ARCH4079-23-Portfolio-low quality

arch4079 design 7

Christian J. Lange

semester 1, 2023-24

Zhang Wenshuo 3036175148

the university of hong kong

department of architecture

summary of the studio

Hong Kong has been a laboratory for housing for decades, especially in the public housing sector, The Housing Authority has developed a broad spectrum of housing types. The studio’s site is HING WAH(II) Estate which was typical “Old slab types”. Situated on a slope and organized in a grid, the project comes across a mega structure with a strong presence.

Meanwhile, in the past two years, Artificial Intelligence has been widely discussed among the public and emerged as a powerful tool for architects, further offering creative solutions that significantly accelerate the design process.

The goals of the studio are multifaceted. On the one hand, we aim to engage in a critical thinking analysis of the estate by developing individual positions on the topic of the second life of the community. On the other hand, we engage in a novel and experimental design process and test out our approach and methodology of how this technology can be integrated into the design process to bring solutions to the studio's initial idea.

Reflection on the issue of upcycling public housing

Public housing has long been a prominent part of Hong Kong. Through the field trip towards HING WAH(II) Estate, I discovered that the community is a mega-structure that is isolated by the landscape with only two entrances. In this case, old generations, as the domain population who actually live in the community, are greatly constrained by the inconvenience of it. Neither of them can access natural resources or they lack of space necessary for living accommodations.

Therefore, the main issue of upcycling public housing would be reconnection and optimization.

Reconnect the senior residents’ lives to nature, and the city and subsequently promote their living conditions and quality of life.

Ultimately, the studio starts with HING WAH(II) Estate and its inherent constraints and Properties. From there, we develop a design strategy based on AI. Further, we refine our work through iterative tests via 2D AI imagery and 3D modeling. Finally, solidify into a design proposal.

content

Reflection on the issue of AI

AI is a powerful tool of creativity and imagination, yet it is still hard to manipulate and control.

While it produces images based on our instructions, it will continue to produce a variety of intriguing images that will drive us away from our original idea. Under this circumstance, as a designer, we are supposed to be more careful while using this magic tool.

1. site analysis and research 2. methodology of AI 3. development 4. iteration 5. integration

Always consider it as a tool and never lead by this tool.

Throughout this process, for me, the usage of AI is more likely to be a dialogue between architects and technology. Our social identity is blurred, instead of a designer, it extends to a decision-maker and a researcher. I personally believe that the participatory design for AI is only the beginning, it marks the beginning that architects will gradually step into more interdisciplinary area

SITE ANALYSIS & RESEARCH

location: 18 Wan Tsui Road, Chai Wan, Hong Kong Island, Hong Kong year of completion: 1976

HING WAH(II) Estate

research group: Zhang Wenshuo & Tung Chun Man Chapman

population: 8351 No. of blocks: 7

site plan of YU HING House

HING WAH(ii) Estate & YU HING House

research group: Zhang Wenshuo & Tung Chun Man Chapman

HING WAH(ii) Estate & YU HING House

G/F plan 7U 7U 7U 5U 5U 5U

elevation of YU HING House 8 F plan

16 F plan

Axonometric plans

15 F plan

research group: Zhang Wenshuo & Tung Chun Man Chapman

unit types of YU HING House

long section of YU HING House

short section of YU HING House

HING WAH(ii) Estate & YU HING House

research group: Zhang Wenshuo & Tung Chun Man Chapman

HING WAH(ii) Estate & YU HING House

Axonometric of YU HING House

research group: Zhang Wenshuo & Tung Chun Man Chapman

SECTION MODEL

HING WAH(ii) Estate & YU HING House

research group: Zhang Wenshuo & Tung Chun Man Chapman

HING WAH(ii) Estate & YU HING House

photos as a narrative tools

photo essay

HING WAH(II) Estate

documenting lifes and reflecting on community

Connection between landscape & building:

what a second life for the estate would look like?

-city scalemy relection on the connection with landscape on different scales & residence's living condition

"Exclusive fortress"

Connection between

Connection between

landscape & building:

landscape & building:

-community scale-

-building scale-

Inconsecutive path

Isolation

Residence's lifes:

Residence's lifes:

Poor living condition

Depressing corridor

BUILDING

COMMUNITY

CITY

reflection on seconed life

HING WAH(II) estate is a megastructure with unique house type. Hence, I would like to say the essence of the second life of the site would be: 1. Reconnect the relationship between residential area and surrounding nature environment 2. Optimize their living condition 3.preserve the local culture

Accessibility & potential of YU XING House

Initial ideas of second lifes

Bring back

Optimize

Preserve

the landscape to

residents living condition

the local culture

Long section

Short section

Pattern

Massing

Unit type

Facades

residents' life

methordology of AI

AI as a design tools as a means of spatial exploration to provide inspiration for spatial manipulation as a way of iteration

cultural continuity

Program Circulation

work flow

procedure

Prompt : white mesh screened enclosure with holes in it, in the style of dark white and

Prompt : Porous spaces, exaggerated design, architectual abstraction, made of

dark gold, architectual abstraction, close up, abrasive authenticity

plastic, abrasive authenticity

PATTERN-IMAGINE 1

blend 1

PATTERN-IMAGINE 2

blend 2

Prompt : Section of a residential building on a hillside, connected with a staircase::50, intricate and exaggerated space, dynamic anatomy of a megastructure, complex lines, line drawing style, white background

Prompt : Section of a residential building on a hillside, connected with a staircase::50, intricate and exaggerated space, dynamic anatomy of a megastructure, complex lines, line drawing style, white background

section-IMAGINE section-IMAGINE

AI-GEN Strategy: variation of floors

AI-GEN Strategy: substraction of volume

Optimize the space utilization

Reconnect residents and landscape

Prompt : intrincate public spaces on the hillside, connected with nature views, staircases on the hillsides::2

scene-IMAGINE

1st proposition - short section

scene-blend

composition 1

1st proposition - scenes

1st proposition - scenes

composition 2

1st proposition - long section

model based on long section

model based on short section

Prompt :

Prompt :

diagram of blue, pink and grey foam

diagram of residential building, zone system, in the style of blue and pink foam

iteration

Inspiration on massing

Inspiration of circulation on the sheer wall

model based on iteration

models based on iteration

consolidation

three tracks are integrated into the holistic design taking structure, construction factors into consideration

units plans

rebuilt slab

original slab

roof gardon offers additional public areas for residents

extended path on 15F creat a better connection with the community -

original podiums on 15F

ample outdoor spaces to hang their clothes

outdoor podiums for each composition

a positive relationship between dweller and landscape is created

short section

long section

main road in the community small scale: inner public spaces for the community

large scale: outdoor podium for each corridor and convenient circulation system which offers an easy access to both man-made and natural spaces for dwellers to stay

one corridor per 3 floors

typical plan

one corridor per 3 floors

ground floor plan

model-integrated form language

model-integrated form language

model-scenes

model-life on the landsacpe

model-podiums

model-connection

model-units

model-circularion system

model-design on the site

model-design on the site

reflection public housing rehabilitation has long been an important issue for Hong Kong, while the emergence of artificial intelligence is also becoming a crucial topic in architectural design. I am privileged to participate in this discussion between cutting-edge technology and the essence of society.

During this process, I successfully worked out a methodology with AI, which aided me in conceiving strategies, generating ideas, and iterating design in efficiency. Meanwhile, the focus is closely centered on the research and the photo essay. Consequently, I successfully rebuilt the connection between natural resources and residences and optimized their living condition.

However, I still need to admit that the design neglected the essence of living factorshousing density, floor area ratio, etc. owing to its important Economic, social, and practical properties. If these factors into consideration, strategies may need to adjust to a more economical way and offers as many units as possible with quality of life guaranteed.