Research Project Portfolio

Cànyáng Chéng

+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.

Bartlett School of Architecture

MA/ London-UK

Architecture&Historic Urban Environment

BA/ Beijing-CHN

Interior Architecture 2022-2023 2019-2021

EDUCATION SKILLS

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.

Beijing Normal University

Field research

Archival research

Video producing

Microsft Office software

Adobe photoshop

Adobe Illustrator

Adobe Premiere

Adobe Indesign

Rhino

AutoCAD

Website building

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.

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

English

Mandarin

Korean

CO - FOUNDER

JoyTrip I Beijing I 2019.1-2020.7

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.

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.

THE IN BETWEEN 1

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.

South Kilburn regeneration scheme

·Location: Albert Road,

·13

·Approved in 1959

·Constructed in 1962

·Building Contractor: Direct

·Location: Denmark Road, NW6 5BU

·12

·Approved in 1962

·Constructed in 1964

·Building Contractor: Ruddock&Meighan

·Location: Malvern Road, NW6 5PW

·18

·Approved in 1971

·Constructed in unknown

·Building Contractor: Concrete&Southern

·Location: Maida Vale, NW6 5AR

·18

·135

·Approved in 1970

·Constructed in 1972

·Building Contractor: Carlton

·Location: Cambridge Road, NW6 5FN

·18

·136 dwellings

·Approved in 1968

·Constructed in unknown

·Building Contractor: Farrow

·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

·Location:

·Building Contractor Farrow

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 housing block provides 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.

old council buildings regeneration scheme

1. William Dunbar House

2. William Saville House 3. Winterleys Court 5. Craik Court 7. Austen House 10. Bronte House 11. Groucester House

4. Crone Court

Dickens House

Hereford House

Fielding House

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.

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.

Process of doing questionaire

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

The location of all community centers around South Kilburn area

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

Green spaces.

An open ground floor.

Constructing buildings nearby.

Bus Stop

Community centres nearby.

An available rooftop.

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.

LAST LIBATION 2

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.

Change of diversity

History of Red Lion

Growth of population

Development of transportation system

Segmented video analysis

01:03 - 01:39

*4 Animation element parsing

01:52 - 02:20

02:35 - 02:55

Animation (Final version) Link: https://youtu.be/Z_7dFUgYsf4

03:07 - 03:31

Animation (Final version) Link: https://youtu.be/Z_7dFUgYsf4

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

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.

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

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

and more people cause confusion

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.

The relationship between crowd and city generation

The people The space The space

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

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

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

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

Population distribution in Beijing

Degree of overcrowding

Index of the order

Index of

Urban Layout of Beijing

Degree of overcrowding

Index of the order

Index of the chaos

Central axis of the Forbidden City

Degree of overcrowding

Index of the order

Index

Plan of the Forbidden City

Degree of overcrowding

Index of the order

Index of the chaos

The 64 hexagrams as figure

Degree of overcrowding

Index of the order

Index of the chaos

3ird

The historic order and chaos of the city

After becoming the capital

The relationship between crowd and city generation

War frequency People's number

Order&Chaos within the Forbidden City building

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

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

MANUFACTURED IDENTITY 4

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.

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

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

Factory building in Shijiazhuang

Satellite map showing factory compound development

Factory compound development analysis

factory compound expanded factory compound area beyond compound

Factory compounds in Shijiazhuang was isolated and seperated in 1962

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

in residential and working areas of North China Pharmaceutical Factory

Facilities

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

Trinity Square Gardens: from scaffold to public green space 5

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.

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