2015 Cal Poly Pomona China Program

The Global Village

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a .

V i s i o n

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b .

P r o g r a m

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c .

D e s i g n

E l e m e n t s

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d .

D e s i g n

P r o p o s a l

2 . 1

e .

C o n c l u s i o n

E l e m e n t s

Vision Globalization is threatening the traditional Chinese Hutongs and many have already been systematically destroyed. The remaining Hutongs are in jeopardy of destruction from the modernized skyscrapers of Beijing. A further repercussion of this is that the rituals which retain Chinese traditions are in danger of being lost. In response to these trends, the Global Village protects cultural heritage and creates harmony among the people who call this community home. The design achieves this vision by fabricating microcosms that: 1) bridge the gaps between the young and the elderly; 2) linking open spaces for communal living, and 3) expand upon self-help methods. Additionally, this project creates an educational outlet for residents to interact with each other and visitors. This type of interaction will give an understanding of what it means to live in this historical, deeply rooted neighborhood.

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2.1a - Vision

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Vision pods

housing prototype

educational cluster

transportation hub

• modularity • flexiblity • adaptablity • repetition

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2.1a - Vision

E d u c a t i o n a l

V i l l a g e

immersive educational experience

H o u s i n g

p r o t o t y p e intergenerational connections

P o d s self-help

Tr a n s p o r t a t i o n

h u b

contemporary life

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Program Elements This element roots the project in the historical background of the site, considering both the hutongs and the proximity of the site to the drum and bell towers. Due to lack of education about traditional building construction, residents often fix their homes with in-expensive and low quality materials which causes the structures to not look authentic. One goal of the project is to provide residents with the knowledge and resources to continue to use the traditional construction methods in any repairs to the existing homes. This education opportunity also invites younger generation to get involved in the building process and perhaps expand these methods to other parts of Beijing.

H i s t o r y

S e l f - s u s t e n a n c e Through our site visits and research we noticed a lack of ammenities that provide for basic human needs such as bathrooms, storage and living space. Therefore we decided to create spaces that could be used for any of these activities.

This aspect of the project encourages and provides residents with an opportunity to help improve their own living conditions.

This formulates itself in a few ways by providing residents with options for housing additions as well as places to grow their own, healthy food. During our stay in China we also noticed that Chinese culture is all about harmonies within the self and nature. By creating these spaces we also encourage healthy living as well as life improvement.

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2.1b - Program Elements

Te c h n o l o g y

While this project wants to keep elements of tradition, it also seeks to integrate contemporary technology into the community to enrich daily life. One aspect of these clusters is that the 3d printed pods become an addition to the traditional courtyard houses. These units add spaces such as bathrooms or storage units. In the technology cluster we also research new technologies for preservation methods in order to recognize the savable courtyard houses and a new inexpensive way to restore them. By bringing technology to the community, we will enhance the lives of those already living there and bring back the youth to the hutongs.

C u l t u r e This aspect of the program seeks to encourage the learning and sharing of cultural traditions such as various art forms or games. During our site analysis we noticed that there is huge cultural gap between the resident and tourist parts of the drum and bell tower area. Many people assume Chinese culture is only about tea, calligraphy or painting. We want to create more meaningful interactions and share a deeper meaning of the cultre with the tourists. We plan to this through a cultural immersion program.

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Design Elements The proposed courtyard typology aims to keep the fundamental ideas of the Siheyaun, while integrating some contemporary design elements. The housing will have a central courtyard in order to provide crucial social space to the families inhabiting them. They are designed to be 2-3 stories high in order to provide more living space for the residents while maintaining the human scale of the community and the views of the nearby historical sites. As well as being used for the global village, this new courtyard housing would be used in the community when replacing sihuyuan that have degraded beyond repair.

Housing Prototypes

Pods The pods are meant to be architectural insertions into the fabric of the neighborhood that would provide contemporary amenities to the residents such as bathrooms, storage space or a greenhouse. Residents would be able to choose which of the different models they want and then be involved in 3D printing and installing it into their home. This allows for aspects of both self-help and technology.

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2.1c - Design Elements

Educational Village

The Educational Village becomes the center of this community. It houses each of the four the main themes as well as the cultural immersion program in a courtyard cluster. Each cluster provides residents with various services or activities to better meet the needs of the people and enhance their daily lives. Some of these activities include calligraphy, traditional and simple mandarin classes, performing arts such as Ribbon dancing and Chinese Opera as well as educational classes for older residents on technology or building methods that would help bridge the gap between old and new generations.

Transportation Hubs The transportation hubs are critically located gateways into the community. They provide residents with underground parking. This will help draw the youth back to the area while keeping traffic to the outside edges of the neighborhood.

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Educational Village This arrangement of courtyard clusters become the heart and center of the community. The Educational Village is made up of five clusters, which include the historic, technology, self-sustenance, cultural, and immersions clusters. Each of these has a different program and a different building design that enhances the interior program. The main idea of the clusters is for people to come together to share knowledge. The programs would be based on the concept of makerspace, in which residents would volunteer to teach different skills or art forms. These clusters of courtyards will act as a public route that is rooted in the heart of traditional Sihuyan. It also gives the tourists more organized visits and allows for much deeper connections between the residents and tourists.

Historical Cluster Te c h n o l o g i c a l Self-sustenance Cluster Cultural Cluster Lodging Clusters

Location of the Educational Village

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2.1d - Design Proposal

View entering the Educational Village

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Design Approach Modular Courtyard Design

Improving residents quality of life is our main goal. Our approach for this design is to create better living conditions with the usage of simple modular boxes. These boxes are four different sizes and are used to create functional yet compact spaces for the residents. Based on the activity in the space, the opening and flexibility of the module unit changes. For instance, the module for the gathering space would be the one that has the most openings and can open on one or more sides. The size and configuration of the modular units varies to allow for different sizes of families ranging form a single person to a family with two or three children.

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2.1d - Design Proposal

Horizontal Circulation

Vertical Circulation

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Historic Cluster

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2.1d - Design Proposal

The aim of the history cluster is to provide a historical background of China as well as of the specific neighborhood. Knowledge of the history is conveyed through a library as well as galleries. In addition, there is space provided for the teaching and learning of traditional materials and construction methods. This involves the residents in a collaborative preservation program hosted at the historical cluster.

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Historic Cluster

Location of the Historic Cluster

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2.1d - Design Proposal

Section of the Historic Cluster

Historic Cluster Program 1.

Utility

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Multi-function classrooms

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Vertical corridor

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Entrance exhibition

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Gathering spaces

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Workshop

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Library

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Corridor

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Verical Circulation

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Galleries

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Historic Cluster

While conveying the history of the site, we also will use personal narratives to display the history in a more unique form. This would happen through personal connections between the tourists and residents as well as through displays of personal narratives created by the residents and displayed in the gallaries and exhibition spaces of this cluster.

Interior of the Historic Cluster

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2.1d - Design Proposal

Building Assessment Protocol Part of the program in the historic cluster is assessing exisiting structures to determine if they can be preserved or not. Based on many case studies that we researched, we came with a grading system of what to do with any existing structure. First it is determined if the structure is historic. Then, the condition of the is evaulated to determine if it can be repaired. The four options for each structure are to leave the structure alone, to do minor repairs, to repair and add an addition, or to replace with the new housing prototype for structures that have degraded beyond repair.

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do not disturb structure

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repair only

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repair and create internal addition

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beyond repair; replace with housing prototype

internal wall insulation

external sheathing brick

old construction method

mud

brick new construction method

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Te c h n o l o g y C l u s t e r

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2.1d - Design Proposal

The technology cluster connects residents living in the neighborhood to digital opportunities in order to enhance their daily lives. The program includes digital classrooms with computers and other technology as well as flexible classrooms accommodating a range of different uses. The courtyards are fitted with electrical outlets and wireless Internet creating places for gathering and dining. While society is changing very fast and the youth are bringing in a very different culture. Older generations learn from the youth in a positive ways that enhance generational connections and improve the quality of living in the neighborhood.

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Te c h n o l o g y C l u s t e r

Location of the Technology Cluster

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2.1d - Design Proposal

Exterior of the Technology Cluster

Technology Cluster Program 1.

Vertical Circulation

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Utilities

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Entrance exhibition

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Gathering spaces

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Research spaces

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Multi-function classrooms

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3D Printing

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Patio

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3D Room

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Te c h n o l o g y C l u s t e r

Exterior of the Technology Cluster

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2.1d - Design Proposal

Section of the Technology Cluster

Interior of the Technology Cluster

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Self-Sustenance Cluster

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2.1d - Design Proposal

There is a significant concern among the Chinese people about health and wellbeing.

The self-sustenance cluster focuses on different aspects of health and wellness.

The program includes exercise classes, a dispensary of herbal remedies, and a facility to learn about and grow food locally and organically. The Chinese are very aware of the quality of food and many want more options for healthy food. Part of the self-sustenance program teaches residents how to grow the healthy food they want for themselves.

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Self-Sustenance Cluster

Location of the Technology Cluster

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2.1d - Design Proposal

Exterior of the Technology Cluster

Self-Sustenance Cluster Program 1.

Healing room/herbal dispensary

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Vertical circulation

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Utility

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Interior garden

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Multi-function classrooms

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Office

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Exterior garden

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Open Patio

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Gathering spaces

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Self-Sustenance Cluster

Rooftop garden in the Self-Sustenance Cluster

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2.1d - Design Proposal

Section of the Self-Sustenance Cluster

Rooftop garden in the Self-Sustenance Cluster

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Self-Sustenance Cluster

Exterior of the Self-Sustenance Cluster

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2.1d - Design Proposal

This system shows the green roof that would be used in the self-sustenance cluster to gather and filter water that would then be usable to the community. This method provides more water to the community while also creating an opportunity to teach residents how to collect water within their homes.

intensive extensive plants growing medium drainage layer filter fabric water insulation waterproof membranne protection board roof deck

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Cultural Cluster

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2.1d - Design Proposal

The cultural cluster is a space for residents to learn, teach, participate and collaborate in traditional Chinese art forms. Both flexible classrooms and performance spaces are provided for collaboration on all types of art forms. The spaces are available for community gatherings, holidays and Chinese celebrations. In addition, the cultural center includes a cafĂŠ that prepares traditional foods made with ingredients grown locally at the self-sustenance cluster. This provides convenient traditional food to the residents and lets visitors understand the cuisine of the culture more deeply.

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Cultural Cluster

Cultural cluster Cultural immersion cluster

Location of Cultural Cluster including the immersion program

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2.1d - Design Proposal

Cultural Cluster Program 1.

Performance hall

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Utility

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Roof

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Entrance galleries

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Cafe

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Gathering spaces

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Multi-function classrooms

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Vertical circulation

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Cultural Cluster

The cultural immersion program invites foreigners to experience the culture of the hutongs on a much deeper level. The idea of the program is to have foreigners to stay for multiple weeks or months and participate in programs to learn about specific aspects of Beijing culture. Some examples of programs could be an introductory Mandarin course or traditional building methods.

The foreigners end up helping to build/repair within the community. This would create more meaningful interactions between the foreigners and the locals.

Interior of Cultural Cluster

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2.1d - Design Proposal

Cultural Immersion Program • Research space • Exhibition space • Indoor and outdoor gathering spaces • Flexible classrooms • Living quarters

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Pods

Section of bathroom pod inserted into traditional Siheyuan.

With the rising price of the housing in Beijing and the population growth, space is becoming more limited and expensive day by day. This makes it crucial to create more space in the traditional Hutong areas and clear the clutter of some of these traditional homes. The proposed design solution consists of a series of pods that can be attached onto the existing housing structures. This solution is focused on simple systems where residents can use the pods both independently or to form a community of pods in different sections of the courtyard or community. These pods create an extra, closed space that protect people or substances from the harsh weather of Beijing. All these pods are designed for a budget and depending on the application of each pod the material is variable. This allows the costs of each pod to be low and affordable. These pods could be temporary or permanent spaces (based on owner’s need). These pods could be modular living and sleeping sections or as simple as bathroom/shower installations. Bathroom pods are the first pods we designed based on our interview results. After the residents determine which type of pod they want, they would be involved in the process of 3D printing their pod in the technology cluster. This both leads the community in the digital world and promotes a culture of self-help.

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2.1d - Design Proposal

Exterior of bathroom pod inserted into traditional Siheyuan.

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Pods Bathroom Pod A The material of this pod is a polycarbonate shell combined with an exposed metal frame. The white translucent polycarbonate panels create enough light to the interior while giving a hint of the structural from. The uniform shape makes these pod very easy to combine which gives the residents the freedom of creating larger spaces based on their needs or their own concept.

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2.1d - Design Proposal

Bathroom Pod B The envelope design of theses pods responds to the traditional courtyard house’s garden and environment. In the facade of the pod, we used the abstract shape of the traditional rock in order to connect the past and the future. The medium grey represents the connection that physically and visually blends the new additions to the old courtyard houses.

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Pods Bathroom Pod C The form of this pod, with its curvy lines is pleasant and calming comparing to the rigidity and horizontal line of the traditional Sihuyajn. Also, the panoramic matte windows give a enough light to the interior. The beveled edges on the side could create extra storage space within the unit.

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2.1d - Design Proposal

Bathroom Pod D This pod design is the closest design to the traditional courtyard houses. It is almost like half of the traditional house frame and it follows the same vertical and rood line. The side panels are able to move in or out depending of the need of the users. Also, the center of the side opens up completely and allows the users to attach another half pod in order to create more space. This design creates a space that dominate and intensifies the character of the traditional courtyard houses and it’s surrounding elements.

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Transportation Hubs

Locations of transportation hubs

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2.1d - Design Proposal

System for underground parking at transportation hubs

The transportation hubs are located on the edges of the site and function as gateways to the site. These hubs are not only primary entry points to the neighborhood but also they provide residents with an advanced underground parking complex. This declutters the streets and restores the traditional feel, while making the global village more appealing to younger generations by alleviating the need for parking.

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Conclusion

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2.1e - Conclusion

This project combines the themes of history, technology, self sustenance, and cultural expression to create a unique global village that faces the future while remembering the past. This design addresses the challanges of maintaining the traditional values of the hutongs while making them more livable for the residents, bridging the gap between the youth and the eldery and creating more meaningful connections between the locals and visitors. The different design elements of this project come together to create the global village where people are encouraged to learn, teach, interact and improve their own environments. While our village was designed specifically for our site, we believe that this model of living can be emulated in many other communities across the globe.

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