selected works from 2016 to 2024 | Harvard GSD MAUD 24', Hunan University BArch 21'
"Public" Housing
Adaptive Reuse of Vacant Buildings into Housing Design in Downtown Sao Paulo
Sao Paulo, Brazil
Instructor: Cristian Muniz, Fernando Viegas
Harvard Graduate School of Design | FALL 2023
The project aimed at revitalizing Sao Paulo’s urban core by repurposing vacant buildings into vibrant residential communities. Faced with the twin challenges of housing affordability and underutilization of public spaces, the design seeks to address these issues head-on.
A pilot project, centered around a former hotel and cinema complex, serves as a tangible example of this approach. By preserving the building’s architectural heritage while integrating contemporary amenities, the project demonstrates the transformative power of housing in catalyzing urban renewal.
Through strategic interventions such as ground-floor activations and rooftop gardens, a downtown is envisioned that not only provides housing but also fosters a sense of belonging and community engagement.
Vacant Buildings Reoccupation
The proposed strategy for reoccupying vacant buildings in downtown Sao Paulo revolves around maximizing space utilization and community integration. By repurposing existing structures, particularly on the ground floor, and infilling them with housing units, the plan aims to breathe new life into neglected areas.
Additionally, creating public programs on upper levels fosters connectivity with the surrounding community, transforming the city into a vibrant hub. This approach not only optimizes urban space but also addresses housing shortages, potentially accommodating 1959 units.
Furthermore, leveraging vacant plots for new construction could further expand housing availability, revitalizing downtown Sao Paulo while enhancing its accessibility and functionality for residents.
Reoccupation in Urban Scale - showing vacant lands and buildings in downtown Sao Paulo
Urban Section (before & after reoccupation) - adding more housing units and making public ground more permeable
Public Ground
The ground level is basically using the original cinema space as a way to create larger flexible gathering space for residents and the public, totally open the ground floor entrance, remove the part of the cinema rooftop to create a garden in the building. And the rooftop of the cinema will also serve as an outdoor collective space for the public. People can take the elevator to access it.
Adaptable Plans
In selecting a vacant building, formerly a hotel featuring a cinema on the ground floor, as the pilot project for testing adaptive reuse strategies, the primary objective is to preserve the existing structural integrity while reimagining the interior layout into versatile, adaptable units.
Shared Atrium
To optimize the utilization of the original atriums, the design eliminates select units on every third floor on either the north or south sides, thereby establishing a centralized shared space flooded with natural sunlight. These atriums serve not only as communal areas for residents but also foster a coworking lifestyle.
Double-height Unit
Communal Kitchen
New Facade & Communal Life
To enhance the facade, the original rhythm is reconfigured to imbue it with greater transparency and a lighter aesthetic. A new shading system is introduced to improve ventilation and provide necessary shading where required. For the collective spaces at mid-level and rooftop, frosted glass is utilized to strike a delicate balance between privacy and transparency, enhancing the ambiance of these communal areas.
New Facade
Water Recreational Skygarden
Rooftop Swimming Pool
Entrance
Added Balcony & Shared Space
Shrinked Floor Plate
Architecture or the City
Post-naval Base Urban Redevelopment & Housing Design
Alameda Point, CA, USA
Instructor: Preston Scott Cohen
Harvard Graduate School of Design SPRING 2024
In the heart of Alameda Point, a post-navy site under ongoing environmental cleanup, lies an opportunity to transform an underserved community into a vibrant urban sanctuary. This project envisions a seamless integration of landscape and architecture, leveraging the site’s unique proximity to the waterfront to create a continuum that enhances community interaction and enriches residents’ lives.
The core of this design is the concept of landscape-driven morphology. The middle of the site, currently under environmental rehabilitation, becomes a non-orthogonal expanse of green stripes featuring parks, plazas, and sports courts that extend from the existing neighborhood to the waterfront. This approach not only preserves the orthogonal grid but also integrates ongoing developments with the site, fostering a harmonious urban landscape.
Urban Scheme - Landscape-driven Morphology Large Landscape & Small Cortyard
Strategically placed large footprints and long bar buildings along the periphery of the central landscape maximize the advantages of the waterfront and green spaces. Within this framework, inner courtyards for each block provide residents with a sense of living in the landscape, ensuring every building has a view and easy access to open spaces.
The design juxtaposes large open spaces with intimate courtyards, and street wall buildings with small footprint townhouses, creating a dynamic urban morphology. Unique architectural forms emerge from non-orthogonal moves, with corner buildings featuring distinctive angles that interact with the central landscape, creating focal points at crossroads. By lowering building corners and lifting the central ground, the architecture becomes an extension of the landscape, while the landscape integrates with the buildings.
Large Landscape
Large Landscape & Bar Buildings
Small Cortyard
Small Cortyard & Townhouses
Zoom-in Axon
Bicycle Route
Proposed Urban Scheme
Driveway
Walkway
Block-scale Operation - Crossing as Activity Center
Each corner building, with its untypical roof and form, transforms into small pavilions or terraced urban landscapes, creating special moments throughout the site. The central lifted ground serves as a gathering space, hosting events on weekends and functioning as a circulatory and recreational space during the day.
Corner Building Typology
Corner Building-transforming into small pavilions
Corner Buildings Bird’s Eye View
Central Lifted Ground-corner buildings meet the ground
Building-scale Housing Design - Unit as Urban Continuity
The detailed design of the buildings, inspired by the skip-stop interlock units, ensures views of both the central landscape and inner courtyards. This holistic approach not only provides visual contrast but also offers residents a peaceful and enriching urban experience, redefining Alameda Point as a true urban oasis. Double-height
View of Entrance
Public Topping
NewYorkAffordable Housing (NYCHA) Densification Development
Baruch Houses, Mahattan, NY, USA
Instructor: Dirk van Gameren
Harvard Graduate School of Design SPRING 2023
Team Member: Yuno Cho, Andrew Lee, Tracy Miao
This project re-imagines the current urban renewal framework of the New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) development through a reclamation of usable open space to preserve the essence of the “NYCHA Towers-in-the-Park” model.
This usable space reclamation takes on two interlinked trajectories: 1) define the proposed densification and extension in direct relation with the existing NYCHA land building coverage ratio, 2) to posit the “defensible plinth” as an act of liberation for NYCHA residents – the program ushering in a movement of social empowerment, the architectural expression standing as a resistance to the discriminatory policies which kept well-considered design exclusive to the wealthy, and the physical structure a defense against the rising sea levels.
Site Plan Strategy - re-imagining “Towers in the Park”
Extensions have been added to the existing Baruch House, however, these additions address primarily the missing social programs, rather than the ongoing housing crisis of the NYCHA development, programs including offices, multi-purpose space, and small daycare center. This project re-imagines the plinth as an object that resembles NYCHA parks in “Towers in the Park”, a plinth that acts as an housing amenities and local retails extension serving the Baruch House residents.
1. Preserving Baruch House’s “Towers in the Park”
2. Defensible Plinth and Accessible Bridge
3. Social Programs & Housing Extension
4. Sea Level Rise Incremental Adaptation Plan
Baruch House (Proposed)
Baruch House Extension - Plinth
In response to the concern of vertical extensions impacting the public realm daylight, horizontal extensions (left) are proposed where affordable one and two bedroom units are provided. The second level of the Baruch House programmatically connects the plinth by “opening up” and introducing multi-purpose space where community events can occur.
Open Space Strategy - retrofitting the large-scale site and historical buildings
This project revitalize and activates existing underneath Williamsburg bridge flyover, one that is primarily used for parallel parking. Surveying the topographic condition, the lowest section of the open space will be converted into stormwater collection system.
Existing Baruch Bathhouse, that was abandoned since 1959, is proposed to be retrofitted for publicly accessible swimming pool, and community center, in response to the surrounding privately-operated recreational programs.
Plinth Courtyard
Plinth Interior
Activated Stormwater Collection Park
Accessible Public Recreation Center
Baruch House Extension - Mass Timber Addition & Relocated Mechanical Roof
The hurricane Sandy had damaged on all Baruch House utility ground floors which had caused eletrical supply outtage for the residents for few months. In response, this project proposes relocation of the utilities to mechanical roof (level 15, in between the old and new), where it serves as an accessible skygarden for the Baruch House residents.
Relocated
Mass Timber Addition Exterior
Relocated Mechanical Roof (Skygarden)
Extension Level 15 (+45000mm)
Baruch House Extension - Communal Lounge
Brick
Baruch House Extension - Balcony as In-between Space
Brick weathering occures near window opening and building parapet, this project proposes “In between Space” which serves two purpose: 1) to propose balcony as an extension of living room for two to three bedroom units with large families, 2) to act as a secondary
Communal Lounge (Student Lounge)
Add-on Balcony
Iceland Greenhouse Restaurant
Iceland Greenhouse Restaurant Competition
Iceland
November-December, 2021
Team Member: Robyn Houghton, Haozhuo Wu
According to the research, 78% of Iceland’s land can’t produce food and only 1% of the land is used for agriculture. Therefore, it is of great practical significance to build a restaurant with a modern greenhouse. Covering an area of 5,000 square meters, this building not only provides a variety of fresh and healthy meals for the restaurant accommodating 100 people, but also exports food to local region to support the food production.
When visitors enter the building via a path from the north, they are greeted by the fragrant aromas from the bakery and the mellow aromas of the wine cellars. Through the beautiful courtyard, visitors are placed inside the expansive greenhouse where they view the automated mechanized planting. Going to south, what jumps into visitors’ sight is the enjoyable shared kitchen, also known as teaching kitchen, where people can pick vegetables and fruits by themselves and experience the joy of cooking interactively.
Program Study Massing Process
Agriculture Typology Study
PROGRAM
The program is divided into three blocks, which are the greenhouse, the restaurant, and the multi-functional area, with a total area of 5,000 square meters.
ADJUSTING
The three types of blocks are staggered and moved according to the red line of the site, creating a dynamic view with different heights, lengths, and widths.
ROTATING
In order to see the spectacular sight of the volcano in the south, the size of the restaurant is rotated to bring visitors an unforgettable dining experience.
HANGING
Considering the terrain of the site, the southernmost restaurant is lifted up to two floors, with a multipurpose area placed below.
Greenhouses can be stacked on the top level of climate, which will be controlled warehouse spaces. Four types of stacks are arranged according to the height, which will guarantee each of them receive sufficient sunlight. Considering the growth habits and sizes of different vegetables, hydroponics and soil cultivation are adopted respectively
EbbandFloSystem
A-FrameStack
ShelfUnitStack
FarmWallStack
Farm to Table Concept
Greenhouses can be stacked on the top level of climate, which will be controlled warehouse spaces. Four types of stacks are arranged according to the height, which will guarantee each of them receive sufficient sunlight. Considering the growth habits and sizes of different vegetables, hydroponics and soil cultivation are adopted respectively
When visitors enter the building via a path from the north, they are greeted by the fragrant aromas from the bakery and the mellow aromas of the wine cellars. Through the beautiful courtyard, visitors are placed inside the expansive greenhouse where they view the automated mechanized planting. Going to south, what jumps into visitors’ sight is the enjoyable shared kitchen, also known as teaching kitchen, where people can pick vegetables and fruits by themselves and experience the joy of cooking interactively. Through the south window, they can enjoy the view of the volcano from the distance while surrounded by greenery in the planting area, and taste the delicious and fresh food.
Dining Area - seeing the view of Hverfjall
Shared Kitchen & Dining Area
Boundary "Line"
University Stadium Design
Changsha, Hunan, China
Instructor: Zhaohui Yuan
Hunan University | SPRING 2020
Team Member: Yi Jiang
Located at the junction of community, campus, and business, the project is an university gymnasium not only serves for students, but also needs to consider accommodating residents who can bring vitality to the site.
In preliminary investigation, it was found that the interaction between students and residents was more about observing each other. It’s interesting that the interaction of the two types of people seemed to be absent. In order to retain this characteristic of the site, the design introduces the term “boundary”, hoping to create a series of linear spaces within the site and building space.
In addition, folded-plate structure is chosen as the main structural form of the gymnasium. It is hoped to explore multiple deformable ways of folded-plate structure to meet needs of different building functions so as to achieve the goal of transforming a single element to enrich building shape and facade.
Site Mapping
Massing Process
Structure Study
Structural Element Diagram
Exploded Axon
Folded-plate Roof Reinforcement
Strengthen stress concentration part of foldedplate roof.
Folded-plate Frame Structure System
Prefabricated folded-plate roof and prefabricated folded-plate columns form a folded-plate rigidframe structure system.
Glass Curtain Wall System
In order to be unified with structural form and overall building shape, a tapered glass curtain wall is set between folded-plate columns to emphasize the overall spatial order.
Column-beam System (1F& 2F)
Column-beam system and folded-plate rigidframe structure system are connected by preembedded brackets on folded-plate columns.
Subflooring Panel & Partition Wall (1F&2F)
Column-beam System (B1)
Column-beam system and folded-plate rigidframe structure system are connected by preembedded brackets on folded-plate columns.
Subflooring Panel & Partition Wall (B1)
Foundation
Combining prefabricated cup-like independent foundation with cast-in-place strip foundation.
Stadium Design
The choice of stadium design depends on the requirements of the net height and span based on the program. The main stadium has a long span and high net height requirement. Three-fold folded-plate frame is chosen to increase net height in the center of the stadium while strengthening structure, which can accomadate a full-size basketball court with 2,367 seats. The sencondary stadium has a shorter span and high net height requirements. Regular conical folded plate frame is chosen to have a simple and practical structure form and good indoor effect. And the court is more flexible to be changed into any programs according to different events’ need.
Facade Design
Mechanical Space
Professional Work
Yu House(built)
Fishing Center Design & Bamboo Design and Construction
2019 National College Bamboo Design and Construction Competition(Anji. China) | THIRD PRIZE
Anji, Zhejiang, China
Project Designer | Hunan University June-December, 2019
Starting from the concept of “Yin and Yang fish” to shape the form, a posture of creeping upon the pine forest is created. The open side of the building shape corresponds to the two moving lines of the site organization. The pine trees is retained conforming to the shape according to the level of possibility of survival. By layering a height difference of 4 meters in the site, it forms-fishing platform, main entrance, resting space and secondary entrance-four space levels.
The project adopts a non-traditional construction method — bamboo weaving. It aims to use nonlinear numerical control technique to construct a curved shape with a sense of flow. At the same time, the YU House uses a fish scale-like surface to enhance its shape, enabling a more natural and softer intervention in natural environment and feeling as exposed to the nature as possible.
Concept Development - Yin Yang
Any particular thing has the duality of yin and yang. The YU House locates in Longshanyuan in the form of Yin and Yang fish. It aims to not only show the chaotic state of the two intermingling fishes but also reveal that everything in the world has two sides, architectural form is no exception. On the one hand, the shaping of the YU House is a metaphor for yin-yang theory and an interpretation of fishing. On the other hand, and it is also a fit for the special environmental background of the Bamudun ancient tombs group.
Construction Process
The construction started on June and ended on December. To better illustrate the parametric design form, the design team did a 1:1 mock-up bamboo structural component on site and made physical model to let the construction team better understand the construction layers and details.
Diagon Bathhouse
Lake Sabago Bathhouse Concept Design
Urban Design Intern | Beyer Blinder Belle
Software: Rhino, Enscape, Vray, Adobe Suites New York, USA | June-August, 2023
Rendered Facade
Roof Tectonic Study
Campus Planning and Building Design
Long Term Vision: Nash House Neighborhood Quad
Student Dormitory Floor Plan Test-fit
Open Space Design & Rendering
Rendered Master Plan
Street Connection Diagrams
Downtown Waterville Vision Plan
Liberal College Residential Study & Planning Vision
Community Revitalization Urban Design
Urban Design Intern | Beyer Blinder Belle Software: Revit, Rhino, Enscape, Adobe Suites Waterville, Maine, USA | June-August, 2023
Urban Design Intern | Beyer Blinder Belle Software: Revit, Rhino, Enscape, Adobe Suites ME, USA | June-August, 2023
Binjiang New Town C9 Block High-rise Building
High-rise and Sustainable Building Design
Architectural Intern | Guangzhou Architectural Research Institute New Technology Development Center Co., Ltd Software: Rhino, Lumion, AutoCAD, Ecotect, ANSYS Fluent Changsha, Hunan, China | June-September, 2020
Office Interior Design
Project Designer | Private Client Commissioned Work Software: Rhino, Vray, AutoCAD, Adobe Suites Shanghai, China | Feburary-June, 2019
