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Xinyang Du- Portfolio 2026

Page 1

CONTENT

HOUSING PROJECT

01

RESILIENCE 2024.06

02 This portfolio showcases a selection of academic projects exploring architecture across multiple scales, from building design to urban and landscape strategies. The work focuses on environmental resilience, social engagement, and spatial experimentation.

IN-BETWEEN 2025.12

03

adaptive architecture project

Team | Academic Work

BIG CHIMNEY 2024.08

05

architecture project

Individual | Academic Work

THE ARCH 2024.04

04

innovation reusing project

Team Work | Architecture Competition

community project

Individual Work

SYN-AMOENUS 2024.12

community project

Individual Work

LANDSCAPE PROJECT

06

THRESHOLD 2025.05

07

landscape architecture project

Individual | Thesis

MATTER MATTER 2026.01

landscape project

Team | Academic Work

STRUCTURE PROJECT

08

R & N HOUSE 2023.12

architecture project

Individual | Academic Work


01 RESILIENCE A Multi-functional Rooftop Oasis for Barcelona

As Barcelona grapples with the pressing challenges of water scarcity, urban heat islands, and a monolithic urban landscape, “Resilience” emerges as a transformative solution. This innovative design concept reimagines the city’s underutilized rooftops as vibrant, multifunctional public spaces that foster community interaction, promote sustainability, and

INNOVATION REUSING PROJECT

enhance the overall quality of life for residents. Resilience envisions a modular, adaptable rooftop landscape seamlessly

TEAM WORK | ARCHITECTURE COMPETITION

integrating sustainable technologies with diverse programming. Drawing inspiration from the Eixample district’s unique

DATE: 2024.06

urban fabric, the design embraces flexible zoning for various uses, catering to the community’s evolving needs.


Barcelona, Spain

SITE

REUSING ROOFTOP

1988

Courtyard

1924

LAYERED FUNCTION

Reuse of unused rooftops, terraces, and courtyards

- Rainwater collectors are designed to maximize

A district known for its unique urban configuration and rich architectural heritage.

on the roof.

CHALLENGES

1859

Garden

BARCELONA 2024

rainwater collection and are used to irrigate plants

- The commercial spaces are designed to be more effective in providing some source of

District: High construction density and the scarcity of green areas

(41.4076759, 2.1730776)

Climate: Growing demand for water, the drought

Location

income for the residents of the community.

- Aerial walkways can effectively connect the entire

Reuse the rooftops of a prototype block of the Eixample

1. Giving a new use to rooftops, terraces, and interior courtyards.

rooftop space.

3. Contributing to climate change adaptation

Give a new life to the interior courtyards

- Rooftop oasis to eliminate heat island effect improve air quality and support local biodiversity.

4. Improving urban biodiversity

2. Promoting sustainable architecture

ua

- Original Rooftop to support the aerial walkways.

5. Developing solutions that can be applied in other cities Uniform height

Sq

AWNINGS Ventilated roofing system “à la catalane”

re b

loc

ks

5

Unreinforced masonry Facades decorated

FUTURE IDEA

Modular movable blocks are designed on the existing rooftop. Elevated walkways connect different areas, creating linear activity spaces while

Sustainability

increasing rooftop green spaces.

Ac

tiv

Flexibility

itie

s

Biodiversity Heat Island

BLOCK ACTIVITY 4 LARGE ACTIVITY 3 WALKWAY 2 GRASSLAND 1

ck

In the future, these walkways can be extended to connect with surrounding building rooftops, achieving aerial interconnection between nine surrounding rooftops.

Blo

Building roof Structure Ramp

Water Irrigation

Chamfered corners

community interaction and improve the quality of life for residents.

PROPOSAL

“Eixample”

- Public spaces are designed to promote

BUILDING


RENDER

Pathway on the rooftop

RENDER

Walkway

GRASSLAND PATTERN CONCEPT Barcelona Mosaic Tile

Roof Garden Design

11

10

2

10

3

4

5 2

7

9

8

14 7 6

6 13 12

2

4

3

5

4

1

1. Library 2. Garden and rest 3. Retail 4. Cafeteria 5. Rest Room 6. Small Playground 7. Gym

SITE PLAN

8. Yoga 9. Outdoor garden 10. Gallery 11. Stage 12. Basketball Yard 13. Volleyball Yard 14. Playground

2


MODULAR MOBILE ASSEMBLY

ACTIVITY BLOCK

The design of the rolling tracks gives the

CUBE UNIT

Roof Linen Fabric

independent block spaces flexibility and diversity. They can be moved to create larger and more varied public spaces according to different needs.

ria

ete

Caf

e

& en ard

ub le c

g

Sin

Envelope Wood

t

Res

3

G

2 tail

Sliding door Glass

Re

1 WATER IRRIGATION EXPLODED DIAGRAM en

ard

rG doo

t

Ou

Structure

Rain Water Harvest

m

Gy

Aluminum

TRIPLE CUBE UNIT

Drain Line

y

ller

Ga

Floor

a Yog

Wood

Drain cover

Track Roller

Sta

ge

Guidance Systems

Walkway RAIL

Rain Barrel y

ller

CARRIAGE

Ga

TRACK ROLLER GUIDANCE SYSTEMS

COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES

Track roller guidance systems are a key design element for

They are public activity spaces located on two

creating adaptable and dynamic rooftop architecture with cube building units. These rails, strategically installed between cube units and aerial walkways. They enable

Lib

rary

levels of the existing rooftop. Securely fixed to the building, they act as a hub that connects different walkways. The two-story structure

seamless movement and reconfiguration of the units,

also creates an elevated viewpoint, allowing

maximizing rooftop utilization for various purposes.

visitors to see across the entire rooftop.

DETAIL SECTION


Stage

Library

Cafeteria

RENDER The moving cube units offer dynamic spaces for a variety of activities, from morning fitness sessions to evening cultural events. The design encourages social interaction with open pathways, green areas, and adaptable units catering to the community’s needs. Sustainability is emphasized through natural materials and integrated greenery, reducing the urban heat island effect. The rooftop garden and green spaces provide both aesthetic and environmental benefits, making the space a true community hub.

SECTION

ELEVATION

SECTION


02 IN-BETWEEN

TYPE: ARCHITECTURE PROJECT ACADEMIC WORK | INDIVIDUAL MARCH. 1 STUDIO DATE: 2025.12

This project proposes a multi-level, mixed-use building on a real urban infill site in Toronto, located between 289–295 College Street. The existing condition typifies the underutilized “fill-in” parcels commonly found across the city. The program includes a ground-floor public gallery, a workspace for an architectural firm, at least two levels of shared offices for students and young professionals (including open work areas and meeting rooms of different sizes), and a public rooftop terrace on the fifth floor.

Building on a cone-based design strategy, the project develops the architectural language of the building through a system of four cones. Responding to the site’s solar orientation and points of daylight entry, four cones of varying sizes and inclinations penetrate multiple levels of the building, drawing natural light deep into the interior while creating visual connections between interior spaces and the surrounding environment.

At ground level, the curved surfaces and cone openings guide movement from the street toward the rear landscape. Through the inward displacement of building volumes and the retention of existing walls, a narrow outdoor transitional space is created along the edge of the building. The main entrance is located within this quieter intermediate zone, where a staircase following the curved geometry of the cones leads visitors to different program areas. The cone volumes also act as spatial organizers within the building. By minimizing excessive interior partitions, the design emphasizes openness and spatial ambiguity in shared areas, allowing flexible interactions and visual continuity throughout the building.

291 COLLEGE ST TORONTO, ON Concept form Solid with viod

Keep the void part open

Play with cone shape

Diagram


Concept form Solid with viod

KEEP THE VOID PART OPEN

CONCEPT FORM SOLID WITH VOID

PLAY WITH CONE SHAPE

6th Floor

ROOF

5th Floor

CAFE & ARCHITECT OFFICE

4th Floor ARCHITECT OFFICE

3rd Floor

CO-WORKING

2nd Floor

CO-WORKING

1st

Floor

GALLERY

Keep the void part open

CONE Studied solids—mass, volume, aggregation, and structural stability

THE LIGHT GOES TO EACH SPACE THOUGH THE CONE.


AXONOMETRIC

NORTH ELEVATION

SOUTH ELEVATION


UP UP

UP UP

UP

UP

UP

UP

UP

UP

UP

UP

DN

UP

SECOND FLOOR PLAN

GROUND FLOOR PLAN

THIRD FLOOR PLAN

FORTH FLOOR PLAN

FIFTH FLOOR PLAN


SECTION A-A

SECTION B-B


03 THE ARCH

ADAPTIVE ARCHITECTURE PROJECT ACADEMIC| TEAM WORK DATE: 2024.04

This project reimagines a historic building in downtown Toronto as a contemporary hotel while preserving its architectural heritage. The design retains the original masonry façade and structural walls, introducing a new architectural volume that contrasts with yet remains in dialogue with the historic fabric.

Inspired by the arch motifs found in surrounding heritage buildings, the design develops a series of abstracted arch structures. Public programs—including galleries, indoor gardens, and retail spaces—activate the lower levels, while hotel rooms are distributed on the upper floors. The interior design achieves spatial integration through the introduction of an indoor garden and multiple levels of space. By combining historic preservation with contemporary spatial interventions, the project explores how architecture can mediate between past and present urban identities.


AD SP

SPADINA AVE

IN A E AV

HISTORICAL BUILDINGS NEW BUILDINGS ST

TW

R CA ET RE

GS

KIN

WINDOW

LI E N

QUEEN ST W

SITE CONSTRAINT REQUIREMENTS

Location: 460 King St W ADELAIDE ST W

ZONING BY LAW

(Northwest corner of King and Spadina) • First-storey elevation ≤ 0.6 m

Building Type: Heritage Building KING ST W

SKYSCRAPER

HEIGHT MAX. 39M

Objective: As a transitional and connecting point between two

• Heritage height allowance: max +20% of permitted height

Built: 1873 Now

• Added volume ≤ 1.5× retained heritage mass WELLINGTON ST W

• New mass setback ≥ 3 m from street-facing façade

architectural zones, the site utilizes traditional arched designs and modern, sleek lines to create a space that embodies both historical

SETBACK

significance and contemporary aesthetics, reflecting the perfect

3.0 meter for the portion of the building or structure which exceeds a height of 20.0 meter for Upper Building Level Facing A Street.

fusion of the city's historical culture and modern life.

INDOOR GARDEN

16. 7M

SU N

60 0

M ET ER

NEW

9. 7M

PA TH

GALLERY CN TOWER

CIR CLE

1982

1997

RETAIN Wall

This Victorian-style historic building existed as a small bar hotel since the early 20th century.

CENTER

H

RETAIN Wall

REDESIGN IDEA

CAL

RI ISTO

ROGERS

PRIVATE

1960s It became a music hub and a gathering spot for punk bands. 1997 It was renamed Global Village Backpackers (Toronto's largest youth hostel).

RE

FO

BE

PUBLIC

2014, the building's exterior was restored

TORONT

O HARBO

R

to harmonize with the surrounding historic architecture.

OUTSIDE

INDOOR GARDEN

GLASS COVER

INNER WALL Site DOWNTOWN

Main road

FACILITIES FACILITIES FACILITIES FACILITIES

EXIST HISTORICAL WALL

Commercial district

RESTAURANT

Railway track

many stores and restaurants. The goal was to design a hotel that complements the area's historic architecture and vibrant culture.

Toronto Map

SPADINA ST.

TER

AF

CAR PATH

ONTARIO LAKE

Located in the heart of downtown Toronto, site is part of a historic commercial district with

HOTEL ROOM HOTEL ROOM HOTEL ROOM

GALLERY

RETAIL LOBBY LOBBY LOBBY


HISTORICAL PART

LOBBY

5

2

4

1

6 3

7

FIRST FLOOR PLAN

CAFE

2

10

8

9

SECOND FLOOR PLAN

ART GALLERY 2 14

11

12 13

13

THIRD FLOOR PLAN

N

SCALE: 1: 400

1. Cafe

6. Storage room

11. Kitchen

2. Bathroom

7. Retail area

12. Bar

3. Corridor

8. Library

13. Dinning area

4. Service room

9. Hallway

14. Reception

5. Office

10. Gallery

ELEVATION B

ELEVATION A

3 8 9 0 6 mm 3 5 9 0 6 mm 3 1 4 9 7 mm 2 7 8 1 1 mm 2 4 3 1 1 mm 1 9 8 2 4 mm 1 6 0 3 0 6 mm

The architecture integrates contemporary interventions with traditional elements, where the light, minimal language of the new structure contrasts with the existing fabric to create visual balance. Varied arch proportions reinforce this dialogue, framing layered views that reveal the coexistence of old and new from both distant and immersive perspectives.

1 0 0 0 0 mm

4 5 0 0 mm


HOTEL ROOM CORRIDOR

3 6

1 2

OOM HOTEL R R O ID R R CO

OR

6TH FLO

4

SEVENTH TO EIGHT FLOOR PLAN

OOR

5TH FL

OL

ING PO

SWIMM

OM

SPA RO 3

5

OR

4TH FLO

1 2

4

STAIR TO CAFE FROM M O L RO HOTE

SIXTH FLOOR PLAN

GYM

AREA

NT

URA RESTA

LOOR

8

3RD F

13

12

9

7 14

10 8

11

NEW PART

N

FIFTH FLOOR PLAN

SECTION A

SCALE: 1: 400

38906 mm 35906 mm

1. Cafe

6. Storage room

11. Kitchen

2. Bathroom

7. Retail area

12. Bar

3. Corridor

8. Library

13. Dinning area

4. Service room

9. Hallway

14. Reception

5. Office

10. Gallery

SECTION B

31497 mm 27811 mm 24311 mm

19824 mm 16306 mm

9553 mm

5000 mm

The new construction forms the hotel’s main functional zone: levels four and five house public activity spaces and infrastructure, while levels six to eight contain guest rooms. Organized around a central atrium, the upper floors feature symmetrical open layouts with elevated walkways and stair connections. Floor-to-ceiling glazing in rooms facing the indoor garden enhances transparency and spatial openness.


INDOOR GARDEN

The indoor garden is situated in the most sunlight-filled location of the whole, with windows that make the space visually open. People can enjoy the indoor garden while looking out over the city of Toronto.

INDOOR GARDEN SECTION 38906 m m

35906 m m

29029 m m

2431 1 m m

19824 m m


n

04 BIG CHIMNEY

TYPE: ARCHITECTURE PROJECT INDIVIDUAL WORK DATE: 2024.08

This project investigates climate-responsive architecture for informal settlements in New Delhi, where extreme heat waves increasingly threaten living conditions in dense slum communities. Drawing inspiration from termite mounds and traditional passive cooling systems, the proposal introduces a vertical housing prototype that integrates porous brick façades, stack ventilation shafts, and evaporative water cooling to regulate indoor temperatures without mechanical systems. The architecture is organized as a cluster of chimney-like towers arranged around communal water courtyards inspired by traditional Indian stepwells. By combining biomimetic ventilation strategies with community-oriented spatial organization, the project proposes a resilient housing model that improves thermal comfort while supporting collective life in high-density settlements.

FLOOR PLAN

0

5

10

15

20

25m


According to the India Meteorological Department, the heat wave is unbearable across the country, with humid air making the heat even more unbearable and even life-threatening. It is expected to increase two to four times by 2050, with heat waves arriving earlier staying longer and becoming more frequent.

SITE ANALYSIS kusumpur pahadi slums Site: Kusumpur Pahadi Slums

MAY 26TH

Residential building

n

TOP 5 SLUMS IN NEW DELHI

Greenland Lake Main road Minor road

delhi

45 NEW DELHI 43 LUCKNOW

Path bhalswa

kathputli colony slum

39 MUMBAI 41 HYDERABAD

pahaganj

New Delhi BAY OF BENGAL

kusumpur pahadi

30 BENGALURU

VASANT VIHAR

sangam vihar Yamuna River

Slums

INDIAN TEMPERATURE MAP

DELHI RESIDENTIAL MAP

New Delhi highest temperature during April to June

50°C

has both growing residential areas and many informal settlements, where extreme heat and power

100,000 average 161 household per slum

22% 6-8 45% 4-5 5% 9 members

IN

D JAWHARLAL NEHRU UNIVERSITY OLD BUILDING

ARAVALLI BIODIVERSITY PARK

outages make life very difficult for those in the slums.

in 2015

W

kusumpur pahadi slums

India’s capital, is a fitting place to tackle heat wave challenges due to its wide poverty gap. The city

Population

E

DEL INDIRA GANDHI INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

Residential grids

ON

hottest area

HZ

Grassland

above 40

RIC

above 30

30% two room 45% one room

DLF PROMENADE SHOPPING MALL

SU N

5% no room

SLUMS:

SLUMS:

number of member in one household

number of room

PATH JAWHARLAL NEHRU UNIVERSITY

54.91% of slums are composed of PACCA STRUCTURE TIN ROOF FABRIC

N

METAL WOOD METAL

Kusumpur Pahari is a slum in South Delhi, located near the upscale neighborhood of Vasant Vihar, highlighting a stark contrast in living conditions. The slum is marked by overcrowding and poverty, with residents struggling due to the lack of basic necessities such as clean water, proper sanitation, and accessible healthcare. These challenges severely impact their quality of life and ability to live with dignity.


PROCESS façade perforated brick clay

1

2

3 PARTIAL SECTION

inner wall

façade perforated brick

bamboo

roof wooden plate window frame

inner wall bamboo

wood structure steel

window glass

5F RESIDENTIAL BUILDING

stair wood

x30 people TERMITE MOUND Spire shape

9F RESIDENTIAL BUILDING

x90 people

LUNG STRUCTURE

reduces the heat-exposed area to sunlight. BRICK

BAMBOO

Termite mound have hundreds of vents. Hot air and carbon dioxide will flow out through openings in the center of the mound, while outside air can flow in through holes in the edge of the ant nest. Fresh air is constantly circulated through the ant nest. Ants utilize the principles of weathering and heat convection to regulate gas exchange.


FLOOR PLAN 3F BUILDING 5M DIAMETER

+26250mm rooftop

SECOND FLOOR PLAN

large house medium house +20890mm ninth floor

small house +18240mm eighth floor

+15590mm

3f 2 family 12 people 5m diameter 20 sq meter

5f 4 family 30 people 8m diameter 25 sq meter

9f 16 family 90 people 10m diameter 45 sq meter

5F BUILDING 8M DIAMETER

seventh floor

GROUND FLOOR PLAN

9F BUILDING 10M DIAMETER

+12940mm sixth floor

+10290mm fifth floor

Basic house +7640mm fourth floor

+4990mm

1F 4-5 people 5m diameter 15 sq meter

third floor

SECOND FLOOR PLAN

+2340mm second floor

0.00mm ground floor

THIRD FLOOR PLAN


COMMUNITY ARRANGEMENT

The entire neighborhood consists of four different height sizes of barrel houses. They are dispersed in three opposing formations around a central pond in a circular site.

SMALL COMMUNITY The triangular shape of the same-sized cylinders prevents airflow channels and concentrates airflow in the center and then in all directions. The curved shape of the cylinders also changes the speed and direction of air flow, lowering the temperature of the surrounding air.

BIG COMMUNITY Main road 4-5 M wide (For trucks and car)

Middle road 3 M wide (For small car and bicycle)

Walkway 1 M wide

Grassland


05 SYN-AMOENUS

TYPE: COMMUNITY DESIGN PROJECT INDIVIDUAL WORK DATE: 2024.09

"Together" (Syn-) and "pleasant" (amoenus), an ideal community environment where natural harmony and beauty complement social cohesion.

Inspired by reflections on the needs of refugees rebuilding their lives, the project introduces borderless communal activities and shared spaces to encourage interaction and cross-cultural exchange between immigrants and local residents. The design proposes a progressive community structure that integrates shared public spaces with independent living units, providing platforms for psychological healing, economic opportunities, and cultural integration. Through a phased spatial strategy, residents gradually transition from supportive communal environments to more independent living, exploring architecture as a framework for social healing, cultural exchange, and long-term community resilience.


OVERALL ASYLUM-SEEKER IN CANADA

60% Canadians don't want immigrants

CULTURAL CONFLICT REHABILITATION

which is more

than the previous record set in 2022.

INTEGRATION

Needs

Solutions

1. Sense of Security & Belonging 2. Transition to a New Community 3. Integration into Society

• •

HOUSING CRISIS

MEXICO

DESIGN SOLUTION

1

NORTH ATLANTIC OCEAN

[0-6 Months]

TRANSITIONAL HOUSING

Key Needs •

•

Safety and Stability: Privacy, emotional support, recovery from psychological trauma. Access to Basic Services

2

Mid-Term Phase

HUMANITARIAN INJUSTICE VIOLENT CONFLICTS

SP OR T

NORTH PACIFIC OCEAN

Short-Term Phase

Community

•

TÜRKIYE LEBANON SUDAN 4 Million Displaced people

"I didn't know where to go, where to start.”

•

SYRIA 6.8 Million displaced people MYANMAR AFGHANISTAN

•

INDIA

3.4 Million Displaced people •

CANADA REFUGEES

The camp hosts more than 200 living on different floors. She has to sleep in a spacious room filled with bunk beds, with little peace and privacy.

Key Needs Contact and interaction with local people and culture to promote adaptation and integration Provide a more independent and private housing environment Flexible use of multi-functional spaces: education, design, and commercial activities Meet basic skills training and income needs

Places of worship

Gardens

LIVING AREA Integration of shops and housing

[6-18 Months] UKRAINE 7 Million

SP AC E

VENEZUELA

ADA AN C

DISPLACEMENT BY WAR

Combining private residences with shared supportive community spaces. Incorporating borderless, race-neutral activities and cuisines to promote interaction and coexistence among people from different countries and backgrounds.

Phased Approach

INCREASED 326% 2013-2023 FROM 32,828 TO 139,715

NATURAL DISASTER

ITERATIVE CHANGE COMMUNITY

Provide phased shared community spaces for immigrants to integrate into the local community

important source of multicultural ethnic populations

144,035 In 2023 1.5 TIMES

DESIGN STRATEGIC

SHOP Income sources + cultural exchange PLANTING AREA

HOUSE Gradually Independence

Psychological healing Income opportunities Immigrants' integration

COMMERCIAL AREA Attract locals for shopping and cultural experience

Communities welcoming Syrian refugees Resettlement Assistance Program communities

3

Service Provider Organizations

Long-Term Phase [18+ Months]

PROVINCIAL DISTRIBUTION OF CLAIMS

Integration with local cultural and economic systems through festivals, community businesses, and events.

Key Needs •

• Ontario

Quebec

British Columbia

Alberta

Other

Canada has a strong tradition of welcoming refugees. Over one million refugees have arrived in Canada since 1980, most with few, if any, financial resources. They often had to learn a new language and adapt to a new culture.

Integration into surrounding neighborhoods, achieving full social inclusion. Independent living and housing upgrades.

Incremental Housing System Gradual transition from communal housing to independent homes.

Teach basic agricultural skills


ORILLIA DOWNTOWN

Grassland/ Landscape

N

Farmland Buildings HIGHWAY 12

N

SHANNON BAY

RD

MEMORIAL AVE

E

1

Ontario Provincial Police Museum Ontario Court of Justice Georgian College Ontario Community & Social Services

AR

L TH 15

RIA

MO

ME

2

VE LA

3

SHINGLE BAY

1

S

EN IN

11 HIGHWAY

DB

OL

R RIE

4

7

Building Communities in Stages

2 L TH 14

3

ND LA

OD DR

TH

13 EN LIN

Can be expanded and building according to occupancy in the future

BA FO DMI OT NT BA ON LL

FUNCTIONAL ZONING PLAN

8

WOODLAND DRIVE

ORO-MED ONTE TR AIL

WO

EN IN

FOREST HOME

6

5

1. Phase I Community 2. Phase II Community 3. Phase III Community

RESIDENTIAL AREA COMMERCIAL AREA PLANTING AREA CHURCH

PA R

K PL

AN

PARK

PA R

TIN

K

G

AR

EA

PA R

PA R

K

K

PL

AN

PA R

K

RESIDENTIAL AREA

PLANT AREA

COMMERCIAL AREA

G

IN

T AN

TIN

G

AR

EA

BA BA DMI N SK ET TON BA LL

EA

AR

PL

K

R PA

0

300

600

SITE PLAN

900m

GARDEN AREA The community garden is a borderless space for neighborhood interaction and leisure. Beyond providing psychological healing and therapy, it offers a basic livelihood opportunity for resident without income sources.

MB

A

ISL

H

RC

ED

N TA

C

IS HR

U CH

1.Sharing gallery

2. Residential house

6. Community center

3. Park

4. Main road

7. Christian Church

5. Planting area

8. Islambad


CONCEPT DESIGN PROCESS 2

1

6000 M

6000 M

M

M

4350 M

M

4350 M

M

3550 M

M

3550 M

M

3500 M

3500 M

M

M

TWO ARCHED WINDOWS ON THE FACADE

3

000 MM

165

5000 M

4

M

7000 M

M

SINGLE HOUSE For 1-2 Persons Single Bedroom Living for couple, Single parent with children

FAMILY HOUSE For 3-4 Persons Two Bedrooms Living for Family and Group people

THREE ARCHED WINDOWS ON THE FACADE

STRUCTURAL EXPLODED DRAWING

INCREMENTAL HOUSING SYSTEM

SYRIA

Roof

Second floor interior wall

Second floor exterior wall

5000 MM Arch ceiling frame

9000 MM Roof Wooden structural roof frame

Stair First floor interior wall

Arched Windows

Glass

Beige brick exterior wall

RESIDENTIAL PART SHOP/ STORE PART

The residential area adopts a progressive housing system, transitioning gradually from shared spaces to independent housing, meeting residents' needs at different stages, promoting adaptation and growth, while encouraging neighborhood interaction and community integration.

1 Short- Term Phase [0-6 Months]

2

Mid-Term Phase [6-18 Months]

3

Long-Term Phase [18+ Months]


0

1

3

1

2

3

4

SHARING GALLERY

5m

3

2

Commercial Area Hallway

5 5 7

Residential Area

4

1

6 R

7

4

GARDEN SHOP AREA

2

COMMERCIAL HALLWAY

8

6

8

1

6

2 5

7

7

Second Floor Plan

First Floor Plan

1. Retail store

5. Living area

1. Stair

5. Minor Bedroom

2. Restaurant

6. Study area

2. Main Bedroom

6. Bath

3. Indoor garden

7. Bath

3. Indoor garden

7. Study area

4. Outdoor garden

8. Kitchen

4. Outdoor garden

7 6 4

PERSPECTIVE SECTION RESIDENTIAL PART

SHOP/ STORE PART

5 3

SHARING GALLERY HALLWAY 1

7580 MM

2

5000 MM 4250 MM

GARDEN FLOWER MARKET

1. Small Store Unit

4. Sharing Gallery Hallway

6. Small garden

2. Large Store Unit

5. Hallway garden

7. Large garden

3. Store Hallway

COMMUNITY AREA

SHOP/ STORE PART

The Sharing Gallery connects residents and locals through a shared space that includes markets and shops. Here, residents can display their skills, run small businesses, and engage with different cultures. The open gallery design encourages community activities and builds relationships. Each gallery includes 6 housing units.

FLOOR PLAN


06 THRESHOLD

TYPE: LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE PORJECT ACADEMIC WORK | INDIVIDUAL UNDERGRAD THESIS DATE: 2025.05

This project explores the cultural and spatial thresholds of Chinatown, where its unique identify connect with adjacent neighborhoods. The design highlights the blurred boundaries of Chinatown and draws on elements of traditional Chinese landscape painting to express its inner meaning. These landscape-inspired interventions activate threshold spaces, creating small-scale moments of cultural expression along the edges of Chinatown. Through the philosophy of “seeing the large through the small, and the small through the large,” the project examines the relationship between Chinatown, its surrounding communities, and the broader city of Toronto.


CHINESE ASSOCIATION

CHINATOWN ASSOCIATION MAP

CHINESE RELIGION BUILDING

ART AREA

ART AREA

GRANGE PARK

DUNDAS ST W

BALDWIN AREA

RESIDENCE AREA

BAKERY STORE

中国同乡会

JULIUS DEUTSCH PARK

KENSINGTON AREA

CHINATOWN COMMERCIAL

CHINATOWN BOUNDARY

SITE DESIGN

WASTED SPACE

DUNDAS ST W

GREENSPACE AREA QUEEN ST W

CHINATOWN COMMERCIAL

SITE AREA CHINATOWN COMMERCIAL AREA CHINATOWN AREA

NEIGHBORHOOD AREA ROAD SIDE

CHINATOWN CENTER

中国城多伦多

SITE PHOTO

CHINATOWN N

CHINESE LANDSCAPE PAINTING

桃源问津图 PEACH BLOSSOM SPRING

SITE MAP

Hidden Chinatown boundaries were identified through bilingual road signs and the spatial presence of Chinese associations.­

6 ELEMENTS FROM THE CHINESE LANDSCAPE PAINTING

PATHWAY

ROCK WATER

MING DYNASTY, WEN ZHENGMING

MOUNTAIN

HOUSE

路

TREE

PATHWAY

山

房

MOUNTAIN

HOUSE

Illustrates the Utopian vision described in well-known fable ‘ The peach Blossom Spring’.

石

STONE

树 TREE

山

MOUNTAIN

水

WATER

水

WATER


FLAT PARK FILLED WITH TREES.

TWO DIMENSIONAL TO THREE DIMENSIONAL

EXPERIENCE BETWEEN THE MOUNTAINS

LAYERED VERTICAL AND HORIZONTAL PLANES

RAMP CHINESE ASSOCIATION CHINATOWN

CHINESE RELIGION BUILDING CHINATOWN BOUNDARY

ART AREA

Connection between windows

CHINESE CHURCH

and the Chinese association.

STEPS

Windows mark important CHINESE ELDERLY PEOPLE PLAYING MAHJANG

SPACE FOR ELDERLY TO PLAY MAHJONG

SITE PLAN

Chinatown Landmarks

SEATINGS FOR GATHERING

SITE PLAN

Mountain, one of essential element in traditional Chinese landscape painting.

In traditional landscape painting, paths unfold through layered trees and mountains. Inspired by this logic, Z-shaped walls

Appearing visually flat from afar or above, the intervention echoes the logic of ink composition while providing spaces for

guide movement, with varied windows framing key views of Chinatown. Copper and timber frames mark significant

rest and mahjong gatherings, where the “painted mountain” becomes a lived social landscape.

buildings, while the brick façade blends into its context. Layered groves and wooden surfaces create spatial depth, immersing visitors in a lived landscape painting.

山

MOUNTAIN

路

PATHWAY


SMALLER BALDWIN ST RESTAURANT VARIOUS

BIGGER WITH HORIZONTAL VOLUME

fully occupied restaurant patios reflect an active and outward-facing public life.

TWO DIMENSIONAL TO THREE DIMENSIONAL CHANGE DIFFERENT SIZE TO EMPHASIZE THE PROGRAM

ING

SEAT NM

NGTO

KENSI

T ARKE

N

ATOW

CHIN

OVERLAPPING UPTURNED EAVES

ELEVATION

AXONOMETRIC DRAWING

SECTION

SITE PLAN

In traditional paintings, houses symbolize communal gathering. A former Chinese bakery is reimagined by merging

As a connective threshold between Kensington Market and Chinatown, the project foregrounds stages and gathering

Chinese residential architecture with Victorian features. The three-storey structure centers on a vertical atrium, using

spaces to encourage cultural exchange. Emphasizing mountains horizontal massing, it accommodates exhibitions and

Chinese materials and open planning to create a tranquil urban courtyard.

performances. Stone expresses the solidity of mountains, while vertical rammed earth surfaces introduce texture, layering, and material resonance.

房

HOUSE

山

MOUNTAIN

IO

IBIT

EXH

AN NS

E

ANC

ORM

ERF

DP

TRANSITION BETWEEN TWO CULTURE AREA


INA SPAD

PINE TREE REPRESENTS NORTH AND CENTER

AVE

EXISTING TREE PINE TREE

N

W ATO CHIN ER T CEN

DUNDAS ST W OLD WALKWAY

NEW WALKWAY

SITE PLAN

SECTION

SITE PLAN

ELEVATION

At the opening of the painting, dense trees frame narrow paths and a compressed spatial atmosphere. At Chinatown’s

Rocks appear throughout the painting as subtle accents or mountain forms. At Chinatown Centre, a key communal hub,

entrance on Dundas Street West, a newly planted row of pines integrates with existing trees to form a natural screen. This

stone elements are used as markers: their orientations reference different Chinese community clusters across Toronto. A

linear park reinterprets the motif of a forest path, immersing visitors in an urban woodland experience.

central pine anchors the composition, while carved openings and cuts signify distinct areas.

树 TREE

石

STONE


GRASSLAND

WATER

DUNDAS ST W

ROCK

KENSINGTON AVE

T AREA POIN END INATOWN H OF C

E

AV INA

SPAD

FARMLAND STATIC WATER

DAS

DUN

ST W

SOUND OF WATER

T AREA POIN END INATOWN H OF C

DYNAMIC WATER

SITE PLAN

ELEVATION

ELEVATION

SITE PLAN

Water, a fundamental element in Chinese landscape painting, embodies the poetics of negative space. Located at the

Its sound reactivates forgotten edges, while both stillness and movement shape its presence. At the threshold toward

western end of Dundas Street in Chinatown, this site becomes a contemplative waterside retreat. Two pools of varying

Queen Street West, a narrow flowing pool marks the boundary. Stones, weathered trees, and running water compose a

scale and timber block pathways evoke lakes and fields from the painting. Stones rest quietly within the water, reflecting

scroll-like landscape, offering space for meditation and seasonal

both themselves and the surrounding city.

水

WATER

水

WATER


07 MATTER MATTERS

SPATIAL ABSTRACTION PROJECT ACADEMIC| TEAM WORK DATE: 2026.01

The project begins with the tree understood as a living ancestor rather than raw material. Informed by Indigenous w orldviews that understand land as active, relational, and continuously shaped through interaction, the project constructs a landscape rather than placing an object upon it. Through a gradual process of splitting, cutting, and redistribution, the tree is transformed without being erased. The ground is formed from a system of regular wooden volumes that are cut and reassembled, producing a terrain of slopes, edges, and elevations. Cutting is not treated as destruction, but as transformation—each piece remains part of the spatial system and continues to participate in the making of place. A lightweight wooden framework g rows from this constructed landscape, responding to changes in height, direction, and constraint. The making process starts from solid wooden blocks derived from the original volume and progressively reduces them into smaller elements without waste. In the final construction, the remaining mass forms a stepped ground condition, registering different moments of extraction and acting as the site itself. Solid wooden blocks are suspended above, referencing practices of elevating and preserving material over time. Movement through the project is similarly negotiated: stairs and paths emerge selectively, requiring the body to climb, descend, and pause in response to the landscape. The project doesn’t represent Indigenous forms, but aligns with Indigenous understandings of land and material as relational and continuous, allowing the tree’s life to persist through transformation rather than consumption. material memory is retained across ground, structure, and suspended elements rather than consumed or erased.


STRUCTURE EXPLORATION

Exploring Different Forms of Wood Finally, the wooden block undergoes cutting at various angles from its original state to form three distinct shapes. MODEL MAKING PROCESS

SOLID WOOD

CUTTING INTO PIECES

SHAPING THROUGH SUBTRACTION

ELEVATION - A

ELEVATION - B

MODEL MAKING PROCESS

MODEL MAKING PROCESS

ONE PART BECOMES THE LANDSCAPE

REMAINING PIECES FORM STRUCTURE AND SUSPENDED ELEMENTS

STRUCTURE EXPLORATION

SECTION


UNDERGROUND- BLOCK UNDERGROUND- BLOCK

TOP-WOOD FRAME

PLAN DRAWING PLAN DRAWING

TOP-WOOD FRAME


INSIDE OUTSIDE Threshold space that transitions between indoor and outdoor zones. Large windows, sliding doors, and a sunlit basement garden behind the ramp connect spaces. An open-plan living area and

08

private second-floor zones create a layered environment, optimizing natural light and landscape integration.

Indoor Garden

Private space

R & N House

Open spaced

Indoor Garden Outside

Outside in

Inside

Inside Inside

ARCHITECTURE PROJECT ACADEMIC | INDIVIDUAL WORK

ROOF

DATE: 2023.12

BEDROOM

This wheelchair-accessible residence prioritizes mobility and connection with nature through its central ramp design connecting all floors. The open layout, guided by inclusive design principles, ensures easy navigation throughout most spaces. Large windows line the ramp, offering constant views of the outdoors as residents move through the house. A LEISURE AREA

thoughtful combination of sliding doors and a naturally lit basement garden creates seamless transitions between indoor

KITCHEN

and outdoor spaces, embodying a harmonious blend of accessibility and natural integration.

RAMP START OF RAMP FIRST FLOOR

RAMP BASEMENT

North Elevation (Face to the street)

West

South Elevation (Face to Backyard)

East

0

0.5

1m

2m


0 0.5 1m 1

2

4

3

5

6

1

2

4

3

5

1

6

2

4

3

5

Roof Typ. Detail

2m

6

ROOF MEMBRANE FLASHING AIR BARRIER

SHEET METAL GRAVEL STOP A

A

A

B

B

B

C

C

C

LAP ROOF MEMBRANE OVER CLEAT STEEL PLATE CONTINUOUS CONCEALED CLEAT 7" (177.8MM) STEEL STUD

D

D

D

E

E

E

F

F

F

G

G

G

50MM AIR SPACE

INTERIOR

EXTERIOR THERMAL INSULATION

Window Detail

RAIN SCREEN

H

H

H

DIPS

BASEMENT FLOOR PLAN

FIRST FLOOR PLAN

SECOND FLOOR PLAN

1. Bedroom 2. Bathroom 3. Kitchen

1. Balcony 2. Hallway 3. Living area

1. Reading area 2. Main bedroom 3. Main bathroom 4. Ramp (From first floor to Second Floor)

4. Laundry room 5. Storage room 6. Ramp ( From first floor to Basement)

4. Kitchen 5. Dinning area 6. Ramp ( From first floor to Second Floor)

HEADER ALUMINUM WINDOW FRAME

19 SHIM SPACE

INTERIOR WALL FINISH FORM OF INTERIOR CASING TRIM VARIES

THERMAL BREAKS EXTERIOR

SECTION

INTERIOR

ADDITIONAL SUBSILL EXTENSION STOOL

WOOD FRAME

1. Bedroom

INSULATION

2. Bathroom

+7000.00MM

HEADER

ROOF SLAB

3. Living area

INTERIOR WALL FINISH

4. Dinning area GLASS (WINDOW)

APRON

+3300.00MM SECOND FLOOR SLAB

5. Corridor 6. Reading area 7. Ramp

RAM[P

WOODEN CLADDING

+0.00MM FIRST FLOOR SLAB

Sliding Door Detail On South Elevation -2998.36MM BASEMENT FLOOR SLAB 0 0.5 1m

INTERIOR

2m

SEALANT&BACKER ROD TERRAZZO DIVIDER STRIP SUB-FLOOR

FINISH FLOOR

EXTERIOR

SLIDING DOOR STEEL COLUMN ALUMINUM COVER PLATE FLASHING PLYWOOD SHEATHED CURB HEADER

GROUND INSIDE STEEL SUPPORT STEEL BEAM

CONCRETE FOOTING


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