Selected Works 2019-2024
Portfolio of
WENJIA SHEN Master of Architecture Cornell AAP | Architecture, Art, and Planning
ws492@cornell.edu | 607-379-0095
My very first experience with architecture began with crafting an annoying wooden chair by myself. The native wood grains often led to cracks in chiseling, after which the units could face improper connections due to production discrepancies. Later on, when collaborating on the construction of a Middle Eastern arcade, I experienced numerous revisions followed by constant monitoring and cleaning. At that time, I would owe the tiredness and drabness of building activity to the issue of material itself. Therefore, for the next two years of my coursework I predominantly worked with concrete, a material with fewer limitations and could fit various design schemes. However, a pivotal shift occurred during my senior year when I once again encountered wood and brick in some large-scale design projects. Surprisingly, the limitations of these materials offered new design opportunities. For instance, challenges in connecting wood pieces inspired innovative connector designs, while different bricklaying techniques allowed for creative masonry potentials. I came to realize that materials were never constraints in design but rather as sources of breakthrough possibilities. Through my ongoing exploration of materials, I nurtured a growing curiosity and passion for architecture.