Jingxiang Qiao (Royce)

“The desire to reach for the sky runs very deep in the human psyche.”

-- César Pelli

Architecture, as a fusion of art and science, requires a balance between rationality and sensibility. The rational aspect focuses on functionality, efficiency, and practicality, while the sensibility aspect emphasizes the aesthetic beauty and artistic qualities of architecture. The architect’s task is to harmonize these two aspects, creating buildings that are both practical and artistically valuable.

With the passage of time and the continuous emergence of new materials and technologies, architects need to continually learn and innovate to adapt to evolving needs and opportunities. They must incorporate new materials and knowledge into their designs to create more creative and unique architecture. Architecture is an art form and a means of expression, and architects should consider themselves as creators, infusing their ideas, philosophies, and creativity into each project.

Simultaneously, architecture must meet the needs of people, providing not only functionality but also unique features to attract and captivate people’s attention. This necessitates architects to possess rich creativity and design capabilities to transform architecture into a unique and appealing work of art.

In summary, architecture is a complex blend of art and science, and architects play the role of balancing rationality and sensibility. They must continuously learn and innovate, incorporating new materials and knowledge into their practice to create architecture that possesses both functionality and aesthetic value, while also meeting the evolving needs and expectations of people.

Tessellation and Crystallization —— Bricks Fragments Hotel

2023 Spring Architecture Studio

Instructor: Florencia Pita

TA: Katarina Marjanovic

Site: Mexico City

Group Work -- Teammate: Zijing Wang

Brick is a significant material in architecture, and in the last century, many remarkable brick structures were created. However, with the development of new materials, bricks have somewhat been overlooked. This project seeks to rediscover the elegance of brick. The project’s journey begins with brick design, exploring various shapes, functions, and materials for bricks. Located in vibrant Mexico City, known for its colorful atmosphere and passionate residents, the project embraces a joyful and colorful style.

It all started with the concept of tessellation, where shapes are repeated to cover a surface seamlessly. This tessellated pattern was incorporated into the building’s design, serving as a foundational element. The hotel’s function goes beyond traditional hotel roles. All the rooms are situated on the top floor, while the remaining floors house interior and exterior public spaces, reimagining the typical hotel experience.

Extraction of Environmental Elements

Crystallize the street view pictures to simplify the color of the street, and initially start the pattern design.

Tessellation Definition

A tessellation is created when a shape is repeated over and over again covering a plane without any gaps or overlaps. Another word for a tessellation is a tiling.

The Study of the History of the Architecture in Mexico City

The unique architectural history of Mexico City has had a profound influence on modern architecture in the city. Over the last century, architects have begun to blend the traditional elements of Mexican architecture with modern architectural principles. One distinctive characteristic of Mexican architecture is its colorful and intricate facades, which have become a prominent feature in modern Mexican architectural designs. This fusion of tradition and modernity, along with the vibrant and complex facades, has shaped the distinctive and rich architectural landscape of Mexico City.

Perhispanic Period

Colonial Period

19th and early 20th century architecture

modern and contemporary architecture

South-east corner view

South-east corner view South-east corner crystallization

South-west corner view South-west corner view South-west corner crystallization

New Type of Bricks

Bricks Type Combinations

Tessellation brick wall

The combination of different brick types

Brick wall at corner

Interior space

Rectangle Bricks

Parallelogram Bricks

Type 1 Type 2

Type 3

Square Bricks

Triangle Bricks

Color Hierarcy

Cold and Warm Walls in Exterior Facades Comparison

Mixed Color Wall

All the blue bricks are facing the interior private space. All the hotel rooms have the blue pattern wall.

All the warm bricks are facing the interior public space. All the public space that are inside of the builfing are warm pattern wall.

When the building is facing the exterior, the wall pattern become the mix color with cold blue and warm yellow.

Private Private Common Space

Cold Blue Wall

Warm Yellow Wall

Exterior space

Plan of the Interior Public Space

The Sky Garden in the Play of Light and Shadow

The furniture in the fifth-floor opening garden is made from specially designed tessellated bricks, blending seamlessly with the garden’s look. These unique pieces have a dual function: half is for children to play on, while the other half serves as small tables for various activities and relaxation.

The furniture on the second floor shares the same design language as the previous one. Its purpose is to provide customers with a place to rest. It consists of a table and a few chairs, offering a comfortable seating area for patrons.

The Circulation Path on the Rooftop

The furniture combines two different types of bricks. The chairs and the top of the table are crafted using the same tessellated bricks, creating a cohesive look. However, the structural elements of the table use a different type of brick, adding an interesting contrast to the overall design.

The Unique Brick Furniture

The Unique Roofscape Formed by Different Brick Patterns

The Evelation Shows the Relationship Between Each Floors.

Different Color of Patterns

The entire wall is a mosaic of geometric forms created through tessellation. It incorporates a variety of brick shapes, including squares, triangles, diamonds, and hollow bricks. The predominant color scheme is warm yellow, but there are subtle hints of blue used as accent colors to add visual interest and contrast to the design. This mosaic of geometric shapes and warm color tones creates a visually engaging and dynamic facade.

The Evelation Shows the Floating Floor

In contrast to the previous walls, this one prominently features triangular and diamond-shaped bricks, lending it a more regular and structured appearance. The overall color palette leans towards cooler tones, creating a sharp contrast with the warmer hues of the previous wall. This deliberate choice in geometry and color scheme sets this wall apart, emphasizing its distinct visual character.

These tiles are utilized in the sky garden on the fifth floor. The entire floor’s tiling follows the concept of tessellation, where most of the bricks are triangular in shape. Their size and configuration are designed in such a way that there are no gaps between each brick, creating a seamless and visually appealing pattern across the entire floor. This tessellated design not only adds a unique aesthetic to the sky garden but also ensures a smooth and continuous surface for occupants to enjoy.

Modular Research

As

Hexagon Modular Learn the structure of a beehive to make a wall

Each room is rotated to form a new building

the new building was determined, the renovation of the existing building began

Each hexagon is deformed into a single room

Put new building modules into the site and change with the real needs of the site

From a wall to a solid

Adjust the entire building module to better fit the site

The New Facade of the Old Building

02 Glass Innovation —— VT-Innovation Center and HIIT Headquarter

2020 Fall Architecture Studio

Instructor: Stephen Al

Site: Arlington Virgina

Teammate: Ruiqi Li

The project endeavors to explore how diverse architectural functions can be seamlessly integrated within a unified design approach. Located in Arlington, in close proximity to downtown Washington, D.C., the project comprises two high-rise buildings. One serves as the student teaching building for Virginia Tech (VT), while the other functions as the office headquarters of a company. The distinctive feature of both buildings is their façade, which consists of projecting curved glass sections, each composed of small, diamond-shaped glass pieces. The reflection of sunlight creates captivating and dynamic light patterns both inside and outside the buildings.

The primary construction material for the buildings is wood. Notably, the lower levels of the buildings are designed to be smaller in scale compared to the upper levels. This intentional design approach not only provides additional space for the surrounding square but also maximizes the utilization of the preserved square area. This thoughtful integration of architecture and space aims to harmoniously blend various functions within a coherent design framework.

Surrounding Area Survey and Research

The chart shows the potential of the university major selection.

Modular Research

The project site is situated within a densely populated square, and the design process prioritized minimizing any disruption to the square’s existing space. The current design form ensuring that the maximum usable area of the square could be preserved while achieving the project’s objectives.

For the generic office building, one cuboid cut the connection with site, people and natural. Our project is here to chanllenge the idea of the generic office tower and boring facade.

The inspiration of the structure is from the arch shape. A traditional way against the gravity. Witht mutiplying the arch line and trimming the line, a form that both has a practicable structure system and fits the idea come to life.

Educational Attainment by Sex Employment By Age City population in 2021

The chart shows the jobs the town needs. The chart shows the potential number of the student number.

Relationship with Urban Context

Interior Work Status

Ground

Bird-Eye View

Interior Space Circulation

Structure System

Glass System

Customized

Air Circulation

Glass Connection Details

Window Structure

The air-venting slab is integrated with the architecture’s double facade system. As warm air naturally rises within the interior space, it is directed into the double facade system. During the summer, the air vents are designed to open, allowing the warm air to escape and helping to maintain a cooler interior.

Conversely, in the winter, the system retains the warm air within, contributing to temperature control and energy efficiency. This innovative design ensures effective climate management throughout the year, optimizing comfort and sustainability within the building.

Air-Venting Slabs

Second Layer of Glazing Facade

First Layer of Glazing Facade

Steel Frams for the Glass Structural Frame

Because of the unique shape of the building. It harness more wind and help to cool down the building.

Frames for the double facade system of the building

Air / Moisture sealing layer within the structure

Typical hybrid wood fame structure for main building

Concrete base for the structure

03 Humans and Machines

—— Future of the New York Stock Exchange

2022 Fall Architecture Studio

Instructor: Fabian Llonch

TA: Lipi Jain

Site: The New York Stock Exchange Group Work -- Teammate:Zijing Wang

This project represents more of an exploration of the future relationship between humans and machines rather than adhering to traditional architectural norms. Unlike traditional architecture, it doesn’t have clearly defined thematic divisions within the building space. Instead, a straightforward steel frame is employed to delineate the building’s spatial layout.

In addition to considering human occupancy, this architecture allocates a significant amount of space for machines. As technology continues to advance, the importance of machines will undoubtedly grow, requiring expanded spatial accommodations. This project aims to delve into the evolving dynamics between humans and machines.

Situated directly above the bustling New York Stock Exchange, the project adopts a minimalist approach with overall material selection centered around a simple steel structure, eschewing extravagant embellishments. The intention is to convey the project in the most straightforward and concise manner possible.

The Relationship between Human & Machine in Deconstruction

By redefining the relationship between humans and machines through the process of disassembling, rearranging, and reconfiguring machines, we aim to investigate the resulting spatial forms. This exploration seeks to uncover the new possibilities that emerge at the intersection of these reorganized spatial forms and human interaction.

Recombination space Type 2

Recombination space Type 3

Recombination space Type 1

Single Machine A Human

Architecuture Exploreing

Whitney Museum Chunk to deconstruction

Blossom Tower Chunk to deconstruction

Chunk desconstruct Chunk desconstruct

12’ x 12’ cut from the Whitney Museum

12’ x 12’ cut from the Blossom Tower

Whitney Museum / Marcel Breuer Blossom Tower

Using Deconstruction Techniques to Slice and Disassemble the Existing Building, Extracting Components

The Future of Human Office Space

Robotic Server Management Space

04 Architecture in Nature

—— Great Smoky Mountains National Park Boardwalk

2021 Fall Architecture Studio

Instructor: James R. Jones

Site: Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Individual Work

With the advancements in human science and technology over the past century, we’ve witnessed the further destruction of nature and the depletion of natural resources. Humans have assumed the role of controllers of the world, and architecture has often been a manifestation of egoism, attempting to assert dominance over nature. However, as the line between nature and human civilization (architecture) becomes increasingly blurred, there is a growing realization that a better path forward may involve returning to our primitive roots and embracing a more authentic connection with nature.

By constructing buildings that harmonize with the natural landscapes within this national park, we aim to awaken people’s awareness of nature conservation and promote progress in the coexistence of architecture and nature. The goal of such architectural projects is to resonate with nature, seamlessly integrating with the surrounding environment as a demonstration of respect and appreciation for the value of the natural world. Through these efforts, we hope to inspire a deeper sense of environmental consciousness in people and establish a more harmonious relationship between architecture and nature, taking a significant step towards sustainability

Date Anaylsis about the destruction of nature by human

Human activity has impacted both the abundance and diversity of animals and plans

Then International Union for Conservation of Nature estimates a quarter of mammals and more than two-fifths of amplibians are threatened with extinction

Mountain Pavilion

Using differernt shape of geometry to definite the form of Mountain.

Mimicking two mountains that haven’t even hit yet

The mountain is reshaped by collision Bring the shape closer together like a mountain

Try to use cylinders to represent mountains

Complete the search for form

More than 3.6m hectares of pristine tropical forest was lost in 2018

Human’s destruction of nature has seriously affected the ecological balance. Not just the damage to the environment, but the impact on other plants and animals.

Site Anaylsis

Plains Zone Foothills Zone Lower Montane Zone Upper Montane Zone Subalpine Alpine

Water Wharf

The study is focus on the views for each stoping point. Make sure the next view point is not block the perivous point.

Plant Pavilion

All stopping point vertical will block the view of the next stopping point

Using differernt shape of geometry to definite the form of Tree.

Explore stopping point rotation to solve the problem

Try different approaches to solve the problem

Use simple geometry to represent the tree

Using rectangles to mimic the crown of a tree

Try to mimic a tree crown with a triangle

Use a curve instead of the previous attempt

Definite form

The location of the three buildings in the national park

Mountian Pavilian

Water Wharf Grass Pavilian

The three small sites are located in the Great smoky national park. Each of them are not far from each others. The visitors can follow the pathway to go thought three of them.

Mountains are fundamental elements of nature. They have not only provided sustenance for a wide variety of animals but have also been vital to our ancestors. I aim to design pavilions within the national park that capture the essence and form of the mountains, paying tribute to their enduring significance and beauty.

Live with Trees

The primary structure of the building emulates the form of a mountain, yet the essence of the building lies in examining the interplay between trees and mountains. It seeks to delve into how the attributes of both elements can be seamlessly integrated into the building’s design, creating a harmonious fusion of natural features within its core.

Live with Cirrus

In contrast to the previous building, which aimed to explore the role of plants, the focus of this new project has shifted towards the creatures of nature. It commences with insects, which, though small, play a vital role in the ecosystem.

The project endeavors to investigate the position of insects in the biological chain and how architecture can be designed to facilitate their improved survival.

Live with Birds

In contrast to the first two projects, this one places a greater emphasis on interaction with animals. The primary structure of the building transitions from the concept of a mountain to that of a tree. When likening the building to a tree, the upper part of the structure is designed to provide a space for birds to nest, creating a harmonious environment for avian inhabitants.

Mountain Pavilion

Water is indeed the source of life, much like mountains. It has nurtured numerous civilizations and living beings throughout history. Water possesses an elusive, fluid nature, and it adapts its shape depending on its surroundings.

I aspire to harness the characteristics of water in the design of a waterfront wharf, leveraging its ever-changing and fluid form to create a unique and dynamic space.

The Water Wharf on the Water

Preliminary exploration of curve structure

Mimicking the flow of water to change the structure of the building

Further change the thickness of the structure

Update

Water Wharf

The view from the first stopping point

The view from the fourth stopping point

the direction of the structure

The view from the second stopping point

From the piece to the final wall

Grass Pavilion

“Hug meadows” and “Mountains” are two distinct features that are not commonly found together in one location. However, in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, both of these natural landscapes coexist. While it may not be a true prairie, there are still open grasslands present.

I aimed to design a pavilion that incorporates a natural element, creating a strong visual contrast with the surrounding mountains.

Architectural Unit and Animals

05 Digital Assembly Fabrication

—— Cork Wall with Plant System

2023 Summer Architecture Studio

Instructor: Nate Hume

TA: Kyle Troyer

Site: The New York Stock Exchange Group Work -- Teammate:Qingtai Cui

The entire project can be described as an exploration of the future of construction. In contrast to a conventional architectural design project, this endeavor places greater emphasis on investigating prospective building materials and their application in architectural design.

The project’s design process commenced from several different angles concurrently. This encompassed a study of classic architectural blueprints, the exploration and emulation of wooden structures, the utilization of robotic arms, and a comprehensive investigation into cork materials.

After extensive deliberation and research, the project ultimately culminated in the synthesis of insights from these diverse directions, resulting in a highly unconventional yet distinctive design.

The Relationship Between People and Architecture Pattern Study

The study of patterns began as an extension of the plan research, using simple black and white lines to create various patterns.

The majority of the research focused on using lines of different thickness, as well as techniques like offset and shading, to generate diverse patterns. Subsequently, efforts were made to identify usable spaces within the formed patterns.

Plan Study Diagram

The planning process commenced with an examination of precedent plans. Through simplification, we pinpointed two particularly intriguing elements.

The first involves collisions between sizable blocks, resulting in the assembly of geometric shapes adhering to varying rules through collisions and rotations at various angles. The second pertains to jagged elements. Drawing from the precedent plan prototype and these two extracted elements, we initiated the research and design of the plan.

The Plan study focuses on two main points: the overlap of different rectangle shapes and the incorporation of multiple steps. These are the most intriguing aspects drawn from the previous plan, and they have informed the design of the abstract Plan.

Cork Shingle Study

Agricultural Technology and Structure Details

Wood Structure Study

The Informal Details

Installation Process

Architectural Details and Installation Specifics

Three Main Elements

Wooden Structure:

The wooden structure in the model should exhibit characteristics that appear complex but can be easily assembled. This means that the wooden components in the design should possess a certain level of complexity, such as different shapes and sizes of beams, columns, and so on, but their assembly should be intuitive and easy to understand.

These wooden structures can form the supporting framework of the entire building, ensuring they can bear weight and fulfill the design’s functions.

Plant Elements:

The model should include plant elements on the building, and these plants can obtain nutrients through the previously designed drainage system. This implies that there should be suitable locations, either on the exterior or interior of the building model, to accommodate the plants and showcase their presence.

The presence of plants can be represented through elements like green leaves, flowers, or vines, enhancing the building’s eco-friendliness and natural beauty.

Cork Shingle:

In the model, cork shingles should be presented in a curved form to emphasize their uniqueness in the overall design. Cork’s pliability allows it to be designed into various curved shapes, thereby adding a unique visual appeal to the design.

Cork shingles can be used to cover the exterior surfaces of the building, creating interesting textures and appearances.