ZI XIAO SHEN
ARCHITECTURE PORTFOLIO
BIO Zi Xiao (John) Shen is an undergraduate student at the University of Toronto, John H. Daniels Faculty of Architecture, completing a specialist in Architecture, and a major in Economics. He is an architectural research assistant with professor Brady Peters to develop a digital design tool to visualize sound waves. He has interned in Yorkville Design Center in Toronto and J&F Architects at Ningbo, China. He is managing the University of Toronto Hyperloop Team (UTHT) Infrastructure Division’s twelve engineering and architecture students to conduct research and propose a design for an integrated Toronto - Ottawa - Montreal hyperloop route system.
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Contents I COMPUTATIONAL DESIGNS
pg. 5 - 13
PARAMETRIC TOWER
pg. 6
ACOUSTIC VISUALIZATION
pg. 10
II DESIGN PROJECTS
pg. 15 - 31
MODULOR I
pg. 16
MODULOR II
pg. 20
DIGITAL PARAFICTION
pg. 26
III REPRESENTATION & ANALYSIS
pg. 33 - 39
TORNOTO: 2KM X 2KM BLOCK
pg. 34
BOUCA, PORTO, PORTUGAL
pg. 38
THE HALF HOUSE
pg. 39
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I COMPUTATIONAL DESIGNS
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Computational Designs
Parametric Tower Parametric Design & Fabrication Individual Academic Project - Winter 2019 - One Semester Modeling and Fabrication in Design - Nicholas Hoban
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This project utilizes parametric modelling and machine fabrications for a 30-storey tower design. In terms of parametric design, Rhino3D and Grasshopper 3D are used for geometry rationalization and Adobe Ensuite for representation. In terms of machine aided production for a 1:100 model prototype, the project incorporates laser cutting, 3D printing, and carpentry.
DESIGN ITERATIONS
Zaha Hadid Heydar Aliyev Centre
Bjarke Ingels Group Unzipped Toronto
Bjarke Ingels Group Vancouver House
Curve
Unzip
Modulate
Model I
Model II
Model III
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PARAMETRIC DESIGN & MACHINE-AIDED MODEL FABRICATION
Floors laser cut cardboards
Columns hand cut wood dowels
3D Print
more suitable for smaller, more complex geometries
Facades laser cut cardboards
Laser Cut
more suitable for larger, flat geometries
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Computational Designs
The Finite Difference Time Domain (FDTD) is an effective and accurate acoustic simulation technique, yet there were no commercially viable softwares using this method. I developed a new workflow to speed up and optimize the visualiziation process for FDTD, where I added a Python step, and I simplified the Processing code for acoustic visualizations. This project showcases its workflow development as well as three examples demonstrating its visualization applications.
Acoustic Visualization Development for a Design Tool Individual Work Study Project - Fall 2020 - Two Months Computational Design & Simulation - Brady Peters
WORKFLOW DEVELOPMENT Original Workflow Time taken in total for a 1 million pixel animation: 48 hours to make the textfile, 4 minutes for human input
Extract 2D section from 3D model
Run Rhinoscript to create a text file
Run Processing with the text file
Create visualizations
New Workflow Time taken in total for a 1 million pixel animation: Text file producing is instant, 4 minutes for human input
Extract 2D section from 3D model
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Export the section as a black and white image
Convert black and white image into into a text file using Python
Run Processing with the text file
Create visualizations
t=1
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Split Tube Type 2
Split Tube Type 1
Modified Schroedor Diffuser
Schroedor Diffuser
Octet Diffuser
Gyroid Diffuser
METAMATERIALS
Freeze frame images taken from the animations of sound diffusion from different metamaterials were showcased.
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Option 1 Plan View
Option 2 Plan View
Option 3 Plan View
Option 1 Section View
Option 2 Section View
Option 3 Section View
MEETING ROOM OPTIONS These series of freeze frame images showcased three different meeting room acoustic optimization options for sound diffusion and scattering.
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CLASSROOM ACOUSTIC INSTALLATION TESTINGS This series compared between sectional views of two different acoustic installation options under testing for a Daniels Faculty classroom with a control (blank) group.
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II DESIGN PROJECTS
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Design Projects
Modulor I Abstract Spatial Forms Individual Academic Project - Winter 2019 - Two Months How To Design Almost Nothing - Maria Denegri
“Modulor� is an anthropometric scaling system introduced by the French-Swiss architect Le Corbusier. The first portion of the project in this spread aggregates multiples of a type of module to form a composite installation that appears to be taken out from a seamlessly concatenated chain, where the module is based on the dimensions of Le Corbusier’s Modulor measurement system. The second portion of the project in the next spread simplifies the module into a simple rectangular form, and the module is appropriated for both platforms and pathways, furthering the notion of the entire interconnected space as part of a never-ending chained pathway.
I. Module Sizing
II. Combining
grid size
grid size
III. Arranging
IV. Stacking
wider space
narrower space
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the rectangular module’s dimension is directly taken from the grid constraints of the “site”
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constructing modules: key designed moments
connecting moments through pathway
connecting pathways with modular stairs
preliminary model
“cut” the m
� under the terrain using modules to further the module continuation
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Design Projects
Modulor II A Study Space Individual Academic Project - Winter 2019 - One Month How To Design Almost Nothing - Maria Denegri
Inspired by Toronto’s stackt market’s use of shipping containers and standard glass materials for labor-saving modular constructions, this study space design is composed of the stacking and intersecting of modules, which employs Le Corbusier’s Modulor measurement system. Formally, the structure mirrors the adjacent Goldring Athletic Centre’s dark metallic exterior, and its industrial appearance reflects the fast-paced U of T campus life. Functionally, it seeks to provide a rich variety of study spaces and vantage points for students, faculties, or other passersby.
Renders of the study space
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2 different sizes of stairs, based on the sizing of a spatial module
more private lower traffic flows smaller stairs
more public higher traffic flows larger stairs
more private lower traffic flows smaller stairs
II. Stacking, Intersection, Circulation relations between modules and staircases based on the expected traffic volumes and level of priacy.
I. Spatial Modules
based on the Modulor scaling system and the site grid space provided
windows & doors
IV. Panelization III. Convergence with Site Grid
openings for light & air in accordance with module geometries
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Basement II
large meeting room
Second Floor
open study area, washroom
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Basement I
Ground Floor
Third Floor
Fourth Floor
open study area, group study room, storage, washroom
group study area, relaxation space
open study area, public ground space
open study area, group study area, balcony
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1:50 CONCEPT MODEL laser cut museum board, laser cut acrylic boards, wood
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Design Projects
Digital Parafiction Software Experimentations Academic Group Project - Fall 2020 - Three Weeks Lazy Computing - Andrew Bako Role: Conceptual Development, Animation Editing, Digital Modelling, Renders, Improvements on Drawings Group Members: Zi Xiao Shen, Diana Koulouthros, Astrid Manzanilla, Amy Thomas
Right: Screenshots from part (1) animations Bottom: Appearance of the part (2) resulted model
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Rather than designing a formal proposal, this project investigates the use of common industry softwares, which includes Lumion, Revit, Rhinoceros and Grasshopper, the Adobe Ensuites, and alike, by focusing on the disconnect of these conventional softwares from physical constraints in reality through a series of animations, renders, and drawings. “Digital Parafiction” includes two parts, (1) two pseudophysical simulative animations visualized by these softwares, and (2) the further detailing and deformation of everyday architectural elements as a result of manipulation and “misuse” of these softwares.
The simulation (part 1) of the pseudo-physical forces applied to an usual architectural element, lines of a housing plan and their extruded “walls” explores the disconnect of these conventional softwares’ digital constraints from real life physical constraints. It does so by showcasing the discrepency between the actual input workflow in the software (in this page) and the produced animations (in the next spread) that alludes to the reality.
Simulation 1 Workflow
Create Floor Plan
Export Plan as Low-Res PNG
Rhino Trace Results in a “Glitchy” Effect
Animate the Sequence of Floor Plan Changes
Simulation 2 Workflow
Animation Timeframe and Pathway Settings
Geometry Generation
Animation: Geometry Visualization with Annotations
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SIMULATION 1: the visualized impacting, deforming, and rearrangements mirror the alignment, update, deletion, and other actions done on a computer
SIMULATION 2: the annotation system is also incorporated in the updates of these architectural “models,” its angles and values change as the “walls” m
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r screen through these softwares.
move, implying the constant and ongoing design iteration processes in the industry.
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The second part of the project further details the walled structures in the end of animation 2 by utilizing Rhinoceros software’s inherent geometry mesh reduction command, which imitates the real life objects while reducing its digital data size. It results in a model that appears to be a typical market housing at a first glance. However, upon closer inspection, the oddly shaped wall extrusions, oversized wooden floor texture maps, brick tiles misplaced onto the roof, levitating furnitures and other uncanny architectural elements further exaggerates the disconnect of conventional softwares from physical constraints.
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First Floor
Second Floor
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III REPRESENTATION & ANALYSIS
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Representation & Analysis
Toronto: 2km x 2km Block Analysis of a Square Site in Toronto
This drawing series analyze a selected 2km x 2km area inToronto’s southern lake shore. Utilizing multiple online resources, open data, site survey and photography, this project unpacks the site’s morphology, variation in density and its numerous programs.
Individual Academic Project - Fall 2018 - One Semester Drawing and Representation II - Michael Piper
City of Toronto Context Massing Model
Extract 2km x 2km city area from Google Earth Image
Google earth image
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site overall morphology
Model & Texture Refinement
site’s main intersection in focus
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The area can be generally characterized as closer to the shore, the lower the building density in terms of the Floor Area Ratio (FAR). This is especially attributed to the classification of the different programs of the area’s land use.
Boundary 1: residential - commercial
Boundary 3: industr
High FAR
residential commercial
industrial recreational
Low FAR
Extraction of a typical section reflecting the area’s programs characteristics
Boundary 2: commercial - industrial
Boundary 4: recreatio
site programs and boundary conditions
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rial - recreational
residential
commercial
industrial
recreational
water
water
onal - water
site programs “thumbnails�
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Representation & Analysis
Bouca, Porto, Portugal Study of an Affordable Housing Complex Academic Group Project - Winter 2020 - Two Weeks Forms of Urbanism - Mason White Role: Site Research, Digital Model, Isometric Representation Group Members: Zi Xiao Shen, Mina Onay, Andrea Kinsella
Originally built as a social housing project in the 1970s to address Portugal’s housing crisis, Bouca is composed of 131 duplex units.Along with a plan and a section created by my colleagues, this isometric drawing is produced through a digital model recreation, which was resulted from interpretions from satellite maps and past plan and sectional drawings on the project. It depicts the project’s overall triangular form, its evolutions and construction phases spanning over a few decades, its interior unit layouts, its private and public space characters, as well as its integration with its surrounding transportation networks (trains, roads, etc.) and buildings.
Bouca Social Housing, Álvaro Siza | Porto, Portugal | First Built in 1975 | Drawings in 2018 Conditions
Built in 1975
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Representation & Analysis
The Half House Zoning Analysis of a House in Toronto Individual Academic Project - Winter 2019 - Two Months Close Reading in Urbanism - Jesse LeCavalier
The role of building codes is intended to satisfy the property stakeholders’ interests, such as owners, neighbors, developers, and alike. However, they can also cause unexpected results. Such an example is this “Half House” specimen, which is resulted from a property development by Windlass Holdings Ltd. in the 1960s. As the developer demolished the northern half of the original 54 St. Patrick St. in its zoning line, the owner of the northern half decided to retain his property, leaving the northern “cut off” wall, which was the previous northern half’s interior support wall, blank in concrete color.
1/2 House
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ZI XIAO SHEN
ARCHITECTURE PORTFOLIO