Moon 喻毅

Ba (Hons) Interior & Environment Design - 2019 Cohort

My Design Philosophy

I am very glad to be a designer. Design is a multi-faceted course, integrating various subjects such as sociology, philosophy, etc., which makes the process of design a very interesting one, and my passion also comes from it. In the exploration of each project, I feel different cultural customs and cultures, which has become my favourite stage. The design process is like a journey, a pilgrimage, in which I accumulate strength and reach the temple in my heart at the end of the journey.

Honours Project - Community Integration

Project Brief

Integration of aging community - Organic Modular Construction

  • Issues to be addressed : Crowded neighbourhoods, cold buildings, generations divided

  • Potentials : Centrally located, lots of potential users, well-preserved walls, lots of history

  • Design scheme : Modular, organic form. Shared communication space, series circulation line

  • Structural : Topology expansion, "bond" as the concept, modularity as the method to achieve community integration

  • The final goals : Taking the target community as the starting point, it expands the original form to its neighbor community with topological thinking, so as to achieve community integration.

Idea Generation & Design Process

Generation

Bond

Elements

Development

Generation

Bond

Elements

Development

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Generational understanding

This is based on the situation of the increasing work pressure of young people, through the classification of different generations and understanding the behavioral habits of different generations, the elderly can be accompanied and the young can be relaxed. It is also a "bond" that connects the community together.

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The concept of bond

From the concept of bond, many elements are derived, including DNA strand structure, topology structure, knot structure, series structure. The elements are abstracted into the most basic geometric form and utilized. The elements are transformed from abstract to concrete.

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The extension of elements

Through the extension of the elements on the element board, many interesting forms can be obtained, and different elements are "defined" according to the needs of different groups, and elements are reinterpreted from both abstract and concrete perspectives. The design method of modularization is obtained, the community planning method is obtained

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Design development 

In this part, the three-dimensional space to be used in the design is developed based on the elements obtained from the transformation of two-dimensional graphics, and the body is analyzed based on the structure and operation methods (topological structure, Boolean operation method, modularity) obtained in two-dimensional.

Step 1 of 4

Final Design Scheme

Integration of aging community - Organic Modular Construction

The role of community in cultural inheritance is explored. It also brings out the spirit conveyed by old objects in human society as the medium of emotional transmission. Based on the comprehensive analysis of the current situation of the community, from the perspectives of sustainability, openness, security and participation, the modular design method is used to transform the community. Through the modular design method, the shape of the community has more possibilities, and hopefully this kind of method can be used in the planning of other communities.

Final Design Proposal

This community is clearly next to the next community, but it is cut off by a wall. Therefore, my design target is to take this community as the divergence point, radiate the surrounding communities in a planned way, break the "walls" in the community (physical walls and walls in people's minds) 

General Views

It is hoped that the design can change the gap between generations , and at the same time, it is hoped that the community can become a place full of children's laughter. And through the organic architectural form, rich space, break the cold appearance of modern architecture, and awaken people

Video Portfolio

Show the beauty with picturesque video portfolios. It will help people experience every scene.

Context, Site analysis, Design Narratives and Concept

Get to know the thorough design development from the stages listed below.

Community Project - Participant’s Installation

Design Narrative

Bond The theme "bond" is based on the situation of the ageing population in society and the increasing work pressure on young people. Through the classification of different generations and understanding the behavioural habits of people of different ages, psychosocial intervention aims to improve community communication. This allows people of different ages to find satisfaction, with the elderly receiving companionship and the young feeling relaxed. It is also a "bond" that brings the entire community together in the face of community separation. Shared memories are a powerful force that evokes people's deepest longing for life and helps the weightless find a sense of purpose again. These memories are also the best way to alleviate the loneliness experienced by elderly individuals. Preserve it, showcase it, narrate it Memory can be considered the most precious possession of the elderly, and it can also serve as a means of interpersonal connection. The bearers of memories can be objects or even a small noodle shop, which become cherished treasures for the elderly. These objects are not mere artifacts; they are living entities. Time has left its mark on the elderly, but it has also brought many things. The elderly go to great lengths to preserve these items, as they hold the fading memories close. These cherished objects are also the most valuable possessions in this community.

Honours Project - Site Research and Representation

Part I: Research and Analysis

Founded around 2000, during the boom years of China's economy, the community's original purpose was not as a commodity, unlike many neighborhoods today. Instead, it was intended as a genuine place for people to live. However, with the continuous improvement in the quality of life, these residential areas have become far less competitive compared to newly constructed commercial housing. Consequently, the community has been left abandoned, and the sense of belonging and community identity in people's hearts has gradually vanished. Houses have merely become a place to "live" rather than a place for "life". Upon entering this community, I immediately sensed a strong historical presence. Perhaps it was due to the aged public facilities or the grandfather who warmly greeted me at the door. During my conversation with the grandfather, I discovered that this area used to be the living quarters of the Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital. However, due to the hospital's relocation and the outdated facilities, only a few elderly families remain here. The government neglected to improve the community due to the small number of residents, which is truly regrettable. It is disheartening to imagine that a community that was once filled with happy elderly individuals and children is now in such a dilapidated state. This realization prompted me to contemplate further.

Part II: Site Representation

Narrative: When I first entered this community, I was immediately drawn to a three-meter-high red gate within the vicinity. This symbolic object sparked my thoughts, and upon analyzing this "emotional" door, I discovered a series of elements that could potentially be utilized in future designs (refer to the picture above). Bond between People and Objects: As a representation of shared memories, the red door establishes a connection between individuals and fosters a bond that extends beyond familial ties. Throughout the course of human history, feelings have been passed down, transcending from simple wooden artifacts in the earliest times to more intricate creations. These objects have always carried the sentiments of people. Roots: Human Social Network: Human society, akin to a collection of individuals, is interconnected, much like the roots of trees. Leaves absorb sunlight for photosynthesis and transport nutrients to nourish the tree. Likewise, every person serves as a leaf, absorbing life experiences, with the accumulated wisdom acting as nourishment, constantly fostering the growth of the entire community. Shared Memory: Each generation possesses its own memories, and the preservation of history is essentially the preservation of these collective memories. When memories intertwine, people naturally grow closer to one another, and the objects associated with these shared memories serve as evidence of the interconnectedness of their lives. Memories derived from objects are irreplaceable, forming a spiritual bond that humans acquire within the material world.

Honours Project

Theoretical Underpinning

Part I: Generation Z and Self Identification

'...a group of people who have witnessed the rapid evolution of technology, Generation z has been associated with the technological Internet since they were sensible, and they are called "digital natives".'

Everyone is an island

As a group of people who have witnessed the rapid evolution of technology, Generation z has been associated with the technological Internet since they were sensible, and they are called "digital natives". They spend half of their lives online socializing, entertaining, and studying. As a result, they are more dependent on the convenience brought by the Internet, but lack of communication in real life. And this is a kind of “noisy solitude”. The central idea expressed in this collage is that everyone is an island. Generation z seems to know each other in such an isolated life just by connecting with network cables, but in fact there is an invisible barrier between them. The world of the Internet is as colorful as it is. But divorced from many real-life mediums, everyone seems not so real, like a face with a mask. They want to break through this barrier, but due to various factors affecting their personality and behavior, they are "false happy"

Part II:  Pre-generation Z and Self Identification

'....their common bond. At that time, the Chinese people were used to huddling together for warmth, waving red flags and forging a new country with blood and flesh.'

The power of BOND

As survivors of war, the baby boomers or Generation X forged the bonds of their generation in flesh and blood. The mood of baby boomers in different countries is different because of the specific circumstances in different countries. But in the same context(the coming of peace time), countries are having their own baby boom. Take China's baby boomers as an example. After winning the war, the Chinese people fought fiercely for the construction of their country, which also became their common bond. At that time, the Chinese people were used to huddling together for warmth, waving red flags and forging a new country with blood and flesh. As a result, China's baby boomers are highly connected. However, for them, the road is not smooth sailing. In the seemingly hopeful future, there are still many "clouds" hanging over their heads. Either natural or man-made. But it didn't break the bond between people(the branches was been bent). Today's baby boomers are still eager to connect with people and endure the loneliness of the Internet(blocked by bubbles).

Part III: Generations and Community

'. Virtual and real ways of communication are complementary to some extent, but how to eliminate invisible barriers between people is something we need to solve through the means of design.'

Two lines that can “never” be intersect

The biggest difference between Generation z and the baby boomers is the difference in the way of communication, which creates a generational gap that is difficult to bridge. Virtual and real ways of communication are complementary to some extent, but how to eliminate invisible barriers between people is something we need to solve through the means of design. Today Gen z and Baby boomers are at the opposite ends of the timeline. Although they all live in the same environment and appear to be closely related (the closely related balls), the gap between the two generations is actually invisible, which creates a severe split between the two generations. Gen z stands at the top of technology and generation, using a form of communication that only they can understand. It seems that we have been ignoring the feelings of older people (baby boomers), resulting in older people only socializing in ways that they can only understand. As is shown in the collage, the "line" walking above seems to coincide with the "streamline" below, but it never intersects.

To Explore, Discover, & Regenerate