/ SELECTED WORK SAMPLES OF RUOZHAO(MARVIN) CUI
All the work in this portfoilo belong to Ruozhao(Marvin) Cui unless noted otherwise
Any collaborative work is labeled accordingly.
T A B L E OF
C O N T E N T
/ Academic Work
02-07 "Hip Hop Academy" Leimert Park Performing Art Center
08-12 "Clay Huts, Metal Shed" Ceramic Art and Design Center
13-17 "Ephemeral Laboratory" Biodegradable Laboratory
18-23 "Park + Campus" Art, Architecture, Engineering Building
24-27 "Caged Village" Vetter Mountain Scientist's Retreat
/ Professional Work Sample
28-30 "Paris Quai" >Schneider Luescher
31-32 "Anzio ADU" >Schneider Luescher
33 "LAC/USC" GGA+
/ Academic Work
Hip Hop Academy
Leimert Park Performing Art Center
Leimert Park, Los Angeles, CA
Senior Project
Professor: Katrin Terstegen
Individual Project
Situated in the heart of Leimert Park, a vibrant center of African American culture, the project is surrounded by four distinct areas. To the south lies Leimert Park Plaza, a cultural hub hosting both formal and informal events. To the north, an alley with a public parking lot offers potential for future park space. Crenshaw Blvd and the Metro K-line border the west, while Degnan Blvd and the iconic Vision Theater sit to the east. Inspired by the area's lively street events and strong connection to Hip Hop culture, the design aims to use Hip Hop as a vehicle to shape the project. It functions as both an after-school facility where students can explore their interest in Hip Hop culture while receiving academic support, and a community “Living Room” where residents can gather and encourage spontaneous events
Architecturally, this project adopted a mini-village massing strategy, creating three volumes at the ground floor that contains a resource center, a hip hop cafe, dance workshops, and a study lounge. An open “Public Street” weaves between these volumes, not only facilitating pedestrian flow from the Metro station to Degnan Blvd and the future park but also fostering interaction among the various programs and encouraging the vibrant street life to happen. Additionally, a two-foot-high plinth unites these
these volumes, enhancing this public street experience. The underground level ties the three volumes together, hosting the backstage area for the black box theater on top, music and theater workshops, and a library. On the second and third floors, the volumes merge into two, one is dedicated for public events and performances that host a black box theater and the other providing practice and study spaces for students.
The apertures are designed to enhance the visibility of the diverse activities taking place within each space. At ground level, a ribbon-like corner opening is strategically placed to increase openness. On the upper levels, square or rectangular picture windows are installed to frame specific city views and allow outside people to have a glimpse of the activities happening inside. The facade of the project consists of two primary layers: concrete and steel. The
and steel. The concrete plinth wraps around the volume, creating the impression that the volume is growing out of the ground. Over this, a folded perforated metal panel facade is applied. In some areas, the perforated metal panels cladded closely to the volume, acting like the building's skin. In other places, the panels stop short, allowing the underlying volume to peek through and providing space for posters or graffiti.
1: Book Stacks 2: Open Space 3: Court Yard
Theater Workshop
Storage
1: Resource Center
Automated Parking
Loading
Hip Hop Cafe
Wood Flooring
Batt Insulation
Board
Metal Stud
Z - Clip
Concrete Panel
Perforated Metal Panel
Clay Huts, Metal Shed
Ceramic Art and Design Center
Elysian valley, Los Angeles, CA
Fifth Year Topic Studio Professor: Claudia Wainer In Collaboration with: Emily Zhang
The Clay Huts and Metal Shed, is a communityoriented ceramic arts and design center located in Elysian Valley. It is positioned with its north side facing the LA River and the future Taylor Yard development, and its south side overlooking the Lewis MacAdams Riverfront Park. The rich history of Elysian Valley, marked by a blend of manufacturing facilities, single-family homes, and a flourishing artist community, forms a distinctive backdrop for this project. The design merges existing industrial elements with new, organically inspired clay volume, aiming to create not just an artistic space for ceramic artists but also a vibrant community hub for the Elysian Valley neighborhood.
This project involves the adaptive reuse of an existing industrial building, which serves as a shell for the newly proposed clay volumes. The design strategy begins by categorizing program spaces into enclosed and loose types. Each clay volume, distinct in its form, encompasses a variety of enclosed functions. The interstitial spaces between these volumes, designated as loose programs as loose programs fostering interaction and community engagement. Additionally, the design incorporates two sculptural gardens within these volumes. The clay huts deform the metal shed perimeter and break down the scale of the building, making it more approachable and relatable to the community.
Work
Office
Meeting Room
Printing Room
Conference
Storage
This interplay of materials is a defining characteristic of the design, with some areas showcasing an overlap of clay and steel through openings, while in others, the metal shell stops short, allowing the clay volumes to peek through. 1: Live
The material palette is a harmonious blend of clay and steel, symbolizing the integration of traditional craftsmanship with industrial production. The clay walls, constructed of rammed earth, feature a scalloped facade that lends a tactile, organic feel to the design. The primary structure utilizes the existing metal framework, altered and updated to support the new programmatic volumes. This
Ephemeral Laboratory
Biodegradable Laboratory
Taylor yard, Los Angeles, CA
Fourth Year Topic Studio
Professor: Ilaria Mazzoleni
Individual Project
Construction waste poses a significant threat to soil pollution, as a large portion of building materials are non-recyclable and often end up in landfills. This practice not only leads to contamination of soil and underground water but also contributes to the depletion of valuable land resources.In order to tackle this issue and promote a sustainable solution for building industry, the Ephemeral Lab at Taylor Yard is a laboratory that focuses on improving the condition of the soil environment, decomposing traditional building materials, and creating prefabricated biomaterials for use in construction. Inspired by the natural life cycle, the Biodegradable lab evolves over time and aims to address sustainability in the building industry that helps to improve soil condition.
The Ephemeral Lab draws inspiration from the natural life cycle. The initial stage involves the creation of a "Biology Garden", where the site is divided into different fields for remediating the contaminated soil at Taylor Yard. This remediation process employs locally available plants, fungi, and microbes,to extract the hazard substances such as lead and diesel and restore the soil's health.
The second stage revolves around constructing the laboratory itself. The building adopts a nutshell massing design, with scientific research lab spaces situated at the core and various resource volumes sitting on the outer ring. This configuration not only provides distinct character to each floor but also communicates the diverse activities within the building to the surrounding community.
The ongoing stage encompasses the utilization of the Ephemeral Lab. Prefabricated biodegradable resource volumes are installed on each floor and are swapped out every six months. The previously used volumes are then allowed to break down organically on the ground floor field. These transformed ground floor fields serve as test sites for a range of research activities, including decomposition, remediation, and biomaterial testing.
The Ephemeral Lab serves as a community hub on the ground floor, hosting learning and making programs. These programs aim to familiarize the community with decomposition processes and provide opportunities to experiment with different biodegradable materials and their applications.
1:Wet Lab
2:Flex Lab
3:Lab Support 4:Wet Lab
5:Testing Room
6:Breakout Room 7:Individual Office 8:Conference Room 9:All Gender Restroom
1:Dry Lab
2:Wet Lab
3:Flex Lab 4:Lab Support
5:All Gender Restroom
6:Open Office
7:Conference Room
8:Individual Office
9:Testing Room 10: Breakout Room
Concrete Paver
Rigid Insulation
Concrete Slab
Ventilation Duct
Suspended System
Proferated Metal Panel
Exposed Ceiling System
Prefabricated Myceilum Volume
Prefabricated OSB Claded Volume
W-Flange Beam
Park + Campus
Art,Architecture,Engineering Building
Glendale Community College
Fourth Year Topic Studio
Professor: Sarah Lorenzen
In Collaboration with: Emily Zhang
The proposed Glendale Community College Arts, Architecture, and Technology building aims to foster a dynamic and collaborative learning environment for students. The design features five distinct volumes, each representing a different culture and housing unique programs tailored to the campus context. These volumes are united by a wall and a base that create a cohesive ensemble.
On the west side, the wall serves as a technical device that slices the hill and works as a retaining wall, while on the east side, it acts as an artistic margin that highlights the volumes within. The openings on the wall operate as a frame, bench, or threshold, depicting the views inside and enticing students to linger or attracting them to enter. The base connects the volumes and features a tunnel pathway that links the classrooms with public spaces.
Knowing that much of the interaction and learning would occur outside the classroom and inside the patios, cafes, and in between spaces, the project placed an emphasis on the design of outdoor spaces to enhance the concept of promoting education through interaction. For example, on the ground level, the courtyards framed by the wall serve to let students from all majors to gather and collaborate on projects. Students inside the volume may glance out the window and observe various activities. The underground level cafe provides a casual, relaxed social environment for students and faculty.
The project may be interpreted in two separate stages. In the initial stage, the base wall along the cores of the buildings are cast in place. This stage would allow the students to use the space as an open park before the construction of the volumes. The second stage is the insertion of the five volumes, which would transform the park into a campus.The pandemic has challenged the traditional education environment with shift towards digital education, and it remains to be seen how the project will evolve in the post-digital era. What will the project's future look like? Is it heading back to the open park again?
1:Robotic Studio
2: Seminar
3: Figure Drawing Studio
4: Painting Studio
5: Shared Office 6: Office
7: Mail/ Painting Room 8: Conference Room 9: All Gender Restroom 10: Women's Restroom 11: Men's Restroom 12: Storage
Caged Village
Vetter Mountain Scientist's Retreat
Vetter Mountain, Los Angeles, CA
Third Year Design Studio
Professor: Anton Schneider
Individual Project
The Astronomy Scientist's Retreat, nestled in the Vetter Mountain of the San Gabriel Mountains in California, is designed as a cluster of volumes arranged like a miniature village. Each program has its own volumes that vary in height and are enclosed and supported by a flat truss frame structural cage that creates a sense of cohesion and unity.
The retreat is situated on two existing platforms. The public and private programs are separated into distinct bars, while the research programs are located at the intersections of the bars. Outdoor spaces are integrated between the program spaces, for example the research office and the research lab are connected by an outdoor space to allow scientists to have a place for stargazing. The kitchen and the dining space are also connected by an outdoor space to create an outdoor/indoor living style for the scientists.
By assigning distinct volumes to each program space, the retreat creates diverse sectional qualities that uniquely define the various functions. The bedroom, with its dropped ceiling, provides a cozy and intimate space for rest. In contrast, the double ceiling height dayroom and sunken public space offer a relaxed and spacious environment for gatherings and lectures. The rooftop space is also designed for both the public and scientists to enjoy and study the surrounding nature, as well as for stargazing at night.
Second Level Floor Plan(Top), Program Diagram(Bottom)
C-Joists
Metal Pannel
3 Parts of Stucco
2 Layers of Weather Barriers
Plywood Sheathing
Batt Insulation C-Studs
C-Joists
Plywood Sheathing
3 Layers of
/ Professional Work Sample
Paris Quai
Paris Remodel
Physical model + Rendering
Intern at Schneider Luescher
Project Lead: Anton Schneider, Andri Luescher
In the Paris Apartment Remodel Project, led by two of my professors, Andri Luescher and Anton Schneider, my role involved constructing two half-scale interior chunk models. These models were used not only for client meetings but also for our internal design studies. I am also contributing to the creation of digital renderings, studying various materials and furniture layout options and their impact on the overall design. These experiences have allowed me to focus more on architecture from an interior environment perspective, understanding how different materials and potential layouts significantly influence the atmosphere of a building environment.
Anzio ADU
Proposal of Accessory Dwelling Unit
Physical model
Intern at Schneider Luescher
Project Lead: Anton Schneider, Andri Luescher
In the proposal for this ADU design, the concept centers on distinguishing 'servant' spaces, as separate enclosed volumes and 'served' spaces are envisioned as open areas nestled between these volumes. This led to two design iterations: the first with a sloped roof for a more tectonic approach, the roof joists extending outward, bridging the indoor and outdoor spaces. The second iteration takes a more stereotomic approach, featuring a gable roof form. The form is then carved out to form a patio space and the indoor open space
My task was to create both digital and physical models for these iterations. Through this, I gained insights into each design's strengths and weaknesses, learning that design is a non-linear process, often necessitating varied approaches to realize the envisioned outcome.
LAC/USC
LAC + USC Restorative Care Village
Illustrative Site Plan+Diagram
Intern at GGA+
Project Lead: Greg Kochanowski, Noelle White, Casey Castor
During my summer internship at GGA+, I had the chance to be part of the 2030 Sustainability Taskforce group. This experience enabled me to view architectural design from a sustainable perspective. As a result, I created a daylight and shadow analysis diagram, along with an illustrative site plan, for the LAC+USC Restorative Care Village project. This work allowed me to re-evaluate the project from a new angle and identify potential updates to its design. Additionally, my drawings were used for submission to the AIA LA design competition, where they contributed to winning the 2022 Honor Award.
/ SELECTED WORK SAMPLES OF RUOZHAO(MARVIN) CUI