PORTFOLIO of XIAYU ZHAO

- Alvar Aalto

''We shape our buildings thereafter they shape us.''

CONTENTS

ZEN

Using Music to Bring People Togethor

INTERMEDIATE STATE

Exploring the Possibilities of Future Markets

SINUOUS SPAWNS

An Exploration of the Spatial Possibility of Fiber

NEUROMANCER

Expanding the Sensory Experience of Public Buildings

BREATHING CLOUDS

Challenging the Potential Privatization Of Public Space in the Post-pandemic Future

PENN WELLNESS CENTER

Creating Spaces that Promote Healing

ZEN

Using Music to Bring People Togethor Fall 2022

Individual Work

Site Philadelphia, US Project Area 52,176 sqft

University of Pennsylvania Studio 601 - Enterprise Music Instructor: Scott Erdy (serdy@em-arc.com)

This proposal creates a church of music for musicians and music entrepreneurs in Philadelphia's 46th Street neighborhood, where they can freely perform and produce music and even create music companies. It also creates a space for the community to relax and socialize, where they can not only enjoy music but also explore their musical talent and earn money from it. The building's form is inspired by the satellite dish used to reflect signals from the site, which served as a television station for the popular music program American Bandstand from the 1950s to 1980s, which would play popular music of that time and invite Philadelphia teens to dance with the music. The satellite located on the roof spread the signal containing the energy of music and dance to all corners of the United States and the world. The arc of the satellite is transformed into a performance space for the musicians, and the sound can be reflected by the curved wall to a further space for amplification effect. Sand will fill in the space above the curved performance space, making the performance space completely soundproof from the living space. The building will rise above most of the buildings in the neighborhood, allowing for more natural light. The Church of Sound illustrates Philadelphia's important place in American music history.

INTERMEDIATE STATE

Exploring The Possibilities Of Future Markets

Spring 2022

Individual Work

Site Philadelphia, US Project Area 50,000 sqft University of Pennsylvania Studio 502 - Market

Instructor: Vanessa Keith (vkeith@studioteka.com)

Liminality is a concept of anthropology. The word liminal comes from the Latin word ‘limen’, meaning threshold – any point or place of entering or beginning. A liminal space is where we are between the ‘what was’ and the ‘next.’ It is a place of blur, transition, a season of waiting, and not knowing. Market shares the same quality.

In the nature, the growth of entomopathogenic fungi also is the state of liminality. An entomopathogenic fungus is a fungus that can act as a parasite of insects and kills or seriously disables them. These fungi usually attach to the external body surface of insects in the form of microscopic spores (usually asexual, mitosporic spores also called conidia). Under the right conditions of temperature and (usually high) humidity, these spores germinate, grow as hyphae and colonize the insect's cuticle; which they bore through by way of enzymatic hydrolysis, reaching the insects' body cavity (hemocoel).[1] Then, the fungal cells proliferate in the host body cavity, usually as walled hyphae or in the form of wall-less protoplasts (depending on the fungus involved). After some time, the insect is usually killed (sometimes by fungal toxins), and new propagules (spores) are formed in or on the insect if environmental conditions are again right. Worm-fungus complex is When the body is gradually covered with mycelium, the consciousness is controlled. The worm become a zombie. This is a magical state.

In my proposal, I try to find a state of liminality. It is shown that how an organic form parasite on an artificial form and colonize it.

NEUROMANCER

Expanding the Sensory Experience of Public Buildings Fall 2021

Individual Work Site Philadelphia, US Project Area 45,000 sqft

University of Pennsylvania Studio 501- Museum Extension & Public Theater

Instructor: Dr. Laia Mogas Soldevila (laiams@design.upenn.edu)

Museums have traditionally been experienced through the eyes, can architecture help bring art to the other senses? I would like to challenge the predominance of vision and build an architecture for a full spectrum of senses to give visitors a three-dimensional organoleptic experience.

Inspired by the nerve cell which is the biological basis for all senses, the project's core is formed by a white rounded body. Like in a neuron, this body is able to transmit actions towards all senses. A membrane around it extends towards the Waterworks and Philadelphia Museum of Art, trying to connect with their signals. Activities happen at different organelles and interact through smell, sound, vision, and touch throughout programs of music theater, sound art, haptics and culinary workshops, and sensory reading rooms.

Step 2. Connect the space

Step 3. Create openness

SINUOUS SPAWNS

Exploring the Spatial Possibility of Fiber Fall 2021 Team Work Site Philadelphia, US Project Area 10 m²

University of Pennsylvania Studio 501- Hyperlapse Chamber

Instructor: Dr. Laia Mogas Soldevila (laiams@design.upenn.edu)

Emerging from unknown origins, the Spawn is a curious lifeform in a perpetual state of expansion. Since materializing here on Weitzman grounds, it has spread at an exponential rate and shows no signs of stopping. Although the Spawn’s properties are alien to us, there are a few similarities that can be drawn to organisms and their behaviors on Earth. Reminiscent of cholla cactus skeletons, the main body is primarily texturized by a mesh of cells that are vaguely quadrilateral in shape. Encompassed in a jacket of purple fur is the Spawn’s shell, which the main body expands and grows out of. The extremities of the body are tinged green, a visual representation of the growth that occurs at those points. The Spawn’s main method of expansion is similar to coral spawning, in which the host releases orb-like spores that are dispersed outwards from the body. These spores then attach themselves to a new surface and begin the cycle once again.

BREATHING CLOUDS

Challenging the Potential Privatization Of Public Space in the Postpandemic Future Spring 2022 Team Work Site Philadelphia, US Project Area 45,000 sqft University of Pennsylvania Studio 502- Eateries Honorable Mention in Schenk-Woodman Competition 2022

This project is focused on the transformable module system that could serve as multiple functions with different arrangements. They each could serve different programs from library, outdoor stage, eatery and bicycle station. The units are made out of light, reinforced plastic that is easy to assemble and transport to different areas. The different units could move in vertical direction along the axis and could also rotate around it to open up spaces for more outdoor programs like stage performance. When needed, the three different types of units could rotate and connect to each other to form a continuous circulation.

Users could travel through different layers by using the elevators. There are two entrances located at the base street level. The idea behind the chosen location is to turn the whole site into a walking street for public gathering and entertainment. The eateries are mainly located on the second level. On the third level, there is a public library connected to the park. The roof of some modules are also turned into outdoor farms that allow users to go out and interact with each other.

The ventilation system is composed of multiple air pillow with sensors. These sensors could filter the exhaust gas and small particles like PM 2.5 into fresh air. This also acts as a partition that block the polluted air out. The lighting will then become dimmer as more and more polluted air absorbed by the system. Thus to brought the attention of the importance of fresh air to human health and environment.

PENN WELLNESS CENTER

Spring 2022 / Team Work

Instructor: Mikael Avery (mavery@design.upenn.edu)

Creating Spaces that Promote Healing

Biophilic principles of healthcare architecture are referenced throughout this waiting room design. According to biophilic design architect Helena van Vliet, there are four major factors influencing human health: physical/social environment, genetics, lifestyle/health behaviors, and medical care.As architects, there is an opportunity to make a significant impact in those four areas, especially the physical/social environment.

As a species, our senses have developed and evolved because of the physical environment that stimulates them. Seeing colors and naturally occurring fractal patterns, feeling the sun on our skin and a breeze through our hair, reaching up to touch tree branches or hear flowing water– these essential sensory experiences of evolutionary advantage have been lost to modern design.

In an effort to encourage physical and psychological well-being, Penn Wellness Center gathers inspiration from nature. The goal is to meet human health needs of past generations, humans today, and future generations.