Portfolio for UCL MLA Landscape Architecture, Xiao Yuhan

PORTFOLIO

Selected Works 2019-2022

Xiao Yuhan

Application number: 23186822

E-Mail: XiaoYuhan_LA@outlook.com

Bachelor of Landscpae Architecture, to be completed at 07/2023

Beijing Forestry University

Apply for MLA Landscape Architecture, UCL

Prologue

In modern society, cities should always be places exemplifying resilient designs which maintain a sustainable balance between the environment and people’s needs, as well as fostering space equality, particularly for vulnerable groups.

With fast-paced urbanization and accelerated environmental deterioration, cities have already been forefront of conflict between nature and humankind. In this situation, urban designers shoulder the responsibility of planning a resilient and sustainable development and redevelopment of cities coping with urban and environmental challenges.

Meanwhile, the interests of minorities and vulnerable groups deserve extra attention and exploration in safeguarding city dweller’s well-being. Achieving equality of space among different groups of people can contribute to the development of urban civilization and make cities more harmonious.

In the context of China’s rapid urban development, I hope, through landscape designing, to find connections and balance between urbanization, ecology and civic engagement, so as to create landscapes with a care for the environment and the community.

01 FLOOD AND SUSTAINABILITY

Sustainable urban design focused on waterlogging, rising sea levels, and other water issues

As the environment continues to deteriorate, water security poses a threat to the coastal city of Rio de Janeiro. During rainstorms, the city's inadequate drainage system leads to urban flooding and sewage overflow. Additionally, high tides bring about significant water and soil loss due to sea water infiltration. Sea level rise will continue to be a problem in the future.

The design aims to address these issues through the use of ecological and engineering methods to redesign a coastal block in Rio and implement a comprehensive plan, including terrain-making, planting, and CSO reconstruction, for water management in the Leblon area.

·Location: Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

·Duration: Apr. - Jun., 2021

·Type: Sustainable urban design/ landscape design, group work with Xia Junbo

·Role in team: Site analysis(70%), Concept proposal(70%), Scheme production(80%), Modeling(10%), Drawing(50%)

·Origin: Coursework - Design Studio

·Instructor: Yu Changming (yuchangming@bjfu.edu.cn, +86 13810501941)

PREDICAMENTS: SEWAGE OVERFLOW, FLOODS AND SEAWATER INFILTRATION

1) The city’s current sewage system is inadequate.

2) Many buildings are not included in the sewage system.

3) Green spaces are sporadic and separate from each other.

We dump the excrement into the open ditches by the streets.

There is sewage on the ground all the time.

Green spaces

Buildings

Sea level rise (2032)）

Sea level rise (2072）)

Rainwater catchments

Sewage overflow

Ocean currents

During heavy rainfall, there is sewage running on the streets.

Sea Level Rise

By 2035, rising sea levels will affect 19.67 percent of Rio’s population and cause an economic loss of $25.6 billion.

Sewage Overflow

Due to deficiency of sewage treatment system, about 26 per- cent of the residents are suffering from sewage overflow.

Floods

During rainy seasons, rain water exceeds the drainage capacity and causes waterlogging problem.

We can’t handle so much sewage here.

SOLUTIONS: WATER ECOLOGY AND MANAGEMENT WATER MANAGMENT

Various strategies such as municipal engineering, ecological restoration, landscape, and architecture are used to control water and achieve sustainable development of the city.

Up to eight specific measures are implemented to guide rainwater as well as manage sewage, so as to reduce the pressure on urban water treatment at block level.

WATER ECOLOGICAL PLANNING

A sponge green system is formed through adding various green spaces which are connected by rainwater streets. Meanwhile, tidal channels are constructed and improved to enhance the communication between the lagoon and ocean.

Create New Tidal Channels Soften the Tidal Channels

Apart from existing waterways, two new tidal channels are created through catchment paths selection.

The tidal channels are softened, increasing wetland area and ecological benefits.

Retain Green Spaces

Resilient green spaces are allocated bordering the lagoon as well as along beaches to contain rising water and mitigate seawater overflow during storms.

Set up Terrains

The height of terrains are increased to prevent flooding.

Create Cloudburst Streets Build Rainwater Green Streets

Cloudburst streets with open ditches are set up along the coast, to connect the drainage river and form a water network.

Avenues and streets are selected and set apart as rainwater green streets to hold and conduct rainwater.

Increase Neighborhood Green Spaces

More green spaces are allocated in the neighborhood to absorb rainwater.

Build Submergible Plazas

Submergible plazas and facilities are constructed at lowlands of the block.

CURRENT SITUATION: DETAILED SMALL SITES ANALYSIS

Nearby buildings, drainage mode, rainwater flow direction, and etc. are analyzed to lay a foundation for redesign of the tidal channel system.

NEW LOOK OF THE TIDAL CHANNEL

ENHANCE SITE ELASTICITY

INCREASE BUILDING RESILIENCE

Step 1: Soften and widen the tidal channel

Step 2: Insert green spaces between blocks

Step 3: Sink green spaces to guide water flow

Step 4: Widen tidal channel to prevent flood

Step 1: Construct buildings according to land form

Step 2: Segment buildings to drainage direction

Step 3: Adjust building volume to improve plot ratio

Step 4: Elevate ground floor to prevent waterlogging

SERIAL SECTIONS OF THE WATER SYSTEM AND BUILDING BLOCKS

The organic integration of buildings with the terrain transforms these buildings which once were drainage burdens into an organic part of the ecosystem of the city.

RAINWATER COLLECTION AND PURIFICATION

2.RESIDENTIAL CATCHMENTS

Rainwater catchments are reorganized considering the micro-topography and green space.

4.CATCHMENT CORRIDORS

Catchment corridors between roads lead to tidal channel.

6.WETLAND ISLANDS

Wetland islands with rich aquatic plants help to purify water and enrich the habitat.

1.WATER PURFICATION UNITS

Water purification units are constructed inside the residential buildings to do preliminary purification of domestic sewage and rainwater.

3.Z-SHAPE WATER PURFICATION

Z-shaped terrain is set up in the green corridor to increase the contact area between water and soil so as to purify rainwater and replenish groundwater.

5.PHYSICAL FILTERING

Fences at the junction of the catchment corridor and the tide channel are set up to filter out large particles of garbage.

PLANTS PLACEMENT AND WATER RECYCLING

Planting soil layer

Gravel layer

Z-SHAPE ECOLOGICAL TERRAINS constructed to increase the contact area between water and soil, helping the natural purification with plants and soil

GREEN DAMS created to prevent soil erosion and floods during rainy seasons

INCLINED FILTRATION GREEN SPACES placed in a way to maximize rainwater absorbtion and purification

02 PARK AND ENGAGEMENT

City park design aimed at enhancing civic well-being and engagement

Located in Haidian District, Beijing, China, Wudaokou is a mixed-use district, with an extensive commercial, residential, and educational footprint historically characterized by limited civic engagement and major traffic issues.

The project aims at stimulating Wudaokou's vitality and providing a space for diverse groups of people, while solving traffic challenges and improving accessibility.

The design is primarily based on the nature of the surrounding land, and allow crowd activities to play a leading role.

·Location: Beijing, China

·Duration: Sep. - Dec., 2021

·Type: City park design, Individual work

·Origin: Coursework - Design Studio

·Instructor: Wang Boya (boyawang@bjfu.edu.cn, +86 15201449655)

Preliminary sketches exploring concept ideas

EXISTING CONDITIONS

The land use at Wudaokou is mainly residential, official and commercial. There are a cinema, shopping malls, subway stations and office buildings at its core, surrounded by universities and old residential compounds, all densely populated. Assorted buildings are placed together in disorder, characterized by lack of organization, low land utilization rate, and hence failing to meet the needs of various land users.

PROBLEMS INDENTIFIED

OVERCROWDED

Crowd move in all directions and need to be streamlined.

CHAOTIC TRAFFIC FLOW

There are a subway station, a cinema and shopping malls clustered at the railway-avenue intersection area, causing traffic chaos.

CLOSURE OF BOUNDARY Line 13 cut off the connection between its two sides.

STREETS

Facilities and stuffs are piled on the streets, causing a mess.

PARKING ON THE SIDEWALK

Shared bikes are parked on the sidewalks, causing congestion.

SHORTAGE OF PUBLIC SPACES

The site is densely built and lacks public spaces around office buildings and commercial areas.

LACK OF CROWD ORGANIZATION

Beijing, China Haidian District Wudaokou

Traffic jam

MASTER PLAN

① Entrance Square + Bicycle Parking Hill

② Fitness Trail

③ Garden of Inspiration

④ Earth-sheltered Cafeteria

⑤ Party Lawn

⑥ Four-season Water Plaza

⑦ Skate Park

⑧ Children’s Garden

⑨ Film Garden

⑩ TOD Bridge

DESIGN GENERATION

EXISTING CONDITIONS

· Lack of supporting environment

· Postion districts according to the boundaries

SECTIONS

GOAL: ORGANIZE THE TRAFFIC

· Connect the two subway stations

· Suture east and west sides of the site

GOAL: ORGANIZE BASIC STRUCTURE

· Set green space as the site base

· Arrange spaces per the main road

GOAL: MEET VARIOUS DEMANDS

· Organize people according to the structure

· Create an equal and diverse community

A-A'　Earth-sheltered Cafeteria

B-B'　TOD bridge system covering a subway station and shopping malls

NEW DESIGN: "ENERGY CIRCLES"

【BUSINESS CIRCLE】 【CITY LIFE CIRCLE】

The commercial center consists of shopping malls, a cinema and a subway station, with traffic streamlined by adding a TOD bridge.

Acitivity: Shopping, Watching Movies, Eating Group:

This circle plays an important role in gathering residents nearby, providing them with daily leisure and entertainment, and meeting their social and health needs.

【SCIENCE CIRCLE】

It’s one of the most concentrated areas of high-tech talents in Beijing, surrounded by two Tsinghua Tongfang Science and Technology buildings.

Acitivity: Outdoor Office Group: Bicycle

Acitivity: Family Leisure, Community Activities Group:

WATER PLAZA IN WINTER

LAWN MUSIC FESTIVAL

Apart from being a fountain square in summer, the Water Plaza can also be used as an outdoor ice rink in winter, maximizing the utilization of the site in different seasons.

“TOD BRIDGE”

CAFETERIA UNDER THE SUBWAY

At night, the lawn can be illuminated by the lights from huge umbrella structures and circular lamp belts, creating a dreamlike effect.

The TOD bridge provides safety and convenience for pedestrians as well as avoids traffic chaos. The cafeteria is placed under the elevated subway, offering people a place to take a break and have snacks.

03 SPACE AND FEMALE

Female-friendly landscape designed through the lense of a woman’s growth journey

Puyang, my hometown, a small oil city in China, has been suffering from an exodus of men for employment reasons. The city has initially been designed to serve the needs of oil workers, but with the depletion of oil, the city has come to be female-dominated where most public spaces, ranging from urban parks to community plazas, disregard women’s needs in terms of facility size, programs, and safety requirements.

To rectify this situation, the designer takes a strategy that considers safe spatial organization, landscape installations, paving materials, lighting, and planting with an emphasis on space amenities, activity preferences, and safety requirements.

From a female designer's perspective, the project tries to narrate the spiritual course of a female's growth journey through the change of spaces and provides an activity place where emotions can resonate for girls and women.

·Location: Puyang, China

·Duration: Oct. - Nov. 2022

·Type: Square design, Individual work

·Origin: Coursework - Design Studio

·Instructor: Li Fangzheng (fangzhengli@bjfu.edu.cn, +86 13810404576)

Preliminary sketches exploring concept ideas

EXISTING CONDITIONS

THE HISTORY OF PUYANG

People from various places and of distinct culture gathered here.

With the depletion of the oil resource, my father’s generation has began to look for work in other cities.

The residents have come from all over the country and are unfamiliar with each other, hence having a poor sense of identity for the living environment.

WOMEN AND CHILDREN ARE LEFT BEHIND

All these years, men have been moving out for work in other cities, leaving wives and children at home, hence making the city female-dominated.

In 1970s, oil workers came from all over the country to start the Zhongyuan Oilfield.

The town developed under the impetus of the oil production industry.

2nd Generation 1984

1st Generation 1950

3rd Generation 2000

HaHaHa.... HaHaHa....

Get down from the tree!! That’s so unladylike!! DON’T do that again!

HaHaHa....

It’s so embarrassing, I have a feeling that they’re all looking at me... May I take this class off... period...

Let’s win this game!!! Come on guys!!!

Look how short her clothes is!

She plays frisbee just to get close to the boys.

HAPPY / CONFUSED / POTENTIAL SENSITIVE / LONELY / AWKWARD / WANT TO HIDE

Unfair and SOO STUPID !! Sorry, you’re great, but we only hire boys at the moment.

ANGRY / PASSIONATE / WANT TO FIGHT CALM / POWERFUL/ CONFIDENT

LIVELY TERRAIN

GLEN

GENTLE SLOPE

FLAT SQUARE

DIVIDE THE SITE & INSERT CIRCLE LINES

Segment the site into four square-shaped areas, and place two concentric circles onto the squares.

CURVE THE LINES

Define the intensity of emotions, and curve the two circles accordingly.

RAISE & SINK THE TERRAIN

Optimize terrain and sight lines based on the emotion intensity to create a continuous marching experience.

REFINE THE ROAD

Improve accessibility through streamlining the two circle lines and inserting five entrance lines.

1.Children’s space

2.Talking space

3.Central lawn

4.Fountain square

5.Lawn theatre 6.Glen

7.Open square 8.Sunken sqaure

SECTIONS: SEQUENTIAL LANDSCAPE EFFECTS CURVED SEAT STRUCTURE

People feel the undulation of the terrain and experience a spacial change in mind when they are walking along the streamlines. It means that women’s changes in emotion with the outside sight and increment of inner strength during the process of growth.

The unit consists of a curved seat and a planting pond and is used to create spatial variation. Its interrior is made of bricks, with gravel as a base and compacted with concrete. The outside is made of thick marble and other materials as a veneer.

PLANTING BED STRUCTURE

Special structures are used in the planting bed to culvate plants. In the bottom layer, protective course and filter mat are used to protect plants.

PLANT DESIGN AND RENDERINGS

CHILDHOOD ADOLESENCE COLLEGE YEARS CAREER

In this period, the various terrains symbolizes girls’ infinite potential and possibilities. Children’s playground encourages little girls to explore and develop.

At this stage, the girl’s mind is inquisitive and delicate. The slot-windowed walls and multifunction water plaza mean a lot to them.

College girls are youthful, brave and enthusiastic. The gentle slope of the lawn facing the theater symbolizes encouraging girls to express themselves and make their dreams come true.

After passing through a narrow crack, the terrain becomes flat and open. The design tries to relate that in their career, young women encounter and overcome difficulties, gradually becoming confident and mature.

TECHNOLOGY AND FUTURE

Pavilion design created by leveraging mathematical models under a digital approach

Traditional design is combined with mathematical methods to generate structures that can integrate with urban landscape.

A mathematical algorithm is used to create a model of CalabiYau manifold, and the parameters are fine-tuned to determine its final shape. Great attention has been paid to plants design and construction details. Small structures like this, which combine ecology and mathematics, surely can bring life and inspiration into a city of concrete.

Preliminary

·Location: Beijing, China

·Duration: Apr. 2022

·Type: Pavilion design, Individual work

·Origin: Coursework - Workshop

·Instructor: Wang Boya (boyawang@bjfu.edu.cn, +86 15201449655)

sketches exploring concept ideas

MODELING PROCESS

The mathematical model of Calabi-Yau manifold is imported into Grasshopper with Python script, and the line is extracted to achieve the purpose of reverse generation. After that, the structural lines of the Calabi-Yau manifold is extracted to form the main skeleton and the secondary skeleton respectively. The randomly generated chaotic lines forms the texture of the skin and are attached to the surface.

Morphological Inferences

Changes in higher dimensional space are controlled by two main parameters.

·With the increase of n value, the number of space angles increases:

In order to implement the concept of multi-dimensional greening, the design uses the Calabi-Yau manifold algorithm. As parameters “n” and “α” increases, the space tends to be complex. After several tries, the multi-dimensional space derived from n=3 is adopted. It is the simplest, but the most beautiful.

SIGHT AND FUNCTION ANALYSIS

·Fixed n = 3, adjust the Angle φ:

PLANTS DESIGN

·Finally, n = 3, φ = π/3

The combination of strips and patches is used in plant configuration to increase mobility. The vertical greening device is mainly composed of climbing plants. The plants are colored in the contrast between the purple and yellow series and the pink and white series. The interior and exterior plant collocation styles are completely different, symbolizing that the inside and outside of the device are two worlds.

BUILDING PROCESS SECTIONS

01 A secondary keel is formed by lapping keel pieces together with nodes

02 Twelve secondary keels are lapped with each other with nodes

03 Three main keels are formed similarly

04 Main keels, secondary keels and textured skin are fixed together as supports

OTHER WORKS

PHYSICAL MODELS

Coursework of Landscape Architecture Design Studio in 2020

A sunken plaza model cutted by laser

Coursework of Landscape Ar- chitecture Studio in 2019 (outstanding work of the grade)

Hand-made model of a Western Beijing mountainous ter- rain

CARBON STORAGE CALCULATION OF HAIDIAN DISTRICT

Workshop in 2022

Carbon storage are calculated using InVEST and other technical means.

Coursework of Landscape Architecture Studio in 2019 (outstanding work of the grade)

Hand-made model of Miyun Reservoir and sur- rounding terrain in Beijing

WET MARKET DESIGN

Coursework of Arcitecture Design in 2021

A muilti-functional wet market designed The building is semi-submerged with a green rooftop.

Satellite dates Land use and land cover type map (LUCC)

Carbon pools table

Carbon storage

LANDSCAPE ENGINEERING DRAWINGS

Coursework of Landscape Engineering in 2022

A landscape engineering map drawn by CAD

Road Mapping

Catchment area and rainwater collection facilities sections drawn

Creating the Future

Xiao Yuhan

Application number: 23186822

E-Mail: XiaoYuhan_LA@outlook.com

Bachelor of Landscpae Architecture, to be completed at 07/2023

Beijing Forestry University

Apply for MLA Landscape Architecture, UCL