Yichun Xu
2020-2024
Selected Work
PROFESSIONAL WORK
01. THE AVENUES
Hotel+Residential/ Riyadh, Saudi Arabia/ 2023
02. HIRSHHORN MUSEUM & SCULPTURE GARDEN
Culture/ Washington D.C./ 2022
03. PARK UNION MASTER PLAN
Urban Design/ Colorado Springs, CO/ 2023
04. CC2DCA
Civil/ Arlington, VA/ 2022
05. WILLIAM H. GRAY III 30th STREET STATION REDEVELOPMENT
ACADEMIC WORK
06. ICEBERG
Public Space/ New York, NY/ 2021
07. URBAN PLAYGROUND
Affordable housing/ NY, US/ 2020
Residential + Hotel | Riyadh, Saudi Arabia | 1,800,000 sqm | SOM Work | DD
• Worked for 100% DD drawing set, focusing on Podium 2. Drawings include plans, enlarged plans, RCPs, sections, elevations, and erlarged stairs drawings.
• Coordinated with Interior designers, landscape designers, structure consultants, MEP consultants, Acoustic and Security Consultants.
• Designed the layout of the staff facilities and some BoH area, and provided renders per Hilton's code and princeple.
• Tools: Revit, Rhino, Enscape, Illustrator, Photoshop
The Avenues - Riyadh is expected to become one of the largest commercial destinations in the Middle East with a gross leasable area of around 370,000 sqm and will include 4-star and 5-star hotels, residential apartments, medical facilities, offices, and a parking space for 15,000 vehicles, making it an ideal destination for shopping, entertainment, and residence in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Additionally, it will contribute to strengthening the service and retail sectors and creating more than 20,000 job opportunities for Saudi nationals.
The Avenues - Riyadh reflects the Salmani Architecture, which is characterized by an architectural style that embodies originality and modernity inspired from the past with renewed developmental molds to reflect its presence in the heart of Najd in Riyadh. It will also feature modern designs within the complex with sustainable and green elements that emulate the vision of the Kingdom.
1 AR-P2-1B2A
1 AR-P2-1B2B
1/AR-P2-1B2B1/AR-P2-1B2C 1/AR-P2-1B2B1/AR-P2-1B2D 1/AR-P2-1B2D1/AR-P2-1B2C
Cultural | Washington, DC | 197,000 square feet | SOM Work | SD
• Worked on the design options for renovation of the lobby and the courtyard area, and provided renderings.
• Prepared diagrams for the exterior area about function, circulation, and analysis related to the landscape.
• Prepared presentation slides showing to the clients.
• Tools: Rhino, Enscape, Illustrator, Photoshop
A unique structure for a singular art collection, Gordon Bunshaft’s open, circular design intrigues visitors along the National Mall and captivates lovers of modern art and architecture from around the world.
By the mid-1960s the internationally acclaimed modern art collection of Joseph H. Hirshhorn had earned a permanent place on the National Mall, and an architectural statement to support it.
Plaza Framework Program + Landscape Alignment
Plaza Framework Multiple Points of Arrival
Plaza Framework Gathering + Events
Plaza Framework Sculpture
• 3D Modeled the architectural facades for the commerial district and worked on renderings.
• Designed one key architecture facaded for the a future design.
• Presented and communicated with clients directly, and managed to meet the design needs.
• Tools: Revit, Rhino, Enscape, Grasshopper
A new 82-acre development in Colorado Springs’ most coveted downtown location. Park Union bridges Downtown Colorado Springs with America the Beautiful Park and trail systems in every direction. Combining urban elegance with natural beauty, Park Union will ultimately include a vibrant and thoughtful mix of residences, businesses, parks and learning experiences.
The pinnacle of premium living in downtown Colorado Springs, Park Union will offer living options for both rent and sale.
Civil | Arlington, VA | SOM Work | Pre-design
• Translated design options into renders, provided images about passengers experience feelings to clients.
• Coordinates with engineers to optimized the structural design.
• Tools: Rhino, Enscape, Illustrator, Photoshop, AutoCAD
The Arlington Board endorsed a proposed pedestrian bridge linking Crystal City to Reagan National Airport on Saturday. The project, called the CC2DC Intermodal Connector, will connect the future Virginia Railway Express station at 2011 Crystal Drive to the airport near Terminal 2. The bridge itself would be built above the George Washington Memorial Parkway.
“The goal of this connection is to enhance connectivity for non-vehicular travel between Crystal City and the airport while supporting active transportation and travel choices,” Arlington Board Chairman Christian Dorsey said during Saturday’s meeting.
“This is really gonna be an incredibly exciting feature. I have no doubt that it will look amazing, but more importantly, it’ll be a pretty signature element of connectivity that you see in few places elsewhere.”
• Prepared 100% CD drawing set, focusing on the APD and BoH area. Drawings include plans, enlarged plans, RCPs, sections, elevations, and details.
• Coordinated with MEP consultants and improve the layouts.
• Communicated with the material or products venders, Checked the specs and reflected on the drawings.
• Tested material utilizing Enscape renders in the APD and BoH area.
• Tools: Revit, Rhino, Enscape
Philadelphia’s William H. Gray III 30th Street Station is the third-busiest Amtrak station in the country, houses direct connections to SEPTA and NJ Transit, and is a nexus for dozens of local and regional bus, subway, and trolley routes serving tens of thousands of people each day. Perched on the western bank of the Schuylkill River directly between Center City and University City, Gray 30th Street Station is a Beaux-Arts masterpiece in a district ideally positioned for growth in the coming years. Few urban neighborhoods around the world can match the characteristics of the district around the station: adjacency to premier healthcare and education institutions, proximity to the central business district, access to the Schuylkill River, large assemblages of land, and connectivity to one of the most important intermodal hubs on the Northeast Corridor.
Public Space| New York, NY | 74,888sqft | UVA Groupwork | 2021 Fall
• Yichun Xu: Diagrams, Exploded Axon, Plans. Section Perspective, Renders
• Chenxin Zhao: Landscape Strategies, Landscape Diagrams, Site Plan, Sections
• Kewei Li: 3D Modeling. Concept Diagrams, Renders
The tragedy behind this projct believes that layer sectional condition is the best way to multiply open space in a context like Manhattan. This project addresses the lack of ground floor open space in Manhattan by leaving the ground floor clear while also increasing the amenities that the park offers, through a strategy that multiplies the ground.
Iceburg Strategy:
The Strategy borrows the logic of the iceberg. So in order to clear the ground, we are hiding most educational and recreational programs through subterranean spaces, and communal programs up through a tower. Then, all the programs are linked through a continuous circulation from the ground surface to underground and at the back up to the tower.
Residential | Affordable Housing | New York, NY | 120,000 sqft | UVA Groupwork | 2020 Fall
• Yichun Xu: Analysis, Axon, Site Plan, Plan, Facade, Urban Strategy
• Tim Victorio: Analysis, Diagram, 3D Modeling, Section, Perspective, Render
This is an affordable housing project at the top of Manhattan. Our site is right beside the river, and there is an old, large bus depot stands in the site. Our goal is to break down the barriers that separate people and bring them together through the arts and recreation. Large gathering spaces can become a space to sell fresh produce, hold rallies or exhibitions or simply enjoy lunch.
Cedric Price said it perfectly when thinking of the Fun Palace. " Choose what you want to do - or watch someone else doing it. Learn how to handle tools, paint, babies, machinery, or just listen to your favourite tune. Dance, talk or be lifted up to where you can see how other people make things to work. Sit out over pace with a drink and tune in to what's happening elsewehre in the city. Try starting a riot or beginning a painting - or just lie back and stare at the sky."
Urban Strategy
Our approach to this project started with a deep consideration and appreciation of the history and culture that makes Manhattanville Unique. This has always stemmed from the people and outflows into the streets through artistic expression and creativity. Our building will become a point of outflow for the neighborhood and over time will fill the streets with art, music and dance. The building will become a canvas for local artists to express their creativity. The idea is that the spaces within and around this building are in constant evolution, changing with time and occupants. An art park at the entrance of the building will take local sculptors and artists and showcase their work for the neighborhood. The space under the viaduct will take on color, expression and cultural identity that weaves these streets within the fabric of Manhattanville. At First, we hope the art walk will lead people from our building to the West Harlem Piers, but soon thereafter spread and expand throughout the streets and neighborhoods creating a new experience at every turn.With this building, people have the option to take on many different experiences.