Portfolio

PORTFOLIO SELECTED WORKS

M ARCH I APPLICATION

2020-2023

ARCHITECTURE

RONGRONG XU

PORTFOLIO -- 2024 RONGRONG XU

table of content

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SUGAR EXPRESS REIMAGINED An adaptive-use factory where visitors embark on a transformative journey through history

SENSORY SPIRAL MUSEUM A thought-provoking museum that allows visitors to face emotional turbulence with normalcy

2022

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2022

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SCENIC DRIVE VIEWPOINT

CURVILINEAR DORM

An observation tower in South Dakota inspired by the shape of a horse carriage

A multifunctional dorm for college students that balances privacy and socialization

2023

2021

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PORTFOLIO -- 2024 RONGRONG XU

01 SUGAR EXPRESS REIMAGINED Year: 2023 Location: 225 Rogers St NE, Atlanta, GA Information: Adaptive Reuse

In the heart of Pullman, Atlanta, visitors embark on a transformative journey through the chapters of history, guided by the resilient structure of an old sugar-processing plant that stood as a silent witness to bygone eras. With every step on its weathered floors and every rusted beam they encounter, visitors can experience a profound connection to the past. After first visiting this century-old factory, this narrative came to my mind, and I saw the building’s potential to be transformed into a living fossil.

The building’s origins as a sugar processing plant, dating back to the last century, not only intrigued me but ignited a spark of inspiration. These aged walls that appeared in my vision persuaded me to preserve the plant’s industrial heritage while weaving it into the rich tapestry of Atlanta’s train culture. This fusion of sugar culture and train culture became the driving force behind my project, with the ultimate goal of transforming this historical site into a dynamic and immersive museum of sugar culture. By embracing the synergies between these two narratives, I hoped to create a space where history, heritage, and innovation would collide, fostering a vibrant and captivating experience for all visitors.

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PORTFOLIO -- 2024 RONGRONG XU

1. Existing Building

2. Historical Railcar Track

3. Job the track

4. Varying Length

5. Sectional Change +Stuctural Support

6. Platform

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FIRST FLOOR

TRAIN TRACK 1

TRAIN TRACK 2

TRAIN TRACK 3

TRAIN TRACK 4 8

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SECOND FLOOR

Material Selection The use of wood and concrete is incorporated into the building; the four train track structures are all made of wood, with shapes inspired by the wooden structures of 19th-century trains. The square platforms are placed at a 45-degree angle to the original factory and are made of green concrete material, contrasting with the black structure and red brickwork of the building itself to differentiate them from each other. It is difficult for visitors to differentiate the new building from the remodeled one.

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Entry Canopy & Gallery

Delivery Belt

The track uses a unique shape to connect the inside and outside space, attracting visitors to enter and explore the structure. From the reception, tourists can walk outside along the bridge, where they can enjoy the grandeur of the Atlanta Skyline. Tables and chairs are also available in this area, where people can sit and relax while fully immersing themselves in the sugar culture from the gallery and sculptures.

Above this train track, there is a transparent delivery belt where freshly made sugar is transported from a nearby factory. Visitors can closely engage in the sugar manufacturing process and experience the sweet aroma of various sugar products. The stairs here are also designed for visitors to sit comfortably, allowing them to observe the operation of the delivery belt from different levels.

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Stair & Connection

Seat & Sightseeing

The end of this track serves as another entrance to the building, providing visitors with access to the upper levels. On the second floor, visitors can directly cross to the next train track. Moving up to the third floor, there is a terrace where visitors can enjoy a top-down view of the entire space. The terrace is designed as a multi-purpose space, allowing people to socialize, enjoy coffee, or read their favorite books.

This is a two-story track that spans the entire length of the building, with entrances at each end. On the first floor, bar stools and tables are arranged for people to chat with their friends while enjoying food purchased from a nearby cafe. The second floor serves as a walkway where visitors can wander and soak in the vibrant atmosphere of the sugar factory. Additionally, the track connects to the nearby sugar manufacturing facility.

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02 SCENIC DRIVE VIEWPOINT Year: 2023 Location: De Smet. South Dakota Information: Legendary Highway 14 Tower Trail

Submitting to an international architecture competition organized by Buildner, this is an observation tower located in De Smet, a picturesque neighborhood in South Dakota. The project integrates visitor accessibility, ornamental value, and local sustainability as the central design ideology. The design considers the human and historical context of the area while delivering a spectacular visual experience to visitors. The tower stands on De Smet, where horse-drawn tours are a local specialty. The inspiration originates from the arc-shaped shed of the carriage.

In this architectural design, the combination of geometric shapes and curves is explored and implemented. Visitors can feel the observation tower’s dynamic character from a distance, as well as standing at its foot. Going up the stairs, visitors can enjoy the distant grassland and lakes from the four terraces extended from the tower, each facing a different direction. Brick and steel are the primary materials that build up the tower. These two materials are also used to separate the different functional areas of the building: brick supports the main structure of the building; steel surrounds the brick structure and serves as a staircase. Accommodating a diverse group of visitors, the design is also ADA-compliant.

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FLOOR PLAN

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SITE PLAN

LEVEL 1

LEVEL 2

ENTRANCE

THRESHOLD

LEVEL 3 GATHERING

LEVEL 4

LEVEL 5

OUTDOOR VIEWING DECK

VIEWING PLATFORM

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PORTFOLIO -- 2024 RONGRONG XU

FRONT ELEVATION

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BACK ELEVATION

LEFT ELEVATION

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PORTFOLIO -- 2024 RONGRONG XU BRICK CHANNEL BEAM CONCRETE

STEEL GUARDRAIL

GIRDER FLOOR SUBSTRATE

CONNECTION TUBE HOLLOW STEEL TUBE CANTILEVERED BEAM BEYOND

LEVEL 5 COLUMN

DETAIL SECTION

LEVEL 4

LEVEL 3

BRICK Brick and steel are the main materials used. Brick offers the main structural support, and steel is used for stairs, platforms and handrails, which are attached to the brick. Brick is rotated at different angles to make the surface uneven.

LEVEL 2

BALUSTER The balustrade uses curves of different heights and depths. The balustrade and the structural support become contrasting curves, making them more fluid and echoing the pattern lines on the brick.

LEVEL 1

SECTION VIEW 22

AXONOMETRIC DETAIL SECTION 23

PORTFOLIO -- 2024 RONGRONG XU

03 SENSORY SPIRAL MUSEUM Year: 2022 Information: Thought-Provoking Museum

“Positive emotions go outward; negative emotions go inward.” This is the struggle of many people: always trying to deliver their best part to others while managing the sorrow on their own. Pressure pushes from both inside and outside of the body, resulting in an inward curve and an outward curve.

In this museum, all emotions--either positive or negative, good or bad— can be neutralized through engaging with the building. People can feel the curves bending in different directions and move on to another mental state along these curves. The museum is a space for people to think and reflect in silence, where they experience different emotional states through the space. The entrance is a two-story high space, and visitors are given three distinct paths to choose from. They may never know the next space by guessing from the previous one. The creation of these complex emotions starts from the exploration of material contrasts: from soft to hard, transparent to opaque, smooth to uneven, and from warm to cold. The museum is meant for people to immerse themselves in the building and its inconsistency, ultimately delivering them a message: happiness and sadness are intertwined in our lives, and we should approach them with normalcy and satisfaction.

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GAUZE: Sandpaper wraps around the tinfoil; the shape of the tinfoil can be seen through the gauze.

PRACTICAL SELECTION OF MATERIALS:

This above object mimics the folded texture of tinfoil, while creating sharp corners. This material is used as a ceiling material on top of the concert hall and wraps around the hall to provide support for the acoustics of the concert hall.

TINFOIL:

An irregular pattern is created by twisting and folding the tinfoil 26

USE OF GLASS:

The texture of the gauze is imitated on the glass by combining the light transmittance of the gauze with that of the glass. It maintains the light transmittance and delivers the same feeling of sunlight shining through the gauze.

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FLOOR PLAN

SECTION 1

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UP

UP

UP

UP

OPEN TO BELOW OPEN TO BELOW

OPEN TO BELOW

OPEN TO BELOW UP

UP

UP

UP UP UP

UP UP

LINO SONEGO

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SECTION 2

FIRST FLOOR

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UP

UP

SECOND FLOOR 30

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04 CURVILINEAR DORM Year: 2021 Information: Thought-Provoking Museum

This project is a dormitory for college students. In modern times, people have a higher demand for space where they are in full charge of it: managing it as they wish while enjoying being alone. College students are usually a group of people who need to share a living space with others during the school year. While they enjoy socializing with others, they may also enjoy solitude at the same time. Many colleges do not have such a space for students who live on campus most of the time during the year, and these students may struggle to find a balance between socializing and seclusion. The difficulty in designing a college dormitory does not come from a demanding need for capacious space but is due to the complications in building a small and multifunctional dormitory. In addition to meeting their basic living needs, students should also be able to decorate their space as they wish, creating a space in which they feel comfortable living. A warm dormitory enhances students’ campus life and allows them to recharge. In such a manner, the design is driven by the following criteria: multi-functionality, privacy, and socialization.

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CONCEPT DRAWING

AXONOMETRIC EXPLODED

The concept diagram draws inspiration from the fundamental human senses: vision, sound, and touch.

These three senses, essential to our perception of the world, constitutes the core of our design philosophy.

Vision: In design, the visual component is represented by a central element, symbolizing the importance of vision in the human experience.

Sound: The diagram incorporates an auditory element, highlighting the significance of sound and its influence on our perception.

Touch: The design emphasizes the tactile aspect, symbolizing the interconnectedness of touch with overall sensory experiences.

MODEL

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SECTION

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PORTFOLIO -- 2024 RONGRONG XU

FLOOR PLAN

FIRST FLOOR

SECOND FLOOR 38

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PHOTOGRAPHY

PORTFOLIO -- 2024 RONGRONG XU

“Capturing the Essence: Building Under a Film Camera’s Lens”

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