Weican Zuo's Architecture Portfolio

Weican Zuo | Portfolio Dept. of Architecture, Xi'an Jiaotong University, P.R.China Applying for M.Arch (Two Year), 2015 Fall, University of Minnesota

Harmony Architecture ——My Road in Architecture

Contents 1

From the moment I studied architecture, I was obsessed by its relativity and uncertainty. In the world of architecture, without right or wrong, no absolute and exclusive answer exists. I consider an excellent architect should dedicate to find ways to make his work REASONABLE. My understanding of architecture is derived from my understanding of the world. I believe everything from macroscopic to microcosmic must change in keeping with the campaign. In this dynamic stream of society, architecture as solidifying music should grow as it adapts and find its way to be in harmony with the context. Like Alvar Aalto said, “Building art is a synthesis of life in ma-terialized form. We should try to bring in under the same hat not a splintered way of thinking, but all in harmony together.”

This portfolio displays my architecture exploration process during my college life. Aiming at harmony architecture, I try to solve problems via DIALECTICAL and PHILOSOPHICAL thinking. I consider the point of view of the users and reflect on what they would deem pleasant and what they yearn for. This mindset allows me to create logical and reasonable spaces by catching every detail of the user requirements. This process is under developing, so I wish to get chance to do further research.

Project 1 Street & lane __ Architecture and Space Kaifeng Liujia Hutong Culture Center Academic / Independent

2

Project 2 Piling UP__ Architecture and Environment School of Human Settlements & Civil Engineering Energy-saving Building Design Academic / Three-Person Teamwork

3

Project 3 LIVING STREET__ Architecture and City Urban Design: Defu Alley Traditional Districts Academic / Two-Person Teamwork

4

Project 4 UNDERNEATH__ Architecture and Society UIA Competition, Durban, Architecture Otherwhere Professional / Four-Person Teamwork

Weican ZUO

School of Human Settlement and Civil Engineering Xi'an Jiaotong University No.28 Xianning West Road, P.O.BOX 1983 Shaanxi, Xi'an, 710049 People’s Republic of China

Harmonious of Light and Shadow Photographed at San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, Nov. 2012 ("Excellent Work" in Architecture Dream World Photography Contest, 2014)

Phone: (+86)18700971674 (+86)0371-67782118 Email: zuoweican@126.com

X

Supplements__ Me and Architecture Preservation and Planning of Lianghu Village Han Chang'an Heritage Site Museum Design Grow in Nature- Entity Construction Survey and Drawing of Chinese Catholic Church Photography Fine Arts

01

05

10

15

18

Streets & lanes

1

2012, the Second Academic Year Kaifeng Liujia Hutong Culture Center Design, Kaifeng, P.R.C Type: Academic / Independent Director: Professor Binqing ZHAI

Kaifeng Liujia Hutong Culture Center design Taking the advantage of modern architecture construction and traditional spatial approaching technique, the culture center aims at interpreting Chinese traditional "Hutong" spirit and value. It displays the combinations between the past and present, interior and outside space.

Project 1 Street & lane __ Architecture and Space

Liujia Protected Architecture Traditional Liu's Mansion Since 1880 Former Residence of Qingxia Liu

SITE location

Site

China

Henan Province

AREA ANALYSIS

Kaifeng

Kaifeng Urban Area

Controled Area

Site Protected Area Protected Architecture

site planning

SITE ANALYSIS

landscape nodes

traffic flow line

Human Landscape

Main Road

Branch Commercial Landscape Secondary Main Road

Judaism Exhibition Hall

roads system

visiting flow line

landscape type

activities impact

interior space flow

outside space flow

Newly-built Construction

1 -01-

SCALE OF Hutong:

Chinese Hutong Culture:

I believe the spirit of traditional city and architecture lies in space, and what makes the space distinguishable is the scale. This project happens in a traditional Chinese Hutong context. In order to retain Hutong culture, following existed traditional space scale and space experience is the key point. According to my measurement result, normally the ratio between the height of the architecture and the width of road is no less than 1:2.

Hutong means a lane or an alley, formed by lines of Siheyuan (a compound with houses around a courtyard).

Hutongs are in different width ranging from 40cm to 10m.

The entrance gate is usually in a small scale, painted vermilion and with copper door knockers on it. Superstition holds that it also protects the house from evil spirits.

It is in a deep lanes that families play, buy goods, gossip and connect. In Chinese's eyes, Hutongs means a cordial lifestyle and even an “encyclopedia of China".

Each of which are small secular Paradise, where you will see walking old men, the playing children, all present great and extraordinary means of healthy living style.

9m

SCALE OF old and new

5m

3.2m 6m

5m

PLACE TO BE DESIGNED

â– PRODUCTION & SELECTION At First, lots of models were made in order to generate prototypes for the project as much as possible. Then surplus models would be examined and selected according to the site and functional requirements until the most adaptable one was picked out.

History

Future

Inside

Outside

visitors

the locals

space

substance

spirit

form

UP

THE CHOSEN ONE

Refusing orthogonal axis, introducing clino-axis into traditional city texture is the highlights of this prototype. It is a start to renew the city texture and bring energy to this traditional district, at the same time, long and narrow spaces between constructions retain people's memory of Hutong culture. Aiming at reconciling conflicts, what we get is a reasonable design, Harmony Architecture.

N

DOWN

Site plan -02-

â– SPATIAL ANALYSIS More than just a symbol, the culture centre also serves as a container of space. Inadvertently, the space of this architecture reflects the spirit of the Chinese Hutong culture. In order to make the outside space integrate smoothly into architecture, I break down the whole block, and the traditional smallscaled lane and comfortable empty space between the architecture could emerge.

When Chinese people walk in the lanes, they feel comfortable. Friendly conversations happens everywhere. The familiar spatial experience in the culture center makes they feel an extension of Hutong. When people walk to the square, they would be enlightened suddenly by the big open space.

A modern, new world is in front of their eyes.

N

10m

5m

5m 10m

10m

10m

9m 9m

5m

3.5m

5m

5m 10m

5m

4m

5m

terrace

courtyard

CORRidor

lane

square

master plan Traditional Scale Modern Scale

to the judaism exhibition Hall

â– cutaway perspective

-03-

technology could be a spectacle

â– PLAN & FLOW LINE The Locals Flow Line

Vegetation Layer

planted roof

Visitors Flow Line

The second floor is only for the staff. There are several offices and two meeting rooms in different size on the second floor. They could meet multiple uses. Besides, an open balcony could be used as a relaxation space and a place to enjoy the sight of the whole outside space.

west entrance

second floor plan

The Staff Flow Line

Discharging Tube

Meeting Room Office Curator's Office Balcony

Soil Layer 30mm Filter Layer Insulating Layer Root-proof Layer

Liujia Hutong Culture Center has two entrances. The main entrance is on the south, which has a small-scaled looking from the outside in order to fit in the traditional Hutong context. Visitors could go to the exhibition halls directly through the teahouse and corridor, or, go down the terrace, where they will be able to see the outside exhibitions. The locals, who would use activity rooms and art studios more often would get in directly through the door on the right. The layout of the studios are also coincide with the outside terrace. West part of the building is mainly for the staff.

main entrance

Souvenir Shop Exhibition Hall Lecture Hall Cafe VIP Reception Office Office Reception Office Art Studio The Main Hall

Structure Layer H-Beam 200mm*600mm Ceiling Level Structure Column Shutter Vacuum Double-layer Tube

first floor plan plaza entrance

Wood Floor Cement Mortar

In order to control the height of the building to remain the old city skyline, as well as make great vertical space effect by terrace and sunken square, I make use of underground space to create zigzag lane and courtyard to imitate Chinese traditional space of Hutong. Also, it could be used as outside exhibition area. Visitors after they looking over outside exhibitions, can get into the main hall and go to the exhibition halls on the first floor.

underground floor plan

Leveling Course

Storeroom Outdoor Exibition Media Exhibition Temporary Exibition The Main Hall Art Studio Activity Room

Structure Layer Insulating Layer Inlet Tube Wood Board

(Cooperated with Haining GU, Sai HAN)

-04-

piling up

2

Project 2 Piling UP__ Architecture and Environment 2013, the Fourth Academic Year, Green Architecture Design School of Human Settlements and Civil Engineering Energy-saving Building Design, Xi'an, P.R.C Type: Academic/Three-Person Teamwork (Partner: Ruidong Yan, Wei Yuan) Contribution: 33% of the whole design and physical model making, Leader of the group

Xi'an Jiaotong University School of Human Settlements & Civil Engineering Energy-saving Building Design

what did we do?

SITE location

First of all, we explored every possibility that in conditions of high floor area ratio and high building density, how to increase daylighting and ventilation in order to save energy and improve living conditions.

Secondly, we created surfaces resembled the ground in different floor for human activities and greening. At the same time, these terraces in different level could stimulate sight communication and let communication happen naturally.

Thirdly, we combined sustainable design with aesthetics. By using modular construction, which can reduce the project cost and shorten construction period, we piled up modular units regularly. Meanwhile, by using this regular pattern of variance, we created a rhythmical and harmonious faรงade.

What we want: Energy-saving Demonstration Building A landmark in the XJTU Science Park

Main Teaching Building

Site

What we need: Total area: 15000m2 site area: 5625m2

China

Shaanxi Province

Xi'an

XJTU Science Park

reflections on highrise office building A. Form

B. surface

OLD KEY WORDS:

NEW KEY WORDS:

OLD KEY WORDS:

NEW KEY WORDS:

High Isolated Integrated Huge Body Protruding Monolithic Similar

Nearer to Earth Connected Synthetical Moderate Body Harmonious Metabolic Diverse

Plane Isolated Uniform Closed Vertical Monotonous Energy-Intensive

Multifaceted Connected Harmonious Open Balanced Mutative Low-Energy Consumption

some typical high-rise office building in China:

2 -05-

prototype selection

formation analysis

what will happen if a 15000m2 architecture is on a 75m*75m land?

modular units

form generation assembly units

6m

Surface resembled the ground is used for human activities & greening.

Point-style Tower:

building style: A id: point-style tower

ventilation id: cross-ventilation

lighting Area id: the smallest

greening id: circle around

Centripetal general layout; Centripetal psychological suggestion; Iconic and unbroken mass; Typical office building; Surrounded by open space for greening and transportation.

6m

6m

TYPE A

Rectangular Tower:

building style: B id: rectangular tower

ventilation id: cross-ventilation

lighting Area id: the smallest

greening id: greening square

up

building style: c id: Closed tower

ventilation id: cross & stack effect

lighting Area id: the second largest

greening id: courtyard

phase 2

The Whole Block

Form the Courtyard

phase 6

phase 3

Add the Lobby

Form the Terraces

phase 5

phase 4

Adjust the Terraces

Form the Terraces

6m

6m

Decentered general layout; A ceremonial square in front of the building; Enough distance for viewing overall perspective; Iconic and unbroken mass; Typical government building.

phase 1

9m

TYPE B

physical model

Lead in freash air Entrance to the Courtyard

Cantilevered Lecture Hall

sectorization

CLOSED Tower:

part 1

part 2

Equalized general layout; Closed courtyard for greening and human activities; Overpowering sense of whole dimension; Iconic and unbroken mass; Have strong feeling of privacy.

Administration Office

Public Activity Space

The Chosen One!

part 3

part 4

Teaching Area

Activity Space for Student Union

part 5

part 6

Experimental Teaching Area

Architectural Design Institute

SEMI-CLOSED Tower: up

building style: D id: semi-closed tower

ventilation id: cross & stack effect

lighting Area id: The largest one

greening id: courtyard

Not equalized general layout; Semi-closed courtyard for human activities and greening; Less sense of dimension; Iconic and varying mass; Gradual changing platforms, Have certain feeling of privacy.

-06-

lineal transportation

piling up

lineal transportation Teaching Flow Working Flow Research Flow Design Institute Flow Vertical Transportation Transportation Nuclear Open Platform

Reference Room

Main Hall

Design Institute

Office

Research Section

Studio

Design Institute

Lab Section

first floor

Research Section

Design Institute

Lab Section

second floor

Office Studio

Lab Section

make communication happen Several departments share the building together. More communication between the people from different backround could broaden their horizons, and enhance their friendship. Terraces in different level are to make this communication happen naturally. Let people learn in communication.

third floor

terrace pattern Office

Research Section

Communication Space

Office Classroom

Office Studio

Classroom

fifth

Studio

fourth

Lecture Hall Design Institute

second

fifth floor

Classroom

seventh floor

Office

tenth floor

third

Lab Section

fourth floor

Office

(grade)

Office Studio

first

sixth floor

Activity Room

eighth floor

Activity Room

Office

ninth floor

Office

eleventh floor

done!

with facade

physical model 1:150 -07-

section 1ďźš400

interior

main entrance

vertical courtyard Gray space, as a transition from inside to outside; It's a place where people could be close to nature, it also serves as an air vent.

stair pre-chamber

outdoor platform

main entrance

administrative office faculty lounge

activity room

activity room activity room administrative office activity room

communication space communication space

activity room Lecture Hall

Courtyard

Architecture studio Architecture studio

meeting room

Architecture studio

CVS

recycled water pool

inferior ENTRANCE

MAIN ENTRANCE

elevator shaft equipment room

underground parking

-08-

modular design

section sustainable analysis

modular units

Glass Sunshine Hut

Lead in fresh air and create stack effect

revolved assembly units

solar energy collectors

Photovoltaic Panel

For office part, it is the zenith of the whole building. Rotate the primitive 90o from bottom to the topmost, in order to make floor plans and elevations regularly and in a rhythmic pattern.

Collectors on the roof are designed to collect solar energy, with the help of which, sufficient solar resource could be utilized by the building greatly.

What's more, the angles and positions of the lids can be adjusted according to the sunshine height angle.

Photovoltaic panel outside the glass curtain wall serves as solar energy collector, which transform solar energy into electricity, as well as shutter, which could prevent sunshine irradiating directly into the interior.

assembly units

900

0

90

900

stack effect

900

The high pass hall in the office part will serve as atriums and generate stack effect. With the help of which, adequate natural ventilation will be realizable.

900

900

rain water collectors There couples of rainwater collectors are displaced on the roof. The water can be collected by the vegetation on the roof firstly, and then it will be transported to the collectors at some specific spots.

shutter

ventilation and temperature adjustment

The shutters are movable and adjusting the shutter angle, the amount of pene-trating sunshine will vary according to users' needs.

Roof garden Roof garden could create a comfortable microclimate which can not only provide visitors a nice place for leisure, but also absorb CO 2 from air with the help of the vegetation on the roof.

radiant floor heating system

solar energy colectors air conditioning unit adjusting indoor temperature

supply heat to lithium bromide air conditioner

radiant ceiling personalized ventilation

The low-temperature floor radiation heating system is a kind of comfortable, energy-saving heating method.

With the help of which, the building could be heated in a low-carbon way.

displacement ventilation Displacement ventilation is a highlyefficient ventilation way, through which aims such as gaining higher air quality, economizing energy and getting better ventilation efficiency are realized.

energy conservation measure

Lead in freash air

underground tunnel ventilation The underground tunnel ventilation is one of the most environmental-friendly and spacesaving ventilation ways, which could help to refresh the air indoor with high efficiency.

-09-

3

3

Project 3 LIVING STREET__ Architecture and City 2013, the Fourth Academic Year, Urban Design, Xi'an, P.R.C Type: Academic/Two-Person Teamwork (Partner: Wanwan SHAO) Contribution: 50% of the whole planning, design and physical model making

Site China

Shaanxi Province

Xi'an

Old District

Site Present Situation 1 Defu Alley

2 Dachejia Alley 3 Xiangzi Temple Street 4 Shuncheng Alley

Defu Alley:

This alley closes to a residential district which was built in the last century. It shows clearly different architecture style.

Defu Alley Traditional Bar Street

Xiangzi Temple Street:

Xiangzi Temple is surrounded by lower layers commercial buildings, such as hotel, stores, and restaurants.

Shuncheng Alley:

Living Streets

Lower layers commercial buildings on the one side of the road and city wall on the other. Buildings are diversified.

Defu Alley Traditional District - Urban Design

Dachejia Alley:

A living street is a street designed primarily with the interests of pedestrians in mind and as a social space where people can meet and where children may also be able to play safely day and night. Based on field research, by organizing the dispersed functional groups of the district together, the main issue of the traditional district -- imbalanced time and space could be solved.

The alley is surrounded by traditional residential district which was built in last century, commerce at the bottom.

Xiangzi Temple The Birthplace of Taoism Ancient city wall Ancient Defensive Wall xiangzi temple street Traditional Art & Crafts Street -10-

Problem ?

Traffic Flow Observation A.M. P.M. (5min) 10:00 19:00

A.M. P.M. 10:10 19:10

A. Imbalanced Time and spatial Distribution

B. Poor condition of architecture

Problem solving!

Through the observation, we can find out that on the different streets people are conducting different activities, because the existing business types are rather diversified and unevenly distributed. The business has clearly formed four different business areas. Each area has limited types of business, and results in a single form of human activity. Therefore, it leads to an imbalanced time and space distribution. The separation of uses destroys communities and innovative economies by creating isolated, unnatural urban spaces.

Most of the constructions in the site belong to nineteen nighties, and now they are somehow in bad condition. Also, some residents even made alterations and additions illegally. This community is lack of administration. Moreover, duplex houses in the center of the site are the first batch of duplex houses in Xi'an, which we believe are worth being reserved.

In order to eliminate the uneven distribution of time and space, we need to reorganize the function of architecture. What we are doing here is disturbing the obvious existing sections, and blurring the boundaries of sections, at the same time adding new functions to this district. According to our research, the new theater, and Xiangzi Temple are two main elements in the district, so they are starting points to solve our problems. We learned from Urban Catalyst Theory, chose Xiangzi Temple and theater as catalysts, let them stimulate the development of surrounding areas.

A.M. P.M. 10:20 19:20

A.M. 08:00 A.M. P.M. 10:30 19:30 33

57

3

0

10

12

15

17

2

5

38

52

7

2

20

30

42

33

3

2

116

118

33

58

P.M. 24:00

Defu Alley

Fen Alley

Shuncheng Alley

Xiangzi Temple Street

Dachejia Alley

Business Sections Distribution

D

ley

g hin

l uA

DISCREPANCY

t en

rt pa

n

Se

artme

To create living streets, we need to balance human activities. Mix in catalysts such as commercial complex and develop the site's time and spatial value.

xiangzi temple street

To make up Defu Alley lacking of vitality during the daytime, and neutralize activity level between creative office and bars, we turned old residences into commercial complex.

Good Quality Poor Quality

D

To make up Xiangzi Temple Street lacking of vitality during nighttime, and neutralize activity level between Fine Arts Exhibition and Youth Hotel, we added business clubs into the street.

e lS

n de

n tio

i

s Re

B

ction

n

Energy Import

Commercial Building

Ba

Residential Building A

Temporary Building

Defu Alley

Day

xiangzi temple street

Day

B

s Sect

ion

Creative Office

g All

ISOLATION

Energy Import

Office Building

io

ct

e rS

Fine Arts Exihibition Business Club Youth Hotel

nt Se

c

icraft

reet

s Dep

tia

Hand

le St

A

o cti

De

t Clo

f De

ey

Chose Xiangzi Temple and the theatre as two centerpieces (catalysts) evenly located at the site. Then deduce surrounding buildings' functions.

Defu Alley

Architecture Condition

C

m

chen

E

General Quality

Snack

l aA

Shun

D

Creative Office Commercial Complex Bars

ley

emp

C

E

lley

gzi T

B

Least Active

Pink A

Xian

A

P.M. 18:00

Snacks Department Section

7

Bar Section

3

Handicrafts Section

22

Residential Section

15

Clothing Department Section

12

eji

B

A.M. P.M. 10:40 19:40

15

h ac

A

Most Active

- Old district need to be renewed.

DIVERSITY

Night

Commercial Complex

Fine Arts Exihibition

Bars

Commercial Youth Hotel Complex

Night

-11-

SITE PLAN 1:2500

spatial structure

PROBLEM SOLVED!

LAYERS Hospital (Reserved)

Theater Dachejia Alley Entrance

Defu Alley Entrance

N

F e n A lley

3F

10F Plaza

2.

2F

8. 3F 4F 6.

7.

2F

3F

3F

5F

3F

9.

3F 4F

4F 4F

4F 4F

3F

2F

3F

5F

5F

Stores

4F

D efu A lley

Stores A lley

5F

2F

D achej i a

3F

Bars Street 2F

6F

5.

5F

5.

11.

3F

5F

6F

6F

1. Hospital (Reserved) 2. Theatre 3. Hotel 4. Teahouse 5. Residential Cluster 6. Kindergarten (Reserved) 7. Nursing Home (Reserved) 8. Creative Office (Renewed) 9. Commercial Cluster 10. Department Store 11. Commercial Complex 12. Fine Arts Exhibition 13. Xiangzi Temple (Reserved) 14. Commercial Architecture (Reserved) 15. Business Club 16. Youth Hotel (Reserved) 17. Art Studio 18. Quadrangle Dwellings Undergraound Garage Entrance

Fine Arts Exhibition

sky

pathway

Kindergarten (Reserved) Creative Office

Plaza

Commercial Complex Bar (Traditional Bar Str.) Natural Landscape Human Landscape

Business Plaza

Restaurant

itecture

ined

arch

Xiangzi Temple

reta

Youth Hotel

Business Plaza

Fine Arts Exhibition

Art Plaza

Art Studio

itecture

lt arch

i

-bu

10.

5F

2F

Nursing Home (Reserved)

Department Store

1.

4.

Theme Hotel

Creative Office

Residential Cluster

3.

5F

Theatre (Catalyst)

Virtual Node Solid Node

Quadrangle Dwellings

newly 4F

extra point: Sky Pathway

5F

Stores

5.

6F

2F Xiangzi Temple Entrance

18.

12.

2F 2F

2F

3F

X i a n g z i T emple S treet

14.

16.

17.

2F

"Vertical City"

13.

6F 1F

Xiangzi Temple Entrance

2F

2F

2F S hu n che n g A lley A n c i e n t C i ty W all

15.

2F

6F

A. A connection between different parts of the district;

g

nin

gree

B. An element to enrich people's vertical space experience; C. A great landscape pathway for tourists and the locals.

ad

ro

system

Physical Model 1:500

-20-12-

Main economic and technical indexes

palnning analysis Retained Architecture

newly- built ROADS

Spatial Design Site entrances

X section

Because of rigid division in both architecture styles and functions, and in each functional area buildings are too similar to each other, this traditional district is plane and decentralized. We break down whole blocks into diversified prototypes with different height for each functional area, and then combined each main part by winding sky pathway. Teahouse in the north is the zenith of this district, surrounded by hotel, theatre, and big open space for garden and the entrance of Defu Alley.

In order to highlight Xiangzi Temple and Ancient City Wall, the closer to the south, the smaller scale buildings and open spaces have. Theatre and Xiangzi Temple as two catalysts are scattered in the different parts of the district, radiating energy outward.

vehicle route Hotel

A

greening sections

Private area

Creat

garten

Kinder

Fronts

lley

Defu A

C-C

D

Conserved Architecture

xiangzi temple

ancient city wall

ice ive Off

Commercial Plaza

Fine Arts Exhibition

Plaza distribution

B-B

Sto

Store

Residential Cluster

lley

e Off Creativ

B

D

pedestrian route

ce

en Spa

esiden nts R re Fro

C

Commercial Complex

Theater

A

Architectural Facade Renovation

Transformation & Renovation

A-A

fu A ice De

C

Semi-private Area

n

Garde

tial Op

Teahouse

B

Hotel

Conserved Architecture

Theatre

lley

Defu A

re

heat use T Teaho

Store

Open Fronts

mplex

l Co mercia

Com

Space

Plaza

D-D

Conserved Architecture Transformation and Renovation E

E Ancient City Wall

s

welling

ngle D

Quadra

ss Club

usine dio B

Art Stu

ed Retain

g

Buildin

E-E

-13-

hospital teahouse & Hotel & Theater

theater hotel theater

teahouse restaurant teahouse

bar kindergarten

creative office

commercial complex

creative office

Plans

1. Storeroom 2. Offlce 3. Powder Room 4. Ticket Office 5. Locker Room 6. Art Room 7. Bench Area 9. Side Stage 10. Props Room 11. Makeup Room 12. Rest Area 13. Auditorium 14. Control Room 15. Hall 16. Information 17. Cafe 18. Bar 19. Main Stage 20. Optical-controlled Room

14 15 4 2

2

16

17

1

12

10 1

2

9 6

1

3

13

1

12

13 1

2

18

14

11

20 19

3

1

20

18

20 19

9 8

7

second floor plan 1:1000

1

1

20

5

18

18

1

first floor plan 1:1000

auditorium plan 1:600

nursing house

commercial complex

commercial complex

residential cluster

sound reflection analysis

residential cluster

sound reflection analysis Performation & Preparation Space Devices Space Administrative Space Public Space

commercial complex d

c

b

vertical flow line

a a=28o b=54o c=60o d=32o

horizontal sight angle analysis Quadrangle Dwellings

surface light analysis

section perspectives

art studio

fine art exhibition

Quadrangle Dwellings

functional division

art studio

Xiangzi temple

business club

youth hotel

commercial complex

sky pathway

-14-

LONG TERM - LARGE SCALE INTERVENTION

4

■ GREENING Planning structure

UNDERNEATH__ Architecture and Society

Green Space Radiation

Green Space Stratification

Greening & Traffic Facilities

Greening & Religious Settings

2014, For UIA Competition，Durban Director: Professor Binqing ZHAI Type: Professional/Four-Person Teamwork Patner: Ruidong YAN, Wei YUAN, David LIU Contribution: 25% of the whole planning and design

Traffic

■ planning process

Greenbelt Junction Impact

The original urban organization is now out of order. Green spaces, blocks and traffic are posed randomly.

We unify urban green spaces and existing blocks distribution in order to insure the average quality of environment.

We divide traffic area into several pieces.

They are dispersed in the city as connections between each blocks.

Religion Greenbelt Impact

■ Waterscape and Ecosystem (section)

For large scale intervention, in order to develop the whole Warwick Junction area, we choose several central green spaces and connect them all by green corridors. Along the edges of green space, as well as green corridors, we construct underground tunnels and lay water pipes for both undercurrent and flow in the open air. In this way, each green area could be connected and form a whole ecological system including the aboveground as well as the underground. It can solve environmental problems brought by urbanization to some extent, in the meantime, protect the conflicting context.

Central green spaces are connected by several greenways in order to form sustainable environment.

4

Green Space Traffic Area

Architecture Otherwhere

Urban Block Greenways

-15-

Around the cemetery, walls move backwards and form banded space, giving way to the living system.

Outside the pit slot houses, we plan to install annular rail. Cargo transshipment with different track gauge happens at the railway station, mainly with semiautomated small track gauge vehicles, to help local physical distribution. Retailers bring in goods or send out garbage by the rail. City management officers can go on patrol and maintain facilities by the railway trolley. Even in the future, along the railway, could develop mobile stores which can promote efficiency of the flow of goods and enhance mobility of the business. The railway could be used intermittently. For example, people can transport garbage or goods at night, but the railway could be used as normal road in the daytime.

â– different level

MEDIUM TERM - MEDIUM SCALE INTERVENTION

â– closed-loop system

The rail paved around the cemetery, pass through the hangar area in front of the railway station in order to serve the local material flow, accelerate decentralization of the crowds and clear up garbage in time. Moreover, the railway combines the space inside of the hangar with the outside space and improves attractions of the business facilities inside the pit slot houses.

At the conjunction between the hangar and exterior, we set flexible taxi service area. Taking advantage of annular railway leads to taxi service disperse along the railway. As a result, it can evacuate the crowds that concentrated in the terminal and improve the efficiency of taxi turnaround.

religious view of life & death

Cementary

A. Death is not the end of the life, but the beginning of another form of life.

B. People should celebrate the newborn life. But when people die, it is also a peaceful moment. People feel happy for the death, because they've gotten rid of this life, and their new journey begins.

C. They are all Unitarians, so they owe their life to their own "God".

In the ongoing history of Warwick, people with different belief and different races converged in here, and form this conflicting situation underneath nowadays.

Cemetery is the concentrated expression of this conflicting context. We think that the edges of cemetery should be confirmed and maintained.

Constructing underground tunnel around the cemetery is one way to emphasize the edges. At the same time, lay the local railway material flow system along the edges. We hope that based on this idea, we can maintain this conflicting context in harmony.

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short TERM - SMALL SCALE INTERVENTION For small scale intervention, we divide it into two parts. The underground part takes up a portion of cemetery’s edges.

Dig a hole and enclosed by concrete. Remain the interfaces on the top, at the surface of earth. We can control the cost of the underground tunnel within 100$. This independent pit is multifunctional, such as for accommodation and storage.

The aboveground part is designed as a module, adapting to industrial manufacture, which could be used repeatedly. We have designed 6 kinds of assembly units (figures are showed as below), but we could only use assembly units number 1, 5, and 6 to finish the aboveground part, which cost within 200$. As a result, the total cost to build one pit slot house is no more than 300$.

■ single structure

wash car repair park

1- Retaining Wood Board 2- Wall Module 3. Window Module 4- Door Module 5- Supporting Framework 6- Roof Covering

RETAIL

1- Wood Board 2- Wall Module 4- Door Frame 3- Window Module

5- Supporting Framework

6- Roof Covering

SHELTER

aboveground part ■ assembly method of wall

subterranean part

TYPE A

underneath Death is the continuation of life. Dwelling environment of the living and the dead fuses together. Warwick cemetery is the place where the dead rest among the living. We develop subterranean zone of the cemetery edges to make this transition complete. Taking advantage of the transitional area between the living and the dead to solve current issues and meet people's need in the Warwick is our understanding of "Otherwhere".

REST

STORE sewage disposal

TYPE B

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THE INCEPTION OF ROAD In my understanding, there is no royal road to architecture. Like Karl Marx said, only those who do not dread the fatiguing climb of gaining its numinous summits.

My way in architecture is hard but full of hope, endless but with great sceneries. I will always appreciate what I have learned, always be curious about what I am about to learn, and always wonder what could be seen after I getting over the hill.

-- Weican ZUO

INCEPTION Photographed at San Francisco, Sept. 2012

X Supplements__ Me and Architecture A. Preservation and Planning of Lianghu Village B. Han Chang'an Heritage Site Museum Design C. Grow in Nature- Entity Construction D. Survey and Drawing of Chinese Catholic Church E. Photography F. Fine Arts

XA

IDEATION

STAGE: Preservation and Planning of Shanxi Lianghu Village

Lacking of resource, local agriculture can't support the village. But the coal industry with great pollution, doesn't have the quality of long-time development.

Shanxi is a province with great cultural relics and has a large amount of ancient villages, especially Lianghu Village.

L&A Design Star College Students Design Contest, 2013, Recognition Award Director: Professor Binqing ZHAI Type: Professional/Three-Person Teamwork (Partner: Ruidong YAN, Wei YUAN) Contribution: 33% of the whole preservation and planning, Leader of the group

Present Situation Analysis

Shanxi Lianghu Village has reserved numerous of original self-sufficient handcraft industries, such as iron ware and mature vinegar.

Ancient Architecture

Old buildings tell us the history and depression.

While protecting, we need to build new countryside to improve the living conditions of the locals.

Developing a new kind of "stage" tourism in Lianghu, it can let travelers experience the miniature of Chinese traditional culture.

Protected Architecture Commercial & Facilities Volunteer Station Research Institute Display Architecture Rent & Adoption Courtyard Youth Hotel Theme Hotel Residential Architecture Local Residence

Existing Tour Route

Lianghu has about 520 families in total. There are few public utilities in the village, without a meeting place for villagers.

Preservation and Planning Based on rich cultural remains, taking advantage of its present superiority, we established a developmental planning of Lianghu Village.

Aiming at bringing this ancient village which has gone through hundreds of years back to life, we reflect on our traditions and think about how we can inherit its spirit. Such Pondering is not limited to Lianghu Village but countless cultural remains in China.

Planning Structure LOCAL Residence Dating from Ming and Qing Dynasty, Lianghu Village is a national famous and one of the best reserved historical and cultural villages in China, Shanxi Province. It has great remains scattered in the village. Professor CHEN Zhihua, the famous vernacular architecture experts in Tsinghua University, appraised that, "The remains of Lianghu Village let us know that life should be and could be created exquisitely, artistically, honestly and full of passion." However, as high intensity development and low public consciousness of conservation, Lianghu culture is gradually covered by modern awareness.

Residence Site Community Center

Commercial Structure

Commercial Axis Display And Commercial Joint

Remains Study Institute

Protected Architecture Study Center

Because of reconstructions, ancient buildings have changed beyond recognition. What we lost here not only the culture, but also home for generations.

History marked on the village. Numerous of national cultural relics, as well as handcraft, were destroyed by people, only ruins were left behind.

We should let more people know about this vanishing culture, and collect volunteers to do publicity and protection.

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XB

SILK ROAD: Han Chang'an Heritage Site Museum

■ DESIGN CONCEPT:

■ section

■ FLOW SPACE Staff Tourist Ramp

Han Chang'an Heritage Site Museum Design Competition, Xi'an, 2013, Third Prize Director: Professor Binqing ZHAI Type: Professional/Three-Person Teamwork Partner: Ruidong YAN, David LIU Contribution: 33% of the whole design HISTORICAL SITE

Public Space Exhibition Space Transport Space Research Space Rear Service

SILK

Site

DESERT, Sand Hill China

Shaanxi Province

Xi'an

Xi'an Urban Area Han Chang'an City Heritage Park (BCE202)

CURVE

■ roof analysis

Tang Daming Palace Heritage Site (AD634)

What History Have Taught Us

Tang Chang'an (Old District) (AD634) Tang Xingqing Palace Heritage Park (AD714)

Exalted Roof Part

Tourists Flow Line

What History Have Taught Us

Staff Flow Line

Han dynasty opened the famous "Silk Road", making possible the dialogue between Chinese and European civilizations. It was a great step in human history, which left us priceless treatures buried under the desert and sand hills.

Thus, we aimed at imitating the image of sand hills in the desert and created a flowing space, in which we can feel the process of exploration and the glory of the history.

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XC

Grow in Nature: Entity Construction Type: Professional/Three-Person Teamwork Partner: Ruidong YAN, Yuanxiang CHEN Contribution: 33% of the whole design and construction, Leader of the group

Roll up newspapers

What waste Newspaper could do?

In the theme of "Grow in Nature", we are thinking of a certain material that nature gives us and we could give nature back in a new form. Then we come to waste newspaper. Paper comes from trees, the green protector of nature. After we use the paper, it becomes a "waste".

However, we believe it still has life if we give it a form.

put newspaper rolls in a row

As we believe that everything grows in nature, all must change in keeping with the campaign, thus we give this paper construction a new dynamic form, and let it blossom in nature again.

materials

fix newspapers rolls into a panel

Waste Newspapers: It is the main material of the whole construction. We reuse these plane newspapers to create a new threedimensional and dynamic form. It is how we give these "trees" another form of life.

Box Tape & Latex: Fix newspaper in a roll and glue rolls in a panel.

Double Sided Adhesive Tape: Fix each newspaper panel in a spiral form.

fix spiral panels on the baseboard in a dynamic form

MDF: 5mm Medium Density Fiberboard is the whole baseboard material. We fixed paper panels on it to make the construction stable and immobile.

GROW IN NATURE

GROW IN NATURE

adjust the form of the whole assembly

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XD

XF Fine arts

Survey and drawing of Chinese Catholic church

Pen Drawing south elevation 1:500

- Apr. 2013

East elevation 1:500

XE photographyďźˆ2011-2013 the one

Photographed at Hefei, Anhui Province, Apr. 2013

pagoda in the desert

Photographed at Dunhuang, Gansu Province, Aug. 2011

tourists and a porter

Photographed at Dunhuang, Gansu Province, Aug. 2011

Pencil Sketch - Dec. 2010

Acrylic Painting

Gouache

- Oct. 2012

- Dec. 2011

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V

WEICAN ZUO: I'm Ready!

School of Human Settlement and Civil Engineering Xi'an Jiaotong University No.28 Xianning West Road, P.O.BOX 1983 Shaanxi, X'an, People's Republic of China, 710049 Phone: (+86)18700971674 Email: zuoweican@126.com