I celebrate the harmonious blend of parametric design and architectural innovation, with structural aesthetics informed by my civil engineering background reflected throughout this portfolio.
Inspired by Le Corbusier's belief that "Architecture is the learned game, correct and magnificent, of forms assembled in the light," I strive to create spaces that resonate with modern technological beauty and structural functionality. My works explore the dynamic relationship between architecture and the environment, transforming abstract ideas into tangible forms that enhance human interactivity.
My portfolio also reflects a commitment to pushing creative boundaries and exploring the potential of design to inspire and uplift. Whether working on large-scale urban designs or small-scale installations, I aim to innovate continually.
If I were to project countless rays outward from my current architectural theory, I would like my trajectory to remain dynamic, driven by a passion for architecture that embraces the courage to start anew.
CONTENTS
01 SLOPE DIVERSITY HOME
"Making Space, Living Space, Leaving Space"
Architecture Design -- A CollectiveApartment Defining Space
02 1/2 STADIUM
"Sharing Space for School Staff & Citizen"
Architecture Design -- The Campus Stadium
03 ALTERNATING-RISE
“White Space Created by Rotation”
Architecture Design -- High-rise Commercial Building in City
04 SUBDIVISION SLAB
"Algorithmic and Computational Design Research""
Grasshopper -- Subdivision Concrete Slab System
OTHER WORKS
YUPO-MOLD PRINCIPAL STRESS CONCRETE SLAB
Material Research & Structural Design -- Concrete & Labority
LIVE TOGETHER
Urban Design -- Tourist & Residents
SURFACE LAUNCHING
Grasshopper -- Interactive Touch Wall
INTERNSHIP WORKS
01 SLOPE DIVERSITY HOME
University of Michigan/ Taubman College 2023 Winter Architecture Collectives Studio
"Making Space, Living Space, Leaving Space"
Instructor: C. Hansen, L. Gräbner
Site: Tuscola Street/ Fourth Street, Midtown Detroit, MI
Team: Yichuan Li, Feiling Jin Role in Team: Design Process Advancement, Preliminary Dwelling Precedent Study, Conceptual Design, Technical Drawing and Architectural Representation, Physical Model, Code Inspections
Software: Revit, Rhino, Enscape, Adobe Creative Suite
Typology: Mix-used Building, Apartment Building Area: 36,501 sf = 0.84 acres
In an era where information cocoons, class divisions, and populism are widespread, this project aims to address social conflict by fostering a diverse community where residents can share spaces that encourage communication and interaction.
This mixed-use development includes a public park, pedestrian shopping street, 113 multifamily dwellings, and amenities such as a lobby, gym, and library. The project is designed to attract people, energize the area, and fully comply with the 2015 Michigan Building Code.
-- SPACE ANALYSIS --
1” Kalzip
1-1/2” Air Gap
2” Mineral Wool Batts Housewrap
5” Mineral Wool Batts Housewrap
1/2” Plywood
2/3” Gypsum Board
-- STRUCTURE DETAILS --
02 1/2 STADIUM
2020 Stadium Architecture Practice
"Sharing Space for School Staff & Citizen"
Site: University Campus, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
Team: Gaowei Zhou
Role in Team: Design Process Advancement, Site Condition Analysis, Concept Generation, Technical Drawing and Architectural Representation, Physical Model
Software: Rhino, AutoCAD, Vray, Adobe Creative Suite
Typology: University Campus Building Area: 228,679 sf = 5.25 acres
This project proposes the construction of a 2,500-seat stadium at Zhejiang University, intended for both school teaching and provincial sports events. The design concept, "1/2," integrates function, form, and space, symbolizing the division of a whole into two parts, transitioning from singularity to duality.
Traditionally, stadiums are only utilized for large-scale sports and cultural events, which leads to underutilization in the current era. This design reimagines the stadium, integrating it into the city and opening it to the community. By dividing the traditional stadium by function, space, and form, this project aims to extend the spatial meaning and create a positive, shared space while meeting basic needs.
Step1. Penetrate inward according to the site boundary to form the overall outline.
Step4. An entrance square is formed at both ends of the axis because they are the main points of intersection of people
-- FORM GENERATION --
Step2. Dividing the site into two parts according to the building functions, using the diagonal line as the axis.
1/2 competition 1/2 City Sharing
Step3. The area on the southwest side is mainly for city sharing, and the area on the northeast side is for events.
Step5. Lift the plane to form the overall shape. The height is restricted by local building codes.
Step6. The spatial relationship on the axis is echoed by the height change at the top of the building.
-- ELEVATIONS --
WEST ELEVATION
White Metal Plate Upright Seam Metal Roof Panel
Frosted Translucent Glass Aluminum Frame Curtain
White Metal Plate Aluminum Frame Curtain
Upright Seam Metal Roof Panel
Frosted Translucent Glass Purlin
White Metal Plate
RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS AND SHOPS
AUDIENCE ENTRANCE
TRAINING HALL ENTRANCE (2F)
AUDIENCE ENTRANCE
GRADUATE SCHOOL BUILDING
SWIMMING FITNESS CENTER
VOLLEYBALLCOURT
BASEMENT ENTRANCE VIP ENTRANCE EVACUATIONENTRANCE
STAFFENTRANCE
ATHLETEENTRANCE
TRAINING HALL ENTRANCE (1F)
MAJOR TECHNICALECONOMIC INDICES 0 10 20 40 M 30
Base Area: 7243.16 M²
Parking Space for Vehicles: 57
SECTIONS
PERSPECTIVE
Top support
-- STRUCTURAL ANALYSIS --
Lateral support
Column
Rigid Frame Structure Size
Roof
Two roofs of different materials
Connector
Purlins and steel frames
Lattice steel frame
Underground foundation
Connection of foundation & steel frame
(1) The maximum span of the steel frame is 80m and the minimum is 12m. (2) The height of the steel rigid frame structure, h =1/20~1/15H (H=The height of steel frame). (·3) The spacing between rigid frames d=10m. (4) The spacing between purlins D=3m (purlins are bolted with C-section steel and steel frame). (5)The steel rigid frame adopts the lattice type. The section size of the component l = (1/15~1/20) · L (the length of the component). 6) The rigid frame and the foundation are rigidly connected.
Purlin
03 ALTERNATING-RISE
2019 High-rise Commercial Building Design
"White Space Created by Rotation"
Site: Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
Individual Work
Software: Sketchup, AutoCAD, VRay, Adobe Creative Suite
Typology: HIgh-rise Commercial Building Building Area: 96,875 sf = 2.23 acres
The high-rise is situated at the intersection of the city's main urban roads, forming the center of a bustling urban life hub.
Located in the city center, the high-rise primarily serves a concentrated demographic of middle-aged and young people. The site boasts a lush green environment and excellent views, necessitating a design that offers a comprehensive range of vision.
The original intention of this design is to create a shared vertical community for urban office workers. The building's configuration fosters communication and interaction among users on each floor.
-- ELEVATION --
-- PERSPECTIVE --
-- FUNCTION ANALYSIS --
Open Office Roof Greening
Freestanding Office
Freestanding Office
04 SUBDIVISION SLAB
University of Michigan/ Taubman College 2023 Fall Computational Design Course Work
"Algorithmic and Computational Design Research"
Instructor: Mania Aghaei Meibodi
Team: Yichuan Li
Role in Team: Subdivision 2D/3D Mechanics Research, Conceptual Design, System Generation in GH, Project Presentation, Application, Rendering
Software: Rhino, Grasshopper, D5, Adobe Creative Suite
Typology: Structure Design
Subdivision Slab explores algorithmic thinking, design, and programming within creative design and architecture. The project’s core logic involves the interconversion of force diagrams and form diagrams to reduce material usage while maintaining structural balance.
The process involves subdividing a concrete two-way slab structure using the 3D Graphic Statics plug-in in Grasshopper, a parametric design software. It includes transforming force representation patterns in 3D space and solving issues like joints using Grasshopper components. By fully understanding the principles of 3D Graphic Statics, the project ultimately achieves a viable alternative to the traditional concrete two-way slab.
Reference
-- CONCEPT GENERATION --
In their article "Funicular Funnel Shells," Matthias Rippmann and Philippe Block introduce an innovative funnel-shaped shell design for lightweight and open-building applications. They combine a pure compression shell with a funnel tension ring, enabling the creation of perforated shells and undulating ridgeedge structures through controlled and localized manipulation of compression and tension forces. The article also validates the feasibility of 3D printing a discrete structural scale model.
Compression-only Form: Subdivision of External Force Polyhedron
For the subdivided structure, we aimed to adjust its thickness in all directions according to the forces acting on it. However, we encountered challenges with connecting the parts. By exploring the Proximity Network, we eventually discovered the logic behind the connection points and successfully applied it to the structure.
Form Diagram Force Diagram
Form Diagram Force Diagram
2D 3D
Connection Analysis
Initial Brep (Force Diagram)
-- SUBDIVISION PROCESS --
Select ALL INNER SURFACE of the lower part of Initial Brep for Subdivision Subdivision Level: 1
Unresolved Foam Diagram
Brep (Force Diagram)
Upper Part
Lower Part
Resolved Foam Diagram
Slab Generation
Upper Part
Lower Part
YUPO-MOLD IRREGULAR PRINCIPLA
STRESS
TWO-WAY CONCRETE SLAB
University of Michigan/ Taubman College
2024 Thesis Concrete_Laborities Studio
Instructor: Tszyan Ng
Team: Yichuan Li, Yaqi Zhu
Softwares: Grasshopper, Rhino, Ansys
Fabrication: Zund, CNC, 3D Printing, Concrete Casting
In contemporary concrete design, architectural production is realigning the labor involved in the testing, prototyping, and fabrication of concrete work, integrating innovations in material development to produce unexpected results and novel experiences. This project seeks to revolutionize the floor slab process by studying concrete theory, properties, and engineering practices, alongside the precedent of the Nervi principal stress line two-way concrete slab. The goal is to create a more labor-efficient, environmentally friendly mold that uses fewer raw concrete materials.
Irregular-shaped Slab
Normal Slab
LIVE TOGETHER
"Tourists & Residents"
Site: Fenghuang Town, Changsha, Hunan, China
Individual Work
Software: Sketchup, AutoCAD, Rhino, ArcGIS, Vray
Typology: Urban Design
Starting with an analysis of the interactions between residents and tourists, and the relationship between different crowd behaviors and space, this project addresses conflicts and seeks harmony. By preserving the site's original texture, a vibrant shared block is introduced to revitalize the waterfront and activate community public spaces. This design aims to foster interaction between residents and tourists while ensuring that their independent activity areas remain undisturbed. Ultimately, the goal is to enhance regional development through tourism and achieve a vision of harmonious coexistence between tourists and residents.
SURFACE LAUNCHING
Interactive Touch Wall
Individual Work
Softwares: Grasshopper, Rhino
Fabrication: 3D Printing, Adobe Creative Suite
Technology enriches our lives both mentally and physically, marking a trend for the future. The interactive touch wall exemplifies this by creating remarkable human-machine interactions.
“Buildings and urban spaces should be designed around their occupants,” says Dr. Sergio Altomonte, architect and associate professor at Nottingham University. “Our body is the easiest to 'drive' on a flexible and intuitive level.” This 3D touch wall engages people within a CAD virtual environment, responding to any movement, and offering an immersive and enjoyable experience for all.
3D Printing Model
UMI Japanese Shabu Shabu (Built)
Company: FNS Engineering
Time: Jul 2023 - Aug 2023
Site: Salt Lake City, UT
Softwares: Sketchup, AutoCAD, Enscape, Adobe Creative Suite
Stage: SD, DD and CD
Role: Develop & Present Design Progress to Clients, Design & Iterate 3D Model, Create & Modify AutoCAD Floor Plans, Interpretate Enscape Rendering to Contractors, Manage Construction Processes
Typology: Comercial Design, Restaurant
Chengdu Blossoming Souls Flower Restaurant (Under
Construction)
First Prize in Jincheng Park International Competition
Company: DA! Archites
Cooperator: HAPPEN Architects
Time: Jun 2020 - Jul 2020
Site: Chengdu, Sichuan, China
Stage: CD
Role: Field Visit, Inform Management of Productivity, Budget, Process, Quality Control, and Documents
Typology: Commercial Design, Restaurant
Bloom Times Flowers as main protagonists of the building define its appearance during seasonal change
Lishui: Improvisation Under Heaven
Shan-Shui City Creative Award
Company: DA! Archites
Cooperator: IND Studio, B+B Bureau Studio
Time: Jun 2020 - Jul 2020
Site: Shanghai, China
Softwares: Rhino, AutoCAD, VRay, Adobe Creative Suite
Stage: SD, DD and CD
Role: Develop Further Design Ideas, 3D Model, 2D Layout Drawings, Renderings, Prepare Presentation
Typology: Competition, Urban Design
Oneswear Jewelry Store (Built)
Company: Parallect Design
Time: Jun 2019 - Aug 2019
Site: Suzhou, Jiangsu, China
Softwares: Rhino, AutoCAD
Stage: SD, DD and CD
Role: Design 3D Rhino Models, Generate AutoCAD Floor Plan, Conducte Site Visits, Compile Reports, Document Observations, Analyzed Budgets
