SELECTED WORKS 2022-2024
M.ARCH CANDIDATE 2025
UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA
YUJU KANG
URBAN
MICRO//MAX | URBAN HOUSING
PIPE
BRIDGE
PHILADELPHIA
INTERWEAVE
CAST&CARVE
LEAKING GARDEN
URBAN RELIEF | PUBLIC MARKET
ARCH 502 | Spring 2023
Andrew Saunders Individual Callowhill, PA
Leaking Garden is an urban market space in Philadelphia specifically for the Callowhill neighborhood. This project explores the urban conditions of the city by studying the relationship between the figure and the ground. Developed with specific methodologies, Leaking Garden brings decayed space to life. The leakiness will eventually expand beyond the site and spread the spirit of the marketplace, bring the exiled program to life again.
The market design is developed with three core concepts:
Urban Relief
The studio began by developing three different types of relief inspired by Louis Nevelson. Architectural language is developed from the figural relationship that the relief creates with the sute context.
Industries for the Fourth Industrial Revolution
The market is specifically for the bakery industry, differentiating from ordinary industries with advanced programs such as cellular agriculture lab and food 3d printer room.
Material Defamiliarization
The primary material highly related to the program is “yeast.” These diverse “yeast gardens” from material defamiliarization are not only visually pleasing to attract and bring people to the market, but also can be used for research labs for high-tech programs.
Creating three types of relief sculpture by using artifacts collected in Callowhill neighborhood shows the understanding of the key elements and strategies that differentiate bas, high and figural reliefs.
The images on top row show bas - highfigural reliefs starting from the right.
Producing AI-generated reliefs (bottom row), derived from these relief sculptures, creates a robust architectural language by defining different “bubbles” occupying specific areas with distinct frames around them. A solid bracket or frame that holds the courtyards (”bubbles”) gives different spatial experiences. The concept of the site relief progressively changed from “merging” to “spilling” and then to “leaking.”
Callowhill Artifact Reliefs & AI Reliefs (Left)
Plan (Right)
Entrance & Interior view (Left)
Site Axon (Right)
Model Photographs
TUNNEL VISION
MICRO//MAX | URBAN HOUSING
ARCH 601| Fall 2023
Gisela Baurmann
Individual Queens, NY
This studio proposes an urban housing project facing the East River in Queens, New York. The project explores the idea of integrating the human housing system with the non-human habitat system, specifically creating spaces for the cohabitation of humans and armadillos.
Armadillos are known to be unwelcomed animals because they disrupt courtyards and damage walls or fences, which challenges this project on solving how to bring repelling habitats, humans and armadillos, together yet separate them at the same time. Recently, there have been some positive articles about how “friendly” armadillos can be to humans, which shows the potential of having an environment where humans and armadillos live “together”.
Starting from studying microscopic images of armadillo shields, units are developed in a way that they interlock with each other and can be used in various ways from different orientations. The entire housing complex consists of two connected towers and townhouses towards the water, which are distinctive.
Unit Axon & Floor Plan
Axonometric and floor plan drawings of apartment units from a typical unit cluster. At least 20% of the total number of apartment units consist of ADA-compliant units.
Detailed Section
The studio proposes a community justice courthouse for the main public common space. The warehouse on the lower level is renovated to create transitional space between the towers and the warehouse, as well as providing spaces for the courthouse. The core is located in the center, and the courthouse programs and units are organized along the East River. Circular tunnels are the main interlocking spaces, which are programmed to be public corridors that lead people from the core of the tower out to the public terraces.
Public Commons Axon (Right)
Facade Studies (Left)
Unit Cluster Model (Right)
Double skin facade covering the front side of the tower provides natural ventilation and vertical spaces for social interactions between the units. Each unit has a balcony with a glass enclosure, louvers, and “bubbles,” which create another layer of enclosure. These translucent bubbles cover two-floor heights of the building.
Facade Study Model (Left)
Chunk Model Photographs
SECTION OF TRANSCENDENCE
PIPE DREAMS | CHAMBERS
ARCH 501 | Fall 2022
Daniel Markiewicz
Collaboration with Loopz Lopez, Yousef Almana and Jing Yan
Continue investigating piping techniques with the design and construction of Sarcophagus for previously departed containers project.
A chamber project to remember the death of each team member’s container projects. This is a sarcophagus that captures different impressions towards death, whether it is joyful or mournful. Our team took a section of the path of transcendence where the dark exterior expresses grief, and the bright colorful relief interior celebrates the new chapter of life.
The model is on a full scale, measured 4’x4’x6’. The structure is built entirely from wood products, and reliefs were created with styrofoam, plaster, and paint. Lastly, PVC pipes cage our colored coffins, playing between mass and framework.
BRIDGE
ARCH 501| Fall 2022
Daniel Markiewicz
Individual Philadelphia, PA
Philadelphia Museum of Art Extension with Kayak facilities. The main goal of an art museum is to connect people with art as a public institution. Therefore, their mission is to function as a bridge that connects the public and art world and my project is a further manifestation of this concept of the bridge.
A bridge can be interpreted in two ways.
First, as a noun “bridge”, the museum itself can be a bridge that connects different areas of the site as well as the surrounding buildings. Then, bridge as a verb, “bridging”, my project consists of ten different cubic modules that are bridging together. In other words, this project takes the idea of “bridge” and deploys it in three aspects, which are form, program and finishings.
Modules are developed from the previous project where I took a portion of the panels from the chambers project and modified them into cubic modules. The aggregation of ten modules eventually forms a single mass that shows a disjointed manner since they do not perfectly fit into each other. However, once people enter the building, the transition of interior spaces will remove the awkwardness from the exterior, which creates a distinct contrast between exterior and interior spaces. One of the main strategies for bridging these modules is to use some of the gestures presented on the facade.
PHILADELPHIA MUSEUM OF ART
First Floor Plan
Choisy Drawing
The finishing of the facade also indicates the bridging concept since the merging movement of the multiple colors reflects a strong integration of different colors and patterns, which them suggests the bridging moment happening inside.
Model Photographs
INTERWEAVE
ARCH 501| Fall 2022
Daniel Markiewicz Individual CAST&CARVE | CONTAINER
This studio begins with two and a half weeks of exercise to explore the framework of the pipes. A cast object is setted and protected by the piped or framing model, demonstrating a relationship between the form of the cast object and the framing model. This relationship is also presented by the color composition, expressing the merging movement.
Drawing composition demonstrating the conceptual and geometric ideas
Model Photographs (Right)
embedded in this project.
Silhouette & Orthographic drawings (Left)
BEND & BEVEL
+ GRAINS | EXOTIC FRUIT FARMS
ARCH 602 | Spring 2024 Nate Hume
Collaboration with Julius Quartey-Papafio New York, NY
The project proposes a mass timber construction in New York City. Inspired by the insights from Complexity and Contradiction in Architecture, this project delves into the intriguing concept of contrasting the interior with exteior through distinct geometric forms.
The premise of the form originates in a rectilinear shape, and a different shape comes to fruition in the interior of the shape. Three distinct properties are used in the project. The first is the constrast between the inside and outside. The second with the same contrast but adding further complexity to the inside property and the third where the outside enters the inside to create an exterior condition inside the space.
The project encourages the idea of a curvilinear structure, which is uncommon in the area. The overall structure began with a basic rectilinear grid, incorporating fundamental geometries. The structural grid becomes more complex and interrupted as angled and curvilinear geometries are introduced. The project emphasizes exotic fruit farms, which require different environments. This allows us to pay more attention to different MEP systems for plants and human spaces to provide a pleasing place to visit.
FRAMES
Preliminary Design Concept Diagrams (Top)
Propsed Floor Plan Diagrams (Bottom)
Building upon Venturi’s concept of the inside and outside and the combination of basic geometric shapes within the plan, moments where the facade penetrates the interior is introduced, and creates a wall that divides interior and exterior programs (hybrid spaces). Unique moments occur when multiple programs clash, diminishing the boundaries of each space.
Structure Diagrams
The process began with a basic rectilinear grid, incorporating fundamental geometries. It started with stacking rectilinear forms, and then introducing angled geometries and curvilinear voids. Through the process, the grid becomes more complex with the introduction of angular geometries. Following the grid system, we refined the structural components into primary, secondary, and tertiary systems. Each system’s configuration is distinguished by the thickness of its members.
Elevation
Transverse Section
Scale 1/8” = 1’
Wall section showing different structural details.
Detail I showing the roof structure. At the rear of the building’s top, the distinct sawtooth geometry houses support spaces, such as offices and equipment areas.
Detail II showing the details of polycarbonate facade attached to the timber structure.
Detail III showing the foundation details.
Wall Section (Left)
Model Photographs
Overall, the project is all about finding the point between two extreme conditions: juggling between simplicity and complexity of forms and programs, interrupting the rigidity or originality of the grid or structure system, and opacity and transparency of facade. Throughout the semester, the project challenged us to fold and unfold just like how this drawing shows.
Experimental Drawing (Left)
WELL WITHIN
PUBLIC PROGRAM | WATER TANK+MEDITATION SPACE
ARCH 701 | Fall 2024
Pascal Flammer
Individual Philadelphia, PA
The project proposes a public space - a community building - in Philadelphia, PA. The course investigates contemporary Philadelphia through the lens of architectural design and how architecture can intervene to improve the quality of life for Philadelphians. The main focus is on the architectural design itself and less on the formulation of the challenge itself. As a consequence, proposed projects can emerge from a critical understanding of Philadelphia, or they can also emerge from a subjective feeling or dream concerning Philadelphia.
Well Within initiates with my personal wish - a healing space where I can separate myself from the chaotic daily life but not necessarily leave the world I’m living in. The project proposes a space with infinity - difficult to seize - in a strong spatial linearity of Philadelphia.
It is an experimental space that can fulfill many different needs, providing a new typology of public space in Philadelphia - a space for meditation, a water tank, and even a park. With the nature of water, the space provides different spatial experiences not only by its unusual scale but also by different levels of water. The project fulfills the needs of Philadelphia, which is facing flooding issues, and provides public space that can be adapted to individuals’ needs.
The space being industrial but poetic at the same time.
My personal wish - sometimes I want to go somewhere no one knows me. This doesn’t mean that I want to be in the middle of nowhere where no one is around. I hate loneliness and I still want to be part of the society. I wish I could go to a place where I can seperate myself from the crowd not necessarily leaving the world I’m living in - a healing space in a chaotic daily life.
Then, there are four questions came to my mind:
1. How can I hide a huge and unusual space in a place with a high population density without having people directly know the presence of this space?
2. What makes the space peaceful and ideal space for meditation?
3. How can I differentiate this space from the space people experience every day?
4. How can this space be helpful or useful to Philadelphia?
Water creates a sense of place and provides an air of tranquility especially when the water is in a still state. The horizontality of water creates a line that connects the spaces but can also fulfill a sense of stability. This also emphasizes the continuity or fluidity of watercannot be corrupted. Water also represents the state of filtration both physically and emotionally - filtering one’s life, leaving one’s sorrow or insecurities behind and starting with a fresh mind, and this process cycles.
I simply did not want the project to be a luxurious project that provide meditation spaces. Living in a world of climate crisis, I’m proposing the project as a water tank that can help solve some flooding issues that Philadelphia is currently facing.
Proposing a huge and circular space, which differentiates itself from the location of the typical above-the -ground buildings as well as the linearity of the spaces across the city in general.
Philadelphia Skyline Diagram (Top)
Concept Diagrams (Bottom)
-101’7-3/4”
-112’2-1/4”
-86’4-1/4”
-71’0-1/2”
-55’8-3/4”
-40’-5”
-25’1-1/2”
-9’9-3/4”
The central opening from the top and other openings covered with a net will allow rainwater to flow in and out of the spaces.
The primary light source is natural light coming in from the main opening and very thin opening on each side of the tank, making the center spheric space the brightest and dim in the ramp areas.
The numbers are inscribed in a very thin layer on the surface of the ramp with tiny pipes. Therefore, as the water rises, the numbers will be filled with subtle layers of water, showing how many gallons of water are stored in the tank.
Model Photographs
As people reach the main meditation space with steps, they will feel the grandness of the space and will also feel like they are on the water, depending on how much water is filled. The opening from the top is not big but not too small enough to make people not feel like they are trapped or completely separate themselves from society, but still giving them a connection to the world and enjoy the peace that the space provides.
BRONZEVILLE, IL LAKEFRONT DEVELOPMENT
HKS&FARPOINT DEVELOPMENT | INTERN PROJECT
Intern Project | Summer 2024 HKS Chicago
Collaboration with Adam Mathura (HKS)
Fiona Rath (HKS)
Christina McNichol (HKS)
Yash Baheti (Farpoint)
Macy Verhasselt (Farpoint) Chicago, IL
A collaborative project between summer architecture and engineering interns from HKS Chicago and real estate and business interns from Farpoint Development envisions an 11-story mixed-use development in Bronzeville Lakefront, Chicago, on the historic Michael Reese Hospital site.
The innovative solution aims to:
-Promote wellness
-Enhance community amenities
-Foster economic growth
-Honor the neighborhood’s heritage
The building consists of two towers: one for traditional apartments/senior housing and the other for affordable housing. The bottom three levels are for retails, including gym, shops, grocery store, and medical facilities.
Outdoor public spaces are also thoughtfully planned and designed that the project situates on an active public plaza, which connects people to the Singer Pavilion on a smaller scale and to the city on a bigger scale. The defined spaces highlight how the site brings people, encouraging people from both residences and the city to experience different spaces.
Overall, we’ve considered the entire site, not just a building, as an opportunity or the first stepping stone of this development to bring the Bronzeville area back to life.
Bronzeville Site Plan
Bronzeville Lakefront Chicago, IL
Project Site Plan
Used every piece of the site to bring people both in and out of the building and defined the spaces by creating different hierarchies of outdoor programs.
Community Seating Hub View
The main pedestrian plaza or the central axis, which extends from the Singer Pavilion activates the tenants outdoor activities with different courtyard and amenity spaces.
ALMOOSA SPECIALIST HOSPITAL
TERRACE - PLANTER | CONCEPT & SCHEMATIC DESIGN
Almoosa Specialist Hospital is a 17-story medical tower, the tallest hospital in Al-Ahsa and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The building embraces the Al-Ahsa community and the Almoosa brand, representing the hope for health care and wellness.
During the summer 2024 internship program at HKS, Chicago, I was assigned to the health sector and worked closely with the healthcare team as an architectural intern. My primary role for this project was to design the entire 4th-floor terrace space of the hospital.
From the concept design to the schematic design stage, I developed the outdoor terrace space with the hospital's main concept of a desert rocky mountain. Planters with benches are modular designs that consider construction constraints. The modules are thoughtfully designed with structural grids and angles, which fulfill both the practicality and aesthetic aspects of the outdoor space, providing outdoor experiences and blending well with the overall building concept.
Almoosa Al-Hofuf Hospital Summer 2024
Architects
Sector
Saudi Arabia
ABDULLAH ROAD LOADING DOCK
Sportsfield Eyelevel View (Bottom Right)
Sportsfield Aerial View (Top Right)
Main Terrace Aerial View (Left)
+1 (445) 260 8528 yujukang@upenn.edu