Rouyi 张如意

Ba (Hons) Interior & Environment Design - 2020 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 : key sentence explaining issues addressed 

  • Potentials : Possible potentials in a key sentence 

  • Design scheme : Key design scheme 

  • Structural : Key concept 

  • The final goals : Project goals not just for this project but for further designs

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

Simple subtilite clear to the point 

Simple exploitation of the project 

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

With the progress of society, a large number of urban and rural reconstruction plans continue to shape new urban and rural landscapes. In some areas, to enhance the overall city's level, planners seem to address existing issues in certain communities. However, these efforts may only renovate rather than transform, leaving many problems unresolved. Moreover, with the decreasing fertility intentions of the new generation, the elderly population is on the rise. Dealing with communities with a significant elderly demographic has become a major social challenge. The chosen site is situated in the city's central development zone. Despite the regional development, the community remains stagnant, primarily comprising baby boomers. Given the community's characteristics such as exclusion, indifference, collectivity, and the limited willingness of some to engage with the outside world in a friendly manner, understanding these traits is crucial for future life design. This design will delve into subjective emotions evoked by the community, including struggle, self-preservation, ambiguity, and the unknown, exploring how to take action from an individual perspective. The design approach will incorporate repetition, stacking, circling, with key design elements revolving around connection, roles, exploration, and pathways.

Honours Project - Site Research and Representation

Part I: Research and Analysis

The community mainly serves the families of the staff of the People's Hospital. The surrounding facilities and services are relatively perfect, with a small commercial street, hospital, university, park, vegetable market, etc., which can meet the needs of daily life and transportation. However, the site still retains a relatively traditional state of life and is a place with a sense of time. The business status of commercial shops within 10 meters from the site is not good, the architectural style of the community is dilapidated, and there are no leisure and entertainment places in the community that can meet the wishes of residents. Residents will basically go to the nearby park for activities. In addition, the community's population is mainly the baby boomer generation.

A few residents are willing to communicate with the outside world and have a strong sense of collectivity. Social matters greatly affect their cognition and behavior, as they lack personal awareness. Moreover, in urban planning and development in recent years, the community has not kept up with the progress of the times, showing a state of detachment. Perhaps the main reason is due to the characteristics and living habits of the community, but the people outside this community are mostly from Generation Z and Generation Y, with good development and innovation.

This group of people has a strong subjective initiative and personal consciousness. Overall, the site presents a sense of detachment that is gradually disappearing.

Part II: Site Representation

The object of my choice is the asphalt on the roof, which is a residue, situated at the edge of the roof. The subjective idea that asphalt gives me is evidence that people have always lived here, and despite some restoration in certain areas, traces of the past can still be found. Initially, it made me think that the asphalt seemed to represent the people who had lived here all along, even though the house itself was very dilapidated, they were still here. It may represent them, or it may represent an attitude or idea that they do not want to leave, or it may be a stubborn old thought. Then it occurred to me that this is the residue after the repair of the new roof, and conversely, it is a kind of protection or security, a form of care. Now, the asphalt has a feeling of being carbonized, having experienced wind and sun, after a long period of change. Later, it was discovered that asphalt is a colloidal material with strong viscosity and presents a sticky state, which reminds me of the term "sticky memory". As there are Alzheimer's patients in the community, their daily behaviors make me wonder if the stagnation, indifference, and unwillingness to communicate in the community are caused by some past experiences, rather than some old ideas that we are accustomed to thinking. This led me to choose "sticky" as my design concept.

Honours Project

Theoretical Underpinning

Part I: Generation Z of self pleasure 

"Emerging in a time of societal transformation, this generation moves away from feudal superstitions and the remnants of conflict, focusing instead on achieving personal happiness and spiritual satisfaction."

A Modern Outlook

Generation Z is a young generation that is constantly innovating. Most refer to groups born in the 1990s, with the earliest dating back to the 1980s. They are born out of the constant push into new societies. In this era, people are gradually getting rid of feudal superstition, and people are gradually getting rid of the trouble of war smoke, and constantly pursuing a happy life and pursuing self-spiritual satisfaction. The reasons that affect Generation Z are the spread of internetworking technology, the popularity of intelligent technology, the rise of electronic equipment, the impact of education and so on. As a result, the speed at which this group receives information is very rapid and widespread. Almost everyone can have some Internet electronic products and quickly receive a variety of information. With the establishment of education after the founding of New China and the nine-year compulsory education system, people's acceptance of new things is also different from the early feudal period. The lines represent the connections and bonds between each other, forming a grid space, indicating that each part has relative independence but also forms a certain connection with other people and objects around it. They are not a single label.

Part II: I am in society

"This generation encountered significant social issues, primarily due to the rapid increase in population growth which posed development and survival challenges."

The Baby Boomer Generation

The baby boomer generation is a population group that includes individuals born in the early 1940s to the late 1960s, who faced the challenges of national rejuvenation after World War II and the complex situations in building new nations. One of the biggest social problems faced by this generation is the development and survival issues after the rapid growth of the family's birth population. The country is in a stage of full construction and development, which has led to some imperfect systems. Under the influence of factors such as low media efficiency, limited coverage, and low accuracy, which have just emerged from traditional patriarchal culture, the behavior of the baby boomer generation reflects more limitations and collectivism. For example, the emphasis on gender and reasons for cultivating offspring. The silver ring-shaped metal represents the wave that surged in that era, such as the nationwide steel production. A series of activities brought a lot of harm and restrictions to that era.

Part III: What ‘I’ can choose

"Individuals from Generation Z place greater emphasis on personal experiences and the realization of individual values, focusing on self-fulfillment."

Bridging Generations

By comparing the Baby Boomer generation with Generation Z, significant differences and generation gaps are evident due to various reasons such as social development and values. While there are some similarities, both generations were born during societal advancements. Generation Z is experiencing rapid technological changes. They have gained a unique identity in a new environment not defined by society.

Baby Boomers, on the other hand, are more influenced by traditional beliefs and identities, impacting their behavior. The yellow tassel in the collage symbolizes confidence, wealth, safety, love, and status, integrating the wishes of people from different eras without being confined by society or ideology.

Scissors represent individuals from different eras influenced by diverse environments, yet bound and connected. Generation Z, with its new-era thinking, seeks independence, shorter bonds, and a fulfilling life. Baby Boomers, despite being entangled in various relationships, strive to reach out and maintain social connections.

To Explore, Discover, & Regenerate