2026 landscape portfolio

SYNTHESIS TYPOLOGY

PORTFOLIO OF XINQI MENG

Selected Works 2020-2026

Harvard University Graduate School of Design

PROLOGUE

Synthesis Typologies: Navigating Urban Form and Landscape Integration

How architectural elements follow the rules and principles in the norm and define the relationship between components and the code in various possibilities is the focus of architectural typology and the essential operation of exploring regularity. In other words, identifying the composition of architectural objects are a series of personal simulations that reflect the thoughts of abbreviating and rearranging the hidden information behind the common. As an introduction to the urban—which I understand to mean not just "the city" as a thing, but a dynamic complex of spatial conditions and the quotidian experiences and lived. In the process of systemizing, it tries to figure out the continuity of urban form, which is obtained by exploring the choice and transformation of urban space types further to maintain the order of urban space.

In studying the composition of architectural space, spaces with different functions and sizes have different meanings due to people's design. The studies in the living, landscape, urban, visualization, and free types of architecture further helped me to develop the purposes of space buried in these common typologies. In this way, I regard typology as not merely a means to design but a fluid ideology to detach and consider architectural form under different social contexts. The examination of the type of system also allowed me to observe the limits of architectural change. In my works, the goal of typology is to obtain the continuity of urban form through the individual understanding and treatment of types, which perceives the order structure of the urban physical environment as a meaningful entity.

As a designer, I regard myself an observer and mediator of the city, bringing new cognition and ideology to the design environment. The typology study is not aimed at establishing a set of logical and selfconsistent ultimate truths and aesthetic dogmas. It is instructive and open and needs to be constantly tested, corrected, and updated in practice. I wish to explore this ideology: to investigate better and find meaningful and viable solutions that ultimately facilitate the situations.

SEAMLESS GREEN

-CONNECTIVITY & OPEN SPACE-

A Phased Proposal for Charlestown’s Future Commons

Harvard University Graduate School of Design (Landscape Architecture AP)

Professor: Mauricio Gomez

Individual work

Spring 2025

The project envisions the phased transformation of Rutherford Avenue into a climate-adaptive urban spine, addressing Charlestown’s long-standing fragmentation and vulnerability. By introducing new open spaces, stormwater systems, and tree canopies, Rutherford becomes a resilient corridor that anchors broader connectivity to Boston’s metropolitan greenway system.

At the heart of this spine lies the Urban Upland—a reimagined future park that unifies the community college field, the I-93 understructure, and the former train yard into a continuous, elevated landscape. More than a park, the Urban Upland is a future ecological corridor and civic connector—where community life, water systems, and memory converge. It reclaims infrastructure as shared public ground, extending the regional green network.

This future-facing landscape reclaims infrastructure as public space and turns climate risk into opportunity. It offers a bold framework that connects Charlestown to the Inner Belt and Cambridge Crossing and redefines the city’s edge as a shared, adaptive commons.

This project centers on the Bunker Hill Community College (BHCC) field—one of Charlestown’s largest yet most underutilized open spaces. Despite its scale, the field remains visually and physically disconnected, surrounded by major infrastructure that cuts it off from the neighborhood. This condition highlights a broader challenge in urban design: transforming residual land into active, connective, and resilient public infrastructure.

Charlestown contains only 12% protected open space, with much of the remaining land fragmented or at risk of future development. Simultaneously, the neighborhood faces compound climate vulnerabilities, including sea level rise along the industrial waterfront and intensifying urban heat island effects inland. The BHCC field, positioned adjacent to the Inner Belt and I‑93, lies at the nexus of these environmental pressures.

Rutherford Avenue—originally engineered for automotive use—now acts as a physical barrier within the urban fabric. Yet, its adjacency to civic, educational, and transportation assets presents a unique opportunity. The proposal reimagines this corridor as a resilient green spine: beginning at the BHCC field and extending outward to reconnect the fragmented edges of Charlestown.

This transformation unfolds across four strategic

phases aligned with escalating climate conditions and by 2100, the BHCC field is transformed into a multifunctional anchor space, integrating shaded lawns, sports fields, and terraced landscapes that manage stormwater and provide climate refuge. The adjacent MBTA yard is reimagined as a linear park built upon remnants of former rail lines, reinforcing continuity through public access and ecological corridors.

With the future sea level rise which will impact the current railway and the intersection point of the node, the project wants to take the rutherford avenue as the starting point to expand the network which porposing the interconnection in the futuree with greenscape, new open green space. which Seamless Green is not simply a park but a strategic spatial framework. It proposes a new commons where climate adaptation, infrastructure reuse, and social equity converge. By transforming infrastructural boundaries into ecological backbones, the project envisions a resilient future for Charlestown - one that reconnects the neighborhood to Boston’s broader green network and redefines formerly divisive corridors as shared civic space.

THE LIVING OASIS BETWEEN HILLS

-PERUGIA IN CROSSROAD-

Reorganization and Proposal for future Pian di Massiano

Harvard University Graduate School of Design (Landscape Architecture AP)

Professor: Toshiko Mori

Individual work Fall 2025

The Living Oasis Between Hills focuses on Pian di Massiano, a unique district in Perugia that serves simultaneously as the city’s event ground and its green heart. Once rich farmland and later transformed into a sports district in the 1970s, the area has evolved into Perugia’s main fairground, shaped by the presence of the Minimetrò terminal, extensive parking areas, and surrounding parks. Today it functions as a microcity, balancing mobility infrastructure, sports facilities, and large civic events, yet it also suffers from heat, flooding, and fragmented public space.

The project centers on the main parking area around the Minimetrò, a space heavily used during festivals and markets but underutilized at other times. Waterlogging, poor drainage, and disconnected pedestrian routes highlight broader issues found in many contemporary Italian urban space - a sense of placelessness and missed civic opportunity. The proposal reimagines onethird of this asphalted surface as a hybrid civic landscape, while the remaining areas become greener and more permeable parking zones that can still accommodate weekly markets and major events.

The design restructures the landscape through Perugia’s geometric logic of crossroads and movement, drawing inspiration from the figure–ground patterns of the city. Intersecting geometries shape new paths, plazas, and planted zones, while water becomes the primary driver of the landscape strategy. Following the natural slope of the terrain, stormwater is slowed, channeled, and absorbed through bioswales, runnels, and a retention pond. These interventions not only address flooding but also reduce heat and enhance the green–blue network of the district. Ultimately, the redesign of Parking Lots 1–3 aims to become both a community hub and an ecological corridor, strengthening Perugia’s resilience while supporting its vibrant event culture.

Pian di Massiano - specialized microcities

Pian di Massiano is a unique district in Perugia that functions simultaneously as the city’s primary event ground and its green heart. As highlighted in the map, this project investigates how the vast asphalted fairground can be gradually transformed into a contemporary piazza, a living oasis that supports everyday civic life while continuing to host the large-scale cultural events that define Perugia’s identity.

As a hybrid micro-city, Pian di Massiano balances parkland, sports facilities, event spaces, and transportation infrastructure, while acting as a critical connector between Perugia’s surrounding neighborhoods. Historically, the site was productive farmland before being redefined in the 1970s as a sports district, with the construction of the Renato Curi Stadium (1974) and the Percorso Verde park shortly thereafter.

Beyond site-specific challenges, the project addresses a broader condition in contemporary Italian urban spaces-a sense of placelessness suspended between time-by reimagining a fragmented parking and retail area as a resilient civic landscape. Located within a floodplain, the proposal responds to water and heat challenges by transforming

one-third of the parking area into a permeable hybrid landscape that supports daily use and public events. The remaining parking is reconfigured as flexible, greener infrastructure capable of accommodating markets, seasonal festivals, and large civic gatherings

PIPES RECLAIMED

-RUMNEY

MARSH|EDGE RESURGENCE-

Crafting Green Edges from Urban Waste

Harvard University Graduate School of Design (Landscape Architecture AP)

Professor: Danielle N. Choi

Individual work Fall 2024

The project seeks to transform discarded materials into sustainable infrastructure while cultivating plants that support water management and ecological restoration. It aims to develop a new approach to addressing the challenges posed by aging and salvageable infrastructure. Situated at the edge of Revere and Rumney Marsh, the project explores the intersection of urban waste management, deteriorating infrastructure, and ecological preservation.

Rumney Marsh faces escalating threats from urban runoff, wastewater, industrial pollutants, ocean currents, and rising sea levels, compounded by leaks and contaminants from aging sewer systems and water mains. In response, the project proposes a reimagined edge that transitions seamlessly between urban and natural spaces. By analyzing the life cycle of infrastructure materials, it repurposes construction and demolition waste into functional elements like permeable surfaces, pavers, and erosion-control structures. These recycled components create a filtration layer to treat stormwater and reduce pollutants before they reach the marsh.

The design approach enhances water purification and revitalizes neglected urban spaces. Simultaneously, it fosters ecological restoration by cultivating plants that contribute to water management. Ultimately, the project establishes a protective yet open edge for Rumney Marsh, promoting a harmonious balance between urban development and ecological resilience.

The project aims to rethink the edge between the city and nature, considering the extensive processes and material flows in infrastructure construction. A new intervention will guide water management more intentionally. The proposal divides the edge into three zones—commercial, transitional, and residential—based on land use and connection to the marsh.

The proposed edge corridor will transform the neglected boundaries into vibrant, green spaces by integrating water filtration, marsh restoration, and infrastructure reuse. Stormwater will be treated through filtration layers, and recycled materials, such as salvaged pipes and concrete, will be used for erosion control, pavers, and permeable surfaces.

In the commercial zone, green roofs, bioswales, and retention ponds will reduce runoff, while pathways connecting to the nursery will support plant restoration. The transitional zone adds green paths along automobile-heavy areas, and the residential zone modifies landforms to slow stormwater before reaching the marsh, repurposing old pipes for playgrounds and water management.

The wetland nursery will use locally sourced plants and modular systems, supported by nurseries, schools, and volunteers. Salvaged pipes will be cleaned and adapted for planting trays and transport, combining ecological and functional benefits across all zones.

a.COMMERCIAL

b.TRANSITIONAL

c.RESIDENTIAL

The overall project aims to transform the neglected edge of Rumney Marsh into a resilient, multifunctional space that integrates sustainable water management, marsh restoration, and community engagement.

By repurposing old stormwater pipes and recycled materials, the project will create permeable surfaces, planters, and wetland nurseries, while improving water quality through innovative landform modifications. The images represent the three organizinng strategies along each sections, with the residential zone, landform modifications slow and diffuse stormwater, while repurposed pipes become part of playgrounds, combining water management with recreational spaces. The transitional zone enhances impervious surfaces with green pathways to manage runoff and connect to the marsh. The commercial zone utilizes green roofs, bioswales, and retention ponds to reduce runoff and incorporate nursery program along the edge.

GREEN NEXUS

-CLINTON COMMUNITY GARDEN-

VACANT SPACES - ENHANCING PUBLIC ACCESSIBILITY

Columbia University Architecture, Planning and Preservation (Advanced Architecture Program)

Professor: Hilary Sample

Individual work

Spring 2024

The project revolves around the creation of a vertical urban green space within the Clinton Garden, aimed at providing a dynamic platform for public activities and installations. By incorporating movable seating areas and performance spaces, we seek to enhance community engagement and visibility of the gardens while seamlessly integrating with the surrounding environment.

Through strategic architectural interventions, such as integrating performance stages within existing tree plots and optimizing limited space like the current facade facing the community garden, we aim to offer panoramic views of the greenery while providing standing seating for performance viewing. Additionally, the introduction of a rooftop planting and resting area transforms this space into a focal point for community gatherings and cultural events, harmoniously blending nature and culture within the urban landscape.

In 1984, the Clinton Community Garden made history as the first NYC community garden to secure permanent parkland status, promising a bright future for urban gardening. Its story begins seven years earlier, when residents of West 48th Street rallied to transform a blighted lot into a green oasis. Initially leased from the city in 1979 via Operation GreenThumb, the property was divided into public front gardens and private plots. Over time, the garden expanded, boasting 108 plots, pathways of salvaged brick, and stone benches crafted from recycled materials, providing a sanctuary in the heart of the city.

ESTABLISHMENT: The garden was established in 1978 by local residents who sought to transform a vacant lot into a green space for the community. The establishment of the garden likely involved collaboration between community members, local organizations, and government authorities to secure permission to use the vacant lot for gardening purposes.

OWNERSHIP: The land where the Clinton Community Garden is located is typically owned by the government, likely the city government of New York. However, the garden is managed and operated by the Clinton Housing Development Company (CHDC), a non-profit organization dedicated to affordable housing and community development in the area.

MEMBERSHIP:

Membership in the Clinton Community Garden is open to plot-holders, herb gardeners, beekeepers, front plot gardeners, back patio head gardeners, compost coordinators, and regular key-holder volunteers meeting service hour requirements or sponsored by a Steering Committee member. All members must reside within one of the five boroughs of New York City. All members of the Clinton Community Garden must reside within one of the five boroughs of New York City: Bronx, Brooklyn, Manhattan, Queens, or Staten Island.

AREA: The garden covers approximately 1/3 of an acre, which is equivalent to roughly 14,520 square feet or 1,346 square meters.

Currently, the community garden is enclosed by three layers of fences and subject to regulations that limit access to the public, rather than being inclusive to all members of the community. However, it has the potential to become a more welcoming space that bridges the gap between residents and businesses.

By embracing its role as a connector, the Clinton Community Garden can foster interactions, collaboration, and a sense of unity among diverse stakeholders. Whether through hosting events, offering educational programs, or providing a peaceful retreat in the midst of city life, the garden has the opportunity to enrich the neighborhood’s fabric and strengthen its social and economic ties.

INDUSTRY OF WASTE

-CONCRETE RESURGENCE-

Reproposing a new architecture typology for material cycling & promoting resiliency

Columbia University Architecture, Planning and Preservation (Advanced Architecture Program)

Professor: Robert Johnston / Ruth Mandl

Individual work Fall 2023

The notion of waste is closely connected to objects losing their inherent value. Given the increasing scarcity and costs of new resources, architects now find it crucial to explore existing waste streams for optimal utility and adopt innovative design practices utilizing repurposed materials. Efficient design, focused on extracting maximum value from waste, requires a comprehensive understanding of material procurement processes, the flow of manufacturing by-products, elements suitable for disassembly and reconfiguration, as well as considerations for the building’s operational and maintenance planning.

Within the economic system, which relies on depleting natural resources for production, waste is generated, impacting our social integrity and environmental sustainability. Urban poor searching landfills for valuable items serves as an iconic representation of the entanglement of economic success and rapid urbanization with social segregation. Waste is often considered as part of a linear process with a dead-end scenario, buried or burned out of sight. However, examining waste products reveals a different narrative—one of wasted resources. This alternative perspective on waste material holds potential for community prosperity, revenue generation, and a shared sense of achievement.

Production Process and Formation

The project centers on the innovative transformation of the widely employed architectural material, ‘concrete,’ with a focus on developing a sustainable and lightweight variant that integrates with waste materials. Acknowledging that traditional concrete is often perceived as environmentally unfriendly, the goal is to explore ways to extract its potential by incorporating waste materials.

This approach aims to redefine the sustainability of concrete by maximizing its inherent properties and utilizing waste, thereby enhancing both the value of concrete and addressing environmental concerns. Through the exploration of plastic, ceramic, and cement materials, we discovered a correlation among these three non-degradable substances. By recycling plastic and ceramic waste and incor-

porating them into cement production at a specific ratio, we can enhance the ductility and durability of the resulting cement. The energy required to produce recycled ceramic and plastic aggregates is generally lower than that needed to produce equivalent virgin materials. This is because recycling often involves less processing and transporting of raw materials.

Additionally, incorporating recycled materials into the new concrete can reduce the overall energy consumption associated with concrete production, as less cement may be required when using certain types of waste materials. Cement production is known to be energy intensive, so any reduction in cement use can result in energy savings. Energy and Material Cycle Process

Material Recycling Inside the Architecture

The chosen intervention part is the left-end corner of the terminal, where a holistic approach combines block manufacturing, social programs, and roof renovation to transform the space into a community gathering and educational hub. With the new design typology of modular concrete blocks serve a multitude of functions, including support for green roofs, integrated rainwater collection, cladding, and floor slabs. The integration of block manufacturing, social programs, and roof renovation envisions a seamless synergy, emphasizing the terminal’s conversion into a dynamic community space with educational facilities.

The three key programs harmonize effortlessly, as block manufacturing and slab creation complement roof and market initiatives. The rooftop cultivation of vegetation not only contributes to a self-sustaining community market but also promotes collaboration with nearby Brooklyn farms. This integrated approach not only facilitates the exchange of goods but also enriches community relationships by providing a dedicated space for planting and communal activities.

Various vegetation and small plants can be distributed on the roof to create a wonderful gathering space and light farming zone while enhancing the relationship between the residents and community farmers.

Available in various dimensions, the cladding systems with innovative concrete modules can be effortlessly installed on existing roofs without causing damage. Serving as the focal point for rainwater harvesting, the rooftop channels water to storage silos below, streamlining initial treatment processes.

In contrast to the traditional green roof system, the modular green roof system concentrates solely on installing planting blocks. This approach enhances mobility and practicality while providing greater flexibility in planting, eliminating the need for additional layers in the green roof construction.

The architecture intervention employs three key architectural strategies to rejuvenate the aging concrete of the building. Initiating with the silo openings, strategic physical movements and visual connections guide the creation of openings at specific dimensions, maintaining a consistent punch shape for a cohesive design language.

The second strategy involves recycling demolished sections of old concrete, incorporating them into a new manufacturing process to effectively renovate the structure. This process metaphorically aligns with a natural cycle, symbolizing shedding old skin to foster new growth. Utilizing recycled aggregates from the old silo, the second move

introduces new precast concrete block slabs, placed within the original silo to establish varied levels accommodating diverse programs.

The third strategy introduces a central ramp, enhancing the terminal visitation experience significantly. These strategies, rooted in modular product languages, collectively shape the overall architectural form. Aspiring to extend the application of these modular blocks through green roof renovations or concrete replacement, the project aims to establish a typology applicable to diverse buildings, advocating for sustainable architectural practices.

REWASTE WOODWORK

Reproposing a new lifestyle program for Kensington & Soil-Friendly

Columbia University Architecture, Planning and Preservation (Advanced Architecture Program)

Professor: Mio Tsuneyama & Fuminori Nousaku

Individual work

Summer 2023

In today’s rapidly changing world, where environmental concerns are at the forefront and sustainable practices are becoming imperative, the concept of a woodshop with a recycling focus emerges as a beacon of innovation, creativity, and responsible living. Beyond a mere workspace, this woodshop represents a paradigm shift in the way we perceive woodworking, recycling, and community engagement. Its significance goes far beyond the scope of crafting; it encapsulates a holistic approach to environmental stewardship, economic growth, education, and communal harmony.

At its core, the importance of a woodshop with a recycling focus is rooted in its contribution to environmental sustainability. Traditional woodworking can be resource-intensive, often relying on the consumption of new timber. However, the recycling-focused woodshop acts as a counterbalance, redirecting discarded wood from landfills into the realm of utility. By repurposing wood waste from construction sites or old furniture, this facility becomes an active agent in the conservation of forests and reduction of waste. It strikes a chord with the ethos of conservation and responsible consumption, aligning with the global call for reducing our carbon footprint.

Economic growth and community vitality also find resonance within the walls of this woodshop. By nurturing local artisans, craftsmen, and small businesses, the facility becomes an incubator of entrepreneurship. The transformation of reclaimed wood into unique products sparks economic activity and reinforces local economic resilience. In essence, the woodshop becomes more than a space; it morphs into a catalyst for community prosperity, stimulating revenue generation, and fostering a sense of shared achievement.

The adoption of concrete, metal, and plastic has enabled innovative, freeform architecture. However, integrating biodegradable materials requires careful consideration of durability. Our research focuses on the detail, shapes, and construction methods of wood, brick, and concrete, exploring the potential of combining biodegradable materials with them. In situations where robust durability is crucial, incorporating artificial materials may be necessary. To facilitate effective recycling, designs should separate biological and artificial components. Addressing both construction and household waste is essential. Deliberate efforts must be made to explore reuse, recycling, and upcycling options for non-biodegradable waste, promoting a sustainable future.

In Kensington, most single-family houses use wood or a wood-brick combination. Despite an increasing demand for wood production and recycling, the area lacks a dedicated wood shop facility. Current NYC wood waste

disposal regulations require leaving debris on the ground for pickup, presenting an opportunity for a community-centered wood recycling facility. This initiative would address the mounting need for material recycling and sustainable practices in the region, contributing to environmental conservation.

The importance of a recycling-focused woodshop lies in its contribution to environmental sustainability. Traditional woodworking can be resource-intensive, relying on new timber. A recycling-focused woodshop counters this by redirecting discarded wood, actively contributing to forest conservation and waste reduction. The chosen site at the Boro Park Redemption Center represents a paradigm shift in woodworking, recycling, and community engagement. The workshop, situated amidst demolition waste, will continue existing structures and materials, aligning with the center’s mission.

In terms of design, the woodshop embodies sustainability from its very architecture to its daily operations. Following the logic of the street, the overall form descend from the diagonal to create the uniform spaces for visual connection with the mainstreet and inviting the people to o look in. Natural light streams through strategically placed windows, fostering an inviting ambiance. The layout, meticulously planned for optimal workflow, ensures seamless movement between workstations and machines. Beyond aesthetics, sustainable practices are ingrained in the very materials that constitute the facility, with recycled and repurposed materials lending an authentic touch to the workspace.

The envisioned waste collection and manufacturing process involve residents bringing their broken furniture or DIY wood products to the pre-sorting zone, followed by simple treatment and temporary storage for exhibition. After initial treatment, the Storage area will receive clean wood waste material, functioning as a collection point. The workshop serves as a pivotal component for producing reclaimed wood products and acts as a learning hub for the local community.

The 1:10 Detail section presents the logic and partial view of the woodworking zone.The strategically placed windows allow skylight and natural light to create an inviting ambiance. The layout, designed for optimal workflow, ensures seamless movement between workstations and machines. Sustainability is ingrained in the facility, with original materials and reclaimed wood constituting the structure, including columns designed for storage and transparent walls for tool and wood storage while maintaining a free space for machine mobility. In creating the ReWaste woodworking workshop, the aim is to go beyond just a physical space; it aspires to be a catalyst for community prosperity, generating revenue, fostering shared achievement, and promoting sustainable living conditions.

THE FIFTH FACADE - URBAN SHADE

Renovate Chicago Park & Fieldhouse as city boundary extension

Syracuse University King+King Integrated Design Competition | Finalist

Syracuse University Studio ARC409

Instructor Joel Kerner

Partner Yian Liu

Fall 2021

-“The park were considered a vehicle of social reform.”

The Dusable Park located at the estuary of the Chicago River connected with the promenade of the city. The park was considered as the finished edge of the city skyscrapers. However, due to several reasons, the park was left over as a waste land till today. Under this notion, the project seeks to regenerate and renovate the preexistent land toward the typical Chicago fieldhouse while giving back some urban greenery to the Chicago city.

The building sits near to the water edge and connecting the flyover as the roof extension. The roof becomes the elevated surface towards the flyover and the shade of the dusable park. The project highlights the roof as the fifth facade by emphasizing the greenery and facilities on the roof, resonate with the other roof greenery besides the park, different roof facilities were meant to become other gathering space for all visitors to utilize.

The design aims for bringing the public gathering space and the existing nature back to the park. By connecting the rooftop space to the coming flyover as a social platform, the programs oriented facing the waterfront has the potential to maximize the viewing experience and communication. The project also introduces the transparency of boundaries between the interior program and the outdoor nature, blurring the boudaries both in micro and macro scale.

Bringing public

SECTION SHORT B-B’ 1/8’’=1’

SECTION LONG A-A’ 1/8’’=1’

Open Community Gathering Space

"COPIED" IN BEIJING

Analysis of "Shanzhai", vernacular constructions, image re-interpretation

Drawing Prize, World Architecture Festival 2021/One Drawing Challenge, Architizer, Special Mention

Syracuse University VC Studio ARC308

Drawing Architecture Studio

Cooperators/ Haihui Z, Chenhao L, Zhi Z, Xinyu T, Yiqun F, Yi Z, Yuxuan W, Junye Z, Deqiang H, Yian L, Yaqi Z, Kaicheng Z, Wenting F Spring 2021

"An adventure of Architecture Drawing and Maquette"

Beginning with the traditional word in china, Shanzhai (Chinese word for copycatting) is a complicated concept. On one hand, it is often mentioned together with plagiarism, replica, vulgarity, and cheapness. On the other hand, it is also related to learning, borrowing,reference, and analogy. Shanzhai architecture is found everywhere in China. The contempt, laughter, and abuse from architects couldn’t stop the masses’ love for those knock-offs. They often become news hotspots. This studio plays with a radical adventure focused on Shanzhai architecture. Venturi once said: “There is nothing wrong with being influenced, or even with copying The project will look into Shanzhai from a positive angle. It is a straightforward, specific, and high-efficient design strategy. It is a cut to study the most important contents of architecture such as history, form, and ambience. At the same time, it is the engine for creating topics, generating traffic, and gaining attention.

The project explores the areas in Beijing where there are the most diversified vernacular constructions (Hutong and old residential neighborhood) and discover the distinctive Beijing architectural characters, ambience, and charisma. The drawings (which contents several topics)and design are more concerned with the content of architecture itself, such as form, material, and ambience, but not endless social phenomena and political subjects. We also draw the analogy between architecture from different times and social classes, using imagery imagination as an powerful weapon, to touch the deepness of sensation as a contrast to using language to touch rationality.

Hotel rooms

Utilizing the features of the Village city to provide views for the hotel

Utilizing the features of the Village city to provide views for the hotel

Connect the adjacent complex to creating a display area

Utilize as part of the main circulation and the structure component

Maintaining the decomposition features of the image and provides a garden as the transition to guest room

For entrance and mezzanine, the formation follows the deconstructive features of the image

From Pirelli Tire Building to Ripple Building

The model plays an crucial role for the exploration process, the process of making embedded the thinking through elements combinaton and imagery stratification.

Focusing on the found objects in Beijing venacular architecture and the style transfer intelligence, images are being transfered to the 3d physical model. Revealing the details in the traditional Beijing architecture

“The Complete Map of Beijing” is an adventure of architectural drawings and models. In this adventure, architects no longer look forward to huge buildings through intermediaries but strive to make them independent “selves” and use these “selves” to build an “independent world” on the sand table.

EMU GATHERING ORGANIZATION

New way to reconsider the relationship between human and animals, zoo

Exhibit in Bamboo Art Center/ Exhibit in Shenzhen-Hongkong Biennale Syracuse University Studio ARC408

Professor Ziyue Liu

Partner Haihui Zhu Fall 2021

The design of an architectural complex that combines sightseeing, accommodation, and commerce is located at the intersection of Hongshan Zoo, Nanjing Station, Nanjing, China. As an important visiting location, the Hongshan zoo is located near the commercial center and train station. To reinforce the complexity of the site and reconsider the possibility between human and animals, the project Emu Gathering Organization is purposed to create a new habitat for emu near the Hongshan zoo. The habit of emu being close to humans makes it possible for more interactions between animals and humans.

The Emu Gathering Organization can not only serve as an extension of Hongshan Zoo but also provide an exhibition hall to explore the emu habitat, as well as a hotel to better experience the emu’s daily life. In terms of spatial form, the design tries not to adopt the traditional way of combining circulation and function to produce a collection of form, but place related functions adjacent to each other through bubbles and allow people to come and go freely under the premise of ensuring functional relevance through decentralization. All functions are carried out around the stadium where people and emu race. Emus are also raised in different bubble-shaped areas in different life time-young, adult, old- and have their own unique connection with people in each bubble.

The design forms the architectural language through the contour lines of the terrain, and expresses the architectural form through the contour lines extending from the mountains to the city boundary like folding a paper. The relationship between human and nature, human and animals should be one that meet with each other but does not affect each other. Aims to both serve as an extension of the zoo and a middle ground between the

and the

CONTINUITY WITHIN THE ENVIRONMENT

MICROTOPOGRAPHY

In terms of connection with nature, the indoor and outdoor spaces are blended through the use of micro-topography. Topographical elements are intervened in the inteior space to intentionally guide the tour and control the field of view.

Green Island In Exhibition

Exhibition in 2022 Shenzhen-Hong Kong Bi-City Architecture Biennale of Urbanism

Instructor Ziyue Liu

Syracuse University Studio ARC 407

Cooperators/ Haihui Zhu

Year 2022

With the theme of “starting from C, building to the future,” this year’s SILC·C International Low Carbon City Longgang sub-exhibition centered on green Concepts such as low-carbon, innovative construction, and shared design are displayed from three levels: the strategy of a great country, the case of Longgang, and community co-construction. The Emu Gathering Organization project is exhibited in the section “C+ Aggregation, Shared Superposition.”

Branding Design for Emu Gathering Organization

Branding Design: Logo/Booklet/Cap & Bag/Poster/Way Finding System

Instructor Nan Wang

Syracuse University Studio ARC 500

Cooperators/ Haihui Zhu

Year 2021

The Branding Design for Emu Gathering organization pays attention to the delicate relationship between graphic design and architecture, which not only explores the critical role of graphic design in architecture but also discusses how different design fields collaborate to achieve the same goal and concept. It focuses on the uniqueness of the Emu and programs in the Emu Gathering Organization project. The Logo used simple geometry elements to depict the Emu, together with the map for the zoo, posters for different programs, and a complete set of items for visitors.

OTHER WORKS

Still life in the Windy City

Imagine Community in the southwestern suburbs of Chicago

Exhibition in Chicago Architecture Biennale

Work in Drawing Architecture Studio

Cooperators/ Li Han, Hu Yan, Zhang Xintong, Wang Yuxuan, Zhu Haihui, Tang Xinyu, Xu Xiaoxuan, Lyu Nuo, Zhong Junye, Yang Zhexu, Li Xuechen, Xu Meizhu, Gu Ang, Zhao Nini, Song Zitong Year 2021

In the form of a traditional Chinese scroll, Still Life in the Windy City extends the definition of objects to the scale of the city. The project illustrates life in an imagined community in the southwestern suburbs of Chicago that Drawing Architecture Studio developed referencing public space in Beijing. In Chicago and Beijing, found objects may play a more influential role in the community public space than architecture. Objects are usually easier to make, more convertible, more mobile, or sustainable, and they can bring more resources together. This drawing depicts eight scenarios around different objects transforming their environment, including a tent that becomes an outdoor gym and furniture that creates a carpenter workshop.

The markets sprout up in car trunks and various recycled items - such as furniture, home appliances, and other discarded things- are used to make a garden, an inflatable device becomes a playground, a tricycle is being used as a food stall, and a shipping container transforms into a stage. These functional objects become a series of hubs in the community, connecting people in the neighborhood. Still Life in the Windy City proposes that instead of creating new architecture, the modification and use of found objects offer creative solutions that nurture community-building activities and yield a more flexible and sustainable future for design.

Learning From Macau

Macau International Art Biennale

Long-term Exhibition on the exterior wall of the Macao Handover Gift Exhibition Hall Work in Drawing Architecture Studio Cooperators/ Li Han, Hu Yan, Zhang Xintong, Wang Yuxuan, Zhu Haihui, Tang Xinyu, Xu Xiaoxuan, Lyu Nuo, Zhong Junye, Yang Zhexu Year 2021

Macau is a thriving gaming and entertainment capital known as the Las Vegas of Asia. Such analogies naturally remind architects of the classic “Learn from Las Vegas.” The book evokes a return to ornamentation and symbolism in architecture, as well as a new focus on everyday architecture. The project observes Macau from a similar perspective: from Grand Lisboa to Sands, from Venetian to the City of Dreams; Macau’s casino buildings never lack repeated luxurious decorations and exaggerated eye-catching shapes. The drawing aims to promote the spirit of “learning from Las Vegas,” embracing the aesthetics of casino architecture that academia dismisses. From a unique perspective, the casino building is regarded as the proud symbol of Macau and the protagonist of the drawing, and the historical landmarks and daily residences are supporting roles, creating a brand new urban portrait for Macau.

In addition to the physical space representing the gaming culture, the gaming game’s interface design also inspires the graphics. To emphasize the work’s reference to gaming culture, the design borrows the creation of these game interfaces to conceive new urban planning for Macau.

Selected Works 2018-2024

Harvard University Graduate School of Design

xinqi_meng@gsd.harvard.edu