YUNJING GUAN- Portfolio 2017

PO RT FO LIO

G IN J N YU AN GU

| A BIT ABOUT MYSELF | Graduate of Architecture, UNSW, Australia ​

Yunjing Guan (Christine) is a graduate of architecture, having completed a Bachelor of Architectural Studies Degree with Distinction in December 2014 and a Masters of Architecture with Distinction in December 2016.

Apart from the academic study in university, Christine has also obtained practical experience from her internship at Ghazi Ai Ali Architect (2014) and Sharon Campbell Architect (2016), and teaching experience from tutoring in a course Architecture Communication.

Parallel to her professional development, Christine has also developed an enthusiasm in experimental drawing and philosophy. Her drawing experiments are integrated in her studio projects, helping to imagine a vision as well as to deliver a concept. ​ Awards & Recognition 2016.12 Best project in Social Agency stream 2016.1 Lisa Ettridge Prize(Nominated) 2014 & 2016 On Dean’s Merit List

TABLE OF CONTENTS

IN WHICH WE SEE OURSELVES

REINVENTION OF ST CANICE’S PARISH

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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05

23

33

43

PARRAMATTA RIVERSIDE THEATRE

53

ILLUSTRATION

65

FABRICATION MODELS

67

3

| In Which We See Ourselves | Reinvention of St Canice’s Parish Public infrastructure Kings Cross, Sydney 2016

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...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

| STATEMENT OF INTENT | Kings Cross is on its way to gentrification. Gentrification could bring in order but could also potentially replace the current unique culture. The chaos of Kings Cross is neither reminiscent nor respectful. What people are nostalgic about of Kings Cross is its freedom - freedom that tolerates and respects differing ideologies.

Freedom and independence are considered as two sides of a coin. Respect generates not only from external environment but also from internal self-cultivation.

External interference can only be provided to a certain extent. Essentially, only the person herself is responsible for her own self.

This design seeks for the answer from an individual perspective. The contrasting nature of human is that it is social as well as individual. Staying connected with society or being known by someone is essential for one’s self being, as the image of oneself is the reflection of the perceived image from others. At the same time, people tend to act differently to distinguish themselves from others in order to confirm their identity. The risk of being unique is that it might not be well perceived, as the means we use to express ourselves is always limited.

There is always a part of ourselves that is left not understood by the others. Ultimately, we will have to find our own way to resist loneliness and be independent.

The architecture responds to this proposition in two juxtaposed ways: social and solitary. Although the social space creates opportunities for people to meet, it does not erase disparity. Self-satisfaction obtained from social life is very limited and temporary. The social space allows people to have relief from their eternal struggle with loneliness, and the architecture seeks to ease a measure of their fear and anxiety temporarily. Meanwhile, the solitary aspects try to address loneliness by catering to intellectual curiosity. However, The end result is a question rather than an answer: does the infinity of the world make one forget his minute loneliness, or make his loneliness more unbearable?

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| BASEMENT PLAN |

ENTRY TO SHORT TERM ACCOM

STORAGE JRS OFFICE

CAFE WHERE PAYMENT IS VOLUNTARY COLD ROOM

PUMP ROOM WHERE MONEY IS COLLECTED

CAFE SEATING

CAFE SEATING

PRIEST' S APARTMENT

MULTI FUNCTIONAL HALL

WEDNESDAY NIGHT DINNER

PRIEST' S APARTMENT

PARISHIONER APARTMENT

Juxtaposition of four areas: social area, solitary, church and parishioners’ apartment

Extroverted areas and introverted area

SUN AND SHADOW CREATING VARIOUS SPATIAL EXPERIENCE.

M LE

C ET

E TR

TS

EN

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| ENTRY LEVEL PLAN |

SHORT TERM ACCOMM

APARTMENTS FOR PARISH STAFFS

TOWER

LIBRARY

ORIGINAL STATUE

APARTMENT

GEOMETRY OF RESPOND TO PHYSICAL CONTEXT

THE MEMORY PRESERVED

METAPHORS AND ALLUSIONS

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| SOCIAL SPACE & SHORT TERM ACCOMMODATION |

The CAFE WHERE PAYMENT IS VOLUNTARY The cafe consists of three parts: an open kitchen with bar seating near the street; semioutdoor table seating; interior seating in the basement level of the church. They together create a flow space on the ground floor, encouraging movement around the site.

Next to the counter for food order is a thick hollowed column with a slot on it. The slot is there for the voluntary payment for the food.

Customer has her own freedom to decide what she wants to pay for, food for her self or food for others. The separation of payment and food order helps establish such freedom.

However, although sharing is the main idea in this cafe, I do aim to acknowledge the effort of the volunteers and the kindness of the ones who share. There is direct visual connection among the main seating area, the kitchen and the vegetable garden.

The customers are exposed to the working environment so that they know where the service and food are from. Meanwhile, the kitchen and the garden are designed in an enjoyable way, conveying the message that sharing and helping others is enjoyable.

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| SHORT-TERM ACCOMMODATION & PARISHIONERS’ APARTMENT |

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| SOLITARY SPACE |

The TOWER This tower has different roles for the exterior and for the interior.

The external form of the tower is designed to have a unique profile, so that it can be recognized from the distance or in a hazy day. Together with the chime, it conveys a message that the church is here and guides people.

Additionally, The shape is inclined towards the direction of the view, telling people that there is something happening there. The height of the tower is 33 meters, slightly higher a than the 10 storey adjoining building.

Due to topography and height control of the neibouring building, up to Rushcutter Bay, the tower is the highest building.

Internally, The tower is there as a question rather than a solution, The

stairs are purposely designed narrow and fragile, questioning whether one would want to take this arduous journey, At the lower part of the tower, there are small windows which one has to tiptoe to see through, And when she reaches a certain height, there will not be any more windows. She is directed only by the dim sky light and will have to resist this harsh darkness and loneliness. But once she reaches the top, what awaits him is the magnificent view all the way to Rushcutter Bay. When one is faced with this vast landscape, there might be another question coming up to mind: Does it this view make you forget your minute loneliness or make your loneliness more unbearable?

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BEDROOM & CORRIDOR There is horizontal sliding window on the partition wall. The design is aiming to reduce the sense of isolation.

The window is set at eye level of a sitting person, and stops just below the eye level of a standing person.

There is ambiguity between meeting someone and missing someone, hence leaving space for people to make their own choice.

Louvre is used above the window to obtain natural lighting for the

corridor, while the leaves are set at an angle to achieve a certain degree of privacy.

I have always been struggling in how much architect should get involved in influencing the life style of inhabitants. I do not have an answer yet, and I do not aim to

encourage any social life style at this intimate scale. My approach is just to reveal and to draw attention to some moment that people might overlook in daily life, so that people would rethink what they have been used to and make their own choice.

The bed As mentioned in the design intent, the core topic in this project is loneliness. Everyone has moment of solitary, In modern society in which diversity is encouraged, each human is considered as a unique individual. Being unique entails disparity, entails there is an increasingly large part of ourselves remaining not understood by the others. The attention, kindness and empathy that one can have on others is limited, as everyone has her own life. Loneliness is inevitable.

Architecture alone cannot solve the problem of loneliness, as the resource architect has and the realm that architect can get involved is limited. Personally, one cannot fully rely on architecture to solve everything. Help is limited.

Architecture is limited. Eventually it is the person herself is responsible of her own self. And the best respect is to trust one that she has the ability to eventually solve the problem by herself.

What I am trying to do in this design in this design is firstly to acknowledge the fact that human all has to resist loneliness, and secondly release a little amount of the anxiety and fear generated from loneliness.

Situated in a confined space, people are forced to look out. The bedroom is purposely made tiny, creating sense of temporary and encouraging the inhabitant to look beyond. The night sky might seem dark and fearful, while this cabinet-like bed offers sense of refuge, giving the inhabitant courage to look for the stars.

The relation of the window and the trees is to soften the desert view of a typical city, shifting the inhabitants’ attention on her loneliness and drawing her attention to something enjoyable.

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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

53

| 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

61

| Site analysis |

Ground floor plan

First floor plan

63

| 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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