HAZEL SU
Selected Projects 2019-2023
Bachelor of Architecture
Tsinghua University
PROLOGUE
Thank you for taking the time to view my portfolio.
This portfolio is a selection of my past works that I believe best exemplify my approach to architectural and urban challenges, with a particular emphasis on transformative renovation and a particular consideration for site specificity and complexity.
Growing up in an industrial city in Northern China and being the daughter of professional architects, both aspects of my identity have profoundly influenced how I consider what architecture could offer to society. Observing the dynamic transformation of urban landscapes has heightened my awareness of the profound impact the built environment can have on people's lives. I firmly believe that by engaging with the historical and environmental context, practical interventions can bring about meaningful improvements in living conditions. As such, my portfolio underscores a preference for transformative urban designs, rooted in complex contexts and addressing multifaceted challenges.
While my personal focus favors urban renewal, this portfolio serves as a collective representation. It features a wide range of projects, including academic studio work, research-based designs, and competition proposals. Varied in scale, these projects range from regional planning to mid-scale building design. The arrangement of these works aims to communicate my viewpoint on architecture and urbanism as comprehensive issues, where historical, social, and technological considerations harmonize.
Learning in the Hill
the Green Tracks
Community Center on an Industrial Site 04 Rethinking the Tower of Babel
Architectural Typology of Technological Accelerationism
01 Living in the Post-Industrial Urban
A Preservation and Transformation of the Industrial Area in São Paulo
Term: 2023.1 - 2023.6
Location: São Paulo, Brazil
Area: 106,500 m²
Type: Independent Study (Personal | Individual)
Advisor: Prof. Lifeng Lin
Project Description
This project focuses on several industrial blocks between the Mooca and Cambuci districts in São Paulo. The site was interpreted from a perspective of the regional industrial history and was considered against the background of surrounding areas, especially in terms of spatial scale and functional composition.
Firstly, the existing factories were categorized as to be preserved, renovated, or demolished After that, a system of three layers on different scales was applied to control the generation of new neighborhoods. The scale of the block is related to the spatial form of the building, which in turn corresponds to the type of function. Therefore, when the functional position shifted to commercial and residential, the layout would vary accordingly. Finally, the picture of an envisioned scenario was painted, where a warm and lively atmosphere would replace the monotonous texture.
02 Learning in the Hill
An Educational Valley in a Natural Context
Term: 2022.3 - 2022.5
Location: Guangzhou, China
Area: 14,020 m²
Type: Studio Project (Academic | Individual)
Instructor: Chen Chen, Nicola Saladino (Remix Studio)
Project Description
As the education reform is in full swing in China, Guangzhou has become an outpost for new educational experiments. Instead of working on the traditional school model that emphasizes the efficient utilization of constrained urban land by centralizing teaching spaces, this project discussed how children could enjoy a better education environment in the hilly area with a richer curriculum and a more flexible schedule.
Through the lens of the natural environment, this newly developed area is valuable for its pristine and picturesque scene, and the school needs to minimize its impact on the landscape. On the other hand, experimental as it is, the primary school has necessary functional needs. By optimizing the layout of the blocks, I preset varied scopes of activities and circulations at different periods so that the school can spill over more benefits to the nearby community while dutifully serving its fundamental purposes.
03 Folding the Green Tracks
A Community Center on an Industrial Site
Term: 2023.9 - 2023.12
Location: Tianjin, China
Area: 6,900 m²
Type: Studio Project (Academic | Individual)
Instructor: Prof. Lu Fan
Project Description
The need for sustainable community environments is sweeping through the industrial cities of northern China. Against such a background, increasing green and active public spaces has become the most pivotal concern for a series of urban transformations. This project, therefore, responds to the problem of creating such public spaces that serve the community on an industrial site.
In terms of locality, a sense of attachment to the ground is crucial to this project. Starting from the most critical element, the greenway track that crosses the site, it was put under close examination, both rational and perceptual, by extracting spatial imagery on different aspects. To maximize the extension of the trail into the site as well as the greenery, the design featured vertically folding greenways and differentiated space qualities at each elevation. Finally, the industrial frame was kept as a label for the site and fit into the space.
04 Rethinking the Tower of Babel
Project Description
Architecture has the significant function of expressing attitudes. To a certain extent, it also shares the same "structure" as that of society. Supported by this universal logic, it is always an interesting attempt to reflect on social phenomena through architectural and graphic design.
In the design of this conceptual project, we tried to dissect and analyze the remarkable impacts of the accelerated development of artificial intelligence technology on human production and consumption, and present the chaotic realities and pessimistic prophecies through an exaggerated means of design. The history of technological development is not much of a process of substitution but of endlessly piling up, which brought forward the imagery of the Tower of Babel; and the dichotomy of its effect on human society splits the edifice into
with
05 Rewilding on Mt. Kilimanjaro
Enhancing Wilderness Experience With Augmented Reality
Term: 2022.9 - 2022.12
Location: Kilimanjaro Region, Tanzania
Type: Studio Research (Academic | Collaborative)
Instructor: Dr. Yue Cao
My Part: Data Collecting and Analyzing / Mapping / Planning (*all pictures are drawn and revised collaboratively, with Yirao Fu and Xinran Li)
Project Description
While advocating for conservation is vital amidst the global fade of wilderness landscape, our response to the urgent environmental decline includes leveraging technology to rejuvenate our memories. Focused on Mount Kilimanjaro, a UNESCO World Heritage site, we employ Augmented Reality (AR) to transcend time and revive the wilderness's historical narrative.
Currently, Mt. Kilimanjaro confronts the threat of losing its glacial scenery, diverse species, and distinctive indigenous culture and history. In response, we strategically redesigned a climbing trail, the Marangu Route, integrating AR interactions and mobile devices to reconstruct snow lines, highlight animal activities, and narrate explorer stories. This inventive strategy seeks to cultivate a deep understanding of the region's history in a succinct and engaging manner.
06 "Courier's Fantasy"
Transformative Revitalization of Cangzhou Steel Rolling Mill
Term: 2022.3-2022.6
Location: Cangzhou, China
Area: 17,400 m²
Type: National Competition (Academic | Collaborative)
Instructor: Prof. Min Zhang
My Part: Team Leader (Design / Modeling / Drawing)
(*Collaborative drawings partially credited to Zuyue Zhang)
Project Description
The project employs a symbolic connection—the corridor bridge—to connect the ecological environment with architectural heritage, ancient canal culture with modern life. It integrates a community center, commercial pedestrian street, cultural museum, and ecopark within the former industrial factories along the canal. Structurally, a horizontally extended building complex and vertically growing watchtowers reinterpret the essence of the ancient Cangzhou post station, shaping a fresh skyline along the canal.
The Fifth Hebei International Urban Planning And Design Competition | 1st Prize
*collaborative drawing
07 "Meta-Qinghe"
Sustainable Design for Future-Ready Neighborhood Renewal
Term: 2022.9 - 2022.12
Location: Beijing, China
Area: 210,000 m²
Type: National Competition (Academic | Collaborative)
Instructor: Prof. Sisi Liang
My Part: Team Leader (Design / Modeling / Drawing)
(*Collaborative images partially credited to Kaixian Liu and Yuhan Xie)
Project Description
This project features urban renewal, fortifying the site's resilience to evolving living patterns and urban development. The spatial network, woven from historical lineage, guides a micro-scale renewal and modernization approach. Leveraging original spatial characteristics, we introduce technological enhancements for scenario re-implementation and intelligent interaction. This dual-layered strategy transforms the once closed and inward-looking community into an open, shareable space, seamlessly integrating heritage with contemporary living.
The Inter-University Annual Environmental Design Award of China | Excellence Award
*collaborative drawing
Other Work
Woodwork, Model, Sketch, Painting
Construction Competition
2021 Beijing Design Week -Fair of Making (Oct. 2021, team of 12)
Awarded 2nd Prize
An Interactive Installation of Rotating Mini-Labyrinth
Student Assignment forTheory and Practice on Artificial Craft of Wood Product (2020-Autumn, team of 2)
A Storage Seat Modeled after the Lupin Lock
Handcrafted Model for Architectural Design Studio IV-I & II (2021-Spring, team of 3)
Campus Built Environment Rehabilitation
3D Printed Model for Design Studio (2023-Spring, individual work) Beijing Dongsheng Theater Design
Architectural Sketches
Oil Pastel Paintings
Marker Practices