PORTFOLIO ZIHUI ZHANG 2014-2018 Selected works
Email Zihuizhang19961018@126.com
OF
CONTENT Undergraduate Works
Education -Wuhan University of Technology Bachelor of Architecture 09/2014 - Present -UC Berkeley Design & Innovation for Sustainable Cities Summer Program 07/2018 - 08/2018
Internship -Researcher, Chen Libo Studio 01/2018 - Present -Architectural Intern, WISDRI Wugang Engineering Co. ltd Civil Building Branch 07/ 2017 - 08/2017
Extracurricular Activities -Research on Western Culture Connection and Conflict, Prototypical Import and Semantic Ontology & Mother Body Evolution based on the Bund Modern Church Buildings 11/24/2017 - Present -Research on Protection & Development of DoubleBridge Village Xiaogan City 06/02/2017 - Present -Measurement of the Taiwan bank site located on the Jianghan Road walking street 04/2017 - 05/2017
01 [Jeju Folds] All about Reflect, Extension
02 [Light Pours] All about Inherit, Love, Light
03 [Chorus Floats] All about Flow, Undulate, Interlace
04 [Sea Rises] All about Infrastructure, System, Interaction
05 [Bell Chimes] All about Spirit, Belief, Fusion Other Works
01 Jeju Folds All about Reflect & Extension Tourist center structure design Group work Focus on the pavilion design Collaborator: Danny Yang
October 2018
The project addresses the sightseeing experience through a series of scenes and engagement to the site. The cliff, the sea, the view, and the shadow are perfecting each step tourists make. The main part sitting on the cliff folding-like paper forms various spaces, while those outwards extending triangular panels invite the sceneries in. The out hanging vertical parts plays as the extension of the main part breaching the natural boundaries for a closer look of the columnar jointing on the coastlines. Here I am proposing my concept of fully recognizing this natural heritage encapsulating more fun for visitors.
Concept Development Analysis
Pavilion Analysis Layers Of The Pavilion
After the various types of triangles spliced together, different spaces can be enclosed in the threedimensional space to enable people to obtain different spatial experiences.
Pavilion Spatial Sequence Folding Space View Patterns Tensity Scale
Activities
Space View
Sightseeing Status
Absorbing
Lingering
Interacting
Open Space: Acute Triangle
Peeping
Gathering
Transition Space: Right Triangle
Site Analysis Extended Space: Obtuse Triangle
Site Surroundings Analysis The surrounding area has been exploited.
The newly constructed area clashes with the scenic coastline.
The function of the scenic spot is imperfect.
Insufficient regional planning and poor accessibility to the scenic spots.
Space & Folding patterns
Space & Landscape
Folding outwards
Folding inwards
Folding opposite sides
Folding multiple sides
Folding on a larger scale
People could see different scenery when rotating to different angles under the shade of double overlapping tops. And the specular reflective material can provide more viewing experience.
This stack-up triangle platforms offer an exceptional experience for the tourists to go beneath the cliffs and to admire the sceneries from various perspectives.
It connects to the vertical part of the structure, and the stairs that are gradually descending are closer to the waves of the striking stone, where you can listen to the natural sounds of the sea and the cliffs.
The people in the corridor can see the small theaters in the room and the natural scenery outside. The people in the theater can see the scenery outside through the large glass windows.
Folding Patterns In The Pavilion Pavilion
Site First-Floor Plan
A
Sound
Sight
Timeline
A
A-A Section Of The Pavilion
Temporary Structure
Sightseeing Spots Analysis
02 Light Pours All about Inherit, Love, Light Installation Design Individual / Independent Study Winter 17
Old streets and dim lights are showing an epitome of the status quo of the poor and those who are left behind. The project addresses my deep caring for those through the devices which pours light indoors. The material, scale, texture and spatial functions are carefully considered. After a close study around this old town, I believed that this ancient Chinese architectural language should be preserved by not disturbing the elevation of the buildings but to benefit from some flexible devices utilizing some simple physics. Here I am demonstrating my installation which may bring those people love and hope.
Site Surrounding Perspective
The Site Dawu Shuangqiao Town firstly began to form as a village since the Southern and Northern Dynasties. The structure of the ancient town is relatively compact, with the north side bounded by the mountains while on the west and the east side facing the water. That Shuangqiao Town located between Xiaohe Town of Xiaochang County and Sanli City of Dawu County and the Wei River passed through Shuangqiao Town made it very convenient to transport via water or land. Therefore, the market formed. Shuangqiao Town was gradually developing to be a marketoriented town. At that time, the ancient town was rich in wood, dyed cloth, and rice, attracting merchants all over the country. The stores were lined up on both sides of the street, presenting Shuangqiao as a fully-developed commercial street.
General Site Analysis
Installation Development Analysis
According to the time and frequency of people's activities in this space, these surfaces are formed to cut the light curtain.
Timeline
Many of the unoccupied houses in the site have been in a state of disrepair, but basically the structure of the building has been maintained.
A light well can be formed among a plurality of buildings, but the lighting effect is still not obvious.
The bright tile is made of transparent glass material, generally used for lighting in the attic, but as a result, the light tile is not enough to illuminate the attic.
Light curtains work with people's use of space and divide it into different functional spaces. Oil noodles: This kind of noodles need a slightly complicated procedures,which requires the producer to work hard for a relatively long hours.
The distance between the streets is very narrow.
Procedures: Mix the flour Twist the flour into several strip-like pieces
Two facades of the building are attached to its neighbor, so lighting conditions are more limited.
Twine the strip-like pieces on a wooden stick Expose the striplike pieces under sunshine to transfer them into noodle Store the noodle when it got dry Going into the ancient town, ancient buildings are gradually replaced by modern houses.
The openings on the facade of the building are small enough to provide enough daylight for the interior, resulting in a dim interior.
The depth of the building is very long, so it will form such a long lane. The stone path is so narrow that only three people can walk side by side. Living
Storing
Dining
walking
Resting
Working
Sections Of The House
Woring Outside
In Kitchen
Storage
In Kitchen
Living Room
Dining&Working
Dining&Working Working Outsides
Storage
Resting Working In Kitchen
Bedroom
Relax Unit
Platform
Hallway
Bathroom
Bathroom
Bedroom
Kitchen
Guest Table
Sleeping Upstairs
Sleeping Upstairs Family Time
Small Scenes Comparison Of Old & New
Light Installation Analysis Lucid Glass Plates
The Light Container
Tracks for the pipes (attached to the container)
Spatial interaction among kitchen, living room and loft.
Light System
Acrylic Pipes
Bedroom Bathroom
Tracks for the pipes (on the ground)
Spatial interaction among kitchen, living room and two bedrooms upstairs. Half Mirror Film Clear Mirror
Storage
Tempered Glass Tube
Bedroom
Lucid Acrylic Pipes
Acrylic Plate
Acrylic Pipes
Kitchen Dining Space
Pouring Light
Relaxing Unit
LED Upper Lights Clear Glass
Living room
Wooden Plates
Spatial interaction among the stairs connecting different functional spaces.
Scenarios Of The Light Goes
Mainly between 10 o'clock and 4 o'clock of the next day, the light beam produced by the light curtain will not affect the space of the attic.
Mainly considering the light condition of the spaces of the first floor and the space of the first floor is divided into 3 parts: kitchen, corridor and living room so that they will not interfere with each other.
At this time, the space on the first floor is very thorough, and the light curtains are concentrated in the longitudinal direction of the space to illuminate the entire space. The living room and kitchen activities may be linked.
After the light curtain is moved to this position, the intensity of lighting in the living room is enhanced, emphasizing the lighting around the kitchen to some extent, and changes flexibly according to weather and time factors.
Light Curtain Brightening Dark Room
03 Chorus Floats All about Flow, Undulate, Interlace Theater Design Academic project/Independent study November 2017
The project provides a unique experience for people to explore. The space at the bottom is overhead, filling it with greens and relaxing areas so that people can shuttle through them, as if between artificial mountains and rivers. The theater situated between the mountains and rivers, like the pavilion in the Chinese landscape painting, is floating up and down in the picture. The spaces enclosed by curved walls are quite inviting. In my point of view, this the theater is not only entertainment facilities but also the palace of art. Here I am offering you a quite tour in my symphony chorus.
Concept Development Analysis
Continuous Variety in Curved Spaces
In China's traditional ink landscape paintings, there are often layers of rafts and turbulent waters. In the paintings, some houses and figures seem to be floating in the mountains and rivers.
Walls have the nature of leading circulation as well as separate spaces. A consequently different spatial structure would be created through the operation on wall gestures and their combinations.
Layers Of The Chorus
Single Curve & Path Activities can be interrupted by the changes on the wall.
The third floor of the building is mainly for the second-floor space of the theater, which is connected to space in the foyer on the first floor of the theater.
Two Curves & Paths Gestures of the wall may spontaneously lead multiple movements.
The sense of distance in the building space sets the main entrance of the building on the second floor, forming a number of overlooking platforms for people to enjoy the natural landscape. And it echoes with the theme of the building between the mountains and the waters.
Curves & Paths
Inviting the environment into the first floor of the building is mainly to introduce the environment around the building into the overhead first-floor building space, people can be unconsciously introduced into the building space for the curved wall has a very significant space guiding ability.
Spatial functions can be created by a set of walls and the openings on the walls can lead people to various destinations.
Site Master Plan
Second Floor Plan
Main Entrance
Thenarrative Of TheWalls
Sections Of The Theater
Way To Go To The Interior
Since the curved walls are leading the way to the interior of the theater, there are plenty of choices we can take to get to our destination.
Interior Of The Theater
And they put out the star-light With the breath from their pale faces. About twelve by the moon-dial, One more filmy than the rest (A kind which, upon trial, They have found to be the best) Comes down—still down—and down With its centre on the crown Of a mountain’s eminence, While its wide circumference In easy drapery falls Over hamlets, over halls, Wherever they may be— --By Edgar Allan Poe
Interior of the antechamber The curved spaces interlace with each other creating interesting spatial experiences.
Exterior of the entrance
Exterior of the platform
People can shuttle through the overhead spaces to enter the theater.
The platform can provide people with great sightseeing spots.
04 Sea Rises All about Infrastructure, System, Interaction Resilient Design / UC Berkeley Disc program / Group work Design 40%; Construction 60%(Perfected after the program) Collaborators: Isabel Herrick, Jacob Elliott ,Kaitlyn Ho
July 2018
The project aims to reestablish the native marshland in Redwood Shores whilst creating a sustainable community adaptable to the changing conditions of sea level rise and climate change. As the sea level rises, residents living closest to the Bay retreat inland, and the remaining land is restored into natural marshland buffers. Residents and the Homeowners Association retain a subsection of the original neighborhood for the development of an elevated and densely designed community that upholds the values of a circular economy, implementing sustainable design techniques to capture rainwater, treat wastewater, produce energy, and grow food for the residents. Here I am purposing my perspective to the upcoming urgent threats of the San Francisco Bay area.
Site Mapping Analysis
Conversation Board Fabrication
Utilize digital mapping techniques to gain a greater understanding of our assigned site in the context of the surrounding area and within the Bay Area region. (The site we were assigned is located in Redwood Shores, California )
Digitally fabricate our conversation board design by creating a compelling physical assemblage. We could play out different scenarios with various strategies on the conversation boards to see how the sea level rise can do to our sites.
PAST HISTORIC MAP
SCENARIO A : Protection
SCENARIO B : Accommodation
SCENARIO C : Strategic Retreat
50cm
100cm
150cm
50cm
100cm
150cm
50cm
100cm
150cm
This scenario aims to protect existing developed land in the Redwood Shores community with minimal restoration to the wetland ecosystem.
This scenario aims to accommodate the imminent presence of sea level rise in the Redwood Shores Community mostly by implementing the developments on the floating islands to the wetland ecosystem.
This scenario aims to adapt the Redwood Shores community to rising sea levels through a combination of different strategies, such as multipurpose levees, breakwater islands, densification, elevation, and seawalls etc.
PRESENT LEVEES
PRESENT POPULATION DENSITY
These AcrGIS maps show us the changes between the past and the present, the negative impact on the site which will lead us to the problems we need to attend to. PRESENT VEGETATION PRESENT LANDFILLS
PRESENT TRANSPORTATION
PRESENT FACILITIES
The Stakeholders Cards
FUTURE SEA LEVEL RISE
These ArcGIS maps lead us to our core design topic as the expansion of human activities into the water and the invasion [exploration] of the water. We should dedicate ourselves to eliminating the impact of sea level rise but not to escaping away.
We selected four characters who most likely to be influenced greatest to be the conversation board’s stakeholders. And different scenarios may benefit those stakeholders in different degrees.
Strategies Development
Axon For The Main Scenario
Reach
Site
Elevation On Piles
Living Shorelines
Breakwater Islands
Multi-purpose Levees
Floating Structure
Seawalls
Floating Islands
Levees Site Protection
Elevation of lands and streets
Strategic Retreat
Waterfront Parks
Elevation On Fills
Main Scenario: Strategic Retreat & Restoration SCENARIO A: 50cm
SCENARIO A: 100cm
SCENARIO A: 150cm
Adaptations: Breakwater Islands Multipurpose Levees + Living Shoreline Elevation Strategic Retreat
Adaptations: Floating Islands Strategic Retreat Elevation Multipurpose Levees
Adaptations: Floating Islands Breakwater Islands Seawalls Elevation
In-Water ShoreLine UpLand Reflection:
Reflection:
Reflection:
This scenario aims to adapt the Redwood Shores community to rising sea levels through a combination of different strategies. As the sea level rises to 50 cm, development along the shoreline is demolished as residents retreat inland. The wastewater treatment plant is replaced with a constructed wetland that can process wastewater naturally. Multipurpose horizontal levees and breakwater islands are implemented around the coast to protect the rest of the community from sea level rise and provide habitat for native plants and animals. In preparation for a further sea level rise, the western corner of the neighborhood begins to be elevated and denser buildings are constructed.
As the sea level continues to rise to 100 cm, the western corner of the neighborhood is completely elevated and surrounded by multipurpose horizontal levees. Since the rest of the Redwood Shores community will be completely flooded by 100 cm, the residents in the neighborhood retreat to the western section-an area that has been significantly densified. The abandoned development in the rest of the neighborhood is removed and replaced by wetlands as the sea level submerges properties. Several floating islands are built on this new marsh, connected to the mainland through a system of floating boardwalks.
By the time that the sea has risen to 150 cm, the western section has been completely elevated, and a seawall compliments the previously built levee, protecting development from flooding. As sea level rise has made travel more difficult between the island and the mainland, the community has begun incorporating technologies to make the neighborhood more self-sufficient. Rainwater is captured and stored, solar panels are installed, gardens are built on the roofs of many buildings, and wastewater is treated through the marshland system. Native marshlands have been restored surrounding the community. Residents explore the natural ecosystem through kayaking and walking on the boardwalks, as well as living on floating islands in the marsh.
After the preparation those stakeholders are managed to make, we chose this area specifically to illustrate the concept of our design. We can restore the environment by preserving some local species of birds and still accommodate adjacent to the neighborhood.
Perspectives From Land To Sea
Waterfront Sections Human Interations With Birds Migration & Sea Level Rise
Despite the fact that sea level rise can significantly influence our life, we still have to learn to cope with this situation and to enjoy our new lifestyle as much as we possibly can. In our imaginary scenario, the waterfront areas should be social active both between with human and natural environment. The population of the local birds' species should be increased dramatically for the friendly co-existence atmosphere we implement for them.
Multi-Functional Buildings
Activities & Hobbies
Individual Cell Sections
Scaffolding Structure
05 Bell Chimes All about Spirit, Belief, Fusion Concept Design Perfected after the contest Individual / Independent Study April 2018
The project is more likely to be a fulfillment for my personal imagination. Considering the multi-social nature of people in the future, the multi-religious space should be set up in the vicinity of the city center where nears the Gude temple block, giving believers a better experience of the belief space. To find a reclusive place in the city center and redeem the soul of people in contemporary society, whether they have faith or not, can find peace in their hearts in the most primitive light, and let go impetuosity and all negative emotions in their hearts. Here I am presenting my thoughts of an inner sanctuary for us all.
Section Of The Bell Chiming Ungerground Area
Transform the original building hall and canteen into this moveable living space where people are able to perform their religious worship or enjoy their retreatment. According to the status of the sphere installation, activities can be held here and people can get quite unique experience.
The diverse religious belief space allows people of different faiths to complete related religious activities here at the same time. Since Wuhan itself is a large city with diverse cultures and large foreign population, it is felt that this area may mean a lot to those who are with religious beliefs.
Large religious space can provide a much more tranquil meditation place which can attain much more people. People are allowed to be lingering here for a relatively long time. Large space like this can provide people with a great sense of belonging here.
Tower cranes can effectively transport people and goods, etc. People use the shuttles to transport stuff to the places they need to reach. And those shuttles can work both vertically and horizontally, making it surprisingly efficient for this system to work.
Gameboard-like Demonstration Of The Lala Land
Scan for more details :)
The role of arch vouchers in ancient Western architecture is like Dougong in Chinese architecture. It is the most essential part of both systems.
The ground space for people to chat, get together, talk and laugh.
This can lead to a chaotic multireligious space where people with different religious beliefs can be dispersed, which is the go-to place for multi-faith crowds.
Tower cranes caneffectively transport people and materials to where they are needed, and are an indispensable and important device for making the entire system efficient.
Scan for more details :)
You can walk along those hollow windows to ponder,feel and reflect.
Large gathering spaces are available for indoor activities, and people in the upper space can participate in more activities in this space.
Large deposits of water tube, to provide water for the underground part of the landscape and human. Scan for the rose window.
Underground area: management section
May everyone can obtain their inner peace here.
The vertical traffic space allows people to move deep into the ground.
Searching for Religious LaLa Land is the result of an extensive and complex research that seeks alternatives to understand and intervene in the reality that Gude district lives today. The main purpose of this project is to emphasize religion future by redesigning the urban center and multiplying the city's own identity through the interaction with its citizens.
First of all, on Christmas Day, the churches will be overwhelmed.
The project pretends to offer a global and complicated multi-religion intervention in the territory according to the context of the possible development of the future religion areas. I tend to present my vision in a much more fun way like a game board to show you the LaLa Land for all the believers nearby.
Operation Manual Of The System
Perspectives OF Spheres' Status
Round Trail
Balance ring
B
B
A
Sphere
A UP
A
B
A
B
DOWN
The device is mainly composed of three parts. One sphere is divided into two separate units, the upper part is the living space, and the lower part is the restroom.
① From the ladder at the door to the entrance, the horizontal a bar at the entrance is a display that shows the status information about the occupants and the main information of the device.
② The floor of the second floor is slidable, allowing the occupants to choose the enclosed and open way of living space and provide a variety of life scene experiences.
Door
Floor
The entrance to the upper space is through a slidable door, and the triangular-shaped floor at the entrance can also be rotated, making it easier for outsiders to enter. The space that enters first has a staircase that can reach the lower space.
Bed
Screen
③
④
The left side of the spiral staircase can be slid, providing an open layer of activity space, and the display can also slide up and down. The space after entering the entrance is a square space, which can be used for entertaining guests.
The curved canopy on the second floor can adjust the amount of cover, position, angle and so on.
① The bed can slide to the 1/8 ball at the entrance, where the middle of the wall is made of a material that can adjust the light transmission properties, people can participate in some activities in the outdoor space, such as watching the sacrificial activities and weddings.
③
Those sphere-like structures can fit right in this framework.
People can go up or down stairs in this tube-like spaces.
② Some spheres may be plant in the frame for lightinng.
Screen
Meditation
After reaching the lower space through the stairs, it is the personal retreat space, and the walls of this space can also adjust the brightness to achieve the requirement of the environment and atmosphere.
Screen
Restroom
This space works as a restroom, and the function of the walls is similar to that of the retreat space.
Scan for More
The frame system is mainly operated by the tower crane to move the spherical structure from the storage room to the corresponding spot. In the frame, the spherical device is mainly composed of two models, the small one is 5m*5m, and the large one is 10m*10m. The target audience is single double or family type. Different devices can bring different experiences to users, mainly to provide people with a retreat space to clear their minds.
DESCENDING
ELEVATING
When the sphere structures are lowered to a relatively low position, the light emitted by the hemisphere below the device can illuminate the underlying interaction space, and the insiders can obtain a relatively isolated space to achieve a better status avoiding external sound, light and dynamic interference. When pacing through the pathways, the light emitting by the spheres can create a very romantic and soothing atmosphere below.
When the sphere structures are raised to a relatively high position, it is closer to the sky, and more vividly feel the sublimation of a spiritual belief. Those who are lifted above the ground can have a relatively high position to get touch with the Gude Temple there. However, they may not prefer this position for a very long period so that this status ought to be a temporary phase for people to experience not to stay still for long.
GATHERING When the sphere structures are brought to a relatively centered position, the light illuminates the space on the central axis of the frame so that people inside the device can view or participate in activities held on the axis. In this position, the underground space seems to be lit up from the center of it. And lots of ceremonies can be held here, such as baby showers, weddings, etc. Imagine walking down the aisle here with the one you love..
DIFFUSING When the sphere structures are dispersed, the light can evenly illuminate the underground space, making activities in the underground space more flexible, and also allowing the dispersed devices to maintain a certain privacy. Getting together the spheres is mostly for interactive activities. When it comes to privacy matters, the spheres will need to be scattered all over the place so that each sphere will not be disturbed by their neighbors.
Other Works
Collaborative Competition Works
Installation Design & Modelling
Sewing through All about History, Nature, Path Competition Group Work Design 50%; Constrution 40% Collaborator: Zhen Long Jinze Li
Still Installation All about communicate, short stay Group Work Design 30%; Construction 35% Collaborator: Zhenyang Zeng, Kun Xiao, Yunmeng Li
November 2014 Public spaces are now becoming as the reflection of the city. Through the analysis of the site in Suqian, we meant to strengthen the historical and cultural aspects of this magnificent landscape by creating a path which can be stimulated by the movement of the people walking upon it. This path can take us underground, semi-underground or above the ground while we can go upwards, downwards or just be stable. Here I am sewing you a pathway full of rhythm.
We need to build a device size by 1m*1m*2m, in which people can deal with different situations like communicating, sitting, chatting‌
UIA-HYP Cup Contest 2017 All about water, sharing, fun Group work: Teamleader Design 70%; Constrution 40% Collaborators: Danny Yang, Yueshi Min, Yuchun Huang
Summer 2017 After undergoing the expedite development of the concrete forests, our awareness of the significance of our relationship with nature should be fully aroused. Architectures ought to be the carrier of this relationship but not a parting line. We are eager to pursue tranquility as much as efficiency or technology. This is the most crucial link which is absent in the Chinese Urban Planning. In China, we can witness many squares sharing the same symptom where there is a monument in the center of the square with a large scale of paving bricks or maybe a remote park surrounded by weeds and nobody wants to go‌ Here I am presenting you a place downtown where ease and serenity keep you company.
Dynamic Installation All about timing, routes, gravity Group Work Design 60%; Construction 40% Collaborator: Zhenyang Zeng
April 2015
We need to build a device size by 50cm*50cm*100cm, in which a ball can travel through the routes we create from the top to the bottom in exact 10 seconds.
Historic Preservation & Drawing
Drawings & Photographs
In Xiaogan, China
The Dream (Le RĂŞve)
In NyidĂŞn, Daocheng
Winter 2017
August 2016
Summer 2016
10 Blue Prints Of The Yangjiaqiao Catholic Church in Suzhou Research on Western Culture Connection and Conflict, Prototypical Import and Semantic Ontology& Mother Body Evolution based on the Bund Modern Church Buildings We drew all the blueprints of Modern Church Buildings existed in the 12 cities which are along the Yangtze river based on the photos and data we brought back from the field trips to those cities. November 2017
In Jianghan Road, Wuhan
In Jianghan Road, Wuhan
December 2018
September 2017
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT: I really appreciate the fact that during my preparation for my portfolio my parents, friends and my teachers have provided me with great help and support.