PingShih_portfolio

Ping Chun, Shih

With a background in architecture and experience in river conservation and ecological research, I integrate environmental knowledge with computational design, focusing on performance, scalability, and cross-disciplinary collaboration.

Education

University College London, The Bartlett School of Architecture

MArch in Bio-integrated Design with a main focus on computational design and bio-material prototyping/ Grade: Distinction with scholarship by The Ministry of Education in Taiwan

Tunghai University

MArch with 3 years of fundamental training and 2 years in S.U.P.E.R.B._studio focusing on parametric design/ GPA: 3.81/4.3

Work Experience

Atelier S.U.P.E.R.B.

Sep.2023-Sep.2025

London, UK

Sep.2018-Sep.2023

Taichung, Taiwan

Skills

Developed Grasshopper script for tile arrangement of landscape in a residential project in Yunlin

Created detailed architectural sections of a residential project in Yunlin

Developed a shape of an art installation using Grasshopper in the shape of “Hope” Exhibition

DIVOOE ZEIN ARCHITECTS

Investigated local plant species in Bali, New Taipei City

Created BIM model of a hotel project in Bali, New Taipei City using Revit

KEYWOW ARCHITECTURE

Architecturalassistant Intern Intern

Built architectural model of office project with acrylic using laser cutting

Technical Skills Specialized Skills

Parametric Design (6 years): Grasshopper

BIM (3 years): Archicad, Revit

CAD (7 years): Rhino, AutoCAD

Visualization & Animation (2 years): Houdini, Redshift, Unreal Engine

Adobe Creative Suite (7 years): Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, Premiere Pro

Jan.2023-Aug.2023

Taichung, Taiwan

Jan.2022-Feb.2022

Taipei, Taiwan

Jun.2019-Aug.2019

Taichung, Taiwan

Environmental analysis, Structural analysis, Form development

Microcontroller programming and sensor integration

Bio-material prototyping and fabrication

Wood, metal Material crafting and testing

Projects and Publications

Graduate Thesis Project I:

Enhancing Glazed Facades in Urban Landscapes: An Improvement Study of One New Change in London

Optimized facade pattern by reducing incident radiation in summer and increasing it in winter by evaluating trade-offs in Pareto front graph, with the strategy building external facade outside of existing glazed facade.

Graduate Thesis Project II:

Tensegrity-Integrated Structures: Modular Strategies for Sustainable Urban Facades (with BPV Applications)

Explored two main fabrication strategies for tensegrity-based structures: winding on temporary scaffolds and assembly by aggregation modules.

Proved vertical assembly configuration works better through evaluating structural performance and iterative testing.

Bioelectrochemical fiber system

Xiyao, S., & Ping Chun, S. Towards Integrative Design Symposium. DOI: 10.33774/coe-2025-f8qh3

Integrating biophotovoltaics with tensegrity struts for sustainable energy generation

Exhibitions

Volunteer

Towards Integrative Design: Bio-Inspired and Digitally Fabricated Conference

Presented workable prototype: Tensolite BPV system

The Bartlett Autumn Show

Assisted with designing objects arrangement and produced technical solutions of exhibition

London Festival of Architecture

Assisted with designing objects arrangement, posters, leaflets and logo for exhibition

Wave Maker Exibition by The Ministry of Education of Taiwan

Presented and exhibited bio-material project in the exhibition

The Cody dock team

Participated in construction event to help local community event: Restored dock walls by replacing old bricks with new ones and built planters and street furniture with bricks, mortar and concrete.

The Society of Wilderness

Assisted in documenting and removing debris in the river every two weeks with Fazi River Guard Team.

Supported analyzing the waste documentation, we can know the main issue of the river in recent future.

Attended Congress of Animal Behavior & Ecology, 2023

Held art sessions and taught for free to attract citizens to participate river clean activities as volunteers

Team 20 graduation project competition

Graduation project in Tunghai University

Scholarships for studying abroad by The Ministry of Education of Taiwan

FJU landscape competition

The Real scale - The Imagination of Seating

Innsbruck, Austria

London, UK

London, UK

Sep.2024,Sep.2025 Jun.2024,Jun.2025 Oct.2024

Taipei, Taiwan

Oct.2023-Feb.2024

London, UK

Taichung, Taiwan

Tensolite BPV System

Oct. 2024 - Jun. 2025

The Bartlett school of Architecture, UCL

Integrating bio-photovoltaics (BPV) with tensile, light (tensegrity) structure for sustainable energy generation in the built environment

issue:

Site:

Scale:

Tools:

Role:

Sustainable energy production

London, UK

Architecture, Micro scale

Rhino, Grasshopper, Unreal engine

Computational design, Rendering, Simulation

In response to the net-zero target and limited integration of sustainable energy generation in buildings, we propose Tensolite BPV. This retrofit façade system passively generates electricity using blue biomass, algae and cyanobacteria as an alternative product. This system combines biophotovoltaic (BPV) technology, a form of bio-solar cell powered by photosynthetic microorganisms, supported by tensegrity, lightweight tensile structures, resulting in inexpensive, recyclable, durable modules.

By utilizing tensegrity, our system is designed for optimal cell growth, solar exposure and natural wind movement. The system has been tested to be scaled up for a whole building and support the energy usage of lighting for night activities for about two hours. After the biomass accumulates in BPV, they are harvested for valuable food and pharmaceutical products. This is a closed-loop design utilizing blue biomass.

Cells can be disassembled for further maintenance or application of culture’s afterlife.

Fasteners/ Containers/ Cathod and Anode/ Rods

Microorganism

Synechocystissp.PCC6803

BPV cells and Struts

BPV cells are anchored on struts and can be disassembled for maintenance

Tensolite BPV system

Tensegity structure provides inherent vibration to prevent cell from being over sendimentation.

1.Tensegrity can be vibrated naturally on the facade which helps cell grow healthy

2. One strut is light and made by stainless steel with only 414 gram weight.

3. With folding process, metals are assembled without welding process.

4. Electronic wires are arranged based on holes created by folding process.

5. Cells can be easily removed for maintenance.

6. In the maintenance process, culture can be refilled and electrodes can be replaced.

7. After the lifecycle of BPV, Culture are harvested for valuable food and pharmaceutical products.

Tensolite BPV clusters

Tensolite BPV clusters contains three modules linked by three directional joint with connectors.

Hanging Post

One platform height holds six modules by hanging post in the center.

Main Structure/ Beams and Branches

Main structure are built outside external building, supporting different platforms for maintenance and visitors passing.

Detail of one strut and one BPV cell

Environmental analysis

Incident radiation data

Extracting solar data

Analysis via ladybugs by weeks Collection of solar data

Machine learning -driven analysis

Defined seasons

Optimize the appropriate BPV arrangements Clusters arranged in specific period through analysis

This approach uses weekly and monthly solar irradiation data to cluster 94 distinct areas on the south-facing facade for optimal placement of tensegrity BPV modules. Over 52 weeks, the weekly data for each area is assigned to one of three clusters, labeled 0 to 2. The mode (most frequent) cluster for each area is then selected as its main cluster, identifying zones with similar weather conditions to facilitate easier maintenance.

By smoothing out subtle weekly fluctuations, the analysis identifies five distinct periods throughout the year, each characterising the facade’s solar exposure and informing efficient module placement.

Configuration analysis

Material of struts and cables:

Young's modulus:

dir.Y

steel 21000 (kN/cm2)

aggregation dir.Z

aggregation dir.X

Tensile Strength (struts):

Compression Strength (struts):

Diameter of Cross-section (struts):

Wall thickness of Cross-section (struts):

(kN/cm2)

(kN/cm2)

Type02

Tensile Strength (cables):

Compression Strength (cables):

Initial axial strain (cables): Diameter of Cross-section (cables):

23.5 (kN/cm2) -4 (kN/cm2) 0.4 (mm/m) 0.4 cm

Simulation of deformation degree : 100 (to gain understanding of the overall deflection of the structure)

axial force of cables: axial force of struts: maximum displacement:

-0.238 to 1.055 kN -1.149 to 0.051 kN 0.246 cm

axial force of cables: axial force of struts: maximum displacement:

to 1.280 kN

to 0.386 kN 0.310 cm

axial force of cables: axial force of struts: maximum displacement:

Structual analysis for finding proper configuration of whole facade

axial

Sequence in Animation

To form a continual spatial experience for visitors, language of Tensolite BPV system extend to nearby gallery and interior space. Tensegrity-based furniture system is developed to define and support various functions while seamlessly connecting vertical circulation through an integrated aggregated furniture network.

Tidal Blooms 2

March. 2024 - Aug. 2024

The Bartlett school of Architecture, UCL

Revitalizing Brighton Beach by extending community activities and protecting shoreline from coastal erosion

Issue:

Site:

Scale:

Tools:

Role:

Tidal erosion and Abandoned historical architecture

Brighton, UK

Urban, landscape, miro scale

Rhino, Houdini, Unreal engine

Computational design, Rendering, Simulation

The Brighton and Hove City Council’s 2023 Climate Risk Report highlights growing threats to marine life due to ocean acidification and rising temperatures, with risks expected to become severe by the 2050s. Tidal Blooms addresses this by using materials that act as substrates, holding nutrients from the sea to support growth. Its design creates pockets and cohabitated spaces where different species can thrive together, forming a living laboratory and natural sanctuary.

Seashells, rich in calcium carbonate, play a crucial role by releasing carbonate ions when they dissolve. This helps stabilise seawater pH, benefiting marine organisms such as mollusks and corals. While seashell dissolution does not directly reduce atmospheric CO2, it supports marine resilience. Tidal Blooms demonstrates how urban design can work with natural processes to restore coastal ecosystems and inspire future ecological projects.

Mederia

Form Development

Prevalant Wind Anlaysis on the pebble beach

Geometry reflected density of wind strength

Submerged zone

Material:

Seashell power 30% + Seashell aggregate 45% + Sharp sand 10%

Lime 10% (Binder) + Hemp / pysllium husk 5 % (Reinforcement)

Partially submerged zone

Material:

Seashell power 30% + Seashell aggregate 45% + Sharp sand 10%

Lime 10% (Binder) + Hemp 5 % (Reinforcement)

Zone with seashell contains geometry learned from wind and wave simuation. It is potential to resist the coastal erosion but maintain local ecosystem. When the tide is high, the Bioshell Material is fully exposed to seawater, allowing it to interact directly with the marine environment. During this period, the micro-environment remains relatively stable as the material absorbs water to its full capacity. The seashell aggregate coating enhances the material’s durability, protecting it from degradation over time.

While submerged, the pools created within the structure become cohabiting spaces for marine organisms, fostering a thriving underwater habitat. The rendering above shows the high tide in the partially submerged zone, where microbial growth has significantly increased due to the extended period of submersion. This demonstrates how the design supports diverse marine life while maintaining structural integrity in a dynamic tidal environment.

Capnopy Material:

Seashell power 20% + Seashell aggregate 50% + Fine sand 10%

Lime 20% (Binder)

The original historical architecture is located on the embankment, but currently, many vehicles are parked in front of it, blocking the view. This canopy design creates a gentle slope that connects the urban area to the pebble beach. It also includes specific openings that allow visitors to appreciate the historical architecture beneath it.

Foundation of pools

The membrane of the canopy is pigmented using Porphyridium, which lights up the space below with vibrant colours. This design reshapes the train station and platform area, enhancing the experience for visitors and revitalising the community.

Seeking the Sources of Streams

Sep. 2022 - Jun. 2023

Tunghai University

Designing for Coexistence: Road Extension Strategies

Informed by the Fazi River Experience

Issue:

Road extension plan on a river, Human and natural migration

Site:

Scale:

Tools:

Taichung, Taiwan

Urban, landscape, and miro scale Rhino, Grasshopper

The current road extension project by government will block a significant amount of sunlight from entering the tributary, thereby preventing natural habitats and migration routes. The goal is to create a dual-directional green belt corridor system that functions as an integrated ecological system.

Observations of the Fazi River show that artificial elements play crucial roles in stabilising the environment and providing habitats. Instead of allowing the river to erode and transform over time, 3D-printed modules made from waste concrete are used to create habitats of different sizes simultaneously. The bridge’s large structural components are designed and built based on the needs of the river habitats below.

This urban landscape is an example of bankside facility. it supports nature by creating habitats, stabilising the river, and serving as a migration pathway for both humans and wildlife.

Segments for leading wild animals into mountian

Overlapped human pathways allow light to enter underneath natural pathways

Segments for leading wild animals into river

To avoid disrupting the vast original forest landscape and causing ecological fragmentation, it is proposed that vehicles traverse through tunnels covered by natural landscape, guiding wildlife movement towards habitats.

Citizens have the opportunity to explore the riverbed or pocket spaces. Human and animal pathways are surrounded and stabilized by diverse artificial habitats, shaping infrastructures into a porous urban landscape connecting humans and nature.

On the section, the left side provides a potential future purification facility building on the existing structure. Different platforms are scattered at various heights to accommodate the growth of different vegetation, allowing light to filter through to the lower levels. Starting from the waterfront at the bottom, there are small-scale plants, and towers of different heights are connected by staircases and pathways. Finally, at the pocket space of the vertical transportation system, a gradient valley is presented, and the transportation is enveloped by a cave-like natural setting during the journey.

Unlike conventional bridges that cross over riverine landscapes, where the ecological adaptation occurs gradually after the structure is in place, the topological optimization approach allows for the avoidance of underlying habitats and riverine ecosystems. This enables the development of an organic structural pathway that integrates with the surface road, while incorporating adaptive pockets and coexisting with the underlying ecological system.

for pocket space

Motorway

Topology optimized structure

Porous embankment for animal migration and habitats Pedestrian lane

Design for tile arrangement

Jun. 2023

Atelier S.U.P.E.R.B.

Landscape in Residential Project

A Grasshopper script was developed to arrange tiles of varying sizes and colors across pathways and landscaped areas. The evaluation of the tile arrangements is based on spatial quality, assessed through rendered visualizations. For instance, a sequence of connected dark-colored tiles can create a continuous spatial experience. This design strategy has been successfully implemented in the landscape and is currently under construction.

Site:

Scale:

Tools:

Role:

Type:

Yunlin, Taiwan landscape

Rhino, Grasshopper

Architectural assistant in Atelier S.U.P.E.R.B.

Residential Project under construction

Arranged units:

individual light-colored tile - 15*30cm

individual dark-colored tile - 15*30cm

four in a row dark colored tiles - 15*30cm

square tile - 30*30cm

Arranged units:

individual light-colored tile - 15*30cm

individual dark-colored tile - 15*30cm

four in a row dark colored tiles - 15*30cm

long tile - 10*30cm

Iterations

Rules of tile arrangement range from how discrete patterns around plants, proportions between dark and light tiles, and what is the maximum connection between the same tiles.

Architecture drawing

Sep. 2020 - Oct. 2020

Tunghai University

Hand drawings, Technical drawings, Art installation, Furniture

The Grange and Residence project, there are a long stipe area of Camphor forest, farmers tend to take rest under the canopy of tree shade. Thie project try to shaped a functional and closed inner space but leave outside function loose and broad. Which encourages residents to step outside or go onto the roof to enjoy the shade of surrounding trees.

Year:

Scale:

Sep. 2020 - Oct. 2020 architecture

Tools:

Hand drawing, Revit

Grange and Residence Section

Object design 6

Sep. 2020 - Oct. 2020

Tunghai University/ Atelier S.U.P.E.R.B.

Art installation, Furniture

For the object designs, both are exhibited works. The project Hope represents a naturally shaped canopy covering a building, incorporating traditional fortune symbols from Taiwan. Pinion Stop is a furniture piece that records the user’s behaviour while sitting. As different actions occur, the pinion mechanism stops at certain points, recording the varying heights of the two surfaces.

Scale:

Tools:

Type:

object, furniture Rhino, Grasshopper, Hand drawing, Revit Individual Project in Tunghai University/ Architectural assistant in Atelier S.U.P.E.R.B.