that space is not merely a physical construct but a manifestation of relationships between individuals and their environment. By analysing tenants’ shared and individual needs, the project strikes a balance between personal freedom and community cohesion. It provides private, customizable spaces while fostering community through dynamic and flexible common areas.
Wood primarily represents fixed structures and white acrylic represents movable walls. The different relationship between the two materials in the space shows the potential possibilities of the architecture.
The exterior creates a complex, fragmented and diverse facade through moveable walls. And as different occupants adjust, the elevation will be full of randomness.
Identity-Sculpting for Kharkiv
[Liminality of Sprit]
Competition Project Kharkiv Housing Challenge
Site Location: Kharkiv,Ukraine
This project on the reconstruction of architecture and space, aiming to repair buildings damaged by war using structural reinforcement techniques. Special attention is given to the utilization of underground spaces, where ground replacement technology is employed to expand them into shelters, providing a safe and meaningful memorial space. Due to the compromised structural integrity of the underground space, I designed three light wells to bring natural light into the otherwise dark environment. The use of natural light not only improves the comfort of the space but also has an emotional healing effect, helping to soothe the wounds left by the war. Through the design of the light wells, I sought to introduce natural light into the underground space, making it a medium for reflecting on and healing past pain.
Farmland
Kharkiv, Ukraine, located near the Russian border, is a major area of conflict, marked by its strategic importance and the severe impact of ongoing tensions, including damage to infrastructure and displacement of residents.
The lighting well is designed according to Kharkov’s solar trajectory and the functional space is organized around it. Maximize the introduction of natural light into the interior spaces of the building.
Organize the light wells on the floor plan in relation to the different floors. Dismantle the house type of the original building and reorganize it.
Lighting Analysis Plans
Section Model
The light well plays a crucial role in the relationship with the space. In the above-ground area, it introduces natural sunlight, reducing the need for artificial lighting and improving energy efficiency. In the underground shelter, the light well not only provides daylight but also supports various activities, creating multifunctional spaces. The use of natural light also helps reduce carbon emissions from artificial lighting.
Adapative Reuse
To highlight the light well and other spaces, you can use red and white lines for clear distinction. The red lines can emphasize the light well, drawing attention to its role in bringing natural light into the space. The white lines can outline the surrounding areas, marking the different zones and functionalities within the design.
Used to show how the newly added light well section connects to the existing concrete floor slabs.
The facade was restored with the same precast concrete panels as the The overall structure was also reinforced using an external elevator with reinforced concrete columns.
Remodeling the interior with the facade essentially unchanged, the newly generated spaces inside provide a clear contrast to the traditional facade.
Light Well
Lightwells are connected to various spaces within the building to provide natural light to different functional spaces. The ground floor is treated as a public space, which transitions between the above and below ground spaces in terms of spatial attributes.
Lighting Sculpture
Geometry and natural light combine to shape a spatial sculpture of light. A sense of atmosphere is created in different spaces according to different functional needs, for example, some are solemn and solemn, others are flexible and open.
Memorial Hall
The natural light brought in by the light wells symbolizes hope and peace, bringing life and comfort to the otherwise dark underground space. The simple geometric elements create a solemn and dignified atmosphere for the memorial hall, honoring the victims of war, with their names inscribed on the concrete slab above as a reminder of their lives.
Nature/Architecture/Huamn
History/Modern
Photography serves as a means for me to explore and understand the city, space, humanity, nature, light, and shadow. Through the lens, I capture moments that reflect my thoughts on architecture, spatial relationships, the natural world, structural forms, people, and other interconnected elements. Each photograph is a visual expression of my perspective, inviting others to engage with the complexities and beauty that I observe in the world around us.
