Part2 Portfolio_YulinZHU

Portfolio

ESTHER YULIN ZHU

Selected works 2018-2022

FIELD STATION | Field Station

Hooke Park, Dorset, England,UK

Mar. 2022 - Jan 2023

Group of 5, RIBA stages 0-7

Field Station, situated within the remote Architectural Association campus at Hooke Park, Dorset, UK, pioneers the integration of Robotic and 3D Scanning technologies to transform locally sourced, economically valueless branches into structurally functional constructions. These branches generated as a by-product of periodic forest thinning activities aim to provide trees with improved living spaces. Collaborating closely with skilled structural engineers from Arup, the team successfully designed and erected the remarkable structure within a short timeframe of less than a year. Throughout the construction process, the project creator embraced the dual role of both the designer and the builder, proactively identifying and resolving any challenges that arose along the way.

My contributions:

- Construction leader on site

- Component braces production

- Operation of KUKA Robotics,

- Preparing material list

Softwares/ Skills:

Rhino, Revit, Recap, Adobe Suite, KUKA Robot, Grasshopper, Woodworking Machines, Hand Tools

Site Analysis

Site Scan, December 2022.

Round wood types distrubition

Type1 Smaller diameter

Type1 Medium diameter

Type2 Bigger diameter

Type3 Reused material

Type1 Smaller diameter

50<d<70mm, L=1046mm

Type1 Medium diameter Type2 Bigger diameter Type3 Reused material

70<d<80mm, L=1046mm 80mm<d, L=946mm

40<d<60mm, L=1013mm 80mm<d, L=916mm

CITY HUB | Urban Design in Mountainous Area

Liziba, Chongqing, China

Feb. 2021 - Jun. 2023

Group of 13：

- 5 students of architecture

- 5 students of urban planning

- 3 students of landscape

Graduate Design

Located in the Yuzhong district of Chongqing, the bustling financial center and tourism hub of the city, lies the base - a ribbon-like area spanning approximately 2.47 square kilometers on the southern bank of the Jialing River. Within this site rests the renowned "Liziba Subway Station," an internet sensation due to its unique passage through residential buildings, drawing in hordes of tourists eager to capture its essence. Overlooking the station, perched atop a nearby hill, stands the iconic "Overlook Tower." Recognizing the potential of the 5,000 square meter area between the subway station and the Overlook Building, our architectural team strategically selected it to provide vertical accessibility and public services for both residents and visitors, skillfully leveraging the 80-meter natural topographical height difference.

My contributions:

- Architectural Design Team Leader

- Coordinated communication

- Accessible transport design

- Video rendering and production

Softwares/ Skills:

Rhino, SketchUp, AutoCad, Lumion, Enscape, Adobe Suites

Senegal Module | Primary School

Marsassmoum, Senegal

Aug.2020 - Nov. 2020

Group of 2

Architecture competition

The project commenced in Senegal, where only 50% of school-age children have access to education, leading to overcrowded classrooms with up to 80 students per class. This education crisis results in economic distress, violence, crime, civic disengagement, and struggling communities. To address these challenges, our focus was to build schools in severely lacking areas, offering every child a chance for a better future and contributing to the country's economic development. By employing simple and modular construction methods and utilizing local building materials, we ensured cost-effective construction while enabling the possibility of scalable and modular school expansion.

My contributions:

- Physical model making

- Layout drawings

- Details

- Financial budgeting

- Translation of French documents

Softwares/ Skills: Rhino, AutoCAD, Adobe Suite, Laser cutting, Model making

Traffic and Activity Analysis

Classroom Unit

1.local-made metal plate

2.steel beam

3.drain pipe

4.earthbag buttress

5.tyre window

6.steel truss

7.earthbag wall

8.metal mesh

9.red clay surface

10.bamboo window

11.grille door

12.earthbag chair

Ground Floor Plan

Unit plan

Corridor Side Elevation

Floating in the mountain | Thermal Springs

Qingling, Shannxi Province, China

Feb.2020 - Jun. 2020

Individual

Qinling, known for its ancient healing thermal springs, inspired our vision of integrating these natural wonders into a mountain resort. Our aim was to create not only exceptional facilities that complemented the existing hot springs but also to harmonize seamlessly with the surrounding landscape. Despite being just 30km from Ankang's center, the springs had lost popularity beyond the village. However, with a thriving alternative and therapeutic tourism near the Qinling Mountain, developing the hot springs and related amenities held tremendous potential. Our goal was to revitalize the settlement socially and financially by breathing new life into these facilities, offering a unique experience that would captivate visitors.

My contributions:

- Designing the flow of road traffic

- Architectural design

- Structure and details

Softwares/ Skills: SketchUp, AutoCAD, Adobe Suites, Lumion

Section and Interior

WHEN CULTURE GROWS UP | Museum

Xi'an, Shannxi Province, China

Feb. 2019 - Jun. 2019

Situated at the foot of the Ming Dynasty city wall in Xi'an, this museum seamlessly integrates energy-saving technology, paying homage to the rich history of this ancient city. The design incorporates four basic units that form the shape of the ancient Chinese character " 卍 ," symbolizing auspiciousness. The atrium space features a central column shaped like a traditional Chinese architectural tenon and tenon joint, serving as a focal point for upward-growing plants. The aspiration is for culture to thrive alongside the city's progress. Taking into account factors like sunlight, ventilation, and Xi'an's geographical climate, the design aims to minimize the museum's energy consumption, creating a green, energy-saving, and environmentally friendly building.

My contributions:

- Architectural design,

- Layout drawings,

- Renderings,

- Calculation of building's energy consumption

Softwares/ Skills: SketchUp, AutoCAD, Adobe Suites, Lumion, Enscape, Ecotect

Analysis of Green Technolgy

Rain Collection

Ventilation System

Green Plant System

Ventilation System

Building Sunshine and Shadows

Summer Solstice

Spring Equinox

Winter Solstice Sunshine Shadow Axonometric

Autumnal Equinox Winter Solstice

Spring Summer Autumn Winter

Diagram

Exploded Axonometric View and Indoor Renderings

View Wall

Entrance Wall

Veranda

Corridor

Green Roof

Facade

Core Space

Ventilated wall

GLASS CUBE | Temporary Pavilion

HePing Park, Shanghai, China

Jul. 2019 - Aug. 2020

(Seasonal Internship)

The project entails the design of a temporary sales office nestled amongst a series of permanent commercial centers. Its primary purpose is to showcase the building's sandbox and offer reception services. Situated amidst solid structures, the transparent glass form and simplistic design make it an attention-grabber. The main structure is supported by four tree-shaped columns, adding an element of freedom and character to the façade. This design concept allows the temporary sales office to stand out and create a memorable visual presence within its surroundings.

My contributions:

- Architectural design

- Layout drawings

- Digital model making

Softwares/ Skills: SketchUp, AutoCAD, Adobe Suites

Ground Floor Plan

Site Plan Section

Cun Wei Hui | Village Hall

Yeche Town, Songjiang District, Shanghai, China

Jun. 2020 - Aug. 2020

(Seasonal Internship)

The Village Hall, occupying a total floor area of 1531 sqm, is situated in Yeche, a suburban area of Shanghai. Surrounded by farmland, this prominent public building serves as the heart of the town, where agriculture remains the primary occupation of its inhabitants. The owner's preference to use brick as the main building material offered an exciting opportunity to explore various brick masonry methods, resulting in diverse spatial effects on the façade. As a trainee, my involvement primarily focused on the functional layout of the building, technical drawing, and the design of the building elevation, including the expression of the drawings. This project allowed me to gain valuable experience in architectural design and its practical implementation.

My contributions:

- Facade design

- Selection of construction materials

- Layout drawings

- Renderings

Softwares/ Skills: SketchUp, AutoCAD, Adobe Suites, Enscape

Ground Floor Plan

1st Floor Plan

2nd Floor Plan

AMBIGIOUS WHITE | Wall Decoration

SA Studio, Shanghai, China

Jul. 2020 - Aug. 2020

Group of 3

This project beautifully merges Mayan Mural Painting with Multi-Agent System complexity design to enhance the office wall. Exploring the interplay between artistic abstraction and the intricate geometric patterns found in nature, it offers a captivating perspective. The Multi-Agent algorithm generates complex patterns, blending ordered structure with the chaos of nature. Combining Mayan Mural Elements, which extract artistic abstractions from nature, with these intricate patterns, the project captures the essence of the ocean. Computer simulations faithfully reproduce the complexity of ocean wave patterns, completing the art design. This algorithmic expression of nature's complexity unlocks new possibilities for artistic creativity, while precise digital construction techniques bring both the art and nature connection to life within the manufacturing industry.

My contributions:

- Pattern design

- Structural installation

- Details

- Fianancial budgeting

- Laser cutting

Softwares/ Skills: Rhino, Grasshopper, AutoCAD, Adobe Suites, Hand Tools

LIGHT

TYPE 3 DIFFERENT SCREWS

LIGHT+3D UPS

SHELF | Furniture Making

Westminster Lodge, Hooke Park, Dorset, UK

Sep. 2021 - Oct. 2021

Group of 10

The project involved extending the communal space in an eight-person dormitory by adding a 3.4m long, 3.5m high, and 45cm wide kitchen unit. This expansion aimed to facilitate simultaneous cooking for multiple residents and provide additional storage for appliances and unused bedding. To accomplish this, teams of ten individuals were formed, working in pairs to produce different components of the kitchen unit. This approach allowed each team member to gain hands-on experience with various woodworking machines available in the workshop. By combining their skills, the team successfully created a functional and space-efficient kitchen addition for the dormitory, enhancing its overall functionality.

My contributions:

- Component production

- Layout drawings

- Storage Design

- Construction

Softwares/ Skills:

Rhino, Revit, AutoCAD, Adobe Suites, Woodworking Machines, Hand Tools