zhengxu200101@126.com
MMU ID: 24806531
I was supposed to live in a city where the nomadic and agrarian cultures intersected. It unfortunately fell victim to a one-time modernization transformation under the reign of rational planning, eradicating almost all remnants of its past. I used to believe that all cities would eventually become homogenous spaces of concrete and steel until I embarked on a journey through Europe. It was then that I discovered cities can still be diverse and vibrant. I thus developed a passion for architecture and creation of environments that resonate with my aspirations.
My continuous reflection and exploration throughout my academic journey have fueled my deep desire to delve into the complexity of urban environments, seeking solutions to the challenges of urbanization. I have come to realize the widespread neglect of cultural and economic influences on urban spaces in design considerations. It saddened me as I witnessed the gradual disappearance of industrial traces in the industrial city where I grew up. However, Manchester's approach to addressing urbanization challenges through thoughtful design for revitalization and transformation has instilled in me hope and conviction. Therefore, I look forward to the in-depth learning and research in the MA Architecture and Urbanism program. I firmly believe that armed with my existing urban design experiences and a keen sensitivity to urbanity and heritage, I can successfully confront challenges and uncover more traces of happiness for the city.
CONTENTS
01 PRESERVE COMMUNITY THICKNESS URBAN RENEWAL based on life narratives and cultural relationships 02 UPS AND DOWNS YOUTH APARTMENT 03 PILLOW TALK ART MUSEUM 14 weeks, SCUT 2023 Spring 8 weeks, SCUT 2020 Fall 8 weeks, SCUT 2022 Spring
PERSONAL STATEMENT
Selected works from 2020 to 2023 Applying for MA Architecture and Urbanism
Examining the traces of happiness still to be glimpsed, I gauge its short supply." PORTFOLIO
Xu
"
Zheng
01 PRESERVE COMMUNITY THICKNESS
--Urban renewal based on life narratives and cultural relationships
URBAN DESIGN IN HISTORICAL ENVIRONMENT
SCUT 2023 Spring, Architecture Studio VI, Academic crouse
Location: Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
Duration: 14 weeks
Instructor: Xu Haohao
Teamwork ( The displayed portions are all individually completed ）
Located in the traditional cultural axis ofGuangzhou,the Academy Group has a long historybut has become a space in the lot that lacksrenovation and attentions, After interviews andon-site research,our team came up with the ideaof designing "for the people who live in thisneighborhood" and the design concept of thethickness". We noticed that there are two typesof people in this community: "short term residents and "long term residents (locals)". We hope thatthrough the design, we can establish new publiccommunity space,revitalize the physical aspectsof the community, introduce new residents to theempty ruins,it also creates new communicationwindows" for different people, establishesthickness" in terms of spatial scale and thepsychological level of"community members".
After the reform and opening-up, people lived in denser tower apartments, with tape recorders and refrigerators appearing
West Lake is good, let me build a royal garden outside the city !
Under the influence of Western culture, we have new roads and public entertainment places
Plants are still thriving bravely Residents here are still continuing to live
1960s Spatial Feature Observation WHAT IS THICKNESS historical overlay
Evervything was planned: food stamps, social housing allocated by the work unit
This is the largest group of ancient academies in the Qing Dynasty.They are both ancestral halls and academies, providing accommodation for scholars who took the imperial examination.
Taking an equitable approach to history and heritage, the Damazhan&Xiaomazhan neighborhood has witnessed a series of changes in spatial attributes, spatial form, and the demographics of its inhabitants during the development process. These changes have manifested in an overlapping state in both time and space.
10th Royal Garden PLATFORM
17-19th Academy Culsters WALL/YARD
20th 30s
Commercial Street SHOPFRONT
20th 50s
Unit dormitory WINDOWS
1800s
The one-story shops along the street separate the public and private spaces horizontally and vertically. After the floor area and floor area ratio are increased, windows and open stairwells become the thickness of the boundary. Create height difference Enclosing Holing & vertical Connecting Mass Extruding " THICKNESS "
1930s
20th 70s
Relocation housing STAIRCASE
20th 90s High-rise Building COMPLEX
Real estate boom kicks off construction of commercial complexes, making big bucks for bosses
The terraces in front of many private houses are used for outdoor activities
The courtyard provides space for growing flowers, which was built jointly by residents.
Through windows of different shapes, the sightlines of people inside and outside are connected.
Embedded space is an intermediate state between two types of space attributes, serving two types of people together.
shop
platform wall yard
public VERTICAL HANGING PATH CONNECTION SEPARATE PUBLIC EXPANSION
stair window private A platform of varying heights and widths thickens the boundary between public and private. The courtyard becomes the transition space between the public road and the individual building. PRIVATE EXPANSION ENCLOSE SIGHT CONNECTION ACCOMMODATION SQUEEZE SUSPENSION
Walls block movement but retain certain sight lines. The establishment of the doorway plays a transitional role while passing through.
Two entities squeeze to form a shared linear space between them.
Horizontal suspension strengthens connections above ground level.
As the building mass increases, the necessity of vertical connections makes it an important feature. The extended terrace next to the public road becomes a shared space.
road shop housing ?
919
Development of feature space "THICKNESS"
WHO IS RELATED TO THICKNESS
downshifting
There are still many old residents who have lived in the old houses here for a long time. They often come out to bask in the sun and chat together in the afternoon.
growing
Guangzhou people have always loved flowers and growing flowers. Residents keep various potted plants in front of their homes, bringing infinite vitality to this aging community.
stagnant
A large amount of land expropriated for development has become abandoned due to property rights and economic factors that have led to unfinished projects.
isolated
A large number of academies have been demolished, leaving only a few scattered ones located in cold neighborhoods.
thriving
Affected by Beijing Road, the surrounding catering and clothing industries are very prosperous, with an endless stream of people coming and going.
Co-constructed chair space
Chairs of different materials and sizes are placed in the common space of residents, which is a space that is used rather than designed.
high-profile
The country has begun to attach great importance to historical and cultural protection, and Guangzhou’s two central axes have become major IPs that continue the city’s cultural heritage.
bouquet of flowers
The cultivation of flowers and plants is based on the spontaneous actions of residents, but it has become a natural connection and boundary between internal and external users.
It is the site of the beginning of Guangzhou’s urban construction and is the most prosperous commercial center in Guangzhou’s history.
INSIDERS
Our family has lived here for generations, and we are full of affection for every plant, tree and history here.
This is one of the most lively and prosperous places in Guangzhou, and there are often many people coming to go shopping.
OUTSIDERS
measure: Building a new community with a core focus on extending life narratives and cultural connections.
land use status oriented population
DAILY LIFE
CULTURAL TOURISM
real estate project bankruptcy destruction Lujiang Academy Kaoting Academy Guanying Family School Tseng Clan Ancestral Hall
Beijing Road Commercial Pedestrian Street
city central axis
city central axis tourists residents workers students business B & R residential administration educational heritage
EXPROPRIATION
ANCIENT
PRE-MODERN
REMAINS DEMOLITION
DEVELOPMENT
of abandoned company dormitories long-term RENTAL
Transforming its existing building structure into apartments to accommodate new users. Expanding the public stairwell as a new volumetric element to connect private and public spaces.
The original hair salon serves not only as a commercial space but also as a social hub within the community. Other shops are centered around it, providing more opportunities for interaction and communication.
Utilizing the original height and architectural style of the academy to convert it into studios, attracting outsiders while also enhancing the vibrancy within the community.
With the premise of not impacting the original lifestyle of the academy's owner, the exhibition space has been restored to serve as an activity area while also incorporating educational functions.
The academy has undergone numerous renovations and expansions over the years, presenting a unique overlay of multiple materials and striking window openings. The outer walls are retained and the available resting space is expanded, catering to both residents and visitors
Construction
New apartments are constructed with the purpose of residential clustering, adapting to the existing architectural fabric and continuing historical pathways. Similarly, the addition of public stairwells is chosen as new venues for storytelling.
As the center of the flower market, Xihu Road catalyzes more joint activities between local residents and tourists, based on Guangdong Province's intangible cultural heritage the flower market.
The small studios are located adjacent to the main road, with a design approach focused on minimizing volume rather than imitation, aimed at providing more substantial space.
Embracing an attitude of equal respect for all historical traces, the community exhibition hall preserves the fragmented sense and existing remnants to the greatest extent possible, creating an open exhibition space that can be freely explored.
With the aim of creating connected pathways, enhancing the connectivity within the area for easier access. Preserving the original renovation traces, only adding some recreational resting spaces for the community members.
Renovation
APARTMENTS
Renovation of abandoned academy Public Outdoor THEATER
Renovation of abandoned academy COMMUNITY CENTER
Renovation-Long term Centralized STORES based on Hair Salons
Renovation-Independent Personal STUDIOS
Reconstruction - Private Academy Cultural DISSEMINATION
New Construction Public Community EXHIBTION
New Construction Periodic Cpmprehesive MARKET based on Flower Market
New Construction - Shared Commercial STUDIOS
New
long-term RENTAL APARTMENTS
RESIDENCE RECREATION STUDIO EXHIBTION COMMERCIAL
Realizing an alternative renewal amidst the encroachment of capitalism and consumerism.
more INSIDERS
Continuous residential and rejuvenated public activities not only retain the original residents of the community but also continuously attract more young people to become part of the community, whether for the long term or temporarily.
Community-Cultural Based Public Activities
Residence-Oriented
Non-capital Market
more OUTSIDERS
New community activities and culture have become a window for communication with the outside world. For tourists and outsiders, they provide not only access to the venue but also an entry point into the community. The community will organize more activities to continuously absorb vitality to maintain a positive internal operation.
02 UPS AND DOWNS
YOUTH APARTMENT
SCUT 2020 Fall, Architecture Studio I, Academic crouse
Location: Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
Duration: 8 weeks
Instructor: Zhong Guanqiu
Individual work
The project is situated between two distinct scales of life, one side facing a rapidly traversed urban road tunnel for vehicles, and the other adjoining an elementary school and 1980s family housing at a pedestrian scale. In the design process, I utilized variations in elevation to create a canyon-like semi-underground plaza, augmenting urban public space while preserving ample space to return to the existing community and activities. Development and new construction should not act as usurpers of existing lifestyles but rather as entities that genuinely respect each way of life, crafting new platforms for their enrichment. Serving as overspaces for education and commerce, the apartmentand provides a good cultural venue for people in the community.
SITE ANALYSIS
Regional Impact
Status Quo
CROWDS-ACTIVITIES & CONCEPT
Based on the particularity of the site location, the spatial concepts of sinking and floating hulls are extended to meet the spatial needs of different behaviors of the original group and the target group of the apartment respectively, and to create transitional spaces for education and commerce.
SCUT SITE
SCAU College Dynamicstatic Partition Urban Road
The site is in the transition zone between the dynamic zone and the quiet zone. It is very important to properly handle the relationship between the two and the impact of urban rapid transportation.
Provided Linger space
stayable
public space original
The commercial district provides a wealth of business formats, mainly catering, but lacks cultural and educational space. Influenced by primary schools and kindergartens, due to lack of staying space, waiting areas have been formed independently by encroaching on the road.
Wushan Road
Spontaneous Gathering + +
cultural facilities
Catering industry
function PARKING LOT Close to the residential area
only urban firstclass road in the region Non-motor vehicle parking Regional public transportation center Concentrated business area
Shan New Plaza
Shan Plaza Wu Shan Complex
residents infants parents pupils college students private life Apartment Independent accommodation Stay + Cultural events Traversing + Division Public Plaza New Path public daily life office
providing
——
sinking part —— expanded Apartment Target Users Goal of Co-living Concept of Space Local Community
Experimental Primary School
Kindergarten
University of Technology East Residential Area
Other formats
The
Wu
Wu
long-time
workers
linger spaces floating part
undisturbed
Affiliated
Affiliated
South China
The site is located in Wushan Street, Tianhe District, Guangzhou City, close to South China University of Technology and South China Agricultural University. The surrounding area is rich in educational resources and has a large youth population. It is also the regional transportation center and commercial center, and is close to Wushan Road and Wushan Subway Station, which are the only firstclass urban roads in the region.
Survey on functions and formats
Step1: placement Step2: sink Step3: subtract
Place 1,000 square meters of residential volume and 400 square meters of public space with the bookstore as the core
Sink the bookstore space and return the ground space to the original community
Subtract part of the height difference, expand the front square, and introduce people to the sunken square.
Step4: clip Step5: connect Step6: float
Reshape the square interface according to the path.
PEAK HOURS
Inserting a corridor to connect the residential volume and public areas.
Reduce the sense of volume in the living space and create a sense of floating.
Use new volumes to bridge the space needs of original behaviors and provide space for new cultural and educational behaviors to occur.
shared part for APARTMENT USERS
public part for ALL
YOUTH APARTMENT
The living part of the apartment is concentrated on the upper floor to ensure the needs of young users for private life. Different approaches are used towards the main street and towards the square.
BOOKSTORE-BASED CULTRUAL SPACE
The bookstore is divided into two parts. The upper floor connected to the main body of the apartment is mainly for study and work, and is open to the public for a limited time. The lower floor, which mainly sells reading materials, is connected to the sunken square and can be used for various cultural and educational activities.
PUBLIC SUNKEN PLAZA
The sunken square provides a new path from the active area to the quiet area and becomes a new community activity space
SHARED PLATFORM
Try to preserve the height difference of the site extending from one side of the residential area, which not only creates a waiting area, but also serves as an extended platform for the bookstore.
weekdays doing outdoor activities Going to and from school bite and sup
PLAZA BOOKSTORE weekends volume formal behaviors new behaviors party lecture parental waiting learning and reading
APARTMENT
VOLUME STRATEGY
From the first models, how to take advantage of the site's height changes and increase public life has always been the top concern.
The final presentation hopes to respond to the different urban life conditions on both sides of the site in two forms and two functions through the emergence of new paths.
Refining Design with Sponge Blocks
Final Manual Model Presentation-perspective view
Final Manual Model Presentation- street elevation view
SECTION I-I
SECTION II-II
13
13 one-person units shared terrace
11 one-person units
2 shared terrace shared corridor leading to the bookstore
apartment enteance reception
residents' gym
parents waiting area parking
24h reading area
plaza
exterior work space and lounge book sales
reading and self-study light meal, night bar
下 下
FLOOR PLAN
FLOOR PLAN
FLOOR PLAN
FLOOR PLAN
18.5m2 COMMUNITY BOOKSTORE
FLOOR PLAN
GROUND
SECOND
THIRD
TOP
INDEPENDENT UNIT-
BASEMENT
units
one-person
03 PILLOW TALK
ART MUSEUM
SCUT 2022 SPRING, Architecture Studio IIII, Academic crouse
Location: Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
Duration: 8 weeks
Instructor: Yu DaxingW
Teamwork with Zhong Jing
Contribution: Concept 60% , Digital Model 40%, Drawing 80%
This design starts from the use of crowd portraits and uses the postures of people sitting, lying down, and lying in the venue as the design origin. It intentionally resists the solemn and solemn atmosphere of traditional museums and aims to create a living public exhibition space that is comfortable, comfortable, and close to nature.
The flexible curved surface and concrete shell create a soft and pure pillow intention; the integrated design of environment and architecture, roof and wall, wall and furniture satisfies people's intention of stopping and lying down anytime and anywhere; natural light pours into the holes, blurring the The boundaries between indoor and outdoor spaces give the building a light and gentle sense of breathing; the circle’s intention is to provide an ambiguous space between privacy and openness for family-style and campus-style outings and exhibitions.
