PO RT FO LIO
G IN J N YU AN GU
| A BIT ABOUT MYSELF | NAME: Yunjing Guan (Christine) SCHOOL: University of New South Wales- Master of Architecture I have been enthusiastic in architecture since I was very young. I used to consider architecture as a genre of art. Later as I develop my understanding of it, I found that the goal of architecture is to achieve a balance between idealism and reality. This is not compromise but a process of re-understanding architecture, life or even human itself. Currently I am working on my graduation project, reinvention of a small parish in Kings cross. It is a humanitarian project involved with a series of social issues. Successful humanitarian architecture requires deep understanding of sociology, psychology and philosophy, and architects working on such projects will be pushed to rethink the basic relationship between architecture and human in various context. I might not be specialized in humanitarian architecture in the future, but such rethinking is truly beneficial in terms of answering a general but critical question that I have always been asking myself: What is good architecture?
TABLE OF CONTENTS
HIERARCHICAL CONNECTION SLUM RELOCATION IN CAMBODIA
SOUTH WEST ROCKS
SWIMMING POOL COMPLEX
108/110 BRIGHTON BOULEVARD NORTH BONDI CAFE & APARTMENT
HOME ON THE WAY
HOUSING FOR TOMORROW
UNDERNEATH A CANOPY
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31
39
41
PARRAMATTA REVERSIDE THEATRE
41
ILLUSTRATION
47
FABRICATION MODELS
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100m
| HIERARCHICAL CONNECTION | SLUM RELOCATION IN CAMBODIA
200m
Mixed use multi-residential Near Phnom Penh, Cambodia 2015 100 local families
Due to urban development and the increasing congestion in Phnom Penh, a large-scale relocation, especially slums, is undergoing at the moment. This project is a hypothetical model responding to this situation. The model is a 100m x 200m rectangle with multi-residential and street front commercial that will be repeated in the relocated area. The key challenge of this project is not merely in economical aspect or in climatic aspect, but also, more importantly, in humanitarian aspect. Therefore, my design will be focusing on a question: How can I recreate the typical daily life in an undeveloped rural area?
5 5
Concept diagram
| Design Statement | The primary aim of this design is to provide the relocated residents a friendly and lively living environment, which may be reflected as an intimate and secure atmosphere in the design. The concept begins with a common psychological effect of human: the number of acquaintance of one person is limited. When a person is exposed to 500 other people, it is very likely that most of them are strangers. The intimacy of living environment is created by separating the strangers. The planning of the residential area is hierarchical, and has four layers: site, community, cluster, house. The smaller the scale, the closer the relationship between the neighbours is. Apart from separating people, the other aspect of the design is to connect people within the same community. Community centres corresponding to the scale of layers are provided. In terms of the module design, as it is on the layer of “house�, an open design is desired. The service area is detached from the living area. The connection in between is shared by two units, which creates opportunities for visual and social connection.
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| Philosophical Strategy |
SITE COMMUNITY CLUSTER HOUSE
Philosophy diagram
HOUSE
CONNECTION EN-CLOSABLE BEDROOM
SEPARATION OPEN DESIGN FOR HOUSES SMALL COMMUNAL FACILITY- WELL
CLUSTER
SEPARATION DISTINCTION OF FRONT AND BACK CONNECTION MEDIUM COMMUNAL FACILITY -PARKING -EVENT VENUE
COMMUNITY
SEPARATION CENTRALISED ORGANISATION
CONNECTION AMPHITHEATRE
Hierarchical planning structure Panorama view
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| Generating the plan |
MODULE ONE MODULE WITH VARIOUS SIZES OF LIVING AREA FOUR UNITS IN ONE MODULE
CLUSTER SHUFFLE AND ROTATE THE MODULE
CLUSTER ROTATE THE CLUSTER TO VARIOUS DIRECTION
COMMUNITY SHUFFLE AROUND THE COMMUNITY CENTRE
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| Design of module |
Module
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| Module design |
UNIT 1 UNIT 2 UNIT 3 UNIT 4 Circulation Pattern
Shared Space
Utilitarian area
Materiality
Public and private
Living area
Materiality
Public and private
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| Design of module |
A
B
C
C
B
Ground Floor Plan
A
B
C
C
B
First Floor Plan
A
B
C
C
B LIVING AREA MATERIALITY
Second Floor Plan
Section C
Section A
Section B
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| Detail design |
Roofing Options
Temporary Hydroponics
Facade Hydroponics
Temporary Hydroponics
Facade Hydroponics
Stairs Hydroponics
1200
7500
150x150 UC 2500
BAMBOO TUBE FOR HYDROPONICS
1040 5000
500
150x100 UB
4500
ROLLER BLIND BEHIND
2500 1040 2000 240
40x90 FLOOR JOIST
1760
600mm CONCRETE FOOTING
200 400
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1:100 Module model 1:1 Hydroponics model 1:250 Site model
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| SOUTHWEST ROCKS | SWIMMING POOL COMPLEX
Recreation & accommodation Southwest Rocks, NSW 2014 700 m2 GFA
“We need to build what the site wants.” “We have to touch the ground lightly.”
- Glenn Murcutt
Good architecture is based on a thorough understanding of site. We learn to read the nature, therefore we know how to respect and celebrate the nature. The site is located on the edge of Southwest Rocks, a small town 400 kilometers north to Sydney. It is a poetic and dynamic site with ever changing water, wind, sun, vegetation. The sea is rising, The wind is blowing and corroding the land, The trees are growing and dying, The sun is glaring, How do we turn all the disadvantages in advantages?
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Amphi-theatre
Ca
Restaurant
e
ous
er h
ak ret
om
e ro
ng
a Ch
| Design Statement | The project is derived from the most significant line on the site, constituted by the water edge and a proposed bridge connecting the town. Buildings along this line are read as a reinforced boundary between water and land, wet and dry. In addition, locating the main building on the water edge would also minimize damage to the site. There are components reoriented or pulled away from this axis. Such hierarchy is mainly due to topography and privacy consideration. In terms of architectural form, most of the buildings follow a consistent structural logic, implying the inner connection among each building. The amphi-theatre is exception of this universality. It is sited in between two finger dunes where the land form is originally a natural amphi-theatre. The actual architecture is merely a few rings of retaining walls aligned with the contours. In order to link it back to the main buildings and to sharpen its presence, a bridge-like lookout, which also functions as storage, is proposed across the contours. In short, The project is conceived not only as an alignment with, but also counterpoint to the existing topography.
Water edge
Buildings on water edge
Separation of water and land, wet and dry
Creating hierarchy of privacy and sense of arrival
Private component is pulled further away
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| Site analysis |
Earth Distribution of vegetation reflects the earth condition and hints the best siting for the building.
Water The quality of water changes at different times of a day: colour, transparency, speed, depth, temperature, types of fish...
Light The environment is dynamic: the sand dune is revealed and concealed alternatively as the tide rises and falls; the reflection of water and shade of trees shift and change the atmosphere as well as the nearby activities...
Bridge The bridge and finger wharf tell us how time would architecture and how architecture would blend into the environment as time passes.
FIRST DUNE
MANGROVE
SECOND DUNE
100 YEAR SEA LEVEL
Mangrove
Banksia & Tuckeroo
Moss
Sand grass & Pig face
Area that cannot be touched, due to mangrove is essential in fixing soil and filtering water. Any damage to mangrove will result the death of the whole bio-system.
They indicators of the second dune. The earth on the second dune area is stable enough to carry buildings.
Indicator of moisture. This corner is sheltered from the strong southeast prevailing wind.
Indicator of the first dune. The earth on the first dune is not stable enough for construction, as the root system of local plants is too shallow to hold the earth.
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Amphi-theatre D
D C A
B
B A
Restaurant
Lap pool
Caretaker house
Change room
Rock pool
Cross section A
Restaurant section B
Amphi-theatre section C
Amphi-theatre section D
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| Detail design |
Detail Section of change room
| Models |
1:200 Site model
1:20 Construction model
1:100 Restaurant model (front)
1:100 Change room model (front)
1:100 Restaurant model (back)
1:100 Change room model (back)
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| 108/110 BRIGHTON BOULEVARD NORTH BONDI | CAFE & APARTMENT In the business aspect of architecture, sun and view are always the most valuable resources. In residential project, a schematic design is to balance the resource, and sometimes the integration of marketing strategy is essential. Bondi beach as the most prestigious beach in Sydney, the contend for view is particularly intense. View is money. Maximising the commercial value is no doubt important, while the next question is “who can afford for it” and “who would pay for it”. Is it a luxury apartment or affordable housing? How would the architect address the assigned orientation with architectural language?
Mixed use multi-residential North Bondi, NSW 2014 15 units
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Street perspective The site and the beach
| Design Statement |
The purpose of this proposal is to develop a mixed-used residential that responses to physical context as well as marketing context. The relationship with the adjoining lot and the internal apartment layout are primary considerations during design process. The site itself is contradictory. The view to the sea is also west facing- the best orientation is the worst orientation at the same time. My strategy to this situation is to balance the value of different units. There are two types of units, one is with sea view but west facing, the other one is without sea view but compensated with view to an internal courtyard and abundant sunlight. In order to reinforce the marketing strategy, the proposed density is set to be 15 units, which slightly higher than the recommended density from the council. This would orient the development towards affordable housing. The target residents will be small middle class family and middle class couple. The commercial component is divided into two section, street-front cafe and formal dining. The street-front cafe will be a friendly amenity serving mainly local residents; while the formal dining will be opened to a broader user group.
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| Connection to context |
PEDESTRIAN
CA
FE
VE
HIC
LE
PEDESTRIAN ACCESS
EXTENSION OF THE STREET
LOADING
OPEN TO THE STREET CAR ACCESS
| Cafe and street | The commercial component is divided into two section, street-front cafe and formal dining. The street-front cafe will be a friendly amenity serving mainly local residents; while the formal dining will be opened to a broader user group.
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| Two types of units |
Unit with sea view
Unit with courtyard view
Pedestrian
Cafe
Car access
Master plan
| Balancing the value | The site itself is contradictory. The view to the sea is also west facing- the best orientation is the worst orientation at the same time. My strategy to this situation is to balance the value of different units. There are two types of units, one is with sea view but west facing, the other one is without sea view but compensated with view to an internal courtyard and abundant sunlight. In order to reinforce the marketing strategy, the proposed density is set to be 15 units, which slightly higher than the recommended density from the council. This would orient the development towards affordable housing. The target residents will be small middle class family and middle class couple.
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| Plans and sections |
Lv1 floor plan
Section
South elevation
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| HOME ON THE WAY | HOUSING FOR TOMORROW
| Design Statement | I have an optimistic vision for tomorrow, which starts from a question: What would human look for after they are satisfied with all their material needs? Art, literature, knowledge etc. are certainly the most popular answers. They are all spiritual vessels in which people seek for experience from an unknown world. Therefore a fundamental psychological need of mankind surfacesintellectual curiosity.
Unconventional housing
The primary goal of this design is to address the inherent intellectual curiosity of human by assisting individuals to explore and to experience this diverse world. The design begins with a human aesthetics theory proposed by Jay Appleton that human has two inherent desires- prospect and refuge. Since exploring the world is already an act seeking the sense of prospect, what the actual design aiming to provide is mainly the sense of refuge, in other words, a home. The notion of home can be defined differently in different proposed scenarios.
Single
All over the world 2015
The fundamental definition of home is a secure place sheltering occupants from the outside world. This is reflected in a scenario of “minimal home”, in which a habitable automobile is devised to make possible an independent living requiring minimal external infrastructure. The second scenario is “reminiscent home”, of which the definition of home is conventional living environment. This is designed to mediate the psychological impact from unconventional living style in the “minimal home”. In “traveling home” scenario, although it is mainly designed to fulfil the desire of prospect, definition of home is explored by the clear distinction between public and private area.
Mobile device
Minimal home
Reminiscent home
Traveling home
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| Design philosophy |
PROSPECT
PLUG IN TO THE WORLD
HUMAN
EXTENSION OF HUMAN BODY
REFUGE
PLUG IN TO A HOME
| Mobile device |
MINI KITCHEN
SLIDING STORAGE
INTERACTIVE SURFACE FOR DRIVING OPERATION
FLIP-OPEN SUNKEN AREA FOR LEGS
VENT
STORAGE UNDERNEATH
FOLDABLE WHEELS
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| Minimal home |
The design of this device is aimed to fulfill the ESSENTIAL physical and psychological needs of an individual. STORAGE FOR PERSONAL BELONGINGS Spatially efficient slide-open cabinets Interactive surface to organize storage
• •
BASIC UTILITY Small fridge, food processor, wash machine, drinking water supply
•
INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION Wrapped with interactive surface Adjustable transparency
• •
PERSONAL SPACE Carefully worked-out minimal dimensions to comfortably fit in one person
•
OUTDOOR SPACE Flipped-open door creating small protected outdoor space
•
ELECTRICITY SUPPLY The device will have to rely on external supply infrastructure and charge when it is at rest.
•
HYGIENIC FACILITIES The device will need to rely on external facilities. The decision to replace individual bathrooms with public ones is based on the evaluation of the possible complexity of installing built-in bathrooms.
•
• •
• • •
Sliding cabinets enable flexible use of space Bottom storage space enhances spatial efficiency
Double-sided-open door to accommodate different living modes Flipped-open storage to accommodate different use of space Slots for structural elements
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| Reminiscent home |
Informatization is an inevitable tendency in the current world. The rise of human–computer interaction has highly encouraged monolithic design and would very likely, to some degree, suppress the traditional aesthetics , which is rich in physical experience and tactility. Human might slowly get used to it eventually, while this design approach is to bridge this change. The design in this scenario is the “minimal home” plugging into an existing building and becoming a reminiscent home. The plug-in idea is inspired by Airbnb, which provides a vision in flexibly connecting existing buildings to individuals and into digital network. The plug-in system not only provides a quality life(under traditional definition) but also allows the residents to easily customize the “home” with their own belongings. The concept is to be crystallized by a system that consists of structure embedded in the “minimal home”, crane installed on building facade and add-on structure to the existing buildings. The most important principle in designing this system is minimizing impact on existing buildings both structurally and aesthetically.
1. Book a unit from a digital device
2. Plug into an existing building
3. Get connected to a reminiscent living environment
Foldable crane installed on the facade
Section Of The Plugged-In System
Lifting hook slotted into device Embedded supporting arms
Openings on existing building - minimized impact
Connection between the device and structure Additional structure added to existing building
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| Reminiscent home |
This plug-in airship system is aimed to address the need for prospect. Although the sense of prospect is achieved by sending people all over the world, sharing public space with a considerable amount of people has created a community living environment. The use of space is primarily planned to reflect the hierarchy of public and private area.
MINIMAL HOME
COMMUNAL SPACE
STAIRS
BATHROOMS
MECHANICAL
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| UNDER A CANOPY | PARRAMATTA RIVERSIDE THEATRE
Main entrance
About the theatre Theatre Parramatta, NSW 2015 1200+ audience
The existing Riverside Theatre mainly functions as a cultural centre and plays an important role in introducing as well as incorporating the realm of art and culture to the local life pattern. Due to its inadequate capacity, the provided events mostly target local community and can no longer fulfill the growing cultural need. With respect to its original role, the reinvention of Riverside Theatre primarily aims at increasing its capacity to serve the growing local population and expanding its influence to the entire western Sydney region. From a wider perspective, the proposal not only purposes for improving the cultural life experience of the region, but also for creating opportunities for local artistic industries as well as enhancing the attraction of the region. As currently the Riverside Theatre is the only cultural venue within the region, making full use of the limited space and the ability to accommodate various events become crucial. Hence, multi-function and spatial efficiency will be the primary principles in developing the proposal.
Entrance to formal dining
Casual bar seating
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| Site analysis |
Map of local attraction Usage of existing theatre
Site plan
About the theatre The existing Riverside Theatre mainly functions as a cultural centre and plays an important role in introducing as well as incorporating the realm of art and culture to the local life pattern. Due to its inadequate capacity, the provided events mostly target local community and can no longer fulfill the growing cultural need. With respect to its original role, the reinvention of Riverside Theatre primarily aims at increasing its capacity to serve the growing local population and expanding its influence to the entire western Sydney region. From a wider perspective, the proposal not only purposes for improving the cultural life
experience of the region, but also for creating opportunities for local artistic industries as well as enhancing the attraction of the region. As currently the Riverside Theatre is the only cultural venue within the region, making full use of the limited space and the ability to accommodate various events become crucial. Hence, multi-function and spatial efficiency will be the primary principles in developing the proposal. Located on the boundary of the dense CBD and separated by the Lennox Bridge, Riverside theatre might be considered as an independent cultural
component. Although such position provides potentials for greater attraction to residents from further regions (larger capacity of parking), the friendliness of the theatre, or perhaps even the evocation of interest, could be affected. It is crucial that the theatre performs as a junction of the context rather than a terminal, and therefore the fluidity of the transition as well as the hierarchy, from busy commercial pattern to casual recreation, could be well maintained.
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| Design strategy |
As discussed above, the design approach will have an emphasis on connection, literally and culturally. Another issue is that on the design brief the existing theatres are to be maintained as heritage components of the new theatre complex. The contrast of old and new has caused the lack of universality, In order to address this two issue at the same time, a canopy is designed to incorporate all the existing theatre, and the space underneath are opened in various directions to accommodate vibrant flows of activities.
Concept diagram Arial view
Central hall
Main entrance
Ch
et
tre
hS
c ur
Circulation
Existing theatres
Proposed components
Semi-open area
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| Construction |
Ceiling height
Modular beam
Adjust height
Structural column on the side
Non-structural column attached to beam
Central hall Funiture design
Reception desk
Temperary seating
Permanent seating
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| Sections |
Central hall
Street elevation- cafe & bar
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| Site analysis |
Ground floor plan
First floor plan
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| Illustrations |
...we each attain ourselves in the presence of the other... [A man] realizes that he cannot be anything... unless others acknowledge him as such. I cannot discover any truth whatsoever about myself except through the mediation of another. The other is essential to my existence, as well as to the knowledge I have of myself. -Jean Paul Satre, Existentialism is a Humanism
Each one of us is alone in the world. He is shut in a tower of brass, and can communicate with his fellows only by signs, and the signs have no common value, so that their sense is vague and uncertain. We seek pitifully to convey to others the treasures of our heart, but they have not the power to accept them, and so we go lonely, side by side but not together, unable to know our fellows and unknown by them. -W Somerset Maugham, The Moon and Sixpence
IN WHICH WE SEE OURSELVES Kings Cross is a place constantly changing, from an elite estate to a temporary residential area, to a party centre... It seems that nothing is permanent except diversity itself. Looking back to human history, ancient societies were often dominated by mainstream value. Pluralism, which states that smaller groups should be allowed to remain their own cultural identity, is a late concept that first appeared in 1910’s. The emergence of pluralism indicated the awareness of value of human and individuals. The practice of it requires respect on others, not also physically, but also the acceptance of disparity. Kings Cross is still changing, and If we want to preserve something for the future diversity, perhaps the essence of respect is something we need to consider. Zooming into individual level, respect is associated with the value of self. The ultimate goal of the design is to create an opportunity for one to “see” himself. The “seeing oneself” here may refer to reclaiming/ discovering/achieving one’s self value. The contrasting nature of human is that human is social as well as independent. On one hand, the image of oneself is reflection of the perceived image from others. Hence staying connected with society or being known by someone is essential for one’s self being. On the other hand, help from others can only be provided to a certain extent, we have to be responsible for ourselves. Ultimately, we are all alone, and we will have to find our own way to resist “loneliness”. The reinvention of St Canice is a juxtaposition of social connection, solitary, apartment, and the existing church. It is a symbol of the multifaceted nature of human, while simultaneously it provides freedom for the occupants to interpret the architecture in their own way. Such freedom is also embedded in architectural language. A large number of metaphors and allusions are incorporated in the design in an experiential and implicit way, so that the architecture is there as a choice rather than an act of imposition.
ARCH 7201 RESEARCH STUDIO REINVENTION OF ST CANICE’S PARISH YUNJING GUAN (CHRISTINE) Z3383621
Posters for graduation project
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| Fabrication model |
1:1 Bamboo roof junction 1:2 Junction of concrete base and timber column 1:2 Timber column and rafter junction
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