PORTFOLIO YUHE XIAO
Urban Design & Landscape Architecture
Selected Academic Works 2017-2022
M.S. in Urban Design | University of Texas at Austin
Table of Contents 01 02 03 04 05 Greening Greenwich Back to Nature Journey Through History Weaving Interbay Urban Heart 2022 | London, UK | Sustainable Neighborhood 4 18 30 36 48 2018 | Hangzhou, China | Brownfield Redevelopment 2018 | Rotterdam, Netherlands | Abandoned Railway 2021 | Seattle, US | District Planning and Design 2017 | Beijing, China | Urban Plaza
01 Back to Nature
Hangzhou Banshan National Forest Park is located in the northeast of Hangzhou City. There are a bunch of factories at the foot of the western mountain, which have contributed a lot to the urban construction of Hangzhou City in the past few decades and provided hundreds of jobs. However, they caused severe pollution at the same time. The Hangzhou Iron and Steel Plant is a typical representative of them. The relocation of the original factory left many industrial buildings and polluted ground, while many residents still live around. The project aims to transform this unpleasant useless land into a public park by dealing with the soil and water pollution, and creating activity spaces, all while retaining the industrial memory and identity of the site, making it a fantastic gateway connecting to the national park.
Year: Fall 2018
Location: Hangzhou, China
Instructor: Hongjun Zhou
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5
A large amount of rainwater runoff brings the factories’ pollution into the city
rainfall runoff
water system
polluted area industrial site
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SITE
China Zhejiang Hangzhou SITE
Industrial solid pollution in Hangzhou
Annual rainfall of Hangzhou
Average annual rainfall of China
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Contamination/kt Rainfall/mm 7,000 6,000 5,000 4,000 3,000 2,000 2,000 1,500 1,000 1,000 500 1997 1997 2000 2000 2003 2003 2006 2006 2009 2009 2012 2012 2015 2015 2018 2018 Year Year
Runoff pollution
Rainfall runoff is polluted by contaminated soil and flows into the urban water system.
Soil pollution
Industrial wastes and chemical remains lead to the ground being polluted.
Large-scale Industrial Buildings
There are many abandoned industrial buildings on the site.
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soil pollution runoff runoff
runoff
light Pollution heavy pollution industrial buildings industrial buildings
9 Disconnection
proposed connection residential area factory green space Ecological Recreational factory mountain mountain residential area SITE residential area residential area residential area commerial area industrial area industrial area
The abandoned factories cause ecological and recreational disconnections.
The masterplan pattern is generated mainly according to the flow of runoff from the mountain, the surrounding roads, and the structure of the remaining buildings. By using a soil replacement strategy to build a series of small hills and designing some elevated paths, residents can enjoy the open spaces and waterfront landscape and reach the mountain more quickly and conveniently.
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11 N
Step A - Deal With Contaminated Soil
Rainwater passes through and becomes polluted
Step B - Deal With
Pile heavily contaminated soil on top of lightly contaminated soil
Dig up heavily polluted soil
Existing old factory buildings
Plant vegetation and runoff is clean
Add a protective layer and cover with clean soil
Seal heavily contaminated between the walls and with a protective layer
Form open spaces with
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A-1
A-3
A-5
A-4
A-2
B-1
B-3-1
B-4
Abandoned Buildings Step C - Deal With Polluted Runoff
buildings
contaminated soil cover it
Retain building walls, and remove other structures
Rain water is polluted through industrial site
trail connections
Seal lightly contaminated soil between other walls and plant vegetation
Runoff changes direction after remodeling the terrain
Runoff is purified through wetlands
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B-2
B-3-2
C-1
After A-3
C-2
C-3
A lot of activities can take place between different levels of height.
Bridges between hills connects different functional areas.
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Guided runoff through uncontaminated area
Reinforce connection and provide recreational function
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An ecological park connecting residential area and nature
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02 Greening Greenwich
Deptford Creek is located in southeast London between the boroughs of Greenwich and Lewisham. The creek and the area around it were historically a hub for production and industrial activity and a site of innovation. Today, Deptford Creek is in crisis. The waters are polluted, the streets are filled with loud and dangerous trucks, and the neighborhood feels cold and uninviting. With incredible potential, the project seeks to reinvent the industry of Deptford Creek by shifting the focus from old polluting industrial activities to new, innovative, and carbon-zero technologies. We’re looking for a future that is not so different from the past but is socially, ecologically, and economically sustainable.
Year: Fall 2022
Location: London, UK
Instructors: Simon Atkinson
Collaborators: Aubry Klingler, Mudita Bilay, Sabbir Ahmed
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19
Tower Hamlets
DEPTFORD CREEK
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Greenwich
Lewisham
PRODUCTIVE
- Renewable energy production and distribution
- Urban agriculture
- Mass timer manufacturing
IDENTITY
tech
PEOPLE-CENTERED
- Healthy housing
- Streets for people
- Creek revitalization
REGENERATIVE
- Healing land and water
- Rainwater collection
- Barge adaptive reuse
Propose low tech carbon zero technologies to make a sustainable future and build identity for the neighborhood
healthy streets
socially ecologically
adaptive reuse
a sustainable future for deptford creek
newmaterialsbuilding
urban agriculture
economically
healthy homes and affordable housing
human technologies
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FFO I EC SER I TNED I LA YRECORGUOHNEERG S E TRA CAFE B A R
carbon low
green technologies „ „
Z E R
renewable energy
economic opportunity and job creation
Barges Examples
Recreation / Market Barge
Job Incubator Barge
Agricutural Barge
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coffee shop ice cream shop gathering area gathering area seating area seating area living unit classroom living unit living unit job incubator cultivation zone cultivation zone open market training center children's area garden garden nursery
Systems and key sites of intervention work together to support a greener neighborhood
23
N
Concrete Plant Site
The first site of intervention is the concrete plant which is located at the northern end of the creek. The existing conditions of the concrete plant today are quite troubling, and the traffic that the plant creates is very detrimental to the neighborhood. The proposal for this site, which is at a key intersection and acts as an entrance to the creek walk, is a public space filled with a grid of wind turbines and can be turned into a market space.
24 A C B
A'
C'
B'
Regard it as the heart of the community
Encourage residents to grow their own vegetables
Create access for residents to interact better with the creek
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Section A-A’
Section B-B’
Section C-C’
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The restaurants on the street will be able to use the fresh produce grown on the roofs above.
Greenwich Station Site
The second site is located near Greenwich Station. Currently, this site is very unfriendly. A number of industrial activities are happening here, which add a lot of traffic to the surrounding roads and create unsafe conditions for the residents. This area has huge potential, however, and is being extremely underutilized. Given the proximity to the train station, this has the potential to become a vibrant mixed-use district focused on growing food.
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Deptford creek may be under threat now – from pollution, cars, and thoughtless development. However, it has a much brighter, greener future ahead of it – a future that will recapture that vibrant, innovative, and undeniably east-London spirit.
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03 Weaving Interbay
Before the regrading of Seattle, Interbay was a coastal zone of tide flats, salt marsh wetlands, and upland coastal forest. Despite the extensive engineering, Interbay is still at risk of liquefaction from earthquakes and the effects of sea level rise. Interbay is also known for fish and industries and is potentially the last land for new housing development in Seattle. The proposal is to integrate urban typologies with natural infrastructures. The topography defines the edge, and the landscape merges the Interbay from north to south. The project imagines a reciprocal future for Interbay by weaving industry, culture, and ecology together.
Year: Fall 2021
Location: Seattle, US
Instructors: Dean Almy, Maggie Hansen
Collaborators: Mohanabrabu B M, Zoe Swartz, Julia Szeto
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The density is increased by introducing diverse programs associated with the existing industries. The blocks in the district follow the 300’ x 300’ grid system with the existing context, and the diversification in programs is achieved vertically. The ground space is primarily allocated for industries and commercial uses, and the above floors accommodate housing and offices.
Light rail station Zoning
Concept
High density High density Central Green Space Low density Low density 32
Density
A reciprocal future for Interbay by weaving industry, culture, and ecology together.
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Engaging with working landscapes
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Section C-C'
Section B-B'
Section A-A'
Section D-D'
35 C D B A C' D' B' A'
Waterfront District
Business District
Civic District
residential mixed use commercial industrial institution parking
Ecological District
04 Journey Through History
The urban viaduct railway is not only regarded as a connection for trade and cultural communication but also witnesses the development of the city in a particular historical period. This project addresses a portion of The Hofpleinlijn, the former elevated railway from Rotterdam to The Hague, which became redundant with new rail lines and Rotterdam’s new Central Station. It has witnessed the development of the whole city of Rotterdam and had a crucial meaning to the elder. The idea is to rediscover the historical and artistic value, comprehensively use the ignored roof space, bring new vitality to the railway itself and the neighborhood, and boost the local economy.
Year: Summer 2018
Location: Rotterdam, Netherlands
Instructor: Ruohao Wu
Collaborator: Xinyi Mo
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38
Rotterdam Central Station
1906
The Hofpleinlijn was built
Timeline of The Hofpleinlijn
1940 Station Hofplein was destroyed
railway tram art works under the viaduct
39 Europe Netherlands The Hague Rotterdam SITE 2,000,000 1,500,000 visitors to Rotterdam visitors to site area 1,000,000 500,000 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017
1956
Rebuilt a new Rotterdam central station
2002
The Hofpleinlijn became a national monument
2018
The Hofpleinlijn is gradually being forgotten
Arts Under Hofpleinlijn
There are many artworks under the viaduct. Unfortunately, some of them were destroyed for different reasons.
Year: 2013
Type: Graffiti
Condition: Good
Year: 1906
Type: Sculpture
Condition: General
Year: 1904
Type: Sculpture
Condition: General
Year: 1908
Year: 1904
Type: Sculpture Type: Sculpture
Condition: Bad
Condition: Bad
Year: 1904
Type: Sculpture
Condition: General
Year: 1908
Type: Sculpture
Condition: General
Year : 2014
Type : Painting
Condition : General
Year: 1904
Type: Sculpture
Condition: Bad
Year: 1908
Type: Sculpture
Condition: Bad
Year: 1908
Type: Sculpture
Condition: General
Year: 2017
Type: Poster
Condition: Good
Year: 1904
Type: Sculpture
Condition: General
Year: 1980
Type: Building
Condition: General
Year: 2010
Type: Painting
Condition: Good
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Year Type Condition Building Poster Graffiti Painting Sculpture Good Bad General 2000-2017 1900-1920 1960-1980
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Changes Before Now
Well-maintained railroad track
the roof
of the
Open space under the viaduct Enjoy
space
viaduct
Broken railroad track
to the roof
Blocked space under the viaduct Cannot
go
Huge flow of people
Few people come
42 Keep valuable artworks and railroad tracks
the valuable elements with glass boxes
the brick structure and
with the steel structure
rail viaduct
Three Functional Commercial Outdoor Activity
Space
Protect
Remove
replace
Original
Strategy of the Viaduct
Green
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Linear Park
Skateboard Park
Slide
Running Track
Connecting Bridge
Cafe
Stage
Functional Sectors
Small Business
Site Analysis for Selected Nodes
The number of people to visit museums has increasd year by year.
Children's activity space is inadequate.
There are many craftsmen and vintage markets.
Residents need more green space.
44 Node A Node A Node B Node B Node C Node C Node D Node D commercial business building outdoor activities school building green space cultural building station school store residential building Average Income Area Area Rotterdam Rotterdam Site Site
Museum Visitor Year 2010 2014 2018
Activity Space Group
Green Space
Site Plan & Design Generation
Node A Greenhouse museum
Node B Children's
Node
Node
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square
C Open market
D Tulip Garden
1906 Station Hofplein
1930 Composition II in Red, Blue, and Yellow
1940 German bombing of Rotterdam
Now Brilliant Tulip Indusry
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Rebuild the station into a greenhouse museum, using the original structure of the old Hofplein Station to remind people of its history.
Design a children's square between residential buildings to activate the neighborhoods.
The square can serve as a place to hold an open market on specific days, while it is usually a plaza for relaxing and communication.
The tulip garden is at the end of the railway and is a landmark. It provides a place to take a rest as well as take photos. Besides, it connects the surrounding green network.
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05 Urban Heart
The Zhongguancun area in Beijing is a highdensity central business district with many universities. The high-rise building occupies many venues that initially belonged to citizens’ recreation. However, there are not enough open spaces for social and recreational purposes. The diverse groups of users have increasing demands and expectations. However, the area is limited, and this district’s land cost is high. This project proposes bold, innovative design strategies to create variables to meet different needs and scenarios by designing a folding lawn and a lifting platform. Meanwhile, with this novel and interesting character, the plaza could be a new landmark in the city to get economic profit.
Year: Spring 2017
Location: Beijing, China
Instructor: Yujia Zhai
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Complex Context Around the Site
Peking University
Peking University is the most famous and top university in China. It is not only an educational institution but also attracts many tourists to pay a visit.
main users:
‘Zhongguancun’ CBD
Zhongguancun CBD is known as China's "Silicon Valley". It is China's densest area of science, education, intelligence, and talent resources. It is the region with the most significant number of enterprises established by returnees studying abroad in China. It is one of the most important business districts in Beijing.
main users:
Location
Beijing
one of the most popular area in China.
Haidian District
gathering China's top universities and companies
Zhongguancun Core
known as China's "Silicon Valley"
Cultural Sights
There are some cultural and historical sights in the surroundings. The most famous two are one Christian Church and a historically protected patio which attract students, residents, and some of the citizens from other districts.
main users:
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Residential Area
There is a large residential area next to the base. Residents have a wide range of ages, prosperous occupations, and a variety of activities.
main users:
Commercial Core
Around the site there are some big shopping malls and famous restaurants which attract a lot of citizens and tourists.
citizen
resident
student tourist businessman 51
SITE
college office building sights commercial residential
main users:
Compound Users & Activities, Limited Space
High Technology
258 technology firms around
36 types of companies
4,080,940 million gross income
80% workers under 40 years old
13 top universities around
Users
48,896.3 billion
Number of Enterprises and the Total Income 40,000 billion 30,000 billion 20,000 billion 10,000 billion 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 0 50 100 150 200 250 300 domestic foreign Inefficient Use Before Now city area open space
Scarcity of Open Space Before Now
Poor Activity Extension Before Now A. Narrow & Limited 2007 2017 2007 2017 6.5 million 2007 2017 residential official Activity Space Changes in a Decade Workers Population Leasehold Price 1,202,000 workers of bachelor degree or above 731,350 workers of associate degree 373,750 other workers
scientific and technical personnel, 34,946 patents in 1 year. 52
Multiple
High Income Vitality District High Education Level
The
C.
B.
605,000
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The plaza consists of three simple parts: a lawn, a stair platform, and a tree array square. Changing the status of the lawn and platform could fit different scenes.
Site Plan
The paving pattern implies the direction of the flow of people on the site and also attracts the crowd from the crossroads to the site.
A Folding Lawn
Status1 Completely flat
Status2 Fold to become four slopes
Variable Possibilities
Daily Use
Relax
Playground
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Outdoor Classroom / Meeting
A Lifting Platform
Big Events
Party
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Concert
Exhibition
Cinema
Status1 Completely flat
Status2 Lift up stairs
Status3 Lift up the stage
The flexibility of the lawn and platform offers the possibility of a variety of activities to meet the needs of different groups. When the lawn is folded, the hidden bar table beneath it can also be lifted, serving drinks and snacks when hosting big events like concerts or movies, making the venue even more attractive.
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Section A-A'
Section B-B'
57 B A B' A'
A vibrant plaza in the CBD area
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YUHE XIAO
yuhexiao807@gmail.com
512.806.5004
The University of Texas at Austin
M.S. in Urban Design
2021 - present, Austin, Texas
Current GPA: 3.73
Anticipated graduation: May 2023
Tongji University
B.E. in Landscape Architecture
2014 - 2019, Shanghai, China
Cumulative GPA: 3.66
EXPERIENCE
PMA+Plasma Studio
Landscape Design Intern | Jan-Jul 2021 | Beijing, China
- Created diagrams and drawings for multiple civic and master planning projects, including site analyses, design generations, master plans and renderings of various views
- Assisted with the schematic design of a hospitality project through sketching and 3D modeling, especially dealing with topography
- Produced materials for two projects for three award submissions and improved original drawings, and all of them won prizes
Shanghai Tongji Urban Planning & Design Institute Co, LTD.
Urban Design Intern | Sep-Dec 2020 | Shanghai, China
Technical:
AutoCAD
Illustrator
Photoshop
InDesign
Rhinoceros
Sketchup
Soft: Self-motivated Creative Collaborative
EDUCATION SKILLS LEADERSHIP
ArcGIS
Lumion
Microsoft Office
Google Workspace
Sketching
Model Making
CAUP Student Union, Arts & Culture Department
Associate Director
- Assisted with two architectural exhibitions
- Contributed to three school-wide celebration galas
UNEP-Tongji Institute of Environment for Sustainable Development Volunteer
- Attended two conferences on the topic of climate change and sustainability
- Researched implications of economic, demographic, and industrial data, as well as policy-related documents, for a new airport development zone planning project
- Proofread planning documents for approval and publication
- Contributed to the planning and design process and developed diagrams for presentation
Shanghai Modern Architectural Decoration & Landscape Design Research Institute
Landscape Design Intern | Jun-Aug 2018 | Shanghai, China
- Collaborated with team on commercial and waterfront projects
- Drafted schematic design for a hospital project
- Improved drawings for multiple projects at all level of design process
COMPETITIONS & WORKSHOPS
International Architectural Workshop in Universidad Politécnica de Madrid
Renovation of Segovia Viaduct | Second prize
- Led a five-person team through the conceptual design phase of an open infrastructure renovation project in one week and conducted the presentation
Tongji University International Construction Festival
Cardboard Architectural Design Competition |Third prize
- Collaborated with teammates and built up a cardboard cabin that can accommodate about ten people by using hemp rope as the only fixing tool
Yuhe Xiao | yuhexiao807@gmail.com | 512.806.5004 Master of Science in Urban Design | University of Texas at Austin