Architectural
Large-scale
Academic Work 05/2022-07/2022
ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN OF CULTURAL ARCHITECTURE
01 DECORATIVE PROTOTYPE
Individual Work Instructor Sijie Gao
Location
Preservation of traditional Tibetan architectural components.
Nowadays, over-abstraction of religious space has been commonly used, and architects have tried to reach the purity of religious semantics through de-decorating. Some religious spaces have gradually lost their original significance under this movement.
This project aims to reverse this manipulation by stripping Tibetan religious architecture’s ornamentation (ASSETS) of its archetypes and reorganizing it based on the original spatial archetypes (FRAMES). The semantics of religion are retained in the material, and the site is reproduced by organizing it with function, space, and flow, bringing religion back into the complex contemporary social context.
Concept sketch
Lhasa, Tibet, China
Decorative Components (ASSETS)
Traditional Tibetan religious architecture has intricated decorative elements that give the buildings a religious mystique. After comparison, research, and extraction of traditional Tibetan religious architecture, architectural decorative components with religious significance have been extracted and used to enrich ASSET.
Space Prototypes (FRAMES)
Through collecting and analyzing the floor plans, elevations, and sections of traditional Tibetan religious architecture, the basic forms of the plan and the laws of elevation composition of traditional Tibetan religious architecture are summarized. In plan and elevation, Tibetan religious architecture clearly emphasizes symmetry and central symmetry. And in the section is mostly a narrow and high space, which can better bring out the religious atmosphere.
REPRODUCTION
Architectural Reproduction Decoration
Deconstruction
Extraction Fragments
Reorganization
REPRODUCTION EXAMPLE
The different components themselves, the different sizes of the components, the different ways of arranging the components together, and the different densities of the components all bring different feelings to the visitors. Therefore, some components look more like a brand-new chunk after being reorganized. And some builds look more like a grand array after being reorganized. And these parts, after being reassembled, are then replicated in all directions, regularly arranged, and finally forming the continuous religious space that can be seen.
From the Lhasa City
1. Original Jokhang Temple
2. Dining Hall
3. Courtyard
4. Rotatable Walkways
5. Aisle
6. Meditation Rooms
7. Control Room
8. Buddhist Hall
9. Exhibition Spaces
10. Barkor Street
In the lobby part of the project, there are a pair of rotatable walkways. One of them can be rotated 90° and one can be rotated 30°. When they are rotating, courtyard spaces of different sizes and numbers could be generated. These courtyards could be used for different functions. For example, exhibition, assembly, etc.
EXPLODED VIEW
Located in the center of the Buddhist Hall at the west end of the building, and the linear corridor sets off the block-shaped Buddha wall in the center to reinforce the religious feeling.
Chunk 2 is located at the eastern exit of the building, and the stacking of elements gives the impression of a religious totem, creating an upward momentum.
CHUNK 1
CHUNK 2
Rotatable Walkways - 3F
Rotatable Walkways - 2F
Rotatable Walkways - 1F
Walkways - 4F
Buddha Statue - F2
Buddha Statue - F1
Buddha Hall - F2
Buddha Hall - F1
The project hopes to create an experience that is different from modernist religious architecture.
The project is articulated at the exit of Jokhang Temple. Therefore, in the spatial sequence, the project will continue the story of Jokhang Temple and allow visitors to experience the language and story of the building.
The visit to the inside of Jokhang Temple is a long one, with courtyards and narrow corridors alternating with each other to create a very traditional religious narrative.
On this basis, I thought about whether the project could tell some new stories to visitors.
In the Buddhist Hall, one first experiences the contrast between tradition and modernity by seeing Chunk 1. The repetitive decoration contrasts strongly with the plainness of the concrete. The direct contrast between modern and traditional architectural elements hints at the growing complexity of traditional religious semantics in the context of Tibetan Buddhism in the changing times. Walking to the part behind the Buddha statue, at the end of the long corridor is Chunk 2, a totem-like installation that brings the will to look upward and interprets the sense of religious ascension.
Academic Work 11/2022 - 1/2023
02 REVIVAL OF TRADITION
Preservation of Chongqing local characteristics.
Individual Work Instructor Mingya
Location
Hsu
As China continues to develop, many of the historic cities are facing the same problem: the old urban areas are gradually failing to keep up with the rapid development of a modern cities.
Chongqing is a city built on complex mountainous terrain. In the old area of Chongqing city, the city is prominently divided into two parts: the upper city at the top of the mountain and the lower city at the foot of the mountain. The disparity in elevation has been the physical boundary between the two areas, and communication between them has always been difficult. With the construction of interchanges and expressways, pedestrian traffic has been further squeezed. At the same time, the public space in the old city is very narrow due to the rapid rise in population density and aging buildings, so the people of Chongqing are no longer free to carry out their daily public activities. Green space in parks has become a luxury for residents of the old city.
This project aims to connect the upper and lower urban areas of Chongqing through a “bridge” on a physical level, and on this basis, to give the bridge the attributes of public space and green space. Through this bridge, pedestrian traffic can be restored. People of all ages will be able to have a space for their own activities. More importantly, by extracting the traditional elements of Chongqing urban space, forming a toolkit, and then using them on the program, this large TOD complex will carry irreplaceable and exclusive Chongqing characteristics.
Chongqing, China
The site is leaning on a huge steep slope between the upper and lower city of Chongqing's historic center.
On the hillside is an old community with a large population, where the streets are unusually narrow and people's movement is very restricted.
There are three schools in this site, in which traffic congestion always happens at the beginning and end of each school day, and there is little room for students to engage in outdoor activities because of the cramped space.
With the development of road traffic in Chongqing, more and more carriageways and overpasses are blocking the passage of people.
Due to the narrow external space, there are very few large green areas in the old city, and only some narrow corner spaces.
UPPER
UPPER
The site is located in the oldest urban area of Chongqing: Yuzhong District. It is the birthplace of Chongqing culture, but also a place where many problems exist and need to be solved. For example, shrinking pedestrian traffic, lack of public space and green space, unsatisfactory living conditions, etc.
3
1 Huge Slope
2 Narrow Streets
3 Cramped Playground
4 Numerous Overpasses
5 Unfinished Buildings
Given by the research, 3 main issues of the site have been concluded.
SHRINKING Padestrian Traffic
History phase 1: Formation
History phase 2: Development
Ming Dynasty - 20th Century Song Dynasty - Ming Dynasty
History phase 3: Recession
20th Century - Now
Percentage of people who choose to walk in 2000 (left) and 2007 (right)
Minimum standard road area per capita (left) and local counterparts (right)
Changes in civilian motor vehicle occupancy in
Chongqing is a very developed city in terms of pedestrian traffic. However, more and more roads are being built nowadays, causing Chongqing’s pedestrian traffic to shrink gradually.
CONFINED Public Space
Steps Corner Stage Edge
Four common types of urban space in Chongqing
NEGLECTED Green Space
Chongqing’s public space can also be very different from that of a typical city. Because of its unique topography, Chongqing’s public spaces tend to be more fragmented and narrower, with many public spaces being sandwiched between buildings or appearing on rooftop terraces.
The high population density compresses the green space for the Chongqing people. According to the research, the population density in the central city of Chongqing reached 33,000 people/km², which is one of the highest in China. There are very few green spaces that can be reached within a 10-minute walk around the site.
Chongqing
The slope of the site can be seen more visually in the panoramic view of the site.
Upper City
Lower City SITE
CHARACTERISTIC OF CHONGQING
For the three problems described in Chongqing, there are three different sets of methods that can be used to solve them. All three approaches stem from the traditional structure of Chongqing city, and the traditional way of life of Chongqing people. It is the main task of this project to extract the appropriate ways to solve the urban problems from the complex Chongqing life, and bring them back to the project itself.
Status: Insufficient connection
Future: Diverse Connections
Status: Single type
Future: Multiple types
Status: Single greenery
Future: Diverse Greenery
Phase 1 - Bridging
Phase 2 - Inserting
Phase 3 - Attaching
By bridging between old buildings and across the city highways, broken urban traffic can be organized and complete and abundant pedestrian traffic will be established.
The public space is formed by inserting small modules on the bridge body and giving it various functions. For example: community cafeteria, health center, community park, apartments, etc.
Green space is attached to the overall building, thus achieving a diverse greening effect. For example, vertical greening, roof greening, slope greening, etc.
Park
Since the slope of the site is very large, the project is divided into three stages of different heights, from stage 1 to stage 3, which gradually increase in height.
There are mainly street and square-like spaces for walking and open activities above the stages, such as jogging, and Chongqing Ba-ba dancing, while those under the surface of the stages accommodate a variety of community functions. For example, community canteen, health center, community park, apartments, etc.
This “bridge” runs roughly north to south through the upper and lower halves of Chongqing, connecting the upper and lower parts of the city between the steepest areas and eliminating the physical boundaries that have plagued the city for a long time without interfering with previous road traffic.
This “bridge” is expected to achieve the goal of increasing the amount of indoor and outdoor public space in addition to traffic and greenery.
STAGE 01
STAGE 02
STAGE 03
PADESTRIAN TRAFFIC
By summarizing the characteristics of Chongqing traffic from vertical and horizontal traffic, and making the transportation mode of the program more in line with the daily life of Chongqing citizens.
Vertical Traffic
Four main types of vertical transport in Chongqing
Crossing Boundaries
(The top drawing is the front view and the bottom drawing is the top view.)
Connection Between Boundaries
In Chongqing's urban fabric, narrow gaps between two walls can be seen everywhere because of the high building height and high building density. A common method of connection is the connecting corridor. The arch bridge connection method is inspired by an arch bridge between the upper and lower city of Chongqing during the Republican period.
Connecting roads
Connecting corridors
Arched bridge pier
Connecting Roads
PUBLIC SPACES
Chongqing’s unique urban fabric has created significant differences between Chongqing people’s daily habits and those of other regions. For example, Chongqing people like to use half a day play cards of all kinds and enjoy drinking tea. Chongqing also has a deep history of food, so the night market culture is also very important in Chongqing.
A Day In Chongqing
External Space Forms
By listing the spatial features of Chongqing, characteristic public spaces are reorganized. After that, the transportation space and public space are interlinked to form a continuous pedestrian space.
Breakfast Sending kids to school Shopping in the road market
Leisure life begins Drinking tea
Picking up kids Traditional Ba-ba dancing Night Bazaar opens
Prototype Toolkit
Street & Lane
Hillside
Small Stage Stair Street
Big Square Yard
Walls
Stairs
Walls + Stairs
Walls + Stairs
Terrace Garden Gallery
Community Canteen
Community Center
GREEN SPACES
The steep topography of Chongqing means that many trees grow on cliff faces or are spread out in layers across the city. The project draws inspiration from traditional Chongqing vegetation cover forms to give the project a richer approach to greenery.
Greening
Slope Greening Stage Greening
Top Side Bush Along The Road Grass & Water Cliffside
Various exhibitions can be held in community museum. And there are also plenty of space and facilities to entice the children to play.
In this terrace garden, people who do whatever they do are able to move harmoniously in this large promenade.
Government Space (1st-3rd Floor)
Children Pick-Up
Space (Rooftop)
Library Space for Children (2nd Floor)
Road Traffic (1st Floor)
Teahouse (4th Floor)
Housing (1st-3rd Floor)
Bazaar (Rooftop)
Community Cafeteria (7th Floor)
Housing (1st-6th Floor)
Art
Housing
Bazaar (Rooftop)
Museum (11th Floor)
(1st-10th Floor)
Terrace Garden
Healthy Center
Housing (1st-2nd
With three levels of grand stairs, and a wide roof and interior space, the project creates many views for the users to overlook the whole of Chongqing.
Garden (Rooftop)
Center (3rd Floor) (1st-2nd Floor)
Staircase (Rooftop)
Community Cnter (4th Floor)
Housing (2nd-3rd Floor)
Road Traffic (1st Floor)
Slope Garden (Rooftop)
Escalator (4th-6th Floor)
Shopping Mall(1st-3rd Floor)
Rooftop Garden (Rooftop)
Shopping Mall (1st-10th Floor)
Exhibition Corridor (1st Floor)
The huge steep slope between the upper and lower cities of Chongqing runs through the whole central city of Chongqing, so this project hopes to achieve a kind of universality. Perpendicular to the steep slope, many such bridges can be built for the convenience of the residents.
Academic Work
02/2022 - 05/2022
03 CO-LIVING MACHINE
Role: Research, stategy and concept, technical drawing and architectural design
In Collaboration with Jie Mu
Instructor
Siyang Zhang, Hancong Zheng
Preservation of traditional urban businesses and residents.
In London nowadays, gentrification has become a widely discussed issue. Due to the developments hit by developers, on the one hand, local residents are marginalized and had to leave as they cannot afford the high rent and cost of living, while on the other hand, more and more new residents are moving in, changing the local cultural atmosphere constantly.
This project focuses on the Ridley Road area of Hackney, London, exploring whether the future can balance traditional neighbourhoods with increasing gentrification. Containers will be used to house the most basic units, which will be grouped into clusters, each of which will have people of different levels, ages and ethnicities interacting and providing for each other's daily needs, working together and coexisting within the community.
With this coexistence mechanism, both populations can grow harmoniously and long term, and the size of the community can be expanded in the future as needed.
Location
Hackney, London, UK
Shoreditch is one of London’s trendiest and most iconic areas, but this status has come at the cost Immigration always brought new energy and ideas. The empty houses and cheap rents in the ’70s and ’80s created the space for artists, radicals and diversity.
In the 1990s Hackney became the haunt of artists, creatives and students looking for cheap accommodation whilst trying to seek their fortunes.
Soon it became a cool place with hip cafes, art galleries and boutiques. This was soon followed by further gentrification as young entrepreneurs moved into the area to set up their art cafes and bistros.
“Demand for space is the seed of gentrification. Its growth stems from a failure to meet that demand. Squeezed by rising prices, those too affluent to qualify for social housing but not affluent enough to buy in newly-expensive areas – sometimes the very areas where they were born – look further afield.”
East London in the 70s was raw and vivid, with bombed-out houses, kids playing in the streets and factories buzzing.
At 1980s, Ridley Road Market was full of life and energy.
Hackney was the poorest borough in London during the 1990s and 2000s. It was bleak, broken, rubbish everywhere, issues with electricity. But many memories of Hackney that time are also intertwined with a real sense of community, pride and sense of togetherness.
The flats are often praised for creating “mixed-income communities”, but when house prices in Hackney have increased by 568 per cent over the last 20 years. The development of luxury high-rise buildings on Dalston Lane saw traders lose 50 per cent of his customers.
On 11 October 2019, stall holders were notified that Ridley Road Shopping Village, occupied by 20 stall owners and 60 affordable studio spaces for artists, would be closed down by the end of the month.
RESEARCH TIMELINE - Gentrification in Hackney
From the 1970s to the 2020s, Hackney experienced a revival and decline, and today Hackney is no longer as prosperous as it used to be. Moreover, many hotspots in this area are going to shut down, for example, Ridley Road Market. By then, the valuable local culture will be destroyed by the influx of developers.
The business is getting down.
This was once a prosperous place.
URBAN TEXTURE COMPARISON
During these decades more and more upscale apartments were built, and with gentrification also came an influx of high-spending stores, restaurants and facilities. All these changes forced the local residents to leave for a worse place.
SITE - Ridley Road Market in Hackney
Ridley Road is one of Hackney's most important markets, supporting the daily needs of people in the neighborhood. The merch here is very diverse. And because of this ethnic diversity, it is also a very important place for cultural exchange, as its residents are mainly of African and Middle Eastern descent. They brought their ethnic cuisines and cultures to the area.
STRATEGY
TYPOLOGY
B C D E - Waste Collection + Tools Workshop + Talent Market + Mutual Helping
B C D E - Gather Space + Meeting Space + Office for Local Politicians & Market Traders Association
B C D E - Fruit & Vegetable + Meat & Milk + Fast Food + Luxury Food
C D - Affordable House
E - Apartment + Farm A B - Art Studio
B E - Exhibition + Classroom A C - Clothes Wholesale
B C D E - Beauty Salons + Gym
The project consists of a continuous combination of basic units to get the final result. The new ways of living, learning, and communicating for different groups of people is being envisioned, helping to break down barriers between different levels of people and balance gentrification.
Then the monoliths with specific functions needed in the site are concluded, such as residences, stores, services, etc., and different functional monoliths are generated according to different people and needs. These monoliths are presented in the form of containers.
Different typologies are combined to become clusters, and in the process of combination, many external spaces of different shapes are created. If Typology is to meet the needs of use, then the purpose of Cluster is to set up a place for people at different levels to interact with each other, and to have more external spaces for communications that could not be done before.
Cluster 01 - Dwelling & Urban Farming
Cluster 03 - Gathering & Plan Making
Cluster 05 - Grocery Store & Food Court
Cluster 06 - Mutual Help Center & Workshop
Cluster 04 - Clothes Bazaar & Roof Park
Cluster 02 - Art Education & Artefact Selling
By combining the clusters according to their functions and site conditions, the site plan is generated. The project connects the three neighborhoods separated by the road, and combines the three of them into a whole, a coexisting system, like a giant Co-living Machine.
In the final step, the clusters are combined into the plan, and the axonometric diagram shows how the clusters exist in the new neighborhood. clusters are morphed, copied, reorganized, and added to, and blended with other clusters to form this functionally diverse community.
It is lovely to get paid for just cleaning the yard.
The second-hand market has so many great clothes at great prices!
The constant flow of new people moving in has led to an increasing number of painting orders.
Oldie but goodie
I learnt to sketch with an artist teacher today.
As an architect, I can say this neighbourhood is so fun to explore.
This neighbourhood is perfect for a man who loves walking.
neighbour for life, bro
The quantity of the clusters of this lively neighborhood is keep changing, continue to increase or decrease based on demand. As the housing shortage continues to climb, the plan is expected to more than double in size in 40 years.
By studying art, I can earn my own money to support my family.
A terrace concert just opened!
Let’s start at this start-up.
Let hire a nanny to help us. There
doorstep.
Would you look at that?
Good to see all my old friends still here.
Look at our kids.
Academic Work 07/2022-09/2022
Preservation of post-war communities.
BERLIN
TOKYO
04 HYPER PARLIAMENT
Role
Research, stategy and concept, technical drawing and architectural design, video production
In Collaboration with Xinrui Wu, Yi Zhang, Siyi Fang
Instructor
Haden Charbel, Qianxin Deng
HOMS
MARIUPOL
Over the past hundred years, many countries like Germany, Japan, Syria and Ukraine have all been deeply hurt by the war. Countless people lost their homes and family during the conflict. In the last century, countries like Germany and Japan have recovered well from the war. However, countries like Syria remain in ruins, even in the 21st century. As for the war in Ukraine, it is still unknown whether people would be able to return home and whether the city would be rebuilt.
In this project, we would like to tackle post-war issues in a new, better way. Metaverse platform is used and therefore, we envisioned this system, Hyper Parliament. On this virtual platform, people who fled to other countries can reunite again, play together, and join Metaverse community events. Moreover, they can participate in virtual reconstruction in all aspects and enjoy the decentralized architectural space.
Location
Mariupol, Ukraine
BACKGROUND ISSUE 01: Cities destroyed, people’s powerlessness for reconstruction.
Mariupol is a city on the north coast of the Sea of Azov at the mouth of the Kalmius river, in the Pryazovia region of Ukraine. In 2022, it is reported that at least 95% of the city had been destroyed during the fighting and more than 1,300 high-rise buildings have been demolished. At the same time, post-war reconstruction is constrained by many factors, such as lack of funds, the timing of the end of the war, and usually, the inability of the people to participate in post-war reconstruction decisions.
Many public spaces in the city of Mariupol have been damaged to varying degrees.
Greek (Hellenic)
Square Staraya Vedonapornaya Tower
37,500+ Visitors 2600+ Information
Mariupol Theater, one of the most historical and popular public spaces in Mariupol, Ukraine, however, was destroyed during the war. Around 600 people were killed in this conflict. Due to its community and historic significance, it was selected to be rebuilt as Hyper Parliament in the Metaverse.
Local Lore Museum Church Peremoha
Mariupol Theater
BACKGROUND ISSUE 02:
Communities torn apart, people lost connection with each other.
From the data point of view, the number of refugees in Ukraine is huge, and Europe is the main region for refugees. According to statistics from UNHCR and the Government, the number of refugees in Europe is 6657918, but the number of refugees receiving relevant protection is 3840568, which is only half of the refugees in exile. Among them, Poland, Czech Republic and Spain receive the largest number of refugees, and the number of protected refugees is also quite large.
Chart I - Ukraine registers refugees in countries with more than 50,000
REFUGEES FROM UKRAINE RECORDED ACROSS EUROPE: 6,657,918
Last updated: Aug 17, 2022
Source: UNHCR, Government
Chart II - Ukraine registers refugees in countries with more than 100,000
REFUGEES FROM UKRAINE REGISTERED FOR TEMPORARY PROTECTION OR SIMILAR NATIONAL PROTECTION SCHEMES IN EUROPE: 3,840,568
Last updated: Aug 17, 2022
Source: UNHCR, Government
Chart III - Refugees from Ukraine registered recorded in country
*The inner ring is Refugees from Ukraine registered recorded in country,The outer ring is Refugee from Ukraine registered for Temporary Protection or similar national protection schemes.
STRATEGY WORKFLOW
A hypothetical Metaverse app called Hyper Parliament is created. which could be interacted with phones, tablets and PC.
There are 2 patterns (modes) in this system. The first is the Construct Pattern, in this part, people can collect relevant materials, learn the story of them, and use them for spontaneous decentralized construction.
The other pattern is Community Pattern, in which we want to help post-war people connect and reorganize their broken communities. In this pattern, people communicate, and gather in Metaverse spaces.
VOXELS
Voxels are divided in three categories: Icon, Element, and Simple voxel. The color of the voxels could also be changed to adjust the color of the architecture.
ALGORITHM: Wave Funtion Collapse (WFC) & Agent Simulation
COMMUNITY MODE - PROTOCOL
Each Voxel has an expiration date of 24 hours, and Community Mode will reflect and update the built outcome every day. After 24 hours, most voxels will expire and will be left free for others to edit. However, some very popular voxel spaces are not subject to the expiration date, using the Agent Simulation, which automatically filters popular spaces and weights them so that they can be reserved. Popular space would maybe then be put on the agenda of field reconstruction.
2. Wave Function Collapse (WFC) iterations
1. Connection rules for Voxels
3. Design supporting - Agent Simulation
SECTION
Spaces with different functions are spontaneously promoted to fill up this building. Considering the function of the original architecture - Mariupol Theater, the performance function is therefore preserved. And there are also many different functions added to this parliament. for example, database center, party floor, gallery, bazaar and church, etc.
I - Database Center
This is a space where people can upload and read data. Users could upload memories about their experiences related to the war, or offer information to help other people, for example, help people reconnect with their lost families.
II - Gallery
In this space, Metaverse exhibitions or bazaars could be held. Plus, the income could be generated by charging admission fees, rewarding artists, and bidding online. That money can be allocated to fund citizens or reconstructions.
III - Party Floor
This space is located on the top floor and provides a place for people to gather and entertain. All kinds of events can be held here: parties, concerts, masquerade balls, etc.
Hyper Parliament is about more than connecting post-war refugees around the world; it’s about building together, exploring together, and bringing citizens together to exert great power that could lead to a completely alternative ending This is what truly brings broken communities together. People spontaneously participate in virtual construction and automatically filter popular and reservable spaces through their own activities and willing, which is the type of decentralization we imagined. In this Metaverse world, people’s desire for home and reunion would not be limited by real-world conditions. They could be together and have a hometown to count on, no matter where they are.
agoodhpuser @thomas7 ninth floor
Concept sketch
06/2022 / in collaboration with Tianle Ren Academic work for the International VELUX Awards 2022. Instructor: Yong Yang
10/2021 - 11/2021 / Individual work
Award. Instructor: Bo Pang
The Shipyard is a historic community in Harbin. However, the current Shipyard community is under threat of flooding and population loss. The project seeks to revitalize this area by taking advantage of the community’s geography and landscape features and transforming the Shipyard neighborhood into a new tourist attraction close to the city center.
Spacial narrative of Main Exhib Axis
1 - Entrance Square (Wide open space)
2 - Old Street (Narrow space)
3 - Fountain (Small open space)
4 - Old Street (Narrow space)
5 - Terminal Square (Wide open space)
6
7
Archway (Narrow space)
Lookout Point (Wide open space)
Black Tent Hostel
Future Urban Oasis
BIM Designing Practice - Shopping Mall Design
04/2021 - 07/2021 / Individual Work
All modelling using Autodesk Revit. Instructor: Libo Yu
Photography
Spring 2019
Dot Painting