Barcelona's popularity as a travel destination, celebrated for its architecture and culture, has intensified tensions between locals and tourists. Rising living costs, driven by shortterm rentals and low wages, along with fears of cultural erosion, have led to protests and actions that disrupt the visitor experience. This project envisions a community center that fosters shared use by locals and tourists, easing tensions and bridging cultural divides. The center aims to improve community relations while preserving Barcelona’s unique cultural identity by creating opportunities for mutual understanding and income generation for locals.
Housing Crisis
Tourism has driven up housing rents by 68% in a decade, displacing residents due to short-term rentals like Airbnb.
User Journey Problem Statement
Dilution
Locals feel their cultural identity is being eroded as the city becomes a "theme park" for tourist.
Experience local activities A break during the journey Watch a performance Attend an event
Overcrowding and Noise Anti-Tourism Protests
Protests against mass tourism have included slogans like "Tourists go home!" and direct confrontations.
To provide locals with a space for daily gatherings or events.
To generate income opportunities for local residents.
To enable tourists to integrate into local life without causing disruption.
Twirl & swirl
Mood Board & Color
Twirl and swirl' is inspired by the spirit and tradition of the Sardana dance in Barcelona, aims to bridge the gap between locals and tourists in Barcelona by creating a shared space that encourages mutual understanding and interaction. This space is designed to be dynamic, inclusive, and welcoming, ensuring that locals can use it for gatherings and income generation while tourists can experience Barcelona in a more authentic, respectful manner. By uniting these two groups, the center promotes cultural exchange, reduces tension, and creates a harmonious environment where both communities can thrive together.
Basílica de la Puríssima Concepció
de Mallorca, 272, L'Eixample, 08037 Barcelona, Spain SITE
Museu Egipci de Barcelona
La Pedrera - Casa Milà
Entrance
Information desk
Vendor booth
Staircase
Lounge
Gallery & Events
Storage
Drink station
Gallery
Restroom
Elevator
Gallery & Events- 1F
The function of the space can be transformed through the raising or lowering of a central installation. When the installation is lowered, the area serves as a lobby for art exhibitions and information displays. When the installation is raised, it becomes a gathering space for live shows and dancing. The installation's material is designed to be sound-absorbing, effectively reducing noise by minimizing the reflection of sound waves.
Vendor booth- 1F
This area is designated for local residents and artists to sell their handcrafted goods or locally inspired items, providing a source of income for the community. Local residents can make reservations to rent the space through the information desk and arrange their items according to the designated zones.
NIRVANA
A Post-transplant Phase Care Center for Leukemia Patients in China
Leukemia patients often face significant changes in their living conditions post-surgery due to their compromised immune systems, necessitating periods of isolation. This abrupt change can lead to negative emotions, which are distressingly correlated with higher relapse rates and mortality. To mitigate these effects, this project employs architectural elements inspired by temple design and awe-promoting aesthetics to foster a sense of community, enhance subjective well-being, and encourage mindfulness among patients. By creating a space that respects medical needs and addresses patients' emotional and spiritual well-being, the design aims to buffer the psychological impacts of isolation.
Design Elements
The layout of Chinese temple architecture inspires the Parti Diagram. Temples typically comprise a corridor connecting multiple separate buildings, with a square courtyard in the center. This feature is captured and modified using design principles to create the final parti diagram. Design elements include caisson ceilings, temple windows, corridor beams, and traditional paving. These elements not only inspire a sense of awe but also enhance the narrative of being in a temple.
Windows in temple
Caisson ceiling
Beams in temple
Eaves of temple
Parti Diagram
Concept- The Path Of Awe
The concept of "The Path of Awe" aims to convey the experience of people walking along a temple's paths, bringing the Chinese temple's tranquility into the care center. Employing elements characteristic of temple architecture and using narrative design language makes users feel as if they are in a temple themselves. Furthermore, Buddhist temples are derived from traditional Chinese architecture. Therefore, regardless of whether users have religious beliefs, they can be familiar with and accept such a design language.
1. Storage & Staff Rest
2. Suite
3. Handwash & Infection Control Storage
4. Drink Station
5. Art Exhibition
6. Immersive Experience Space
7. Dining
8. Kitchen
9. Handicrafts
10. Music Therapy
11. TV Lounge
12. Meditation Space
13. Private Meditation Space
14. Prayer Room
15. Storage
16. Walking Path
17. Reading Corner
Sustainable Consideration- WELL
L01 Light Exposure
Provide indoor light exposure through daylight and electric light strategies.
L05 Daylight Design Strategies
Provide daylight exposure indoors through design strategies.
X01 Material Restrictions
To reduce or eliminate human exposure to building materials known to be hazardous.
M07 Restorative Spaces
Support access to spaces that promote restoration and relief from mental fatigue or stress.
A12 Air Filtration
Reduce indoor and outdoor airborne contaminants through air filtration.
Rendering-Residential Corridor
First Floor
CAPTURING
This project is a redesign of the Canterbury court-assisted living space. The main client group is the elderly during 45-80 years old, taking into account the health issues of the elderly and reducing the impact of these issues through interior design to improve their well-being. In this project you will see my application of environmental psychology; in addition to this, the project is evidence-based design. Client: Canterbury Court
User Analysis
The elderly aged 45-80
Concept
Evidence-Based Problems
Around 15-20% of seniors report experiencing significant mental health issues, including anxiety, depression, and mood disorders.
Around 65% of adults over 60 experience some form of vision decline.
20-30% of adults over 65 experience significant mobility decline.
Around 50 million people live with dementia, with 10 million new cases annually.
Support Mental and Emotional WellBeing.
Provide a Supportive Environment for Vision Decline.
Promote Social Interaction and Community.
Create Therapeutic and Healing Spaces.
Floorplans
Color theory
Contrasting colors can help those with dementia recognize spaces and navigate more easily, as well as improve visibility and distinguish edges or transitions.
Ergonomic Biophilia
Ergonomic furniture and space planning accommodate limited physical abilities.
Access to nature-inspired elements—plants, natural light, or images of greenery—reduces agitation and enhances cognitive function. Furthermore, Nature views and natural materials (wood, stone) evoke calmness and connection.
In this assisted living space, the concept of Radiance of Time captures the essence of memory and nostalgia, where photos become tangible representations of the past and colors embody the soul of those memories. The space is adorned with personal photos and meaningful mementos from residents, fostering community and connection. By integrating color theory and biophilic design, the environment addresses the common challenges which the elderly are facing, enhancing their emotional well-being. In this space, residents will encounter visual perspectives that evoke cherished memories while transforming their current experiences into valuable, beautiful moments. Radiance of Time is
where present life is celebrated as a living photograph—a beautiful roll of film being developed together, frame by frame.
Semi-transparent brown acrylic is used to divide the space, reducing the sense of enclosure while allowing users to place personal photos or small objects within the partitions. This enhances the overall comfort and personalization of the space.
Looking into the space through the materials creates a cinematic feel, enhancing the space's sense of fun and reinforcing the design concept.
Common Area- Dining
Residential Unit- Livingroom & Dining
Warm colors are predominantly used in social areas to encourage interaction and reduce feelings of self-anxiety and depression by fostering a sense of connection among people.
Residential Unit- Guestroom
Cool tones are used throughout the bedroom space; however, considering the weaker color perception of cool tones among the elderly, shades with higher gray values were selected. Additionally, some furniture features high-saturation warm colors for contrast. This not only enhances the visual comfort of the bedroom but also helps prevent accidents caused by impaired vision in older individuals.
ARCANO
Designed retail and office space for MENDITTOROSA in Atlanta, GA using design theories such as phenomenology and inclusive design. The overall design was inspired by the Tarot cards and the experiences of Mendittorosa's founder, which meant that the project not only fit the brand's culture but also gave the space a logical use. So become the Fool of the Tarot and understand the story of the Tarot from your point of view!
Client: Mendittorosa
Location: Atlanta, GA
Individual School Project
Drawing inspiration from the experience of the founder and the Tarot Cards. The word BAPTISM originally meant that marked the end of your old way of life and gave birth to a life dedicated to Christian values. However, in this project, I would like to define it as rebirth, to get new inspiration and enhance your life.
The design and décor of this project will use the stories of Tarot cards, which is also called The Fool's Journey.
Design Concept -
Display I Rendering
Lounge- Office
Parti Diagram
Open station was inspired by the art glass of the church, it simulates the feeling of Gothic architecture through the use of colorful patterns on the carpet and the arched gypsum board ceiling. The distance between each workstation is 72'' and 44'' because of the need for universal design considerations; therefore, it is accessible to people with disabilities.
Open Station
The staircase design was inspired by the tower tarot card, with a progressively thinner cylinder placed in the middle of the two spiral staircases. In addition, the staircase handrail uses some elements from the card, such as lightning. The wheel of fortune pattern is used as the ceiling design on the second floor.
The counter for displaying the products was inspired by the star tarot card, and the colors and materials were changed on this.
