Rui_Ma_Portfolio2024 by Rui Ma

RUI MA

Selected Works

2019-2023 University of Virginia 2023-2024 Columbia University

01 The Vortex

Connecting Routes, Fostering Encounters

Spring 2024

Individual Project for Core II Studio

Location: 200 Willoughby Ave, Brooklyn, NY

Instructor: Emily Ruopp

In the heart of Pratt Institute, an innovative architectural project is taking shape: a pedestrian bridge designed not just for movement, but as a vibrant hub of interaction and learning. This bridge, with a walkable ramp at a gentle 1:20 ratio, integrates various small programs including classrooms, an amphitheater, and meeting spaces, transforming everyday transit into an enriching experience.

The conceptual backbone of this project challenges the divisive urban legacies of planner Robert Moses, whose highways famously fragmented communities. In stark contrast, this bridge seeks to connect—physically and socially. Its design cleverly uses the complex ramp system to facilitate not only movement but also spontaneous interactions. As pedestrians choose different paths tailored to their needs—whether for walking, transport, or leisure—they are encouraged to engage with one another, sharing glances, conversations, and moments of pause.

The first of the three main routes is a public walkway that serves as a living memorial. Here, the names of individuals displaced by past urban clearances are engraved on wooden planks, creating a poignant narrative that is both seen and felt. As sunlight filters through, it casts these names as shadows onto the ground, a reminder of the histories tread underfoot. The second route caters specifically to the functional transport needs of students moving between classrooms and dormitories, optimizing the institute's flow without sacrificing the potential for interaction. The third path is designed for leisure; it invites users to linger, observe, and connect, offering spaces that overlook scenic vistas of the campus and beyond.

This bridge at Pratt Institute thus becomes more than a mere structure; it is a dynamic space where architecture and memory converge to foster a community that is united, engaged, and reflective.

Route of Memorial

Route of Vista

Route of Transit

02 The Backstage

Living Theater Integrating Community Life

Fall 2024

Group Project for Core III Studio

Partnered with Ning Su

Location: 454 W 128th St, New York, NY

Instructor: Eric Bunge

Located in the heart of Harlem, the housing is designed for the behind-thescenes artistry of theater while enriching the local community. The building functions as a living theater, where the workflows of costume making, set construction, lighting design, and daily operations of theatrical productions are placed at the forefront. These processes are displayed, inviting both residents and visitors to engage with the creative energy of performance preparation.

The building features a stepped form that maximizes outdoor living for its residents. Each unit includes a private balcony with a view of a central outdoor stage, doubling as a communal gathering space for performances, events, and neighborhood interaction. The design integrates residential life with the vibrancy of theater, offering residents opportunities to collaborate, gain employment, or simply enjoy the cultural spectacle from the comfort of their homes.

This project transforms the everyday into a stage, where the preparation for art becomes art itself, and Harlem’s rich tradition of creativity finds new expression.

03 The Burr Puzzle

Post Pandemic High-Density Housing

Spring 2021

Individual Project for ARCH2020 Housing Matters

Location: 2515 West Broad Street, Richmond, VA

Instructor: Jose Ibarra

Modified for ARCH4010 Individual Research Project

The global pandemic has exerted enormous pressure on our societies and forced a lot of changes to how people study, work, and live. With an increasing trend of remote work, people are going to spend more time at home. This design seeks to redefine domestic and public spaces in high-density buildings as a response to the shifting demand.

In domestic spaces, this complex offers a variety of residential modules for residents to choose from. Residents can explore their interest according to their hobbies and talents, through which undermined self-identities are reinforced. Modules are reallocated to form a larger unit of people with similar lifestyles but different interest. A semi-public space thus emerges to increase chances of interaction with neighbors with various backgrounds and perspectives.

There are also public programs available to all residents, assigned at each unit based on the common demand at the particular residential section. These shared facilities guarantee easy interaction with similar people as well.

Every residential module is an indispensable component of a stably balanced housing unit. They are indivisible once residents move in, hence the name: The Burr Puzzle.

Concept Diagram

Exploded Axon Tear Axon

04 Beanstalk

Functional Facade with Recycled Material

Fall 2022

Group Project for ARCH4010 Additive Tectonics

Partner: Tianbo Zhang

All models are collaborated work

Instructor: Ehsan Barharlou

To answer the growing interest in additive manufacturing and greener material in architecture, My teammate, Tianbo Zhang, and I designed a modularized functional facade system with recycled PLA. The process of melting abandoned architectural models, pulling robotic arm adaptable filaments, and 3D printing vertically is similar to the underestimated “Beanstalk” seed Jack received.

The shape of the facade derives from a combination of Erwin Hauer's model and a vertical greenery. The combination enables simple and systematic irrigation.

Recycled PLA, though weaker than traditional building materials, has the advantage of infinite recyclability. Our proposed facade contains modules that are replaceable and therefore metabolizes as components age. The obsolete modules can undergo the recycling process again with a mixture of raw PLA to generate new pieces with revived structure rigidity. A better understanding of the material properties and mechanics also makes new materials possible just by tweaking the fabrication techniques. The cutting-edge additive construction method also provides a possibility for further reducing human labor cost.

Prototype B, Collaborated Printing Practice

Prototype A, Collaborated Work

Design Method, Illustration created by Tianbo Zhang

Illustration

Final Design, Collaborated Work

05 The Stitch

Student Center as Civic Anchor

Spring 2022

Individual Project for ARCH3020 The Collective Commons

Location: Lambeth Ln, Charlottesville, VA

Instructor: Schaeffer Somers

The core idea of this design is to “Stitch” up the segments of the site that were separated by the berm. The buildings function as a student center that complements the missing programs in the Lambeth residential area, attracting students to gather and mingle. It also reflects a similar gesture as other UVA projects that are under construction.

This plan consists of two major paths and two secondary paths to form a network over the Lambeth area making it accessible from all directions on campus. It was further broken down into smaller parts in response to the environment and the program within. While the Stitch connects spaces together, it automatically forms new contour lines that reallocate the site into different programs.

This form navigates people through the site more efficiently as the programs are placed in response to how people tend to travel through the site. Such a design also creates a comparison between the static programs and the dynamic circulation system within the building.

Program Diagram

Sectional Perspective

Elevation

06 The Ark

Climate Justice Forum

Fall 2021

Individual Project for ARCH3010 Climate Justice in Cities

Location: 2298 12th Ave, New York, NY

Instructor: Lucia Phinney

This convention center is named after the Noah’s Ark, a sanctuary for life during an apocalyptic flood. It has an intention to assemble public attention on the issue of climate crisis. However, its broken shape derived from simulated water erosion contrasts with the sturdiness of its reference in the bible.

The building takes the shape of a ship and is situated along the Hudson River. It is bisectional with the North part for public programs like libraries, eateries, and galleries, and the South part for institutional needs like classrooms, labs, and administrative offices.

The building envelope is translucent in order to introduce more light during daytime and illuminate the surroundings at night. The building is stratified into horizontally extruded layers that can be used as stairs. Those who are interested can access the terrace at the second level and freely exit or enter the convention center. The viaducts sandwiching the building will also attract more attention as people pass by, benefitting both the forum discussion and local economy.

With this design, I wish to raise public awareness towards climate change in an emotionally interactive fashion. The site’s future in the following decades