Portfolio
y
m
pr es en t
te ns e.
five projects I have raised like my own children, shaped patiently within a warm and supportive studio culture.
2025
Xing Lyu a name that carries the meaning of "journey" in Chinese.
CONTENTS ACADEMIC STUDY 01. Through the Viewfinder Oct 2024 - Jan 2025
02. The Ripple Oct 2025 - Dec 2025
03. The Parade Sep 2023 - Nov 2023
Art gallery + studio — Bristol, UK 3t h Year I ndi vi dual Desi gn St udi o
Nobel Peace Centre — Salisbury, UK The Happol d Foundat i on Proj ect 2025–26 | 4t h Ye a r G r o u p St u d io
Medical centre — Bath, UK 2t h Year I ndi vi dual Desi gn St udi o
PERSONAL PROJECT 04. CUBE Tea House Jul 2025 - Sep 2025
Micro Civic Space — Beijing, China Summer st udy t ri p | I ndi vi dual Proj ect
PRACTICE EXPERIENCE Apri l 2025 - Oct 2025 6 mont hs
May 2024 - Oct 2024 5 mont hs
Design carries character. To explore space is to weave a bond between self and world. In plans and thresholds, in light on materials, I seek the quiet seam where landscape, body, and memory meet, and make belonging visible.
Jun 2023 - Sep 2023 3 mont hs
Kerry Hill Architects, Singapore Archi t ect ural Assi st ant (Part 1)
David Chipperfield Architects, Shanghai, China Archi t ect ural Assi st ant (Part 1)
Lv yongzhong & Associates, Shanghai, Ch ina Archi t ect ure I nt ern
TECHNICAL STUDIES 02. The Ripple Oct 2025 - Dec 2025
05. Lightness Jul 2024 - Sep 2024
Nobel Peace Centre — Salisbury, UK The Happol d Foundat i on Proj ect 2025–26 | 4t h Ye a r G r o u p St u d io
Heritage Building Renovation — Pompeii, Italy Summer st udy t ri p | I ndi vi dual Proj ect
01 Through the Viewfinder Project type: Art gallery + studio Location: Bristol, UK Third Year Studio Project Date: 2024.10-2025.01 The project is a new digital art gallery and artist-in-residence space on Spike Island in Bristol, designed to showcase the artist’s work while offering an innovative space for public interaction with the art. This dual-purpose design serves as "a gift to the city," fostering accessibility, engagement, and a deeper connection between art, community, and place.
Things You Wanted to Say But Never Did (2019-)
Surrounded by water, Spike Island stands as a clear boundary, a unique space apart from the world. Here, gateways and bridges protect the valuable castles of history and art, creating a safe place for creativity while inviting connection with the outside. In this lively mix, the island thrives as a blend of heritage and innovation, welcoming exploration and collaboration.
The first client of the digital art gallery is Geloy Concepcion, whose work will be showcased during a six-month residency. By collecting abandoned photographs, cropping out the figures, and sharing them online to gather stories from strangers, he creates a unique fusion of image and text. Writing these stories onto the blank spaces where figures once existed, he generates unprecedented connections among people who may never meet.
tunnels
overlapping
create
site
a
photos
serene
to
escape
showcase site history
connected to the surrounding high-
1 Connection
2 A Crack in the City
A through-spine links the main road to the inner lane and circulates people of two sides.
Two volumes are pushed apart to open a central crack that expands public space of site.
3 Extrude
4 Cracks on the Facade
Subtract an inner courtyard and cut one roof skylight to bring air and daylight in.
The facade is decomposed into discrete plates; the gaps are infilled with glazing.
breaking down into
density
smaller
housing
pieces
guide visitors
rearranging
through
the
a crack
pieces and
in
forming
the
the
city
facade
Westgate Building +20.0m Ca
led
on ian 0m Rd
-3.
Bris
d
tol
Fer ry R
Mu
seu
Fee
der
mS
Ga s
t
Plant room +3.0m
-3.0m
Cumbe
rland R
River Avon
-2.1m
The design encourages interaction between residents and visitors and enables them to experience the vivid activities within the gallery, promoting cross-site circulation.
-3.0m
Warehouse +4.0m
+0.0m
+0.0m
Cumberland Rd +0.0m
d
Can
al
1
4
2
6
3 7
5
I built a detailed base model around the grand staircase to calibrate ergonomics, landing rhythm, and how the stair meets the ground. Parallel material tests compare precast concrete with metal trims and inlays, adjusting texture, reflectivity, and joint logic. Panel scale studies (S/ M/L) fix a calm datum and readable cadence at the base. LOWER GROUND FLOOR PLAN
FIRST FLOOR PLAN
art theatre(1)
community studio(2)
artist's home(4) + studio(5)
photography gallery(6)
Daytime Nighttime
a workshop space where people can participate and create their own photographic art.
a space where artists prepare and create their work, while also serving as a place to meet fellow artists and engage with visiting guests.
a showcase for artists’ photographic works and exhibitions.
a space for a theatre for artists to present performances and and release their gatherings with works. local residents.
special gallery(3) a dedicated space for exhibiting photographic works created by the public in the community studio.
immersive hologram room(7) an immersive theatre offering shared visual experiences for visitors and residents.
+12.0m
+8.0m
SOUTH ELEVATION
The external cladding acts as a recorder of the site's h i s t o r y, p r e s e r v i n g i t s p a s t , w h i l e t h e i n t e r n a l c l a d d i n g serves as a viewfinder, framing and celebrating the vibrancy of ongoing activities within and around the building.
+12.0m
+8.0m
+3.2m
+7.0m
+3.2m
+0.0m -0.8m
-3.0m
SHORT SECTION
The interactive nature of the projections encourages deeper exploration and creates an evolving experience that eliminates the gap between the artwork and the audience, fostering a more immersive environment for visitors.
Detail section & elevation Precast concrete Pavers Extruded polystyrene insulation Waterproofing membrane
PV panels on flat roof warm deck
Levelling screed Foamglas voided slab Zinc Helmet
warm deck roof
joint sealant Waterproofing membrane Levelling screed
joint sealant with backing rod
roof structure
warm deck roof 2F floorslab
Insulation under sill Sealant strip Sill Overhang
Braced frame construction with concrete connections
roof structure 1F structure
Concretel cladding panel Insulated flashing with sealant Insulated mechanically fixed Stainless steel support Window head
1F floorslab 1F floorslab
Adding concrete lift block (stiffening) concrete floor Screed
GF structure
Gravel layer Stainless steel support
Stainless steel support
GF structure
waterproof render joint sealant Soil layer Existing Sidewalk
Gutterway
waterproof render joint sealant with backing rod
Courtyard garden
Existing Sidewalk
Concrete pad foundation with excavation
+1.5m
Interior +0.0m
galvanized steel square tube
Concrete wall Aluminum alloy window frame
Tempered laminated hollow glass
Exterior
angle steel Thermal insulation rock wool
Primary structure
+3.0m
02 The Ripple University of Bath, UK Project type: Noble Peace Centre Date: 2025.10-2025.12 The Happold Foundation Group Project The project is a new Nobel Peace Centre for dialogue within Salisbury’s Cathedral Close, h o u s i n g t h e M a g n a C a r t a a l o n g s i d e a n a u d i t o r i u m , e x h i b i t i o n s , l i b r a r y, a n d h o s p i t a l i t y. The design treats the Magna Carta as the first drop of water striking the surface of an ocean, sending ripples that carry love and peace across communities, places, and time.
1
2
3
4
5
6
Approach
The First Droplet
The Circle
The Cruciform
The Orthogonal
Entrance Definition
Responds to the long axial open landscaping on the North
The Magna Carta plants itself in the centre of the site
The Aula Magna: Auditorium sits on the foundations of peace
The Cruciform forms the cores supporting circulation and services
The subsidiary spaces ripple outwards from the circle
The building opens up in the north-east corner, inviting users from the main path
All images: myself
The Ground Floor
9 10
1
13 12
11
7 14
4
Different parabolic profiles were explored to balance fluidity, views, shading, and constructibility. While the curves undulate up and down to hide and reveal spaces behind, controlled distortions in depth enhance the dynamic, wave-like texture.
20
6 21
21
5
19 16
18
15
18
8
3 21
2
17
17
17
0
3
6m
Key: 1 2 3
Visitor entrance Officer entrance Laureate entrance
4 5 6 7 8
Reception Exhibition space Magna carta Hospitality suite Public Library
9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21
Porter First aid Cloakroom Staff changing room Kitchen Kitchen staff changing room NGO workshop NGO lab Staff office Admin office Data center WCs Plant room
Plan: myself
Base Render: myself Photoshop: teammate
03 The Parade University of Bath, Second Year Studio Project Project type: Medical Centre Location: University of Bath, UK Date: 2023.09-2023.11 The proposed medical center site at the University of Bath marks the starting point of the linear parade, a central axis guiding the campus's planned growth. The design aims to integrate with this linear pattern while emphasizing the medical center's significance within the overall architectural framework. The site currently hosts two stairs—one efficient but dull, the other playful and comfortable. The proposed design seeks to transform the dull staircase into a vibrant and inviting element, aligning with the extended aesthetic of the Parade.
'The Waiting Area' The generous waiting area on both floors changes the oppression of the previous medical centre building and makes people more relaxed
Landscape boundaries To provide more comfortable and inviting space by bluring the boundaries of the medical centre and landscape
04 CUBE Tea House
Street Life Activities
Project type: Micro Civic Space Location: Beijing, China Individual Project Date: 2025.07-2025.09 Inspired by Lao She’s play Teahouse, this project seeks to create an inclusive space that captures a miniature essence of old Beijing’s traditional atmosphere. Situated on the edge of the historic hutong fabric and confronting a massive new urban structure, the proposed teahouse serves as a stage where the everyday life and cultural traditions unfold.
Plan GF 0
2.5
5m
Tea Bar
Beijing Opera
Barbershop
Fortune Teller
Chinese Chess
Gossip Corner
Plan L1
Plan L2
Plan L3
The Tea Box The tea area on the first floor extends horizontally, incorporating both a sunken space and a courtyard. Market-like activities are arranged on one side facing this central zone. Above, a transparent cube stretches the space in a different direction, while the blue tea box defines the tea area, surrounded by a three-dimensional market. The cube and the sunken space overlap within the 2.5-meter module, reinforcing the continuity of the tea space. In this way, the tea areas are interconnected, flowing in multiple directions and engaging with the surrounding market activities both physically and visually. Plan L4 0
2.5m
* selected placement works in Kerry Hill Architects Architectural Assistant (Part 1) Duration: 2025.04-2025.10
Moiwa Resort Niseko, Japan - 670sqm - Villa - 2018 to present Schematic design - Modelling, Rendering, Photoshop compositing
Tokyo Hotel Bar Tokyo, Japan - 140sqm - Bar - 2023 to present Concept design - Designing, Modelling, Rendering
For this project, I was tasked by Michael to translate CAD drawings into a rhino model and to build the site conditions in Rhino. My main focus was to capture the unique character of the snowy environment, which defines the project’s setting. Using Photoshop, I developed renderings that combined the site context with a winter atmosphere, ensuring the imagery conveyed both realism and mood. This process allowed me to explore how environmental conditions shape architectural representation and storytelling.
This project focused on the redesign of an interior space within the existing Aman Tokyo Cafe, adapting the bar area while preserving its architectural context. Yukari gave me significant freedom in the design process, which allowed me to experiment with multiple iterations before consolidating our concept: bringing nature indoors and evoking the image of a glowing lantern. To achieve this, I introduced mirrored ceiling elements to reflect nature quietly into the space, developed the design of the bar shelf, and researched and selected suitable furniture brands.
* selected placement works in Kerry Hill Architects Architectural Assistant (Part 1) Duration: 2025.04-2025.10
Bhutan SPA HOUSE Paro, Bhutan - 150sqm - Spa House - 2002 to present Design development - Drafting, Modelling, Rendering
Mykonos, Greece SPA Mykonos, Greece - 5100sqm - Spa Resort - 2021 to present Concept design - Designing, Modelling, Rendering
I spent nearly half of my internship working on this project, which became the core of my experience at KHA. My responsibilities included helping Yukari complete a interior drawing package, updating the architectural model, and assisting Tanuj with multiple iterations of lgru terrain design. I took responsibility for producing detailed interior plans with setout and finishes, furniture layout plans, reflected ceiling plans, and electrical layouts. Additionally, I prepared fixed joinery drawings such as wardrobes and vanity areas, as well as interior and exterior door schedules.
In this project, I was responsible for contributing to the design of the spa, which was conceived with the concept of a healing cave. Together with Daniel and Tanuj, I worked on several iterations of the facade design, exploring how different treatments would shape the spatial experience from within. In addition, I assisted Yukari in modeling each of the interior spa spaces, developing a sequence of varied experiences while coordinating the corresponding spatial and equipment requirements.
* selected placement works in Lv yongzhong & associates Intern Architect Duration: 2023.06-2023.09
Yutong Heritage Town Pavilion Renovation Sichuan, China - 150sqm - Pavilion - 2023 to present Concept Design - Designing, Modelling, Rendering The task involved integrating a new pavilion onto an old, traditional Chinese pavilion, requiring a delicate balance between modern functionality and heritage preservation. In this capacity, my responsibilities included developing the design concept, creating detailed section drawings, and producing visually compelling renderings. Through extensive research into traditional architectural elements and close collaboration with heritage experts, I ensured that the new pavilion not only met modern needs but also honored and preserved the historical significance of the original structure.
'Inside the Pavilion'
'From the Boat'
'Main Entrance'
02 The Ripple - TECHNICAL STUDIES
fixed acoustic panels
mechanically rotating acoustic panels
acoustic panels hung from the structure
The auditorium ceiling is organized as five concentric rows of acoustic panels that echo the hall’s radial structure. Therefore, each ring aligns to a primary beam, reading as ripples from the center. The panels are lightweight micro-perforated faces over mineral wool with a tuned air plenum, delivering broadband absorption while concealing services. Suspension points pick up directly from the beam nodes, so the acoustic system and structure act as one.
60 years later...
Drawing: teammate Photoshop: myself
Drawing: myself Photoshop: teammate
All other images: myself
05 Lightness - TECHNICAL STUDIES Individual Project Project type: Heritage Building Renovation Location: Pompeii, Italy Date: 2024.07-2024.09 The lighthouse adoPompeii is an ancient city located in the Campania region. It is situated near Naples in southern Italy.The project selects a corner of the ancient city of Pompeii to update and designs four historical sites and the enclosed square.
Node Analysis
Machine-made tile roof Tile hanging strips Cement mortar leveling layer Flame-retardant extruded board Waterproof layer Structural layer
Sandstone facing Rock wool filled in the keel Cement mortar layer
Solid wood composite flooring Wooden keel Cement mortar leveling layer Waterproof air barrier layer Insulation layer Cement mortar leveling layer Reinforced concrete base
Preserved relics Ground base
Node sample diagram
The main building uses reasonable materials and structures to make the entire building match the mysterious atmosphere of the ruins, creating a rich spatial experience, allowing people to feel like they are traveling through time and space when walking through the ruins exhibition hall.