Catherine Cai Portfolio_2024 by Catherine Cai

PORTFOLIO

YUJIE CAI

Selected works from 2020-2024

BA (Hons), ARB/RIBA Part 1

Architectural Association School of Architecture

ADAPTIVE RENEWAL

Collaborative Strategies for Enhancing Life for Retired Workers in Shanghai's Petrochemical Village No. 4

AA Intermediate 16 Undergraduate Design Studio Individual Thesis Work 2023-24

Supervisors: Eleanor Dodman, Selim Halulu

This project is dedicated to the adaptive renewal of Petrochemical Village No. 4 in Shanghai. It focuses on the needs of retired workers, who are part of a complex network of rules, regulations, and influences. The village, originally a state-subsidized housing estate, is facing a dual challenge- the ageing of its residents and infrastructure. It is crucial to address the extended life expectancy of the residents and refurbish the infrastructure and public spaces. This will not only improve accessibility but also enhance the well-being of the workers' village.

Through flexible and collaborative renovation strategies, the project aims to refurbish the village, improve living conditions, and accommodate the evolving needs of older adults. The design fosters sustainable cohabitation and community engagement by emphasizing self-build techniques with locally sourced and recycled materials, ensuring the village remains a vibrant and supportive environment for its ageing population.

Methodology guide

1. Map of distribution of workers' villages in Shanghai

2. Newspaper reporting the history of the petrochemical workers' village and its development

3. Industry in Jinshan and its workers' demographics

4. The evolution of social housing from 1940s to 1960s

5. The evolution of the workers' villages from 1940s to 1960s in Shanghai

6. The collage of my childhood memories of living in a workers' village with my grandparents

7. Technical studies of the prefabricated residences in China in the 1970s

8. Site plan and the housing typologies

9. Sun path and shadow studies

10. Original construction documents

11. Technical studies of one residence

12. Site photos

13. 1:1 model of the building fragments

Different Participants & Stakeholders

Retired workers District governments

Design Institutes (LDIs)

associations

My studio project is based in Petrochemical Village No. 4, Shanghai. It examined workers' village housing

Exploring the legacy of workers' villages: a comprehensive study

CONDITION 1

The residents enjoy gardening, but they lack sufficient space. Their planting plots have encroached on public areas.

CONDITION 2

The residents selfbuild a chess room with waste materials for entertainment.

SITE PHOTO

CONDITION 3

Most residents dry their clothes in the corridor due to limited space on the balcony.

CONDITION 4

The entrance of the residential building is not accessible, occupied for multifunctional uses.

CONDITION 5

Due to lacking social spaces, residents take out some furniture and hang out with their neighbors.

CONDITION 6

Multigenerational households put all kinds of sundries in the public area.

Through site visits and interviews with three organizations of stakeholders and retired workers, I have documented the current spatial problems of the workers' village and the possible bottom-up strategies for its refurbishment.

I observed that many senior adults utilize self-build structures. The existing self-built structures are transformed into a new configuration that better accommodates the needs of the elderly as they age.

Self-build planting area

Self-build chess room

Occupied entrance

Occupied balcony

Self-build social space

Housing in different phases and conditions

The flexible and collaborative renovation strategies to refurbish the workers' village accommodate the residents as they age and the building's life cycle in 20 years.

Exploded plan of the residential building after refurbishment

Section of the residential building before self-build refurbishment

Section of the residential building after self-build refurbishment

East Elevation

South Elevation

The generalizable plan for sustainable cohabitation for workers’ villages based on adaptive reuse and community self-build structures would better address the needs of the elderly people and improve their living conditions.

SHARED KITCHEN

The kitchen provides the residents with space and opportunities to socialize and prepare food together.

EXTENDED WINTERGARDEN

Wintergarden elimin d to place plant in public areas, thereby reducing potential safety hazards.

COMMUNITY CENT ER

The community center serves as a hub for social interaction and health services among seniors.

VIBRANT OVERLAPS 02

The “Contre-projet” to Guangzhou’s 2021-35 Urban Village Regeneration Masterplan

Individual Work, Fall 2024

Supervisor: Finn Lin

The Sanyuanli revitalization project re-imagines its main street to address poor infrastructure, overcrowding, and visual disorganization, integrating modern urban design with the village's historical and cultural identity.

Guided by Robert Venturi’s analytical framework where 5 systems are extracted, the project emphasizes creating a multi-layered, dynamic urban environment. Ground floor arcades enhance pedestrian flow and host bustling small markets, while second-floor elevated walkways provide seamless connectivity between buildings, improving spatial accessibility. Rooftops are re-purposed into vibrant communal spaces, integrating greenery and offering venues for cultural and social activities. These vertical layers encourage diverse interactions and maximize land use efficiency in the dense urban village. The design strategy incorporates clear functional zoning to separate residential and commercial areas while fostering community engagement through flexible public spaces. By combining historical preservation with innovative urban design, the project balances cultural heritage, modern functionality, and sustainability, enriching Sanyuanli’s urban fabric and social vitality.

OVERVIEW

Memorial Archway

Visual System

Local temple

Ancestral shrine

Mixed-use dwelling

Factory + warehouse

Retail + Wholesale

Sanyuanli Street serves as the primary thoroughfare connecting the urban village to the heart of Guangzhou. It faces several challenges, including visual disorganization and poor infrastructure. To address these issues, five systems derived from Venturi’s theories will be applied as an analytical tool to existing challenges.

BUILDING-LEVEL STRATEGIES

Visual System Different facades corresponding to distinct functions.

Information System

Location System

Improved accessibility by introducing arcaded streets.

Function System

Operation System

Streamlined functions for enhanced user experience.

Separated workflows for different user groups.

New public visual nodes with concentrated signages.

PLACEMAKING

The original Sanyuanli Temple retains its striking traditional gate, main structure, and enclosing blue-brick walls as key elements of its visual system. The remaining areas have been re-purposed into a cultural exhibition hall promoting local heritage, featuring flexible spaces and a first-floor expansion. Part of the hall connects with nearby souvenir shops and the commercial street.

Seven deteriorated buildings are retrofitted into five buildings that form a pedestrian-friendly market.

Elevated arcaded streets host the unique marketplace, enhanced by distinctive signage to attract tourists.

Commercial and residential areas are separated, with upper floors providing housing and a community plaza, revitalizing Sanyuanli's trade and living environment.

The once-enclosed ancestral hall at the heart of Sanyuanli Street now preserves private spaces for clan rituals, while other areas have been expanded into a four-story community center open to visitors and migrants. The center integrates functions like celebrations, commerce, dining, public spaces, and activity areas, fostering cultural cohesion within the urban village.

Both wings of the ancestral shrine have been expanded into flexible exhibition spaces showcasing local culture.

The market revitalizes Sanyuanli’s commercial identity, with bustling social interactions and trades.

The community center offers migrants a sense of belonging amidst the towering skyscrapers of Guangzhou.

03 POPLAR: A GREEN ARCHIPELAGO

A Green Erosion Masterplan for the De-urbanization of Poplar Using Heuristic Algorithms

Group work, Fall 2023.

This project reimagines Poplar’s urban development, addressing overpopulation, and fragmented green spaces through nature-inspired strategies. Using the Grasshopper PHYSAREALM plugin and Wallacei genetic optimization plugin, it proposes a model of inverse urbanization that fosters ecological connectivity and redefines urban boundaries. Green spaces are linked with optimized pathways and routes inspired by slime mold spread to optimize connectivity and complexity.Wallecei-powered multi-objective optimization uses a Genetic algorithm to pick-and-choose the best combination of plant species to adapt to various site constraints whilst ensure overall ecosystem resilience. Key nodes in the green spaces network such as Mallory Close, Emblem House, and Chrisp Street Market are envisioned with detailed, architecture-level greenery integration scenarios, such as the introduction of green roofs, greenhouses, eco-facades, dikes, etc.These interventions together transform fragmented urban spaces into a cohesive, nature-integrated habitat network. By scaling up biophilic principles across a larger part of the city, the project envisions a symbiotic urban ecosystem that enhances environmental health and sustainable growth–a new paradigm for co-living with nature.

London: the Overcrowded Capital

Problems with Over-densified Cities

Air Quality and Ecosystem Renewal Roadmap

Project Philosophy

Overall Methodologies

Algorithmic Workflow: Slime Mold Simulation

Layers of Influencing Factors Ecosystem Spread Process

PLANT SPECIES OPTIMIZATION METHODOLOGY

Multi-objective Optimization Steps Plant Species Scoring Table Configurations

Best Generations and Individuals

Generation 8

Individual 15

Species Ratios Ranking: 1stPyrus

2nd Juniperus communis

3rd Quercus robur

4th Betula pendula

5th Phragmites australis

Review of the Best Individual

Generation 13

Individual 9

Species Ratios Ranking:

1st Prunus avium

2nd Ginkgo biloba

3rd Lolium perenne

4thPyrus

5th Salix alba

Node 1: Mallory Close (terraced housing with courtyard)

Vegetation has overgrown the riverside terrace housing. Several structures now retain only their wooden frameworks, reimagined as open trellises and inviting courtyard entrances.The enclosed courtyards have been repurposed for diverse planting, while rooftops serve as photovoltaics and green cultivation spaces.The riverbank has been transformed into a flood-resistant dike, integrating ecological and practical functions.

Node 2: Emblem House (high-rise point apartment tower)

High-rise apartment buildings feature modular units dedicated to plant cultivation, including private balconies and communal planting corridors. Vines climb greenhouse structures, extending across upper floors.The original façade has been reimagined as an adjustable louvered system, balancing ventilation and passive solar gains. Rooftops are optimized for solar energy collection and urban agriculture.

Node 3: Chrisp Street Market (street market with maisonettes)

Chrisp Street Market, a key public space in Poplar, will merge planting with food production and exchange.The open ground-level market will be used as a spacious greenhouse.Traditional brick buildings will be stripped to their structural frames, repurposed as greenhouse supports, while elevated planters attached to the building structures and facades will make extra capacity for urban agricultural production.

FROM FLOOD TO FLOURISH 04

Integrating Food, Beer, and Community in a Resilient Landscape in Rood Hook, New York

AA Intermediate 17 Undergraduate Design Studio Individual Work 2022-23

Tutors: Eleni Gklinou, James Khamsi, German Bahamon

This project proposes a resilient beer and food cultural hub along Red Hook’s north shorefront, addressing sea-level rise and enhancing community identity. Red Hook faces challenges like flooding, economic disparity, and limited public transportation, yet it thrives on its strong community spirit and rich food and beer production traditions.

The design transforms the flat, artificial shoreline into a multifunctional landscape, integrating agricultural fields, wetlands, and public spaces as flood mitigation strategies while fostering urban and cultural engagement. The brewery features an automated system powered by seawater and rainwater harvesting, demonstrating sustainable water management. Water is central to the project, serving as an energy source, a beer ingredient, and a catalyst for social interaction. Connecting the shoreline along Buttermilk Channel, the development blends industrial, agricultural, and recreational uses, creating an immersive destination that reinforces Red Hook’s cultural heritage and promotes ecological and social resilience.

FRAMEWORK: A SYMBIOTIC FUTURE WITH WATER

Stitching 11km of inaccessible shorefront that connects 2 fragmented sites, bringing coexistence between community and water. Despite the threat of flooding, this new waterfront will allow the residence to continue living by the water for another 100 years.

Reprofiled dyke greenway

Red Hook house farm

ReedAlder Peat moss MallowGlasswort Cattail

I propose a vision for Red Hook that integrate agriculture, flood management, and community celebration. Instead of resisting water with barriers, this approach embraces and celebrates nature. Abandoned shoreline spaces are re-imagined as lush fields growing wheat and other crops for brewing, integrating Red Hook’s brewing tradition into the environment. The brewing process extends into the landscape itself, creating an immersive experience.Visitors and local residents can easily access from the shoreline to brewery rooftops via gentle slopes, enjoying panoramic views of the agricultural scenery. This design fosters harmony between water, land, and community engagement.

Iteration 1: An elevated ground-level brewery and pubic dike

Iteration 2: Integration of agricultural landscapes and wetlands

Iteration 3: Connection between the shore and the roof garden

Concept model showing the walkway connectivity

ADAPTIVE RETROFIT FOR AN ELDERLY HOME IN SINGAPORE

Harvard GSD Design Discovery Virtual 2023

Individual Work, Summer 2023

Instructor: Aggie Fielding

For my final design in the GSD DDV, I propose to reimagine the Point Tower in Singapore to address the needs of diverse family structures.The project focuses on creating an inclusive living environment through subtle yet impactful modifications.These include adding private and public balconies as extended facades, offering additional outdoor spaces while enhancing the tower’s visual appeal.To further foster inclusivity, a brick double-facade adaptation is introduced, designed to provide safety and comfort for elderly residents and their families.These interventions aim to transform the Point Tower into a welcoming, functional, and visually distinctive space that promotes community and social cohesion.

Tiong Bahru, Singapore

Axometric drawing of the point tower with brick facade

Facade modification strategies for different user groups, spatial uses and layouts

OTTELIA BY THE WATER

Botou Rural Regeneration Masterplan

Design and construction team: Prof. Karin Hofert, Yujie Cai, Jiani Huang, Yupei Zhang, Renfei Zhao, Sijia Zhang, Yuqing Peng, Yutian Jin

I participated in a rural revitalization project funded by the Yunnan government. The project focused on designing a tourism intervention at the pond near the entrance of Botou Village and overseeing its on-site construction. Inspired by a locally distinctive edible flower, the final design features a pavilion that integrates traditional Bai ethnic tie-dyeing and weaving techniques, with the facade crafted by hand during the construction phase. The project has already been built and aims to guide tourists from the valley road through the village, offering interactive and engaging landscape experiences.

METABOLISM, AGAIN.

Competition for the transformation of Nakagin Capsule Tower

Instructor: Sho Ito, Pol Castello

In collaboration with: Jintatsu Asada, Suchan Kim

This design proposal envisions a housing block on the former site of Tokyo's iconic Nakagin Capsule Tower, honoring Kisho Kurokawa's Metabolist ideals while addressing Tokyo's current societal needs. Housing 140 units for single residents of all ages, the project reinterprets Metabolism through adaptable, organic forms inspired by ant colonies and plant growth. These customizable units provide a dynamic, resident-focused living experience. The design evolves by sculpting circulation routes into negative space, accommodating future demands. The proposal transforms Kurokawa's vision into a prototype for an environmentally responsive urban future.

ALL THAT IS SOLID MELTS INTO AIR

Activist protest against the demolition of 7 heritage religious buildings in Jiading Individual project, 2020

Documenting the demolition with lime powder building footprints and drone photography, this project symbolically burned site scrap materials, evoking heritage religious rituals to protest cultural erasure and urbanization.This form of activism challenged the forces driving these demolitions, blending art and protest to advocate for preservation.The title,“All That Is Solid Melts Into Air,” underscores the fragility of cultural heritage amidst urban transformation, drawing attention to the rapid disappearance of local histories.

Burning salvaged materials from the demolition site symbolizes the erasure of cultural heritage, criticizing urbanization’s impact while evoking rituals of displaced religious traditions.