Research Project Portfolio

RESEARCH PROJECT PORTFOLIO

ccy197475@gmail.com

Canyang Cheng

Research Project 1

Chéng Cànyáng +44 7724140225 ucbvcch@ucl.ac.uk linkedin.com/in/canyangcheng

A passionate MA graduate in Historic Architecture with a profound understanding of architectural evolution and art history.

Possessing a blend of academic prowess and hands-on experience in safeguarding cultural heritage, I bring a unique perspective to the table. Proficient in urban research and conducting meticulous analyses, I aim to pinpoint meaningful targets for preservation and enhancement.

Excited to apply my expertise in a vibrant urban setting, I am eager to contribute to the curation and interpretation of cultural artifacts, enriching the tapestry of urban development with historical depth and significance.

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EDUCATION Bartlett School of Architecture MA/ London-UK Architecture&Historic Urban Environment 2022-2023 Beijing Normal University BA/ Beijing-CHN Interior Architecture 2019-2021

SKILLS Field research

WORK EXPERIENCE RESEARCHER

City of Londonn Police Office I London I 2023.12-now As a researcher for the "City of London Police, Digital Police Box" exhibition project, funded

by Bloomberg Associates, I contributed to the ongoing project in the Square Mile that showcases the historical significance of police boxes and their social influence.

I have collected over 30 high-quality rare images and films through archival research, serving as the theoretical foundation that supports the value of this project, while also ensuring there are no copyright issues.

I facilitated seamless communication with Bartlett, the London Police Office, Next Shoot(which produced videos for the project), and Bloomberg Associates throughout the project. I provided timely updates to individuals from diverse backgrounds while managed tight deadlines.

RESEARCHER

Bartlett School of Architecture I London I 2023.1-2023.5 I contributed to a team conducting field research to address issues in the South Kilburn. Our output was to develop a strategic design improvement plan based on research findings.

Archival research Video producing Microsft Office software Adobe photoshop Adobe Illustrator Adobe Premiere Adobe Indesign Rhino AutoCAD Website building

I led on-site research initiatives, conducting questionnaire surveys and interviews with two local councils, over 30 residents, and three community groups, all conducted with strict adherence to ethical approval.

I took on the responsibility of visually representing research data and skillfully organizing our findings and insights into a portfolio, employing various media formats.

VISITOR EXPERIENCE FACILITATOR

London Design Museum I London I 2023.10-now I joined the Visitor Experience Team at the London Design Museum, where I was responsible for maintaining order in the ongoing exhibitions, ensuring a positive visitor experience.

I needed to understand the curatorial logic of the exhibition to ensure the maintenance of order in the exhibition hall and provide accurate guidance to the visitors.

EXHIBITION PROJECT COORDINATOR

Bartlett School of Architecture I London I 2023.8-2023.10 I served as the coordinator for the 2023 Bartlett Autumn Show in the Digital Show, specializing in the program of Architecture & Historic Urban Environments.

I led the formation of a dynamic work team from different departments. I crafting meticulous workflows and schedules to ensure the seamless execution of an exhibition.

I managed instant communication with both the Bartlett digital show team and the 28 participating projects during the two month period of preparing.

LANGUAGE

CO - FOUNDER

English

I co-founded JoyTrip, an app dedicated to the development of historical value of Zhengding Heritage City. Our project was funded by the 2019 'China Internet+ College Innovation and Entrepreneurship Competition.

Mandarin Korean

JoyTrip I Beijing I 2019.1-2020.7

I spearheaded on-site research for 6 heritage points in Zhengding City and visualization of data collected from research during pre-funding period.

Post-funding, I led the operation of JoyTrip platform, implementing visual improvements.

I maintained app activity and increased visibility through regular content updates.

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CONTENTS Practical Projects 1

THE IN BETWEEN

07

Field Research

2

LAST LIBATION

17

Field Research

3

ORDER & CHAOS

23

Field Research

Theoretical Projects 4

MANUFACTURED IDENTITY

31

Archival Research

5

TRINITY SQUARE GARDENS

38

Archival Research

6

THE ONE AND ONLY ASIAN

39

Archival Research

5

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1 THE IN BETWEEN Group work Field Research Location: London, UK Time: Jan-Apr 2023 Instructor: Jane Wong/Maxwell Mutanda

This research project aims to implement a temporary intervention in the existing South Kilburn estates, anticipating future demolition and regeneration.

The goal is to swiftly address current challenges and enhance the residents' quality of life. Through a community-driven approach, the project seeks to identify and resolve immediate issues in infrastructure, public spaces, and social amenities.

By involving residents in the decision-making process, the interventions aim to align with the community's unique needs and aspirations. The project also explores innovative solutions for the built environment, incorporating elements like green spaces and communal areas. This proactive approach aims to create an immediate positive impact and lay the foundation for a resilient and vibrant community, bridging the transition to future regeneration.

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South Kilburn regeneration scheme 1. William Dunbar House

4. Crone Court

6. Dickens House

8. Hereford House

9. Fielding House

·Location: Albert Road, NW6 5DE ·13 storey tower block, 37m tall ·73 dwellings ·Approved in 1959 ·Constructed in 1962 ·Building Contractor: Direct

·Location: Denmark Road, NW6 5BU ·12 storey tower block, 32m tall ·85 dwellings ·Approved in 1962 ·Constructed in 1964 ·Building Contractor: Ruddock&Meighan

·Location: Malvern Road, NW6 5PW ·18 storey tower block, 51m tall ·135 dwellings ·Approved in 1971 ·Constructed in unknown ·Building Contractor: Concrete&Southern

·Location: Maida Vale, NW6 5AR ·18 storey tower block, 51m tall ·135 dwellings ·Approved in 1970 ·Constructed in 1972 ·Building Contractor: Carlton

·Location: Cambridge Road, NW6 5FN ·18 storey tower block, 51m tall ·136 dwellings ·Approved in 1968 ·Constructed in unknown ·Building Contractor: Farrow

2. William Saville House

3. Winterleys Court

5. Craik Court

7. Austen House

10. Bronte House

11. Groucester House

·Location: Carlton Vale, NW6 5DG ·13 storey tower block, 37m tall ·74 dwellings ·Approved in 1959 ·Constructed in 1962 ·Building Contractor: Direct

·Location: Albert Road, NW6 5DR ·12 storey tower block, 32m tall ·64 dwellings ·Approved in 1962 ·Constructed in 1964 ·Building Contractor: Ruddock&Meighan

·Location: Carlton Vale, NW6 5HL ·12 storey tower block, 32m tall ·78 dwellings ·Approved in 1962 ·Constructed in 1964 ·Building Contractor: Ruddock&Meighan

·Location: Cambridge Road, NW6 5YN ·18 storey tower block, 51m tall ·135 dwellings ·Approved in 1962 ·Constructed in unkown ·Building Contractor Concrete Southern

·Location: Cambridge Road, NW6 5FL ·18 storey tower block, 51m tall ·136 dwellings ·Approved in 1969 ·Constructed in unkown ·Building Contractor Farrow

·Location: Cambridge Road, NW6 5XG ·18 storey tower block, 51m tall ·135 dwellings ·Approved in 1966 ·Constructed in 1972 ·Building Contractor Farrow

old council buildings

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The South Kilburn Estates, designed by Brent Borough Architect's Department, mainly comprised of 2-to-3bedroom apartments. initially, the 12-13 story tower blocks housed 85 or less dwellings.

To meet the demand set out by the Government, the second phase of construction included a series of 18-storey tower blocks with 135-136 dwellings per block. Consequently, the Council's motives were to only provide a basic shelter for living without taking into account the impact on the social factors. The floor plan of the housing block is almost like a prison with a long central corridor and living units closely packed on either side without any intermediate break to relieve the crampedness and to admit natural light and air into the dark internal corridor.

The staircases and the lifts in high-rise blocks are the main crime spots. Hence, the internal planning of the h ou s i n g b l o c k p rov i d e s a haven for crimes and gangs.

The notoriously ambitious planning led the Estates to become tormented by violence and crime, resulting in numerous shootings, stabbings, kidnappings, and drug trade controlled by various gangs. Decades of neglect by the Brent Council, lack of maintenance and care planning ambition, and the prevalent occurrence of crime led the South Kilburn Estates to fall into a dire condition. Redevelopment was very well needed, plans for a regeneration scheme commenced in 2010, and the demolition of Bronte House and Fielding House located on Cambridge Road in 2014 started the nearly 20-year journey of the redevelopment scheme.

regeneration scheme

Research toolkit #1: Interviewing Interview the staff in Granville Community Center In order to really understand about the South Kilburn community, what better way to interview the one of only two community centres in South Kilburn, The Granville. They offer arts and crafts classes, personal development and skill building courses, and cater to all age groups.

Click the link to see the full interview:

https://ccy197475.wixsite.com/interviewingranville

People aged 0 to 15 make up the largest proportion of the population.

Children from 0 to 15 would be highly influenced by the regeneration scheme in many ways so that should be considered carewfully.

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Research toolkit #2: Questionaire

Process of doing questionaire This questionaire is to learn from children by letting children draw the future in their imagination.

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01

02

03

04

05

06

All community centers in south kilburn area

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03

11 14

06

07

09 01

05

08

12 04

The location of all community centers around South Kilburn area

The existing activities for children in south kilburn area

01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14

Organizing the existing activities could help us to learn what would be considered as important for local residents and the activities may could be improved in our following design 11

Problem of green spaces Green spaces are losing and yet the existing green spaces are being abandoned Abandoned open spaces

Existing open spaces while demolishing

Exsiting green space Exsiting green space Lost green space Lost green space 12

1

Green spaces.

2

An open ground floor.

3

Constructing buildings nearby.

4

Bus Stop

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Community centres nearby.

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An available rooftop.

Crone Court

Oxford Kilburn Youth Trust (OK Club)

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A gap space

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1

1

3

1 1

4

5

Craik Court

Zangwill House

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1

Site Analysis

2

This site is the start of the project. All of the features above could be the limiting conditions. By adapting to these conditions, the result of the design would be more possible to be applied in other places.

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Research toolkit #3: Scaffolding Game 03 Sustainable

01 Temporary

Movable

Easy to install

Reversible

Before a building gets demolished, to after the demolition and during the construction of the new build, scaffolding is usually being put up.

04 Collaborative

02 Adaptable

Adapt to different conditions.

The scaffolding system could be set up by the public.

Scaffolding - A Growing System

Private spaces Garden

Playground

"Zoo"

Meeting

Parking

"Zoo"

Private spaces

Corridors Corridors

Scaffolding

Scaffolding

match with the building

01 An installation of modular unit which different activities could be held here

02 Attached to the public spaces in the building to reduce the interference to the residents

03 Extending to the next building.

04 This growing system could be a connection that links different buildings

System Definition

Step 01

Slide Unit

Staircase Unit

Playing Space Installation

Step 02

Green Space Installation

Components Details

Step 02

Step 03

Other Possibility: Roller Coaster

Safety

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Step 01

Step 03

Monitoring System

Green Spaces

Lighting System

Traffic System

Scaffolding

Scaffolding Unit

Play Facilities For Kids

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2 LAST LIBATION Individual work Field & Archival Research Location: London, UK Time: Sep-Dec 2022 Instructor: Jane Wong/Maxwell Mutanda

This research project delves into the impact of Kilburn High Road's development on the surrounding area, using the iconic Red Lion public house as a focal point. With a rich history in Kilburn, the stories within the Red Lion not only illustrate the local development but also mirror broader historical trends. Through an engaging animation, the project visualizes research findings using diverse materials such as hand-drawings, paste-up, model-making, and data tables to narrate the story to the audience.

The animation seamlessly transitions from a wide view of Kilburn to a focused exploration of Red Lion, capturing the vibrant life the High Road brought to the pub, juxtaposed with its eventual decline due to the road's development and the changing environment.

Presented chronologically, the animation pays tribute to the Red Lion pub, acknowledging its significant contribution and the sacrifices it made throughout its history.

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Timeline of pub history

Change of diversity

History of Red Lion

Growth of population

Development of transportation system

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Visualizethe research by animation

Segmented video analysis

01:03 - 01:39

*4 Animation element parsing 01:52 - 02:20

02:35 - 02:55

03:07 - 03:31

Segmented video analysis These four videos are narrative parts, and the elements of the videos will be explained separately later

01:03 - 01:39

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01:52 - 02:20

02:35 - 02:55

Animation (Final version) 03:07 - 03:31 Link: https://youtu.be/Z_7dFUgYsf4

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four videos narrative parts, and the elements of the videos AnimationThese (Final version) Link:are https://youtu.be/Z_7dFUgYsf4 will be explained separately later

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Segmented video analysis Segmented video analysis

01:03 - 01:39

Segmented video analysis

01:03 - 01:39

01:52 - 02:20

01:52 - 02:20

02:35 - 02:55

Segmented video analysis

01:03 - 01:39 Segmented video analysis

01:03 - 01:39

01:52 - 02:20

01:03 - 01:39 01:52 - 02:20

01:52 - 02:20

The cross

02:35 - 02:55

02:35 - 02:55

01:52 - 02:20

02:35 - 02:55

We Want Gin

03:07 - 03:31

02:35 02:35 -- 02:55 02:55

03:07 - 03:31

Red Lion Bar

03:07 03:07 -- 03:31 03:31

Red Lion in 21 century

03:07 - 03:31

These four videos are narrative parts, and the elements of the videos will be explained separately later

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03:07 - 03:31

These four videos are narrative parts, and the elements of the videos will be explained separately later

9 These four videos are narrative parts, and the elements of the videos will be explained separately later

9 These four videos are narrative parts, and the elements of the videos will be explained separately later

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he reason

The cross Representing the priory which Representing Carriage We Want Ginthe priory which was the reason

was reason the Redthe Lion was A major means of founded. transportation the 15th Restrictions on the sale of gin in in Britain in the 19th century. century led toLion demonstrations. the Red was founded.

01:03 - 01:39

ld home-

This is the Red Lion in 20 century. century.

This isofthe Red Lion in 20 century. right drinking alcohol.

Red lionin in 21Cstation was under a Red Lion 21 century Kilburn railway Kilburn railway station Red Lion in 21 century Red lion in 21Crailway was under a rapidly changing The Kilburn station open in 1933. rapidly changing The Kilburn railway station open in 1933.

Red lion in 21C was under a rapidly changing social environment. social environment. social environment.

Crowd

The last libation

Beer keg Old Red Lion Red Guest House The classic structure of ahome15th The 15th century Lion mainly sold Theold cross The classic of a 15th century guest The Red structure lion was demolished in 1899.

Old Red Lion Guest House Protest 2.0 The oldclassic Red lion was demolished in 1899.

Many people went outcentury to street The structure of a 15th guest We Want Carriage Many peopleGin went out to street to protest.

Protest 2.0 Crowd Many went out to street to protest.

Thepeople transportation Crowd Protest The transportation development brought more

The last scene libation Lively This libation is for The last libation Lively scene This libation is for commemorating the death of

people to Kilburn.

03:07 03:07 -- 03:31 03:31

the Red Lion.

Beer keg

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The Beer 15th keg century Red Lion The 15th century Red Lion mainly sold homemainly sold home brewed beer. brewed 01:52beer.

- 02:20

he reason

01:52 - 02:20

Protest This is Bar the Red Lion in 20 Red Lion Red Lion People withBar beer bottle clothes protested for their

Protest

house.

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incentury.

Britain inbottle theclothes 19th protested for their century led tobeer demonstrations.

People with right of drinking alcohol. century led to demonstrations.

Guess house

brewed beer. century Representingguest the priory which was the reason house. the Red Lion was founded.

10 11

Carriage We Want Gin Restrictions on the sale of gin A major means transportation in thein15th Restrictions on theofsale of gin in Britain the 19th Protest

Carriage

11

Carriage We Want Ginmeans of A major

A major means of transportation the 15th Restrictions on the sale of gin in in Britain in the 19th transportation in the 15th century.led to demonstrations. century

century.

house. to protest.

A major means of transportation in the 15th Restrictions on the sale of gin in Britain in the 19th century.led to demonstrations. century

02:35 - 02:55 02:35 - 02:55

The old Red Lion

12 12

The old Red lion was Old Red Lion Guest House Red Lion Bar Red Lion Bar The classic structure of a 15th century The Red was demolished in 1899.guest This is old the Redlion Lion in 20 century. demolished in201899.

This is the Red Lion in century. house.

Protest 2.0

Protest People with beer bottle clothes Crowd Crowd

People with beerdevelopment bottle clothesbrought protested for their The transportation more The transportation development more protested for their brought right ofto drinking people to Kilburn. people Kilburn.alcohol.

right of drinking alcohol.

The transportation development brought development brought moremore people to Kilburn.

People with beer bottle clothes protested for their people to Kilburn. right of drinking alcohol.

The dead red lion

TheLion Kilburn railway Protest 2.0 Red in 21 century Kilburn railway station station Red Lion inwent 21 century Kilburn station Many people to street to in protest.

Red lion in railway 21C wasout under a rapidly changing The Kilburn railway station open 1933. open in21Crailway 1933.

Red in was under a rapidly Thelion Kilburn station open inchanging 1933. social environment. social environment.

This is an to The dead red intention lion The dead red lion This is an intention to represent the demise of represent theto demise ofdemise of This is an intention represent the the Red Lion. the Red Lion. the Red Lion.

Lively scene

Iron railing

The last libation Red lion was one of the most Lively scene Lively scene The last libation This libation is for commemorating the death of

Red lion one of the most popular places in Redlibation lion was was one in This isplaces for commemorating the places death of popular in popular the Red Lion.

Kilburn during Kilburn during 20 century. the Red Lion.

Kilburn during 20 century.

This is an inte the Red Lion. the Red Lion.

Iron railing Iron railing This is also an

Red lion was one of the most popular places in This libation is for commemorating the death Red was one of the the most popular places the Redlion Lion. commemorating death of of in during 20 century. theKilburn Red Lion.

Kilburn during 20 century.

Kilburn railway station13 13

The dead re The dead re This is an inte

This is also an of the Red Lio of the Red Lio

Iron Thisrailing is also an intention to Iron railing This is also an intention to represent the demise This alsoLion. an intention to represent the demise represent the demise of theisRed of the Red Lion. of the Red Lion.

13 13

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Animation (Final version) Link: https://youtu.be/Z_7dFUgYsf4 Guest Old RedHouse Lion

ld home-

Theold classic structure of a 15th century guest The Red lion was demolished in 1899. house.

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Protest 2.0

Many people went out to street to protest.

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3 ORDER & CHAOS Individual work Project: Order & Chaos Location: Beijing, China Time: Jul-Oct 2021 Instructor: Sitong Shang

This research project delves into the intricate dynamics of Beijing City's development patterns, specifically aiming to unravel the contradictory relations inherent in its urban fabric. The discourse surrounding the interplay between these elements has been ongoing, and this study seeks to provide a fresh perspective by using the city as a focal point.

Through the lens of urban development, the research explores the nuanced and delicate relationship that unfolds between the population and the urban space. This intricate interconnection is analogous to the balance I identify between chaos and order. The study breaks new ground by examining this relationship in the context of cities, with a particular focus on the Forbidden City as the most emblematic utopian city.

To convey the findings effectively, a visual medium in the form of a model is employed. This model serves as a tool to illustrate and encapsulate the experimental results and conclusions derived from the research. By concentrating on the Forbidden City, the project aims to distill and visualize the essence of the complex interplay between population dynamics and urban spatial organization, shedding light on the underlying contradictions and contributing to a more comprehensive understanding of urban development patterns in Beijing City.

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The relationship between order and disorder is contained in the process of urban evolution, which gradually blends into a whole from relative which showing its rules.

Urban compostion

= City

+ Building

+ Road

People

The city is basically made up of buildings, roads and people, and I will analyze the chaotic structure within each of them.

Urban compostion

Humans evolved to be more orderly

70BC

60BC

50BC

40BC

30BC

20BC

More and more people cause confusion

10BC

Asia

1700S

1750S

1800S

1850S

1900S

1950S

Africa

2000S Europe

Australia

Urban planning is becoming more orderly The relationship between order and disorder is contained in the process of urban evolution, which gradually shows its rules.

4C

10C

18C

21C

[1] Guo Chuyi. "urban scale" noun rheological study [J]. Journal of architecture and culture, 2021 (6) : 34-35

The relationship between crowd and city generation

The space

As the number of people changes from small to large, the crowd becomes chaotic, resulting in the urban space

The people The space

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City space

Step 1

Step 2

Step 3

Step 4

Step 5

Several groups of order&chaos

Order

Prison management

Neat architecture

Urban road planning

Chaos

VS

Commit a crime

Traffic problem

VS

VS

Noise pollution

According to: Weng Li, Pan Jianzhen. Journal of People's Public Security University of China,2003(02):135-140.]

The relationship between crowd and city generation crime hotspot

Altitude planning area

City's center

Level two

Level three

Traffic jams

Planning degree

Urban noise

Level four

According to: Weng Li, Pan Jianzhen. Journal of People's Public Security University of China,2003(02):135-140.]

Wang Ruijiao, XU Long, TANG Hongyuan. To reduce the crime rate of urban planning [J]. Journal of shanxi building, 2017 lancet (22) : 1-2

The relationship between order&chaos

+

Chaos

Order

Chaos+Order

Chaos&Order

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Population distribution in Beijing Degree of overcrowding 95%

Index of the order

10%

Index of the chaos

85%

5th

Urban Layout of Beijing Degree of overcrowding 90%

Index of the order

40%

Index of the chaos

4th

30%

Central axis of the Forbidden City Degree of overcrowding 35%

Index of the order

70%

Index of the chaos

3ird

15%

Plan of the Forbidden City Degree of overcrowding 15%

Index of the order

90%

Index of the chaos

5%

2nd The 64 hexagrams as figure Degree of overcrowding 0%

Index of the order

100%

Index of the chaos

0%

1st

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The historic order and chaos of the city

After becoming the capital

War frequency People's number

According to Chinese fengshui, Beijing is safe harv-est as the capital.

The relationship between crowd and city generation

Order&Chaos within the Forbidden City building

①

① Slaves in search of raw materials

②

③

② Processing technic Chaos

③ Construction

Orderly building Order

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The translation of Order&Chaos It represents the chaos factor

It represents the extreme order

Chaos and order intersect

It represents the historical process

It represents the chaos of war

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4 MANUFACTURED IDENTITY Individual work Field & Archival Research Location: Shijiazhuang, China Time: May-Sep 2023 Instructor: Guangyu Ren

This project embarks on a journey through the multifaceted concept of identity, using Shijiazhuang as a microcosm of China's complex socio-cultural and economic landscape. As we traverse the historical and contemporary contours of this industrial city, we uncover the transformative power of identity.

In the context of China's unique industrial history, rooted in collectivism, identity takes on a distinctive hue. It has manifested itself through both the physical and non-physical spaces of factory compounds, once symbols of collective unity, and has now evolved in response to the changing economic and political dynamics.

This exploration of identity within the Chinese context serves as a prism through which we can better comprehend the interplay of societal forces, individual aspirations, and historical legacies. It reveals the rich tapestry of human identity in the modern world.

Identity, far from being static, reflects the prevailing ethos of an era, a tool honed for the pursuit of interests.

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1949 Shijiazhuang Map

The urban area map of Shijiazhuang in 1949 shows that the west side of the city develops more than the east side

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Factory building in Shijiazhuang

Factories built in Shijiazhuang from 1949 to 1980s brought a huge development of western Shijiazhuang

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Satellite map showing factory compound development

Factory compounds in Shijiazhuang was isolated and seperated in 1962

Factory compound development analysis

factory compound expanded factory compound area beyond compound

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1

Factory compounds in Shijiazhuang has been through the self-expansion and interwined with urban fabric in 1980

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Factory compound

Facilities in residential and working areas of North China Pharmaceutical Factory

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Factory compound in satellite map

A variety of factory compounds with regular shapes and a combination of jobs and residences in 1970s.

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5 Trinity Square Gardens: from scaffold to public green space Individual work Archival Research Location: London, UK Time: Sep-Dec 2022 Instructor: Emily Mann & Colin Thom

This essay will use Trinity Square Gardens as an example to discuss the process of its development and situate it within the wider issue of open public space in the city. Open public space is a significant part of urban fabric. The research of this kind of space is valuable because this topic could reach more than space itself but to open a discussion of how it been influenced by social and cultural issues.

Trinity Square Gardens could be an intriguing case to present the process of openness space growing. The garden that created in 1797 with a tower hill scaffold site was first built as a village green for property owners of Trinity Square has now become an awarded publicness garden with four noted memorials after around two centuries of evolution. The distinct transition from private to public is attractive and what is also interesting is the process of four memorials’ establishment. This essay will use chronological order to catalog the process of historic transition in Trinity Square Gardens and it would be classified as the construction of it, the wane of it, the reformation of it and the garden’s situation presently. I will sort out the specific process of its change and the driving factors behind it so that to clarify the systematic phenomenon behind it. The evolution of Trinity Square Gardens could be an epitome of broader social and historic transition of London by using multiple sources.

Trinity Square Gardens in 1952 Jul. with the improvements, this garden was open to public meanwhile under good control from authority.

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6 The One and Only Asian:

Deconstructing Orientalism in Blade Runner through a critical re-examination of Rachael's race Individual work Archival Research Time: Jan-Apr 2023 Instructor: Edward Denison

Blade runner is a movie that worth discussion in many ways. People in every era have their own imaginations of the future, whether based on their nostalgia for what has happened or their expectations for what is to come. This can be seen in the 1982 film Blade Runner. The world view setting of human and replicants reflects issues of race and social hierarchy that still exist and under the exploration with different voices till now.

One of the most frequent criticisms of Blade Runner is its portrayal of orientalism, which presents a future urban environment in Los Angeles that is both familiar with East Asian symbolism and alien. A classic example of this can be seen in the film's depiction of a traditional Japanese geisha on a massive electronic billboard surrounded by skyscrapers. Additionally, the use of Asian actors in the film further reinforces stereotypes of Asian culture. By looking back Blade Runner through an Orientalist lens, it becomes easier to see the racial conflicts beyond the movie.

This essay will focus on the orientalism criticism through the character Rachael. The author argues that Rachael is the one and only character in the movie Blade Runner who has an Asian identity reflected in the film's structure, even though she is portrayed by a white actress, and other characters in the film can speak Chinese or Japanese. Rachael's dual identity as a replicant and Deckard's companion proves her importance and uniqueness in Blade Runner. Through the re-examination of her racial identity, the assumed existence of other Asian characters within the film's framework has been redefined so that the whole original social system in movie has been reexamined. The new structural definition of "Asian" within the film serves to deconstruct Orientalism and provide a new understanding of it.

By re-examining Rachael's racial identity, this article would argue how Rachael’s exist reinforces Orientalist ideas and help to construct racial metaphors inside the movie. Additionally, it examines how Orientalist ideas are deconstructed and subtly woven throughout the entire movie by placing Rachael in specific scenes.

Geisha and Rachael in Blade Runner

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