PORTFOLIO
Qingyi Xuan 2020-2023
01 BREAKING THE BOUNDARY Berkeley, California
02 URBAN INSTITUTE
CONTENTS
San Francisco, California
03 THE STAGGERED MUSEUM Oakland, California
04 OBLIQUE
Los Angeles, California
05 PROPORTIONAL STUDIES
BREAKING THE BOUNDARY Instructor: Javier Arizmendi Arch 100C | Fall 2022
Located in Berkeley, California, ‘Breaking the Boundary’ is more than a building; it’s a city-like community designed to empower and uplift the homeless population. This innovative sanctuary offers a space of healing, relaxation, and interaction. By transcending conventional architectural norms, it redefines urban living, providing a haven where individuals find solace and connection. ‘Breaking the Boundary’ stands as a testament to the potential of architecture to foster positive societal change, where every corner speaks to the promise of transformation.
HISTORY OF HOMELESS SHELTER
CONCEPT
Chapel Community center
Treatment Entertainment
Dormitory
Dining
1900s Lodging rooms at police station
1700s Mental institutions and jails
1800s Four penny coffin
SITE ANALYSIS
2000s Government funded homeless shelter
Step 1: Physical Boundary
Step 2: Psychological Boundary
Step 3: Social Boundary
An open plaza, connecting the street to the central courtyard, offers a seamless flow that invites people to navigate and interact naturally.
Elevated Structure provides a sense of security and protection within; central plaza encourages social interaction and connectivity among various programs.
A range of programs and amenities help to nuture a community where individuals support, companionship and mutual understanding.
Commercial Buildings Restaurants Highway Railroad Inactive Railroad Main Street Bus Stop
Nature
Treatment
Community
Engagement
PHYSICAL BOUNDARY
The building features an inviting, open-concept design with a seamless transition from the street to a spacious plaza. Instead of a traditional enclosed entrance, visitors are welcomed by an open courtyard at the heart of the structure. This central courtyard serves as a vibrant hub, connecting all programs within the building.
PSYCHOLOGICAL BOUNDARY
Community Center
Dining Space
Chapel
The Community Center fosters connection and empowerment with an open reception, versatile classroom, and adjacent plaza for community gatherings and growth.
The Dining Space at the central courtyard harmoniously blends communal dining with nature, fostering unity and connection among residents.
The Meditation Chapel offers a serene, private space for personal reflection and spiritual connection within the bustling community.
Acknowledging the homeless community’s long-term exclusion from society and their sensitive emotions, this concept aims to create an environment that not only addresses the immediate physical needs of residents but also supports their emotional well-being. The elevated ends of the structure mitigates the visibility of activities within the building from the street, offering a discreet and safe environment. Additionally, the central courtyard serves as a hub for social interaction, offering a transition from public to private spaces within the community.
SOCIAL BOUNDARY
Solar shading
Rainwater harvesting Cross ventilation
The Social Boundary Concept is centered on fostering a strong sense of community and inclusivity among residents. To promote community responsibility, sustainable features are integrated into the design, encouraging residents to take an active role in caring for their environment. This approach not only addresses the immediate needs of the homeless community but also lays the foundation for long-term, sustainable growth and development.
URBAN INSTITUTE Instructor: William Di Napoli Arch 100B | Spring 2022 The Urban Institute in San Francisco integrates diverse urban programs within an adaptable institution, addressing evolving urban needs by harmonizing public and private spaces. The design of the exterior shelf, inspired by the adjacent freeway’s structure, integrates urban elements and fosters a harmonious connection with the surrounding environment.
SITE ANALYSIS
CONCEPT Extrude
Commercial View
Maximazation of site utilization
High-rise View
Extract Residential View
Extraction of space to create atriums
Park View Jun. 3pm
The Urban Institute is situated in San Francisco, in close proximity to a busy highway, towering skyscrapers, a thriving commercial district, and a residential neighborhood.
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Division of spaces into public and private realms
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Dec. 9am
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Connect Main vertical circulation staircase connecting all floors
Extract Extraction of space to create outdoor terraces
Main Road
South Beach District
Transit
South Park
Interstate 80 Freeway
Southeast Wind
SHELF FORMATION The exterior shelf design, inspired by the nearby freeway’s structure, generates practical open spaces that maximize natural light. The variation in shelf forms addresses the dual requirements of privacy in private areas and openness in public spaces. Exit Ramp
Bifurcated Lane Vertical Circulation
Diverging Lane
Public
Private
PROGRAM The Urban Institute offers a diverse range of programs addressing the urban life’s changing demands. It includes versatile exhibition spaces, a collaborative research area, a dynamic lecture hall, and an adaptable meeting space. These elements work together, supporting the institute’s vitality and fostering interaction among diverse urban stakeholders, making it a transformative force in the urban landscape.
Exhibition Space
Lecture Hall
Public Research Workspace
Exhibition Space
Terrace
Meeting / Event Space
Private Research Workspace
Office
SPATIAL ORGANIZATION The Urban Institute’s layout is organized around a central vertical circulation staircase, dividing public and private areas. The expansive atrium and open space are incorporated to facilitate visual interactions across different levels. Additionally, the three terraces on the fourth floor provide panoramic views of San Francisco, enhancing the immersive experience with the surrounding urban landscape.
5
2
6
1
1 Exhibition Space 2 Office
5 Lecture Hall 6 Meeting Space
Third Floor
Ground Floor
8
8
3 4 7
1
8
1 Exhibition Space 7 Workshop 8 Outdoor Terrace
3 Public Research Center 4 Private Research Center
Second Floor
Fourth Floor
SPATIAL MOMENTS
First Floor - Hallway
First floor - Exhibition Space
Third Floor - Hallway
Fourth Floor - Exhibition Space
The Urban Institute’s interior is characterized by abundant natural light, creating an open and inviting atmosphere. The central atrium serves as a focal point, allowing light to penetrate deep into the building and fostering a sense of unity.
THE STAGGERED MUSEUM Instructor: Kevin Moultrie-Daye Arch 100A | Fall 2021
Located in Oakland, California, The Staggered Museum redefines spatial experience through a blend of rotation and hiearchy. Each blocks ascend dynamically, creating an interplay of light and shadow. Each facet of the structure invites exploration, bringing a whole new experience to the visitors.
EXTERIOR STRUCTURE
The museum showcases four stacked and rotating blocks. The central pair is rotated around a central axis to provide purposeful shading. The upper blocks are horizontally shifted, forming terraces that optimize sunlight exposure. The exterior staircase traces the rotating structure, inviting visitors to interact with the building’s form, offering an immersive experience that blurs the line between architecture and experience.
Dec. 9am
Jun. 12pm
STAIRCASE
The exterior staircase follows the contours of the rotating structure. It serves as a vertical connection between floors, providing both practical access and visual intrigue. This design feature encourages visitors to engage with the building’s form, enhancing their overall experience within the space.
SPATIAL ORGANIZATION
Public Space Private Space Exhibition Space
The rotated interior walls echo the rotation of the exterior structure below, establishing a visual and physical connection between successive floors. This creates a transition between levels and encourages visitors to explore and move through the space in a dynamic and engaging manner.
CONCEPT
Drawing inspiration from the artwork, the duplex’s structure becomes a living canvas, mirroring the oblique form. Departing from the orderliness, I scattered and layered these shapes, creating layers of depth and a dynamic visual rhythm. Subsequently, I extracted space to create apertures, which marks the initial step in the architectural process.
OBLIQUE Instructor: Rudabeh Pakravan Arch 11B | Spring 2021
This project redefines spatial design through a fusion of art and architecture. Drawing inspiration from Bridget Riley’s evocative artwork, this project revolves around the primary logic Oblique. From the striking facade to the innovative spatial arrangements, this duplex invites exploration, blurring the lines between art and architectural experience.
Conversation by Bridget Riley
Grid
Scatter
Layering
Void
PRIMARY LOGIC
The primary logic Oblique serves as the guiding principle that shapes every facet of the design. Inspired by the original artwork, the structure of the duplex departs from conventional geometries, infusing the facade with parallel oblique lines. This logic extends to the interior, influencing spatial layout, staircase, and division of the duplex.
STAIRCASE The staircase, aligned with the primary logic, blurs the distinction between interior and exterior spaces. As one ascends or descends, the transition between inside and outside becomes an immersive experience, heightening the occupants’ sensory connection with the architectural composition.
PROPORTIONAL STUDIES Instructor: Maria Paz Gutierrez Arch 11A | Fall 2020
In “Proportional Studies,” I explored the ancient art of anthropomorphic measurement, using the forearm as an unit of measurement. Through meticulous drawings, I analyzed the United States Postal Office in Berkeley, revealing the interplay of form and measure. From unfolded floor plans to golden ratio analysis, this project uncovers the enduring influence of proportion and scale in architectural design.
Urban Landscape
Unfolded Floor Plan & Inner Facades
The Unfolded Floor Plan & Inner Facades offers a comprehensive view of the relationship between inner facade and the interior space. The Proportional Analysis uses the Golden Ratio as a guiding principle, revealing the mathematical proportion in the architectural design.
Proportional Analysis