2024 Portfolio_Mingrui Luo_Columbia University GSAPP

MINGRUI LUO Selected Works 2020-2024

M.S. Architecture and Urban Design Columbia University Graduate School of Architecture, Planning and Preservation ml4986@columbia.edu

MINGRUI LUO 419 West 115th St. 63A Manhattan, New York City, NY ml1986@columbia.edu (347) 610-7288

Education Columbia University in the City of New York Graduate School of Architecture, Planning and Preservation M.S. Architecture and Urban Design 06/2023Shenzhen University School of Architecture & Urban Planning Bachelor of Engineer: Landscape Architecture 09/2018-07/2023

Scholarship 2020-2021 SED Landscape International Scholarship School of Architecture and Urban Planning Shenzhen University Awarded by SED International Landscap 12/2021

Work Experience Intern Institution of Urban Planning Design & Research. Shenzhen University 07/2021-09/2021 - Shekou Fishing Port Upgrading and Reconstruction Project Scheme Design International Competition Project commencement involves the initial stage encompassing site investigation, data compilation, and on-site research. Subsequently, the first stage unfolds with the expression of intent, spatial elaboration models, concept drawings, and intensified collaboration with the American design team. Transitioning into the second stage, the focus shifts to modeling and the creation of rendering drawings.

- International Competition for Conceptual Design of Shenzhen Tanglang Mountain Country Park City Viewing Platform In the initial phase: Site visit and analyze. The second stage: Identifying design intentions, analyzing drawings, and crafting design sketches. The third stage: refining design nodes, creating rendering models, and producing captivating renderings.

08/2022-10/2022 - Curatorial Project for the Shenshan Sub-venue of the 9th ShenzhenHong Kong Urban/Architecture Bi-City Biennale 2022 In the initial phase: Site research and develop detailed site schedules. The second stage: designing themes, planning exhibitions, and effectively coordinating exhibition plans with local governments and residents. In the third stage: Deepening of the design process, communication with exhibitors, and collaboration with various exhibition venues to execute government review plans and reports.

Skills

Language

Adobe Creative Suite | Rhino | GIS | Lumion | AutoCAD

Mandarin English

Content

01

Nature as Water Filtration

Nature-Based Water Purification Solutions for Coastal Wetland Park Design Team Work 2021.11

02

Cohesive Riverfront

GIS Based Roadway Asset Evaluation & Neighborhood Riverwalk Design Team Work 2022.05

03

Unbounded Bricolage

Reimagine Highways as Engines Propelling Community Engagement Team Work 2023.06

04

Unsung Heros

Street Public Infrastructure Redesign for the Informal Economy Team Work 2023.09

01 NATURE AS WATER FILTRATION

Nature-Based Water Purification Solutions for Coastal Wetland Park

Project Overview: Situated in China, Shenzhen stands out as a paradigmatic city experiencing swift development. In a span of fewer than 40 years, Shenzhen has transformed into a mega city boasting a population exceeding 20 million. The accelerated urban expansion has led to a heightened demand for land, and the implementation of land reclamation policies has triggered a cascade of consequences, including the downturn of the oyster industry, seawater pollution, and the depletion of mangrove forests. The project's design endeavors to tackle these issues conscientiously, presenting ecological solutions to confront the challenges posed by climate change.

Studio: Design of Shenzhen Futian Mangrove Ecological Park Team Work Team Member: Gan Peihan, Zhou Yin Site: Futian, Shenzhen, China Date: 2021.11 Instructor: Bian Wenjuan Contribution: site research, ecological design, analysis, design process, site design, rendering

Google Earth

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| Climate Change & Population Growth

| Shenzhen Bay Area Mapping

| Policy & Urbanization

| Pollution & GDP Comparison

| Fishery Industry History

drawn by Photoshop, Illustrator

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Nature-Based Water Purification Strategy Classes of activity and ecological types are differentiated by designing different registered zones; urban sewage will be filtered through a series of habitat layers and finally flow into the ocean. In addition, venues of various scales suitable for human activities have been set up to provide a large number of public activities and leisure and sightseeing spaces for the nearby communities.

[Hong Kong, Mai Po Wetland]

[City]

[Shenzhen Bay]

[Industrial Area]

drawn by Photoshop, Illustrator

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Site Plan

Kei Wai Fish Pond

Mangrove Protection

Kei Wai Fish Pond

Freshwater Wetland Oyster Farming

Community Park Brackish Wetland

Mangrove Oyster Reef Restoration

Oyster Reef Education

Floodplain

drawn by Photoshop, Illustrator

Zone

Defined different areas to control development and tourist activity levels according to coastal ecology and traffic.

Pathway system

The roads in the park basically follow the original road texture; different places for interaction with nature are set up along the way, such as landscape pavilions.

Water processing

The urban sewage introduced from the urban drainage system will go through a series of purification steps in the park and finally flow into Shenzhen Bay.

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Community Park

Educational & Eco Park

Section 1

Research & Observation Site

Section 2

Section 3

| Animal and plant distribution

Animals

Plant

­

­ ­ ­

Non-inundation Non-inundation zone zone

City City

( ) ( )

­

­

（ ） （ ） （ ）

Intermittent Intermittent inundation inundation zone zone

­ ­

­

­

­

­

­ ­

­ ­

­

­

Water Water depth depth ≤ ≤ 0.3m 0.3m

Water Water depth depth ≤ ≤ 0.5m 0.5m

Water depth depth ≤ ≤ 1m 1m Water

Water Water depth depth ＞ ＞ 1.5m 1.5m

Sea Sea

| Nodes

Public Event Plaza

Waterfront Pavilion

Floating Bridge

Lakeside Amphitheater

Canopy Walk in Mangroves

Amphibian Observation Station

The square provides more activities for the residents of the community.

The pavilion provides shade for people, and people can play cards or go fishing by the lake.

Provide a walking path close to nature, and educate tourists about aquatic plants and tree species.

A suitable resting place, where people can watch the scene of birds hunting by the lake.

Elevating walkways to tree canopy level provides a more exceptional view of the landscap.

Eco-friendly animal observation station can provide ecological environment courses for student groups.

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Community Park

Educational & Eco Park

Research & Observation Site

rendering via Lumion; post-processing in Photoshop

| Theme Shop & Cafe

| Freshwater Wetland Boardwalk

| Bird Watching Tower

Taking advantage of the natural terrain of the original site, the building is embedded in it, so that the site is integrated with the natural site, rather than an abrupt existence.

Bringing plants into the architectural space makes the boundary between inside and outside blurred and loses the original sharp boundary.

The freshwater wetland is a paradise for a variety of animals and plants. In order to allow people to appreciate this precious ecological type in the park, a floating boardwalk is set up to provide visitors with the opportunity to watch creatures up close.

The bird watching tower is set at the mouth of the river, which can have a good view of bird watching. At the same time, the building uses natural materials and is hidden in the woods, keeping a certain distance from the bird's predation area, which can reduce the impact on the birds.

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02 COHESIVE

RIVERFRONT

GIS Based Roadway Asset Evaluation & Neighborhood Riverwalk Design

Project Overview: Longhua District stands as the most densely populated zone for migrant workers in Shenzhen, characterized by numerous factories and high-density residential areas. Despite these surroundings, there remains an unmet demand for urban public spaces. By using GIS data analysis, the project design strategically outlines a greenway slow traffic system within the region, employing the superposition analysis method. The approach involves selecting representative blocks for thoughtful design and renovation, aiming to enhance the urban experience for the local population.

Studio: Planning and Design of Shenzhen Longhua Ring Park Belt Team Work Team Member: Wu Jia, Shi Qiujuan Site: Longhua, Shenzhen, China Date: 2022.5 Instructor: Xie Xiaohua Contribution: site research, GIS data analysis (team); site design, rendering (individual) and arrangement, analysis, design process, site design, rendering (individual)

Google Earth

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| Planning Strategy

Current Peripheral Green System

| City Development & Population Growth Existing Roadway and Transit Network

Proposed Greenway Network The existing greenway focuses on the connection of country parks, but there is a lack of greenway design organization within the city.

Design try to use complete automobile traffic system to attach new greenway designs to enhance the connection between communities and form a greenway network.

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Roadway Asset Evaluation

| Alternative

Use the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) for GIS analysis, set the weights of the factors related to the construction of the greenway through expert scoring and superimpose to obtain a weighted score map, and finally combine with the existing greenway to plan a new greenway route.

| Reclassified Criteria

| Road Assignment Scoring

Topography

Topography

The location selection of the site is a combination of various factors, and the street with a higher comprehensive score is selected for design renovation and improvement.

| Evaluation Weight Distribution

Commercial Line

Elevation

Slope

Elevation

Slope

7.0%

7.0%

Accessibility

Overall Score

Accessibility

Waterfront Line

Road Accessibility

Traffic Station

Road Node

Road Accessibility

Traffic Station

Road Node

4.9%

9.8%

9.8%

Attractiveness

Attractiveness

Cycling & Scenic Line

Attractions

Water Area

Green Space

Attractions

Water Area

Green Space

12.0%

12.0%

12.0%

Usage Requirements

Usage Requirements

Cultural & History Line

Greenway Adaptability Evaluation Overall Map

Building Density

Public Facilities

Street Vibrancy

Analysis using gis tools, post-processing in Photoshop, Illustrator

Building Density

Public Facilities

Street Vibrancy

6.4%

6.4%

12.7%

Each factor is weighted and scored according to the weight of experts to obtain a general picture of the suitability score for greenway construction Site Selection

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Design Strategy

Site Plan

Layers

| Restoration

Tour Route & Nodes Before

After

Tour route Nodes

The channel was originally constructed of hard materials.

After the reconstruction, the natural shape of the river channel will be restored.

| Connection

1 Corner Pocket Park 2 Rain Garden 3 Grand Ladder 4 Community playground 5 Bike station 6 Landscape bridge 7 Public toilet 8 Fountain 9 Hydrophilic steps 10 Riverside Dining Space 11 Commercial transformation space 12 Community Business Bridge 13 Waterfront Promenade 14 Riverside Community Stage

A.Corridor

Walking & Cycling Paths Before

Bike lane Pedestrian lane

After

Increase the connection between the street and the river bank, and create more activity space for pedestrians.

B.River Bank Enterance

Spatial Connection Before

Bridge Visual corridor

After

Remove the fence on the river bank and add multiple entrances to the bank.

C.Bridge

Planting Design Before

After

Arbor Shrubs

Some abandoned buildings were demolished, and bridges were built to lead to the opposite bank.

| Mobility

Before

After

Build more waterfront platforms to provide space for people to stay and relax.

Plan drawn by Illustrator, Photoshop

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| Ecological River

| Corridor

The existing river channel was widened to slow down the slope on both sides of the river channel; plants suitable for growth were planted to reduce runoff and filter rainwater; hydrophilic trails were set up so that people could get more space for activities and get close to nature during the dry season experience.

The use of corridors to connect the two banks of the river and connect the streets will make it easier for nearby residents to shuttle; the corridors will also weaken the original sightlines and encourage people to go to the streets and revitalize the commerce of this street.

| Bridge

| Public Space

rendering via Lumion; post-processing in Photoshop

The bridge provides a faster and safer way for cyclists and pedestrians to cross the river without having to compete with cars for road space; at the same time, it will also provide people with a unique viewing route and add fun along the way.

The space after the demolition of the abandoned buildings is transformed into a public waterfront activity space, where people can talk, work or daze on the big steps, while admiring the changing landscape of the river.

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03 Unbounded Bricolage

Reimagine Highways as Engines Propelling Community Engagement

Project Overview: The downtown connector, once emblematic of urban property use, is reimagined as a tool for social and physical cohesion in our urban design project. Originally designed to intentionally divide, especially impacting Black communities, it served as a stark reminder of historical oppression. Our intervention seeks to transform these long-distance physical connections and speedsegregated borders. By doing so, we aim to restore the vibrancy of human-scale activities, addressing the negative consequences of decentralization in economic activity and the oversight of Atlanta's unique locale.

This project seeks to dismantle divisive urban structures, fostering inclusivity, and redefining the downtown connector as a unifying element that contributes positively to the social and economic fabric of the city.

Studio: Urban Design Studio II Team Work Team member: Susie Kim, Chealsie Nalvarte, Joanne Zhou Site: The Downtown Connector, Atlanta, United State Date: 2023.9 Instructor: Emanuel Admassu Contribution: site research(Team), diagram, rendering(individual) Google Earth

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Property & After Property In the After Property vision, we reimagine highways as more than mere traffic conduits; they transform into engines propelling community engagement, fostering localized synergies, and ensuring equal access for all. The aim is to reclaim these spaces, shifting the paradigm from large-scale urban infrastructure to human-scale environments that prioritize community well-being. By doing so, we address tensions arising from diverse scales and challenge carcentric ideologies. The redefined highways become dynamic commons, not just gathering spaces but arenas where people actively respond to the historical scars of separation.

Concept Diagram

This thinking transcends the limitations of traditional property usage, presenting a forward-looking vision that encourages social connectivity, inclusivity, and a profound reconnection with urban spaces.

Site Diagram

drawn by Susie

Existing Conditions Analysis

drawn by Chealsie

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Progressive Design Strategy

Clusters of Human Activity

In a post-vehicular landscape, our intervention starts as organic clusters of human activity, blending together to grow throughout the connector and spill over into the context. Supported by spatial interventions, we aim to dissolve the visible and invisible boundaries that the connector has put in place.

By maintaining the structure of the highway as a way to face up to the violent history of the connector, we suggest simple potential interventions to rescale the connector to become for the human scale. This could be in the form of dissolving the edge, breaking or connecting the linear form, or connecting the height differences.

Reimagine Highway in After Property World

Section of Hotel District Part

drawn by Susie

drawn by Joanne

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Highways as Engines Propelling Community Engagement Collages of Reimagine Downtown Connector

drawn by Photoshop

Collages of Daytime Activities

Collages of Nightime Activities

In daylight, the downtown connector transforms into a hub of education with workshops on agriculture, local flora, and fauna. Lanes evolve into outdoor galleries, open-air kitchens, and areas of communal living.

drawn by Photoshop

drawn by Photoshop

As darkness falls, the same locale seamlessly transitions into a stage for live performances and music festivals. The dynamic multi-scalar transformation offers a platform for celebrating and revitalizing Atlanta's unique locale.

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drawn by Photoshop

Highway Bridge Renovation

A basic roof serves as a bridge, harmonizing context and height differences, while carving out a central lane invites light, nurturing interactions below. Rooted in community social and spatial needs, these strategic moves pave the way for the creation of markets, community gardens, and greenhouses. Beyond cultivating fresh produce, these spaces evolve into communal hubs, encouraging community members to gather, cook, and engage in shared activities. Through simple yet impactful gestures, we catalyze a transformation that transcends physical barriers, promoting a vibrant and inclusive environment for all.

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04 Unsung Heros

Street Public Infrastructure Redesign for the Informal Economy

Project Overview: Our initiative centers around exploring the Unsung Economies and the Hidden Vitality they infuse into the fabric of the Bronx.

This grassroots economic network, often overlooked, presents various strengths. Notably, it exhibits an organic clustering tactic for enhanced mobility, serving as active agents in addressing the systemic food gap prevalent in the community.

The project extends beyond conventional views of public space as solely accommodating transportation systems. We advocate for a holistic reimagining that includes tailored support for informal economies and small business owners. This involves the integration of accupunctural soft-infrastructure, creating a flexible and adaptable environment to nurture these essential economic activities.

Studio: Urban Design Studio I Team Work Team member: Angel Miguel Langumas, Sara Suan Paul, Shen Li Site: The Bronx, New York City, United State Date: 2023.06 Instructor: Nans Voron, Sagi Golan Contribution: site research(Team), site design, modeling, plan drawings (individual)

Google Earth

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Mapping:

Informal Economy

Strengths

Infrastructural

Infrastructural Challenges challenges

Community Engagement

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Prototypes: Prototypes: Accupunctural Infastructure Accupunctural Infrastructure

Supporting the Spontaneous Economies

STOP GO

LIGHT

Water Collection + Distribution Barricade

Barricade

+ Shade

+ Shelving

Pop-up shop

Temp. Storage

FASTER SET-UP TIME

MUTUAL AID

Fresh Drinkable Water

Street Traffic Pole

Accessible at Street Level

Traffic Light + Vending Tables

+ Water Storage

Under the elevated railway

Railway Structure + Seating + Tables

HAN

GIN

Bus Stop

G PR ODU

CTS

Pop-up shops

+ Communal Grills Bus Stop

Seating

+ Community Fridges EXHAUST FOR SMOKE

Water Piping Swing Platform Sizing: Scale Options

Electric Power-bank

Water Piping Drinking Machine GRILL Swings

low-cost modifications to existing NYC Infrastructures

For goods, products sale

Drinking Machine

Railway Structure + Swings + Water

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Street Expansion:

Community Fridge & Communal Grills

In the highlighted orange section, we propose an innovative street expansion, redefining bus stops to become multifunctional hubs, serving as community fridges and communal grills. This adaptive urban design envisions dynamic spaces where surplus food from nearby establishments, such as the fish market or crab bar, can be stored in the community fridges. Residents then have the opportunity to organize barbecue events using these communal grills. Additionally, vendors in need of ingredients for their culinary endeavors can access these shared resources, fostering collaboration.

These clusters represent a paradigm shift in the community's food supply dynamics, mitigating waste and promoting shared experiences. As these spaces integrate into daily life, they become more than functional infrastructure—they are catalysts for social interaction, economic opportunities, and a more sustainable, interconnected neighborhood. The community fridges and grills symbolize a transformative approach, addressing both practical needs and fostering a sense of community cohesion.

drawn by Illustrator

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drawn by Angel

Street Market

By broadening the streets, we offer additional room for local fresh food vendors. This expanded space not only enhances their sales environment but also affords them increased protection from potential risks arising from fluctuations in weather and temperature. This also At the same time, the original landscape of the street has been changed to bring a better experience to pedestrians.

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Street Expansion:

Community Fridge & Communal Grills Discovering an untapped resource, we repurposed an underutilized off-street car park situated above a tunnel into a vibrant outdoor food market. Recognizing the potential dormant in this space, we envisioned a transformative project that not only addresses community needs but also enhances the entrepreneurial experience for vendors.

To facilitate flexibility and convenience, vendors are equipped with easily assembled shadings, tapping into a water and power infrastructure cleverly integrated beneath the street lights. This strategic design not only minimizes setup time but also extends sales opportunities throughout the year, offering a dynamic marketplace.

drawn by Illustrator

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drawn by Angel

Night Market

Looking ahead, our vision is to transform this space into a night market, drawing people to this once-overlooked parking lot. Emphasizing the informal economy, our initiative aims to foster a supportive environment that amplifies the economic contributions of local vendors. By providing essential infrastructure and preserving the organic nature of these businesses, we aspire to create a sustainable and thriving space, a testament to the resilience and vitality of the informal economy within the community.

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Other Works Photography

Modeling

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