My name is Yan Ji, and I am currently an fourth year accelerated master program architecture student at the University of Oklahoma, having completed my second year. As an international student from Shanghai, China, I am deeply engaged in the field of architectural design.
This portfolio has included some acedemic architectural design projects
E: yanji2026@gmail.com T: (806) 412-9648
01 Grand Union-G Design III Academic
02 Lake Thunderbird-Design V Academic
03 The Ribbon-Design IV Academic
04 Bug Habitat-Design III
Academic
Norman Grand Reunion 01
Project Details: 2025 Grad Design III
Location: Norman, OK
As the university hosts different events throughout theweekend, families traveling to Norman often arrive in large groups, which requires more special accommodations than a single hotel room can provide.The design of the family-friendly hotel emphasizes comfort, connection,and convenience for guests of all ages.
CONCEPT + PROGRAM
CONCEPT
PROGRAM
to Norman often
in
groups, which requires more special accommodations than a single hotel room can provide.The design of the family-friendly hotel emphasizes comfort, connection, and convenience for guests of all ages. The program creates spaces that accommodate families traveling together by offering
The program creates spaces that accommodate families traveling together by offering flexible room layouts,suite-style accommodations, and communal gathering areas.The program aim for family member for all age, it contains a day care, karaoke, recreational space, Private Study room.
MEASURE 1: Design for Integration
The
Integrating stormwater collection
MEASURE
MEASURE 2: Design for Community
Lake Thunderbird
Project Details: 2024 Design V
Location: :Lake Thunderbird, Norman
The Lake Thunderbird boat house is designed to serve the human experience and explore the dynamic inter- action between land and water. Developing the intri- cate relationship between the body and space as it unfolds at the waterside, the boathouse brings a wel- coming and relaxing environment.
The programs include spaces for cleaning and repair, boat storage, a reception area, and a coffee shop. These programs are thoughtfully separated, and connected by a continuous roof that forms a covered pathway underneath. This provides shelter from rain, sun, and wind while still maintaining a sense of openness.
By arranging the program horizontally, the layout ensures unobstructed views between spaces, preserving the cafe’s quiet environment by minimizing noise transfer from the storage and cleaning areas. Outdoor spaces in front of the reception and cafe bring visitors closer to nature, offering opportunities for relaxation and great connections with family and friends.
Capitol Hill The Ribbon
In my concept, I first stacked all spaces on top of each other then I rotated and moved around a few spaces to create a ribbon modeling technique. Also, I got the inspiration from the collage that all spaces are connected and next to each other.
Before we started designing the building, we had to choose 12 screens from a movie and create a model based on those screens. In the model, we needed to create 6 spaces. I chose the movie In the Mood for Love, and the screens depict a lot of character movement, camera movement from left to right, and glimpses of the character behind a curtain. I incorporated these elements into my model by placing glass in front of the wood, allowing viewers to see moments through different layers. I used materials of varying heights to define different types of spaces, and any 4 pieces of material could represent a space. There are no limits to the direction from which you can view the model.
Bug Habitat
Project Details: 2023 Design III
Location: Between Gt Blankenship Blvd and S. Jenkins Ave
In this project, I picked firefly as the bug to analyze, research and design a habitat for them. After creating the sketches by hand, we have to design the habitat through physical models and work back and forth between model making and drawing by using the technique include: folding, pushing/pulling, aggregating, stacking, carving and weaving.
Fireflies prefer moist habitats, such as wetlands, streams, and damp fields. I utilized translucent material on the model to create shadows and hidden spots for the fireflies, ensuring they are protected from predators. Strings are incorporated to enable female fireflies to climb the structure, as they are unable to fly.
