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qji40@gatech.edu
Game World] [Other Woks] [Aqua Terrace Tokyo] regroup recollection redevelopment reconstruction [The Art Studio] renovation [Y Box] 01 02 03 05 04
The Art Studio
Our design establishes a cohesive connection between Georgia Tech and Science Square via two primary axes. It leverages site elevation to craft dynamic vertical spatial experiences. The program encompasses student housing, retail spaces, a hotel, and an arts center, all of which are strategically interconnected. The arts center highlights architectural features such as atriums, bridges, and communal areas including theaters and galleries. Sustainable design elements, such as terracotta shading systems and mass timber construction, have been seamlessly integrated. The phased development approach prioritizes early public engagement while cultivating an innovative fusion of science and art.
Georgia Tech, Atlanta
Portman Visiting Critic Andrea Leers (Leers Weinzapfel)
2024.1-2024.4 Team Project
Pedestrian connects on and off site
For our proposal, we took two major access ways, Tech Parkway Road on the side of Georgia Tech and Marietta Street towards the Science Square, and connected them, which becomes the backbone of our project. Then we have a minor axis which connects North Ave and Wallace Street. The existing Randall Brothers Building and the difference in elevation gave us the opportunity to connect the campus to Science square by taking the bridge through our building and in the process, it opens up the vertical aspect of the spaces we wanted to create.
To start off, the site was divided into four programs - Retail and Of昀椀ces, Student Housing, Hotel, and Art Spaces. Our aim was to expand the arts program in such a way that it could connect the streets without there being disturbance to the more personal areas of the site. There are two entrances from Marietta street, one at the ground level and the other which comes as a bridge from science square and connects to our Arts Space on the third 昀氀oor. The 昀椀rst part of the Arts Program has access to the retail area through the food court directly attached to the building on one side and the theater on the other side. Continuing down the path towards the Campus we enter into the main arts area which is visually connected vertically through atriums. The atriums give a sense of grander scale to the space. Some of the programs are layed down horizontally and some vertically with internal and external connections between them.
Left - Arts center from Tech Parkway perspective
Right top - Cantilevered theater from the plaza perspective
Right bottom - Avenue between Hotel and Arts center
The north facade is completely glazed to provide indirect lighting to the spaces. The east and west elevations are also glazed but have terracotta tiles to shade from sun penetration. The use of terracotta aligns with the building’s green design, which primarily features mass timber.
- Commercial beneath Hotel connected to Arts center section
Art plays a signi昀椀cant role in the community, enriching the campus experience and providing opportunities for creativity, expression, and cultural engagement The proposed art center has diverse functions including theatre production, dance performances, 昀椀lm screenings, and art exhibitions, contemplation and re昀氀ection, theatre, dance, and music. The site sits right in between Georgia Tech and the Science Square. Acting as a connection between the two, we have an opportunity to showcase how the arts and sciences could come together and form a beautiful amalgamation.
Y Box
The mixed use residential project builds a collective of people that socialize around food and desires close access to open space. The project is unique in that it uses the “Y” to create space simultaneously for residents and for the neighborhood at large. This will be done with public spaces such as teaching kitchens and markets on the 昀椀rst 昀氀oor, affordable housing, green roofs and gardens, and a public park in the center of the buildings.
Exterior program Interior program
Green Roof (1000 sf)
Sky Bridge (1000 sf)
Circular Stairs (1000 sf)
20 2’x4’ Flower Beds
1 Garden Storage/Tool Shed (200 sf)
Parking Garage (1000 sf)
4 Teaching Kitchens (700 sf each)
2 Markets (800 sf each)
20 Bedroom Units (700-1000 sf)
5 Studio Units (700 sf)
10 Two Bedroom Units (850 sf)
5 Three Bedroom Units (1000 sf)
1 Garden Storage/Tool Shed (200 sf)
PROPOSED SITE
The parks in Over-the-Rhine serve thousands of people every year. The community at Liberty Street does not have a park served for them.
2000 TO 2018 POPULATION CHANGE
The population for the north has risen (dark gray) while the south has decreased (light gray).
CONTEXT BLOCKING AND STREET
Liberty Street is a signi昀椀cant corridor that runs through OTR, serving as a boundary between different parts of the neighborhood.
PHASE
1 - 2023
+ Kick-off
+ Receive community feedback about the master plan
+ Completion of the park and renovation of west building
+ City Council on concept plans
+ Public meeting about concept plans, receive feedback
PHASE 2 - 2024-2025
+ Financial analysis and construction
+ Renovation of existing buildings on east side, they are to include housing
+ Renovation is completed
PHASE 3 - 2025
+ Begin construction of sky bridge and gardens
+ Completion of project
Diagram: The front yard perspective of the project showcases the y framework and the exterior facade. On the ground 昀氀oor of the building on the left is a supermarket. There are residences upstairs, and a garden on the top 昀氀oor.
Revitalizing the community:
The low-carbon mass-timber structure was developed with an organic supermarket tenant, highlighting that there is a relationshop between how we grow and consume food and how we grow and produce materials for buildings.
The carbon reducing construction and design methods will be addressed with the use of timber structural bays, green roofs, and community gardens. The structure allows for green roofs which will ultimately reduce energy consumption in the building.
Since the material is lighter than steel or concrete, it can be pre-fabricated and assembled quicker on the site which is more cost ef昀椀cient.
Beating ribbons intertwine and create crossed stage. It brings more connection to nature, improves ventilation and circulation. By extracting a part out, the building becomes less chunky.
Inspiration comes from entangled roots of mangroves trees. By holding the soil in place, the trees stabilize shorelines against erosion. Seedlings that take root on sandbars help stabilize the sandbars over time and may eventually create small islands. Starting from the symbiotic relationship between the wood and the tree itself, we simpli昀椀ed the structure.
Nexus Game World
Georgia Tech, Atlanta
Lars Spuybroek
2024.8-2024.12
Individual Project
This project uses Rhino and Grasshopper for parametric design in architecture. It is a poché-to-game project, where it studied hidden spaces in poché. By removing more rooms while maintaining the outer perimeter, it uncovered a game-like structure within the architecture, allowing the remaining rooms to shift, turn, and overlap, creating new spaces between them. This process challenged traditional architectural concepts, such as Kahn's distinction between served and servant spaces, similar to J.G. Ballard's exploration in "The Thousand Dreams of Stellavista" (1963). A key question is whether living in such architecture is also a game. Poché is seen as a space of speculation and fantasy.The work昀氀ow started from 昀椀nding poché in existing structures to start with an open game board. The project aims to 昀椀nd the relationship between game pieces, the game board, and game rules.
Context of the game
At 昀椀rst, people didn’t take that thing seriously. It seemed like just another strange occurrence in an already unpredictable world. However, everything changed when they inadvertently crossed into another world—a world that de昀椀ed all logic and understanding.
This new world was a labyrinth of endless stairs, stretching as far as the eye could see. The air was thick with an eerie silence, broken only by the faint sound of footsteps echoing through the vast emptiness.
Logic of the game
The game originated in the 14th century Sultan Hassan Mosque, a place steeped in mystery. In reality, visitors to the mosque began noticing rooms that had never been part of their memory or recorded history.
The game itself is played on a board that resembles no other. Two players sit opposite each other, their eyes 昀椀xed on the intricate pattern of interwoven red lines that cover the surface. These lines are not just decorative; they tell a story—a silent narrative that unfolds with each move.
Story of the game
Beast-headed players use their unique skills to collaborate and compete in a world 昀椀lled with vertical spaces and staircases. This enigmatic realm is a labyrinth of towering structures and endless stairways, where gravity seems to bend and twist in ways that defy conventional understanding. The environment is both awe-inspiring and disorienting, challenging the players’ physical and mental endurance. Each beast-headed player possesses distinct abilities derived from their animal characteristics.
Basic world 1 with shaftsBasic world 2 with shafts
SKY
Player “Bird” lands in a unique sky world filled with floating islands and clouds at the beginning of the game. As Bird explores this expansive realm, they have several special skills that distinguish them from other players. One notable ability is to perceive different items scattered across the landscape without opening any doors. This skill offers strategic advantages, enabling Bird to carefully plan their movements and prioritize item collection based on visibility.
TREE
At the game’s outset, Player “Rat” lands in the tree world, a vibrant and lush place filled with towering trees and intricate foliage. Besides avoiding obstacles like falling branches or hostile creatures, Rat has some special skills that distinguish them from other players. One such ability is an exceptional memory capacity, enabling them to recall crucial details about their surroundings and previous encounters. This skill proves extremely valuable when solving puzzles or retracing steps in complex areas.
LAND
At the start of the game, Player “Cattle” arrives in the land world, featuring diverse terrains such as rolling hills and wide plains. Cow has extraordinary strength, which allows them to perform actions beyond what an average player can achieve, such as lifting heavy objects or breaking through barriers that would otherwise impede progress. Additionally, Cow boasts superior agility and endurance, enabling them to navigate tough landscapes with greater ease and efficiency.
WATER
Player “Fish” lands in a mysterious water world at the inception of the game. In order to survive and explore this vast water area, the player possesses some unique skills. Among them, the ability of fish to regulate their body temperature allows them to adapt to extreme cold or hot waters. In addition, some special types of fish have camouflage skills, which enable them to effectively hide themselves to avoid being attacked by enemies. In this way, the player can cleverly avoid predators while searching for opportunities to counterattack or acquire resources.
Rat In my memory, we should go to the left. It led to the monster door if we go up.
Aqua Terrace Tokyo Aqua Terrace
Tokyo, Japan
2025.1-2025.4 Team Project
This project reimagines Toyosu Site A as a resilient waterfront urban extension that goes beyond architectural redevelopment to address larger urban connectivity and sustainability goals. Ef昀椀cient public transportation enables 昀氀uid movement while reducing traf昀椀c congestion and environmental impact.The proposal introduces a network of mixed-use spaces, including public squares and walkways—encouraging recreation, intergenerational interaction, and community engagement. Environmental strategies such as green roofs, rainwater harvesting, solar panels, and intelligent energy management are integrated into the overall design to enhance ecological performance and promote self-suf昀椀ciency.
Professor Perry Yang
Toyosu Site A, adjacent to Michi-no-Terrace by Shimizu Corporation in Tokyo, is a prime waterfront area poised for transformation into a model urban extension, integrating smart city technologies, resilient design principles, and sustainable mixed-use development to enhance livability and set new benchmarks in urban planning.
There is a lack of
The plot lacks continuity. connectivity between the waterfront and the land.
Problem formulation
The disconnection between the waterfront and inland areas limits accessibility and interaction, reducing the potential for a seamless integration of the site’s natural and built environments.
The public spaces in the central and north-eastern areas remain underutilized, requiring strategic activation to enhance engagement and vibrancy.
The site lacks a cohesive spatial 昀氀ow, leading to fragmented urban experiences.
Exhibiton
2Chome
Toyosu
5ChomeToyosu Skybridge
A series diagrams - Site analysis based on the direction of existing site roads
B01 - Block atrium typology
B02 - Block diagonal typology
B03 - Trapezoid diagonal typology
C series diagrams - Three proposition models developed from typology
Starting from the topography of the site and the traditional grid city planning of Tokyo, one option is to have the main axis parallel to the direction of the two bridges on the sides of the site. Another option is to have the main axis parallel to the existing pedestrian paths. On this basis, the 昀椀nal option takes into account the wind direction and re昀椀nes the geometry.
To make this project more energy ef昀椀cient, an energy model (the corresponding Grasshopper program) was also adopted to analyze the 昀氀oor area ratio and energy use intensity. It was concluded that the FAR of Scheme Three best met the site requirements and was the most energy-ef昀椀cient.
As a new transitional hub, the underground level has the western underground subway center and the ground level has three bus centers at the western and eastern of the site. People are encouraged to come to the site by the public transportation. The terrace are set on the third 昀氀oor (the level of the terrace of Michi-No-Terrace). It provides an elevated vantage point, offering visitors panoramic views of the surrounding area.
The building’s spatial patterns are all open and interlinked urban space passages. In the direction of energy resilience, LNG and hydrogen storage tanks are set up underground, and an energy center is designed on the fourth 昀氀oor to distribute energy.
01 - Terrace and PVs
02 - Shops under the terrace
03 - Terrace and waterfront
04 - Axon
The proposed design enhances the spatial and social dimensions of Michi-no-Terrace through the introduction of a continuous elevated terrace that connects to the waterfront and spans the central and north-eastern areas of the site. Retail spaces are strategically integrated beneath the terrace to enliven the ground level and bolster local commerce, while the terrace itself serves as a dynamic public domain—providing green spaces, communal gathering areas, and visual permeability toward the water. Photovoltaic panels embedded within the terrace’s roof structure contribute to the site’s energy resilience. Collectively, these interventions revitalize underutilized zones, improve pedestrian connectivity, and establish a vibrant, climate-responsive urban edge.
Other Works
Construction Building
As part of the second-semester graduate architecture curriculum at Georgia Tech, we were tasked with creating a detailed 3D Revit model of the on-campus Marcus Nanotechnology Research Center based on its architectural and structural drawing sets. The project required on-site investigations, thorough analysis of technical documentation, and strong spatial visualization skills. Pro昀椀ciency in Revit was essential to accurately interpret complex building systems and translate them into a coherent digital model.
Top right - Framing axon
Bottom left - Column intersection detail
Bottom right - Structural assembly sequence
Other Works
3D print Chinese knot
This project is set in the arid climate of Dunhuang, China. One of the most intriguing aspects involved experimenting with herbaceous material ratios to develop a durable, sustainable, and 3D-printable composite. The design process also explored coding strategies for printing complete architectural components, including complex connections such as wall-to-column joints. Additionally, I focused on creating compelling plans and sections by responding to the spatial diversity required within the program.
Right - Exploded framing diagram
01 - 3D printing process of columns and window (The form of the Chinese knot is the basis for 3D printing, integrating traditional cultural symbolism into the architectural language.)
02 - Perspective of the building
03 - Perspective of the stairs from the medium 昀氀oor to the second 昀氀oor
04 - Site plan
Other Works
Historical preservation in China
This project addresses the decline of aging residential communities in China’s second-tier cities, aiming to preserve historical context while tackling broader social issues. Located adjacent to a major train station, the site bene昀椀ts from excellent transportation links, yet the residential buildings—dating back to the 1990s—are now considered outdated in the Chinese urban context. By recon昀椀guring the building facades and introducing more dynamic circulation paths, the design revitalizes the neighborhood. The 昀椀rst two 昀氀oors are re-purposed for exhibitions and cultural retail, while the upper levels provide living spaces for artists, transforming the site into a vibrant cultural hub.
Right bottom - Plans
01 - Site analysis
02 - Perspective of the exhibition space on the ground 昀氀oor
03 - Perspective of the living space on the upper 昀氀oors
Left top - Exploded diagram and form generating graph
Left bottom - Section
Other Works
Casa Trifoliá - Minimum premises rich descriptions
The site is oriented toward the Aegean Sea on its eastern and northwestern sides, with contour lines sloping in a northeastern direction. The conceptual framework emphasizes integrating temporary accommodations, such as those for tourism. The project consists of three 3x3-meter cubes. A communal meeting area offering panoramic views is situated on the rooftop between the cubes. Inside the middle cube, there is a bathroom, while the external space features a tree and a kitchen counter. Two additional cubes serve as living areas.
Construction Building 2 Other Works
This library, located in Portland, thoughtfully incorporates solar exposure into its design. During the design process, Cove Tool was used to optimize the orientation of the facade and rooftop photo voltaic panels, evaluating their impact on the building’s internal energy performance. The project also features interesting explorations of foundation design, ventilation duct routing, and wall detailing, highlighting the integration of environmental analysis with architectural and structural considerations.
Right top - Axon
Right bottom - COVE tool analysis
Left bottom - Foundation plan
Left middle - Ground HVAC
Middle - Wall detail @ Foundation
