The Collection from 2020-2023 (abstract)

the imagine fact LiTao CHEN

The collection works of 2020-2023 from LiTao CHEN

Timeline A B

C”

F

C D+E A

B

C

2020

2021

2022

Change the Original Perspective of the Ordinary Surrounding

Rethinking about Standard Architectural Elements

Anylsis The Site and Reuse on The Space

C”

How to Define Architecture?

E

Use Single Intension

F

From History and Context

2023

I have compiled the questions and reflections I have raised about architecture during this period which could remind me what I have done and what I have not observed.

Catalog

A:The Imagination City + Overlapping B:Serial Practice of Foundational Elements in Architecture -Blurred Objects -Columns

C-Openings : House between the Street House C":Random : If Architecture has no answers, only possibilities?

D:A House E:A Gym F:Structure of TIME 2

Scene capetured beside river,Yilen

Scene capetured from the Market,Tainan

Scene capetured from street,Tainan

Scene capetured from street,Taichung

View through Bishan Temple,Taipei

Ordinary Sight In Taiwan Taiwan is the place I belong and every elements on the street or the environment always nourished me a lot, you may found materials in the diversity of overlapping scene.

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The Imagination City + Overlapping 2020 I was never truly expressing himself until he started to work with collages.

-Henry Matisse I utilize the art of collage as a method to transform ordinary elements into a new reality, a reality where the viewpoint is entirely under my control. Through this process, I have the ability to convey nuanced stories to my audience. I am drawn to the art of dual meanings, avoiding straightforward narratives in favor of layered interpretations.

For me, it's critical that the connection between viewers and my work is not confined to a two-dimensional plane. I aim to establish a multi-layered thinking phase, inviting individuals to delve beyond the surface. The distance between the audience and myself becomes an intricate exploration, one that unfolds through various perspectives and depths of understanding.

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The Imagination City

Scenario : The Imagination City In this city, the relationships between people diverge from the reality, and the spaces between buildings are crowded.

The sky always carries a drizzle. The city seems unable to offer any benefits; instead, it is filled with a mixture of elements and the unknown. Surprisingly, amidst this perpetually gloomy setting, there are no criminals; people live aimlessly.

Suddenly, a boy becomes curious about time. The repetitive scenes and spaces prevent him from immediately looking out the window for answers. Turning around, he realizes that everything seems too late. In this homogeneous world, what is the standard? "Is something soft truly soft?"

"Lines" Two points form a line, lines form surfaces and bodies. Lines measure; lines are the movement of points in time.

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2.5D Model

I had defined my perspective on collages before reaching this final 2.5 model. Utilizing perspective is another method to capture the spatial dimension. Following the generation of the collage background, I integrated two approaches.

Some collages were transformed into three-dimensional models, allowing me to yeild the various perspective on one plane and interplay between solids, and the content of the collage.

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Overlapping

Model Drawings

Multiple Perspective of Model

Overlapping If we consider these in a more abstract representation, each layer of stacking is like a plane. If the threedimensional model becomes capable of carrying these stacked planes, perhaps that is the parti of dimension.

Basic -1 First Layer -2 Second Layer -3

Thrid Layer -4

Different Layers of Model

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Blurred Objects

Objects

Blurred Objects The so-called beauty often develops from real-life experiences. Ancestors were compelled to dwell in dimly lit rooms, discovering beauty within the darkness, even pursuing darkness for the sake of aesthetic appeal. This darkness is not an absolute black nor pure white light but is manifested by certain objects. Even in the middle of the day, if there is a object there will have shadow besides it.

Space Section and the intereaction of shadow 8

Serial Practice of Foundational Elements in Architecture 2021

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Blurred Objects

Combine The result of combining the 12 models is referred to previous outcomes are composed of fragments from the previous dozens of models. During the assembly process, spatial elements are stretched, eliminated, they are "Difficult Whole."

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Columns Columns

Luodong Cultural Working House,Taiwan Kunio Maekawa Residence,Japan

Parc Güell,Spain

Structural meaning of Columns: Columns are generally defined by their ability to support architectural structures.

Scale of Columns: The size of columns varies based on different spatial scales, such as in large buildings or residences, some being large enough for people to lean against.

Number of Columns: If columns form a series, can they become a virtual interface?

Centrality of Columns: Monuments, such as obelisks, serve as commemorative columns (abandoned relics), acting as focal points for people to gather, akin to a hearth.

Columns vs. Walls: Going back to ancient Roman times, where massive public facilities were intentionally enlarged to showcase imperial prestige, columns ceased to be just columns.

Alhambra,Spain

References serve as the bridge for effective communication with viewers, allowing me to share the materials I have gathered.

I started to combine study models and the pillars within the small model components start to combine into a single, monumental column. Yet, but this column doesn't serve a 45 Isometric structural purpose; it is only represent the monument.

The question that arises here is whether the column is an entity in itself or a symbolic representation?

First Floor Plan

The relationship between Column and Space

Second Floor Plan

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Openings : House between the Street House

After the initial observation of the site, what immediately strikes the eye are words like 'chaos,' 'stacking,' 'narrow,' 'passages,' and 'historic old street.' These terms repeatedly surface in the mind, with only 'passages' being a tangible reality; the rest are subjective and emotionally self-affirmed perceptions.

IRON SHEET

Rear Street

Front Road

Aerial Photography

In subtropical regions, corrugated 鐵皮在亞熱帶, 熱帶的地區常出現的工業製品, iron is a common industrial product 以快速,經濟,便利大量產出,這種形隨機能的狀態, known for its rapid, economical, 居民加蓋,重複製造形成了介於元素與使用之間 and convenient mass production. 的狀態 This form-follows-function state, adopted by residents who overlay and replicate it.

WINDOWS 鐵皮與頂樓加蓋看做垂直向度的加蓋 Corrugated iron and rooftop additions 此街道上的窗即能看成水平向度的加蓋 are seen as vertical extensions, 向外是陽台, while the向內縮即形成保護 windows on this street can be viewed as horizontal extensions.

Facing outward, they become balconies; when drawn inward, they form a protective enclosure.

SIGN 錯落招牌像是拼貼在建物外的文字, 經由居民再 The staggered signs resemble 製造與人們的聯想開始有了A B的對話 collaged text affixed to與the exterior of buildings. Through the residents' reinterpretation and people's associations, a dialogue between A and B begins to emerge.

COLUMNS 將建物量體向後推縮, 形成4m深度的騎樓空間, By setting back the mass of the 將其定義為光明路上的雨天廣場, 兩側柱子演變 building, a covered space with a 成圓拱或是改建成廊道, 無論何者都已成為了此 depth of 4 meters is created, defined 街道上的記憶 as the rainy-day plaza on the Road.

The columns on both sides evolve into arches or are transformed into walkways.

=25 CM

GUANGMING ROAD COMMERCIAL AREA SITE WORSHIP (隆興宮) WORSHIP (清靈宮)

Aerial Photography

Anaylsis

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MAIN ROAD SCHOOL BOOKSHOP FOOD

=45 CM

=15 CM

=45 CM

INSIDE OUTSIDE

OPENING Using openings is 在此開口外加上玻璃,鐵 a common 開口是常見的建築手法, architectural technique,有限地規範 and in 窗等, 在突破建物立面的限制外, this case, incorporating elements 這些大小, 尺度得以轉譯 like glass and iron windows. Beyond breaking the constraints of the building facade, it adheres to limited spatial regulations.

Opening Analysis

LAYER A

Openings : House between the Street House OPENING HOUSE IN HIGASHI-TAMAGAWA

CONICAL INTEREST

GORDON MATTA-CLARK

LA ROTONDA

SPATIAL CONCEPT

PLUM GROVE HOUSE

HOUSE WITH CURVED WALL

LAKE SIDE VILLA

25CM”25CM

LA ROTONDA

PLUM GROVE HOUSE

HOUSE WITH CURVED WALL

Andrea Palladio

Kazuyo Sejima

Atelier fala

1566

2001

2016

WEEKEND HOUSE

VILLA

LUCIO FONTANA

FLOWER SHOP

SIGURD LEWERENTZ

HOUSE IN WHITE

HOUSE IN YOKOHAMA

VILLA

WEEKEND HOUSE

LAKE SIDE VILLA

Office KGDVS

Office KGDVS

Office KGDVS

2007

2008

2007

HOUSE IN WHITE

HOUSE IN YOKOHAMA

HOUSE IN HIGASHI-TAMAGAWA

Kazuo Shinohara

Kazuo Shinohara

Kazuo Shinohara

1966

1984

1973

VILLA SNELLMAN

E.G ASPLUND

LAYER E LAYER D LAYER C LAYER B LAYER A

HOUSE IN HIGASHI-TAMAGAWA

FLOWER SHOP

CONICAL INTEREST

SIGURD LEWERENTZ

GORDON MATTA-CLARK

OPENING

Search

PLAN

25cm*25cm 25CM”25CM

Scale:1/300

I explore various openings in works ranging from art to architecture, examining REFERENCE how the scale and form of these apertures influence the surrounding space. These openings, in turn, act as filters to the external environment. Simultaneously, within the confines of inner spaces, individuals can experience both privacy and scenes.

LA ROTONDA

PLUM GROVE HOUSE

HOUSE WITH CURVED WALL

Andrea Palladio

Kazuyo Sejima

Atelier fala

1566

2001

2016

VILLA

WEEKEND HOUSE

LAKE SIDE VILLA

Office KGDVS

Office KGDVS

Office KGDVS

2007

2008

2007

HOUSE IN WHITE

HOUSE IN YOKOHAMA

HOUSE IN HIGASHI-TAMAGAWA

Kazuo Shinohara

Kazuo Shinohara

Kazuo Shinohara

1966

1984

1973

PLAN Scale:1/300

REFERENCE

First Floor Plan

2F

3F

4F

Section

Section

Facade

Facade

I have developed an order to approach window design. In the absence of a designed facade or prescribed form on the building surface, the choice of window dimensions varies. For instance, a small 30x30 opening is chosen for the sake of privacy in internal bathrooms, while a larger 200x180 opening is employed for the lecture hall to enhance its public nature. Moreover, I make a canal on the ground floor to connect rear and front.

House between the Street House

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In the present or future, considering the significant environmental changes, many current decisions may no longer be applicable. This town needs a new approach and strategy.

Hengchun City is a city protected by city walls, and to some extent, the walls have created a division between the inside and outside of the town.

When the city walls were constructed a hundred years ago, it was also a vision for the "future."

To create a "future" residence, considering that the future is unpredictable, does this also imply randomness? Because we cannot foresee the answers, everything at the moment is mere speculation.

Breaking News: The Drought happens again in Southern Taiwan

The remnants of the original city wall, if repurposed as "pillars" to construct space, would allow this city wall to transcend its material limitations.

After completion, residents living in this area with water storage systems and artificial planting equipment form a "selfsufficient" community.

To address the crisis of drought, in addition to the introduction of water storage facilities, the addition of agricultural machinery serves as a response to the lands that cannot be cultivated due to "water scarcity." This solution requires human-controlled mechanisms.

Furthermore, matured crops can be uploaded to a website for people to purchase.

Random : If Architecture has no answers, only possibilities?

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2022

Random : If Architecture has no answers, only possibilities?

Location point Hengchun Guangning Palace

A Hengchun Tianhua Palace B Hengchun Fude Palace C Hengchun Temple of the Heavenly Empress D Hengchun Zhuge Liang Temple E Hengchun City God Temple To locate the floor plan and position points of a residence on a plaza, My strategy is to connect the temples in the city and the Guangning Palace next to the base is the location point into a series of axes and then find three points.

Japanese colonial

Qing Dynasty era

Qing Dynasty era

Beside the base, the ancient city wall has undergone new construction and destruction over nearly 150 years, but what remains unchanged is its significant role in shaping the Hengchun City.

Located 15

Gravel

Concrete

Bricks

Gravel

Ruins and Constructions ?

If I can recast these discarded bricks and gravel back into pillars, have I preserved the existing materials on the site.

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Random : If Architecture has no answers, only possibilities?

Water Facilities

Today, there is an immediate and severe water shortage in southern Taiwan, exacerbated by excessive groundwater extraction that renders the soil unable to retain water. In the future, with the inevitable impacts of climate change, frequent droughts are certain to occur. The importance of water conservation cannot be overlooked.

The use of water

Due to water scarcity, the land is bound to become arid and unsuitable for cultivation. Through recycling, it will be possible to achieve artificial planting.

In this way, people here can have water, food, and income.

The completion of the construction

On the day of completion, promote the hope for the revitalization of the ancient town.

Life

Television announcement: "Drink more water, it's okay. Stay hydrated – drink more water." Advocating the importance of water storage to residents.

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Random : If Architecture has no answers, only possibilities?

Living

Public

Water Storage

Storage

Vendor

Workspace

I have incorporated six different factors, including the basic living space requirements, as well as the mentioned water storage facilities and vendor spaces.

After a 48 samples I found three answer, extract those with two residential floor plans, and the condition is that the center must be purple (residential).

Filter out the two residential and common spaces because they constitute the largest proportion in the house.

Process 18

Form a layout with the three sets of answers generated under this sample size.

The reuse of the reinstalled pillars serves as the framework supporting the space and the construction of the spaces is all lightweight framing, in response to rapid assembly and the continuously changing future.

Random : If Architecture has no answers, only possibilities?

A

D

C Ground Floor Plan

B N

North Facade

East Facade

A-A Section

B-B Section

C-C Section

D-D Section

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A

15cm

30cm

up

15cm

0cm

350cm

dn

0cm

-100cm

dn dn

A House

Ground Floor Plan

2023 With the increasing population and limited space in major cities, the rise in land prices has caused residential prices in urban areas to skyrocket. People are gradually shifting towards secondary cities, leading to the slow development of suburban areas. However, the composition of housing still predominantly consists of traditional standalone and duplex structures or communities planned around these two types.

I am attempting to propose new perspectives by addressing the observed conditions and challenging the existing situation.

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A-A Section

N

A House URBAN

SUBURBS

TO

The cross-section of a traditional house illustrates the spatial layout Due to transportation needs, many families own motorcycles or cars. However, paradoxically, the ground floor, which should be an opportunity for interaction with neighbors, is often obstructed by parking spaces.

BALCONY

BEDROOM

BEDROOM

GARAGE

A community composed of duplex houses A community formed by multiple duplex houses, designed to accommodate the needs of several families, given a sufficiently large plot of land.

TERRACE TERRACE

BEDROOM

STAIRS

Duplex house A single-family dwelling consisting of two separate housing units for two families, divided by a central partition.

Enlarged single-family house A detached residential dwelling with an increased width due to the size of the site.

TERRACE

Single-family house A common type of standalone residential dwelling.

BEDROOM

LIVING+DINING

dn CM-8 STACK

dn

up

dn

up

CM-12 STACK

280cm

XSLC

310cm

720cm

320cm

up

up dn

Second Floor Plan

Thrid Floor Plan

I have observed that Taiwanese townhouses are constrained by their structure. I propose transforming the floor structure into a grid of beams to liberate interior space. The second floor is designed to bring two families together while maintaining privacy. Additionally, the third floor serves as a space for physical activities.

Persepective

3F - Activity space also provide for neighbours

The gap between the road and living space 21

A Gym 2023 I propose that the gym should activate the entire area for communal exercise, much like a sports park. I envision placing the building underground and providing an open space for exercise on the ground level, without affecting the surrounding residents and environment. Commercial activities should align with the original activities in the area.

I've noticed that in today's society, a gym has become a conspicuous symbol. People are primarily concerned with the results, neglecting the process.

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A Gym

N

B

T

Basement Floor Plan

I bring up the action of showering. The truth is, during exercise, people go through a process of sweating. The act of bathing after sweating should also be apparent.

A-A Section A

B-B Section

Laundry

Convenient Store Water Refill Station

The water refill station is placed on the outermost side, allowing the most common event (riding a bike with a water container to refill water) to occur here.

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D

B

A

C

Structure of TIME

N

2023 This is an attempt based on time. I believe that architecture may not eternal and unchanging; I am curious about what will happen in the future, whether it becomes a relic or remains an idle space.

The project is divided into two phases. In the first phase, I simply want to play the role of a narrator rather than a creator.

The old Taichung Prison was demolished in 1992 due to its location in the city center and insufficient capacity. The building was completely cleared, and the memories of the original prison have disappeared.

In Taiwan, bridges serve as tools to span across rivers. They establish point-to-point connections. I utilize this architectural type and set up a gallery above. Due to the shadow beneath the bridge, people begin to move underneath.

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First Phase

Bridge Gallery Second Floor Plan

A-A Section

Trying to evoke the history of this land is not nostalgic but just a reminder of life.

I ser different types of frame to display the informations.

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Second Phase 8

1.Original prison wall, 5m high (Memory Recall) 2.Weatherproof Corridor 3.Dynamic Electronic Signboard 4.Staff Repair Room 5.Staff Changing Room 6.Tea Room 7.Staff Meeting Room 8.Café + Gift Shop 9.Audio-Visual Room 10.Reception (cloakroom) 11.Ramp Leading to Historical Exhibition Area 12.Bus Stop 13.Gender-Neutral Restroom

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9 1

7 6

2

4 10

5

Continuing from the first phase's bridge pier structure, in terms of structure, I integrate the second phase's structure with the previous one through beam connections. This results in an array of columns, creating a dense and inseparable structure.

In terms of space, I position the main entrance of the art gallery beneath the bridge. Additionally, the two ramps originally leading to the bridge are envisioned as alternative entrances, maintaining a similarly close and integrated flow in terms of circulation.

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11 3

Ground Floor Plan

Second Phase

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First Phase

Second Phase I have set up an art gallery that is equal in length to the second phase. It faces the present and engages in a dialogue with the historical exhibition space from the first phase.

B-B Section

5FL 4FL 3FL 2FL 1FL

C-C Section

2FL 1FL

D-D Section

ROOF Due to the surrounding environment being comprised of buildings constructed during the Japanese colonial period, this architectural style and design are highly captivating on a memory level.

However, is reconstructing the same triangular form too symbolic?

Here, I consider the triangle as a "symbol," but given its strong form, I believe it should be concealed, only to be perceived when entering and experiencing the space.

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