Portfolio - Amy Xiang

PORTFOLIO Zheng Xiang (Amy) Cornell University

ACADEMIC ARCHITECTURE

Selected Work Bachelor of Architecture ‘17 Cornell Architecture August, 2012 - Present

THE LIGHTBOX Fall 2016 Studio IX Prof. Ruben Alcolea Site in Getaria, Spain

The goal of this project is about adding a new perspective to the ruin and the traditional gastronomical society while still respecting the old.

To do so, a dining space is created on top of the ruin without any contacts with the wall. The volume is supported by the elevator core and cantilevers out to hover over the ruin walls. Because of the challenging of the structure limit, the space is able to limit the vertical structural elements and creates a open floor plate for the dining space. By creating the effect of a floating luminous box, it emphasizes the contrast between the heavy and massive walls and a transparent, light box. The gap between the building and the walls also let light int the walls for this ramp. The ramp is designed for tourists to have

the experience of observing the ruin at a close distance without being able to touch it. It is supported by structure with minimized contacts to the walls. The existing building next to the ruin site is used to accommodate supporting programs, such as offices and tourist center while remaining its facade to fit into the streetscape from outside. It also serves as entrances to the building and access to the ramp.

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1. Exploded Wall Struture 2. Bathroom Core 3. Circulation 4. Section (Page 16) 5. Section (Page 19)

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The LightBox

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The analytic axonometric diagram shows different parts of the building, such as the circulation consists of the curved ramp and staircases as well as the doubled glass walls with a walkway all around the inside volume.

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Top Level Plan The LightBox

Ground Level Plan Fall 2016 | 15

The LightBox

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The LightBox

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This rendering shows the ramp inside of the ruin walls and the intimate relationship with the history tourists can get. The gap between the new building and the old walls under it allows light to flow in to create a spiritual phenomenon for the experience.

The LightBox

URBAN FRONTIER Spring 2016 Studio VIII Prof. Tao DuFour +Prof. Paulo Tavares Site in Placas, Brazil

Urban Frontier is a project exploring the phenomenon of frontier urbanization in the Brazilian Amazon and its relations with colonial history, contemporary political-economic processes, territorial transformations and climate change. It aims to project possibilities for transforming this process into new urban paradigms, or forms of frontier urbanities that support social, economic and ecological complementarity between urban environments, societies, and natures.

The studio began with researching and mapping the urban phenomenon in the Amazon Forest before going on a week-long field to the site. After investigating and researching for a month, I understand the Amazon Forest as an urban structure, based on the urbanization and

deforestation process happening in the area since 1969. A design strategy was proposed after the investigation in order to solve the current situation of continuous deforestation which harms not only the Amazon Forest itself but also the global climate. The proposal uses regulated urban residential units to deal with high density population flows.

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Analytic Atlas of Amazon Rainforest Urban Frontier

Analysis of Relationship between Industries and Deforestation

The deforestation process in the Amazon Rain-

condition that compacts residents in the area

large amount of population flows from one town

forest happens along the Transamazon Highway

and fully utilize currently deforested area for

to another, more houses can be add under the

and sprawl outwards for the purpose of logging

both living and agriculture. The proposal is de-

green roof when the population flow comes in

and agriculture. After reading and analyzing sat-

signed for part of Placas city based on its current

and some of the houses would be left empty or

ellite images from decades ago, it appears that

condition. The strategy, however, is applicable

used for community purposes when the flow

deforestation and reforestation form a ongoing

for all towns along Transamazon Highway since

leaves town.

cycle, which shows that forests can recover

their similar situation and background. Houses

themselves once the logging process stops.

in a neighborhood could be covered by a green

This design proposal suggests a dense living

roof where agriculture happens. Because of the Spring 2016 | 25

Current Satellite Condition

Urban Frontier

Current Condition Analytic Drawing

Ideal Condition

Ideal Dense Condition

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Lower Level Plan of Ideal Condition Urban Frontier

Upper Level Plan of Ideal Condition Spring 2016 | 29

THE VACANCY

EVO DEVO is a design studio dealing with ur-

employment opportunities, this fast-expanded

ban conditions in Buffalo, NY, and further pro-

city was left with abandoned mills and vacant

Fall 2015 Studio VII EVO DEVO Prof. Michael Jefferson Prof. Greg Keeffe Site in Buffalo, NY

posing solutions to the current controversy. Be-

lots. After examining the vacancy along the

ing one of the biggest cities in New York State,

highway across the city, I proposed a manifesto

Buffalo appears to be vacant comparing to any

of “future city” for the city of Buffalo with three

other big cities. Around the start of the 20th

new infrastructures to eliminate traditional cars

century, the city grows so fast that the expan-

and create a more environmental friendly city.

sion of its territory highly exceeded the growth of population, which created the empty lots that were imagined to be filled through the years of development. During the late 20th century, however, Buffalo’s importance declined mainly because of the failing industries and suburban migration. When people moved away for other Fall 2015 | 31

Parks

Pedestrains

Local Transit

Four-System Planning Diagram The Vacancy

Regional Transit

Green Spaces

Electric Cars

Regional Trains

The proposal compacts a big city into dense clusters along the existing with electric cars used as local transportation and trains connecting each clusters. The existing highway is adapted to be used as green spaces for residence.

Each house in the neighborhood is less than five minutes away from a park.

Traditional cars are eliminated, while a new car share system is introduced to each neighborhood. People can walk into any power station and pick up a fully charged car, drive to their destination power station within the neighborhood and leave the car there for other people.

Each neighborhood is connected by a new train system which is built under the existing highway. It is more energy efficient for people traveling between neighborhoods to travel in trains, and will also help preventing cars leaving the neighborhood. Train station of each neighborhood would become a community center for the area.

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CENTRE D’EDUCATION INCLUSIF Spring 2014 Studio VI Prof. Jerry Wells Group Project with Eric Park

This is a design proposal for a education center in Haiti. The proposal is focused on a modular wooden structure system adapted from Japanese structure which performs a high resistance in earthquakes. One major concern about this project is that the lack of local material resources and labor force which requires the construction of the building needs to be simple assembly of material shipped from US. The wooden structure consists of 2x4 lumber pieces connected to each other and fastened by metal cables, which can all be shipped from Miami, Florida in cargo containers and assembled locally. Due to the hot and humid weather in Haiti, roofs, with large shadow coverage made from recycled corrugated metal, are used to create semi-open spaces

serving for school activities and playgrounds in the case of rainy days. A underground water tank system is employed so that rainwater collected from the roof can be stored underground in the garden to keep the environment cool and to use for various purposes during the drought season. The interior space is separated by movable partition walls which can move easily to fit the class size and multipurpose use.

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FL

Haiti

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Simple importing of prefabricated modular structural parts

Centre d’Education Inclusif

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Simple assembly of parts

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Simple system of structure and enclosure

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1. cafeteria 2. medical center 3. administration 4. classroom 5. library 6. garden 7. parking area

1. cafeteria 2. medical center 3. administration 4. classroom 5. library 6. garden 7. parking area D

C

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Centre d’Education Inclusif

Physical Model Spring 2014 | 43

BOTANIC HOUSE Spring 2013 Studio II Prof. Val Warke + Prof. James Williamson

This project starts with a detailed case study on Casa Poli. After a month of analyzing the house, the use of space, as well as the scale, shells and staircases, became clear as shown in the handdrawn analysis on the next page. The exploration of topological relationship between spaces was applied in a dynamic test model, which gives an uninterrupted circulation through the “building” when the box is both closed and unfolded. The understanding of flow of space at different conditions played a crucial role for the later phase of this project. The final project was a small house designed on a sloped site with waterfront condition and an existing mill ruin. The design proposal uses glass as a light and transparent material to mimic the geometry of the old massive

ruin walls to exaggerate the contrast between old and new. While the new walls being “pulled” apart from the old walls, a space is created in between to adapt vertical planting and used as a botanic house. Within the mill, spaces, hanging from structural elements anchored in the walls, are used for living and studying purposes for the botanists.

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Botanic House

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1. Casa Poli Case Study 2. Phase I Model 3. Final Project Model 4. Final Project Analysis

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NATIONAL ARBORETUM CANBERRA Fall 2013 Structure II Prof. Mark Cruvellier Group Project with Rina Kang Structure analysis and model of existing building National Arboretum Project in Canberra, Australia

This project is a structural model of the National Arboretum in Canberra. Completed in a group of two during the Structural System class, the model shows our understanding of the building after analyzing its key structural elements. The overriding architecturaWl explorations of the Visitor Center is achieved by its exposed structural systems. This is first evident prior to one’s arrival to the Center; slivers of glass light the arrival point inside and define the roof shape as highly arching geometrical arcs, allowing the structure to seamlessly complete the rise and roll of the 250 hectare hillside site. The Arboretum forms its unique vaulted space through two main systems: a curvilinear roof structure composed of rafters, struts, purlins, brackets, beams and cable

ties that in concert, form a series of geometrical arcs, and a system of concrete columns and outwardly spanning struts that connect to and give support to the roof above.

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The astounding features of the Village Center may be attributed to the enormity of it’s roof span and the complexity of its structure composed mainly of timber elements and steel connections. Its timber components are constructed from exposed glued-laminated timber to allow for it’s overall unique curvilinear shape and provides a stronger support for lateral load than steel.

The timber roof structure is framed by a series of ten glued-laminated Tasmanian oak timber rafters that progressively change in curvature and spanning length and positioned radially in plan. A secondary support system to the rafters is provided with thin glue-laminated timber purlins that span between the rafters and provide a secondary axis of curvature in the North-South direction. Underneath the purlins and between the rafters are individual steel cable ties, inserted to carry tension

National Arboretum Canberra

loads. Seen from plan, they form four linear rows of cable ties that span in the same direction as the purlins. When rafters and purlins are under pressure, they tend to break apart. Ties hold them together.

In order to sufficiently support the timber roof structure a system of branch struts and 3 rows of concrete columns connected to the concrete foundations is connected to the timber rafters above. Two rows of tapered circular concrete columns and 1 row of rectangular columns with rounded edges span the Center’s longitudinal direction. According to construction drawings, all columns are site casted to cast-in plates at slab level. In order for the vaulted space to achieve views onto the unique landscape with minimal visual obstruction and to flexibly accommodate a wide range of functions, the number of columns

is kept to a minimum. This structral system therefore relies on five timber struts which originate from each column and span outward to the timber rafters above. Inserted in slits at the strut ends are steel plates that are welded to the metal brackets bolted to the rafters with three struts connected to one rafter and two to the other.

Meanwhile with respect to the circular columns, the steel plates are welded to a smaller cylindrical member attached to a circular steel plate at the top of the columns.

The entire model is done by hand with help with CNC milling and laser cutting machines through out the three-month period of the Structural system class.

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This photo of overall view of the model shows the clam-shaped wooden roof structure with rafters, purlins and beams, as well as metal elements connecting them, seems to be floating over a concrete base.

National Arboretum Canberra

NON-ACADEMIC ARCHITECTURE

Competitions in Italy and China Summer 2015

CUBICAL THEATRE Summer 2015 START Competition Project Rome, Italy

Architecture in films is a reflection of real world which will later influence actual architectural space with new forms and meanings. In this ongoing process of replicating and realizing, architectural space with rich connotation, will be generated in new forms and new meanings.

Films, by using real or virtual architectural space as sets and background for stories, elaborate emotions and imagination and convey local culture. In other words, film industry condenses and collages architecture in reality. Film syncs with architecture. Buildings and streets used as sets in movies show a city during a certain period, while innovative sets specifically built for films show contemporary people’s understanding and expectation of the development

of architecture, in most cases, they predicted the trend. This museum along with its program, should be a representation of both the Italian film industry and contemporary aesthetic for architecture.

“Cubical Theatre” changes the way for people seeing cinema. It brings the audience into the movie scenes and the movies out to the viewers “architecturally.” The idea of this museum is both to show contemporary aesthetic for architecture and to generate a bridge between movable images and still objects. It fits into the urban background but also stands out as a unique individual.

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Cubical Theatre

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1. Site Plan 2. Design Diagrams 3. Detailed Plans 4. Cross Section

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Cubical Theatre

Montage is a common method in both film and architecture. It is the base of film art and the key to architecture creation. It differs and converges space and time, dismembers and reconstructs structures. Both architecture representation and film montage transfer vague/virtual emotion and affection into details in solid sets. The combination and comparison of the details will recall the affection itself. Architecture and urban space is

static while films are active image connecting clips of buildings in a city. To architecture, film is a medium to travel through time and space.

Great buildings from different times and cities get to meet in film scenes. In my opinion, this museum should be still and blend into the urban background. That’s why I decide the overall form needs to fit into the site perfectly as most Roman buildings and streets are. However, the

specialness of this program stands it out. I thought of using changeable skin to show how film works with architecture. The big screen, at the grand entrance facing the Colosseum, makes it possible for buildings through Rome or even Italy to meet the great treasure of Roman Empire.

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WINDING WATER Summer 2015 Competition Project Third Prize Hangzhou, China

Winding water is a competition project based in Hangzhou, China. The program is designed as a seven-day summer camp following with a two-day design challenge. During the camp, we visited the site in Hangzhou and traditional residential houses near the area, attended lectures by architecture professors from Chinese colleges, and enjoyed a day in a Buddhism school to get a better understanding about “Zen” ideology. The project is to design a building served as a lobby and lounge for an upcoming local luxury hotel project at a waterfront site in the suburban area near Hangzhou. Since the hotel rooms were planned to be built in the form of single-unit houses, a main building is needed to accommodate programs such as restaurants,

bars, a gallery and multipurpose rooms. The design proposal is a structure extending from the main road into the lake with restaurants facing the water. The structure has the sloped roof as the traditional houses to adapt the humid weather. “Winding water” is named after a Chinese saying which encourages people to overlook obstacles and seize the moment.

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Waterfront

Topology

Road

The site is at a lake surrounded by mountains and formed by a historical dam. One of the major concern of the project is to make full use to the natural scenery while depreciating the view of the dam. The lake dries up in winter when there was not sufficient rainwater, which is also considered as one of the challenges.

Because of the mountains and water, the interesting topology of the area gives great opportunity for the project. The building falls in between the mountains at the same level as the water which makes the view of the mountains more beautiful.

Local road goes around the mountains along the topo lines, which serves as the main transportation between the site and the city. The building stretch through the water bay area between two sides of the road. It gives easy entries to the building from other part of the hotel.

Winding Water

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1. Idea Development w. Programs 2. Air Flow Diagram 3. Model

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This bird’s-eye view shows the lobby building, in the traditional Chinese architectural style, fitting into the topology and landscape. The restaurant on the ground floor flows onto a platform floating on water surface that allows customers and tourists to enjoy the special topological condition during both dry and humid seasons.

Winding Water

ARTWORKS AND EXHIBITION

Selected Artworks January, 2015 - Present

Photography

SOLITAIRE Spring 2015 Rome, Italy Exhibited at Palazzo Lazzaroni DSLR Digital Camera Photos

This series is a collection of street portraits based in Rome. As I wandered around the city alone, I noticed that, like people in other big cities, a lot of Romans exist in solitude on the streets. As I looked at strangers into their eyes, the strong gaze inspired me. Each of them has stories that I probably would never know and their individual experiences made them who they are.

I want to capture their emotions, guessing who they are, what experience brings them here, and

create an intimate moment at first sight. I believe there is an intrinsic beauty in every human soul and that a portrait brings this out. A successful portrait contains a very real part of the subject being revealed. I also like to incorporate how people have made an impact on the streets of Rome.

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SOLITAIRE II Spring 2015 Rome, Italy + Vienna, Austria DSLR Digital Camera Photos

Photography

This is the sequel following the first Solitaire series. Like people in other big cities, a lot of Romans exist in solitude on the streets. Despite of their intense gazes, I want to picture them in a broader context which shows how they interact with the world through their gesture and motion.

People tend to hide their aloneness by interacting with object: playing on their phones, leaning against walls, reading books, etc.

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Photography

THE ABANDONED [ OR NOT ] Fall 2016 Ithaca, NY + Buffalo, NY DSLR Digital Camera Photos

Buffalo had always been a city I stayed away from because of its recession, until I actually went there for a studio project.

I started seeing the beauty of the abandoned train stations, mills, factories, etc.

The traces of human activities are being

erased by nature. Broken glass, eroded metal and concrete fragments fit into the nature in a weird way, which makes me wonder, “Is this city really abandoned?

Or is it just taken over by nature which drove human away?�

Spring 2015 | 75

SPECIES OF SPACES Fall 2016 Pamplona, Spain DSLR Digital Camera Photos

Photography

This is a photography project based on Georges Perec’s book, Species of Spaces and Other Pieces.

In his book, Georges Perec demonstrates his understanding of architectural spaces of different scales in his own language with a distinctive characteristic. He went through spaces from a page in a book to the world as a massive “space” by demonstrating how different spaces are occupied by inhabitants.

Other than picturing scenes by words, photography is a nice and efficient way to achieve the same result. It is a language used to convey images just as strong, if not stronger, as written languages. Through photographs, architecture can be shown over two main categories: object

and space. Treating a building as an object - a solid mass with exquisite details on the exterior - or as a space - a void volume created by enclosure elements - influences how a building turns out to be. The goal of this photography project is to feature architecture as a general subject through the comparison and interaction between objects and spaces. Displaying the images in black-and-white minimized distractions from the colors of the sky, gras and other surrounding elements, drawing the eye to the interaction of light and space on, and within, the buildings.

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Drawing

DISSECTED APPLE Summer 2012 Shanghai, China Pencil

With the fast development of technology, one cannot be surprised if an apple is cut open and appears like this.

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A CARROT’S DREAM Summer 2012 Shanghai, China Pencil

Drawing

Carrots’ destiny is being eaten by rabbits. If there is a carrot who has a mind like human, what would his dream be?

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Drawing

ARCHITECTURE SKETCH Summer 2012 Shanghai, China Color Markers

This is a sketch of a building I walked pass everyday. The weather was great and I decided to stop and observe the arch carefully. Suddenly, I realized how much beauty in details that I have ignored over the years.

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