Portfolio. by Yuan

Portfolio. Yuanchenxi Gao on Environmental Design

a little bit of everything on everything Exposing Landfill Waving Density Positively Negative Believing Taoism Metro Romance Stitching Orchard Temporal Senses Bachelor of Environmental Design yuanchenxi.gao@gmail.com 1.778.855.7870

Ecological Exhibition Hall Year 3, Intern Group (2) 8 Weeks All rights reserved by BIAD EA4 Studio Once as the largest suburban landfill site in western City of Beijing, this project is proposed and constructed as part of the 9th China International Garden Expo that will repurpose the site into a properly-vegetated public park as well as an educational base for ecology and gardening after the Expo finished. Indexed as A6 Building for uses of exhibition and service, this piece of insertion tries to stimulate a discussion of how building would blend into its site in both architectural and landscape aspects with strong intention to civic use.

Exposing

Landfill 02

Ecological Exhibition Hall Based on the hilly condition, the simple gesture of peeling a piece of grass off from the hill becomes the starting point that embodies the narratives of looking into stories behind the processes of land transformation. Such idea also fits into its designated function, providing people with best lookout spots around entire Expo at its tipping point.

Just like lifting up a piece of lawn grass, this building is intended to express the idea of peeling-off from ground ,and to expose the stories behind land transformation.

Ecological Exhibition Hall Circulations Two types of circulation unify the indoor and outdoor spaces as one system to better distribute people around the site. The blue line directs major traffic from hilltop level down to main outlook platform, passing through a public plaza; while the red line circulates around the base level and the overhanging bridge, preserving consistency of exhibition and service areas.

Rooftop garden, the Bridge and the Sunken Plaza disperse visitors into three different elevations, where they can still interact through visual penetration.

Vegetated Rooftop The technology is widely practiced among sustainable design and LEED buildings with goals of reducing thermal consumption and providing designated micro-climate. Transparency By maximizing the level of clearness and visual penetration, the building appears lighter in its sense of weight and dominance. With helps from skylights, the indoor lighting quality becomes dramatic and playful. Stairs and Ramps They are considered and designed as one working system with great intentions to people with disabilities. Ramps and stairs interweave to provide multiple levels of resting and viewing. Structure Walls are implemented as all structural support and are angled intentionally to minimize visual barrier towards the garden valley at north. Sunken Plaza With the tradition of courtyard space, a semienclosed plaza is pushed down to the heart of the building to not only provide outdoor gathering space but as a transitional buffer between functional uses.

Ecological Exhibition Hall

Outdoor Exhibition + Lookout Indoor Exhibition Dinning Service Indoor Lookout Plaza

Spatial Analysis A6 sits at the corner of the major route for pedestrians and functions as a big staircase that takes visitors into differentiated elevations. It gives people multi-leveled perceptions towards the building, the landscape and the interplay in-between.

Evolution One of requirements for this design is to avoid visually competition with the garden Expo down in the Valley; thus, its outline merges into the landscape to give better blending into the hill through its evolution.

Ecological Exhibition Hall

A-HA! The building merged into the land!

Little Cerda Masterplanning Year 3, Studio Group (2) 4 Weeks Prof. Dietmar Straub Foreseeing a possible population increase, this studio project targets a half-square-mile agricultural land at the northwest corner of Winnipeg as the site to collide the urban prototype of Eâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ixample District in Barcelona with prairie landscape of central Canada. By transplanting scenarios of living upon wild landscape, many social and infrastructural issues are addressed, such as drainage, standards for traffic control, local amenity, food supply, access to the public and the green, transition between inside and outside, etc. This project is not a solution for those issues, but a practice for survivals from them, and beyond that, how will life sustain when density colliding with wilderness?

Waving

Density 12

Little Cerda Masterplanning

Named as Little Cerda, the city is overwhelmed

Canola At north, artificial beach and the Seas sea ofofconola

by large areas of oil seed fields at three directions

borrow and redefine the coastal lifestyle in Europe forest interweave at the east end, providing the

and enclosed by perimeter highway at the south.

and provide essential leisure area for the city.

city with sufficient supply. Only small vehicles will

The insertion of Prairie Prairie Runway Runway on the west is

Community gardens, parking lots, sports fields

be able to enter the city in order to promote safer

designated as a hub that collects surface runoff

and forest interweave at the east end, providing

pedestrian flow.

from the city and breaks the spatial continuity

the city with sufficient supply. Only small vehicles

of flat prairie, giving various level of viewing and

will be able to enter the city in order to promote

playing possibilities.

safer pedestrian flow.

Community CommunityGardens gardens, parking lots, sports fields and

02 section through little cerda into conola field. The urban fabric of Little Cerda evolves from the implementation of courtyard, and the application of vegetation becomes crucial in shaping micro-climate and variety for each urban block: trees standing in isolation gives sense of gathering and direction, but shows weakness in wind and sunlight protection; while, groups of low-rise vegetation gives better performance in creating more controlled outdoor environment during harsh winter. Flexibility becomes a key factor in giving vibrancy and making city livable within such grid system.

Prairie Runway Meadows of Phalansteres

m Ra La Beach

Community Garden

Parking + Sports Fields Sports Fields

Sea of Canola

The Forest

N 01 masterplan + section through prairie runway. 16

Little Cerda Masterplanning RUE DE MEAUX Contemporary European Courtyard Paris, France The courtyard at Rue de Meaux was designed to bring natural elements into a structured, symmetric environment. The design was inspired by the arboretum at the Museum for Natural History in Chevreloup near Versailles, France. Birch trees were arranged randomly within plots laid out in a grid that mimicked the geometric rhythm of the building façade. The walking paths were slighty raised and followed straight lines while the understorey of honeysuckle soEens the transiFon from the ground plane to the verFcal plane. The tall trees provide privacy for building residents and courtyard users. ProtecFon from the sun, rain and elements are provided while the atmosphere provides a momentary escape from the noise and chaos of the surrounding urban environment.

la rambla + courtyard While courtyard becoming an activator for semi-private space that shows more concerns on privacy and comfort, the imitation of street type, la Rambla, demonstrates the desire for ‘streets as social place’. By switching positions between pedestrian walk and vehicle lanes, the central part of the street becomes spaces for gathering, entertainment, and local marketing. Streets are also widened with respect to building heights and, with the help of properly-vegetated tree lines, provide sufficient lighting quality and weather protection.

section through typical street, courtyard and la rambla

la rambla redefines streets with more social responsibilities. 18

Little Cerda Masterplanning As one of the other key design elements, Prairie Runway is composed by earth recycled from excavation. Using the waving elevation and calculated street inclines, all surface runoff from the city will be collected here, and after cleaned up on site, water will be returned in town. The Runway also functions as a playground: jogging, flying kites, having picnics, watching sunset, etc.

prairie runway collects surface runoff and precipitation.

construction stages + layers

Function

Two-thirds of our building space is reserved for residential while the balance will house office space, commercial and retail space, restaurants and cafes and schools and daycares. Most residential units will be 90m² with space for a family of four. Residences will be confined to the top three floors while the ground level spaces will house retail business and other services. The elementary school and day care is located adjacent to the Prairie Runway so this large open space is easily accessible.

Softscape

Each courtyard is designed to provide a unique spatial experience. Using a combination of ground surfaces and trees and shrubs we are able to build a quiet contemplative environment or encourage dancing and interaction. A courtyard filled with sod and a small grove of Japanese maple welcomes a grandparent to come out and visit with their comrades while sipping some tea and talking about how times have changed.

Hardscape

As the first indication of the town’s grid appears, the parking lots and allotment gardens are laid out. At this early stage of construction the parking lots act as meeting spaces and depots for earth moving equipment and other heavy machinery. But later they will be the main spaces for the resident’s vehicles and visitor parking.

Infrastructure

The soil that is removed from the town site to make room for the building foundations is not taken offsite but rather used to build the stormwater collection system. This is the most fundamental piece of the town’s infrastructure. This system collects and directs spring runoff and precipitation falling on the town streets and buildings. No water will be directed underground.

Soil Some of the richest, most productive soil on the earth, the site is covered in clay loam. It is composed of equal concentrations of sand, silt and clay mixed with a higher than average amount of humus that results in a nutrient rich, well-drained soil. Canola, wheat and barley are Manitoba’s most valuable crops.

Little Cerda Masterplanning

Site model visualizes the manipulated landscape that dominates the creation of transplanting in architectural typology.

Exchange District Tower Year 2, Studio Individual 3 days Prof. Kim Wiese

positively

negative

+ and - will not exist

independently, while human eyes tend to sub-consciously seek the balance in between. 24

BaiYunChuan Taoism Centre Year 4, Intern Group (2) 8 weeks All rights reserved by BIAD 2A2 Studio The dialogues between religion and architecture have always been crucial in shaping human society. Churches, mosques, temples, etc. It is not only about the spatial quality each of them provides, but also about the messages of that particular belief wants to convey and translate. As the most influential native religion in China, Taoism seems to somehow lost this translation along the way. The project is one suggestion for bring that back under contemporary context.

Believing

Taoism 26

BaiYunChuan

Left with little ruins of an ancient Tao temple, the site covers a small sloping valley shouldered by hills giant rocks. Chestnut trees can be seen all over the area, indicating a dramatic shift in spatial feeling from summer to winter. The concept inserts 4 elements (三寸台，埙墟，无为殿，几于道) into this valley in order to create a unified system that will take one subconsciously experience Taoism without tell him.

Path varies in its degrees of elevation and enclosure, giving controlled shifting between the known and the unknown. 28

BaiYunChuan

Deriving from the way how pathway works, the main temple, ć&#x2014; ä¸şćŽż, tries to intake local land features, such as giant stones and ancient leftovers, so as to integrate the artificial and the natural. Its modern horizontal look contrasts with the traditional temple body, forming a central courtyard that preserves the ruins and a giant pagoda tree. After entering the temple, one will be surprised by seeing the earth as only interior element.

BaiYunChuan

The courtyard of pagoda tree is conceived as the final destination of oneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s tour, where the space is enclosed peacefully by hallways. A convention room, with access to three levels, is overhanging at the south end of the structure, providing excellent views and meditation spaces.

Many Tao temple worship Laozi, who believed in the essence of nature. So why not worship nature (in form of pagoda tree) directly?

BaiYunChuan

Traditional exterior satisfies the expect, and, in the mean time, elevates the degrees of mystery blow ground.

The secondary temple, ĺ&#x;&#x2122;ĺ˘&#x; , elevates the levels of mystery and and surprise, where delicate construction at upper level works as an empty shell to tease out the difference at lower level.

BaiYunChuan

Soft installations are inserted at semi-underground level with no designated functions. Meetings, meditating spaces, service rooms, or even living spaces can be organized and integrated at oneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s will.

BaiYunChuan

道可道，非常道名可名，非常名

Intimacy Mapping Year 4, Studio Individual 2 Weeks Prof. Marcella Eaton

Metro

Romance

In Toronto, there is subtle intimacy between metro and city. People show off intimacy all around metro stations for hellos and goodbyes; we visualize them just to tell: City is in love.

First Kiss

Hot Kiss

Last Kiss

Other Kiss

Rider Counts Kissing Counts Intimacy Ratio (RC/KC) Bloor - Danforth

Normal Kiss

Yonge - Spadina 40

Providence College Student Housing Providence Student Housing Year 4, Studio Group (2) 3 Weeks Prof. Anna Thurmayr Growing rapidly as a Christian institution, the Providence College at south of Winnipeg requires this project to not only provide essential housing units but also implement enough socializing space for students to share information and belief. Seeing its close location to the Rat River and surrounding orchards, the design concept crosses lines of orchard trees with groups of row houses, working as a stitched system that will provide residents with non-static living experience both seasonally and spatially.

Stitching

Orchard 42

Providence Student Housing Pathways: Formal vs Imformal

Concrete slabs made up of hard pavings that allows only pedestrian and emergency vehicles. All backyards are designated to be open interactive space, while fruit trees become the dominants that decide the organization of each lane of yards. The ground is soft and intimate for the youth to play on or to have barbecues, and informal roads are inserted to give connections from one end to the other.

Surface runoffs are directed through semi-open ditches along hard pavings, then, following the existing topography, they are collected at the three Lagoons at south. After filtered and cleaned up, water will be used for irrigation.

Each house is derived from the same module, which only differs in its facade colors to give personality for each owner. Master plan will be proposed into 3 phases and, moving westwardly, each phase will complete over 30 units until reaching 100. In order to promote public transit and reduce using of private vehicles, the transit hub is inserted, at east end, much closer to this community than parking lots are. With the use of large elm trees arching in two rows, vehicle speed is reduce and, at the same time, public realm is formed.

Watering: Ditches vs Orchards

UP HERE ! SWEETIE BEHIND THE TREES

Phases: Private vs public

tree. gather up my thoughts. like the clouds in your branches. draw up my soul. like the waters in your root. through your leaves we breathe out the sky. they bring me together. they bring us together.

03 44

LAGI Land Art Year 4, Studio Individual 1 Weeks Prof. Marcella Eaton As a competition proposal, this quick design foresees a integration of solar, thermal and electromagnetic energy and generates a non-static floating roof that becomes selfsustained in its energy consumption.

Temporal

Senses A designed space is more like a trusting friend, it knows you from inside: giving you lights, expelling your fear, and you would do anything for it; do anything with it.

Resting

Group

Individual

LAGI Land Art Sun

GPS locator

By collecting solar energy during daytime, 2,500 flying units will stretch out a web that is precisely geo-located through use of Global Position System (GPS). As people, or any heat source, approach underneath, each flying unit will react correspondingly to temporarily form a â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;protectionâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;.

Flyings

Heat Source

Energy Hub

If extra energy are collected, it will be collected through electromagnetic field down into energy storage underground and, during night time, the process will be reversed to provide essential energy supply for the flyings.

Memory has been collected through experience of travel, and sketching is one of the preferred way that Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve used for recording. When information collages and interferes, no one really knows what will happen, and that is usually what design does: leading us to the unknowable existed.

Thank you for reading and consideration.