Application for Admisson to MLA Program, University College London
Selected works of 2022-2024
LEIJING YANG
B. Engineering, Northwest A&F University Yangleijing1026@163.com +86 13369114846
PORTFOLIO of LEIJING YANG
CONTENTS
PERSONAL MONOLOGUE
Landscape is never limited to a certain kind of greening. During the course of my undergraduate study, I gradually explored and realized the diversity of landscape, which is the diversity of scales and types. It can be as small as a community school or as large as an urban river; it is a diversity of landscapes. It can be a recreational park or a terrain structure.
But at the same time, they all have the same goal, which is to improve the living environment and solve ecological problems. In today's context, with the development of human society, the ecologcial and climate environment is facing various problems. Human beings, as inhabitants of the earth, , are both destroyers, victims, and builders. We can use landscape techniques to make the greatest contribution to the earth and to our own living environment, seeking harmony and balance between humans and nature.
To sum up, the four projects and workshops in my portfolio explore the existence of landscape and the significance of ecological sustainability from the above-mentioned different scales and different types of sites, and improve my understanding and feelings of landscape.
01 RUN INTO GREEN
03 SOWING SUSTAINABILITY
THE LANGUAGE OF FORM
Landscape Design Concentrates on Water Eco-purification & Landform Re-construction on Yellow River
Crafting Urban Resilience in Xingping Xinghua Factory
Blending Ecology and Education in Shenzhen Chenghan School
Presentation of the Process of Mining Pit Formation
Workshop & Bamboo Structure
02 Factory to Forest
01 RUN INTO GREEN
WATER
PROJECT CATEGORY:
PROJECT LOCATION:
INSTRUCTOR:
AREA: DATE:
& LANDFORM RE-CONSTRUCTION ON YELLOW RIVER
Academic Work | Individual Work
Dongying, Shandong, China
Kai Wang | kai.wang@nwsuaf.edu.cn | +86 18700815478
3/2024-6/2024
2000 ha
PARTIAL HYDROLOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF THE LOWER REACHES OF THE YELLOW RIVER
PROJECT DESCRIPTION:
The Yellow River, as the mother river of China, plays an important role, but also suffer some serious ecological problems. About water and soil aspects, this project use terrain structure to intercept and accumulate sediment from the upstream and interact with plants to form a diverse and balanced ecological environment.
After passing through the middle reaches - the area with the most severe soil erosion - the downstream river water carries a lot of sediment, forming the danger of a suspended river. It further erodes the riverbank, and the accumulated pollution flowing through the city has negative multiple impacts on the farmland land adjacent to the riverbank.
RIVERSIDE ISSUES
Urban garbage pollution
The garbage and sewage generated by cities along the Yellow River Basin have not been properly treated and are discharged into the Yellow River, continuously polluting downstream areas
Suspended river
The middle reaches suffer from severe soil erosion, carrying a large amount of sediment.
In the downstream area, the flow velocity slows down, sediment accumulates on both sides continuously, ultimately forming a suspended river
and sediment can also cause damage to crops.
DESIGN NARRATIVE
Use the sediment from the original tidal flats for structural shaping, intercept and accumulate the sediment from upstream, and implement ecological restoration.
Sediment accumulates on the river bank to form mudflat mound.
The new structure intercepts and accumulates the sediment in the river.
REROUTING OF WATER
The structure is arranged according to the direction of the river.
The tidal flat is formed by the erosion of water flow and the accumulation of sediment.
The areas on the opposite bank is buffeted by silt and water.
Elevate or lower the lines to generate structural lines.
Lowered structural lines
Carry out ecological restoration by planting vegetation.
Form new structures by existing accumulated sediment.
Stabilize structures and purify water by vegetation roots.
Current flow direction in the river. Outline the direction of water flow & farmland. Divide tidal flats according to direction and texture. The changed direction of water flow.
Step 0. Current Situation
Step 4. Accumulation of Sediment
Step 5. Ecological Restoration
Step 6. Ecologic Purification
Step 1. Structural Lines Extraction Step 2. New Structure Generation
MASTER PLAN
Dynamic System of Water Purification
As the growing years of plants with different growth cycles,the plants' roots and structures work together to gradually purify the water.
Mostly aquatic plants and herbaceous plants with shallow root systems
There are now grown shrubs and some seedling trees.
Mature trees, shrubs, and herbs with deep and abundant root systems.
Styphnolobium japonicum
Fraxinus chinensis Roxb. Robinia pseudoacacia L. Salix babylonica L.
Triticum aestivum L.
Zea mays L.
Tamarix chinensis Lour.
Lycium chinense Miller Amorpha fruticosa L. Ligustrum quihoui Carr.
Phragmites australis
Suaeda heteroptera Kitog seagrass Iris pseudacorus L.
Ciconia boyciana
Grus japonensis
Mergus squamatus
Aquila chrysaetos
Rhodeus sinensis
Carassius auratus
Cyprinus carpio
Coilia nasus
SECTION
Section B-B'
Bedrock
Section C-C'
02 Factory to Forest
Crafting
Urban Resilience in Xingping Xinghua Factory
PROJECT CATEGORY:
PROJECT LOCATION:
INSTRUCTOR:
AREA: DATE:
Academic Work | Individual Work
Xingping, Shaanxi, China
Xiujuan Qiao | xiujuan.qiao@nwafu.edu.cn | +86 17300857262
8/2024-11/2024
53 ha
PROJECT DESCRIPTION:
As an industrial city, Xingping has suffered from serious air pollution in recent years. It is facing industrial transformation and has some abandoned factories. The project aims to reuse the original building, provide multifunctional activity venues, and use terrain greening to block pollution and create an oasis in the city.
URBAN LOCATION & INDUSTRIALIZATION BACKGROUND
Xingping County is 20 kilometers away from the main urban area of Xianyang City. Industry is the main mode of production, and agricultural auxiliary production here. Industrial transformation has been carried out in recent years with the diverse and convenient transportation modes provide opportunities for projects.
Xianyang City Urban Area
Xingping County
The exploration of industrialization in the mid-to-late 20th century developed industrial construction. However, it also brought some ecological problems. In recent years, it has received attention and begun to transform.
In the early days of Xingping, agriculture was mainly planted, such as corn and wheat.
Shaanxi Province China Xianyang City Xingping County
ANALYSIS OF LAND USE WITHIN THE SITE
LEGACY BUILDINGS
Renovated Buildings
use TOPOGRAPHY to block pollutants and noise RENOVATE buildings to give them different functions use PLANTS to absorb and purify air & soil pollution RETAIN the original building as a memorial structure
and iconic factory buildings such as chimneys, steel frames, etc. to retain them as commemorations or special viewing points.
Gantry with green
The upper floor is exposed and has a platform.
The lower level is enclosed into an interior space.
The upper floor is closed for viewing. vertical greening
Art Exhibition Hall
Canteen
Activity Center
Ecological Pool
Planting Tank
MASTER PLAN
The project uses original buildings to be renovated for different functions, and at the same time, terrain planting green space are built on the site, especially facing the outside, to achieve the functions of blocking the air&sound pollution, and purifying the soil.
Building distribution Streamline layout Topographic map
TERRAIN PROFILE
SECTION A-A'
Block Air pollution
Elevating trees on terrain to protect against air pollution particles.
SECTION B-B'
Noise Reflection
Use terrain and tree barriers to prevent surrounding noise from entering the site.
SECTION C-C'
SECTION D-D'
Rainwater Utilization
Enter watering plants from the hollow roof.
Functional partition
Catering & Business Ecology & Exhibition
CHOOSE HERBS WITH INTERPRETIVE PROPERTIES
Herbaceous species degrade target contaminants, no harvesting necessary.
ARBORS HAVE STRONG PURIFYING PROPERTIES
Organic pollutants degraded in plant roots, stems and leaves.
Sunken Plaza
Leisure Plaza
Ladder Platform
Thick plant roots stabilize and hold contaminants in soil.
DETAIL DESIGN | The 'Railway Sponge'
PAVEMENT DETAIL
The design and transformation of this area mainly revolves around the original railway tracks, continuing the linear feel, and combined with the renovated factory buildings next to the railway tracks to form an interesting transitional rain garden.
03 SOWING SUSTAINABILITY
BLENDING ECOLOGY AND EDUCATION IN SHENZHEN CHENGHAN PRIMARY SCHOOL
PROJECT CATEGORY:
PROJECT
INSTRUCTOR:
Academic Work | Individual Work
Shenzhen, Guangzhou, China
Ziwei Luo | lzw0412@nwafu.edu.cn | +86 18774847101
8/2023-12/2023
0.25
PROJECT DESCRIPTION:
In Shenzhen, a city known for its abundant rainfall, the development of rain gardens has become a popular trend for sustainable urban development.This project retains the original plant resources while combining practical rain garden ecological education with functional unit plots to serve teachers and students' activities.
PLANTING & PAVING SURVEY
The paving material is impermeable materials, which is not conducive for students to pass and play.
Cupressus funebris Endl.
Camphora officinarum Nees ex Wall
Acacia confusa Merr.
Jacaranda mimosifolia D. Don
Bauhinia variegata L.
concinna (Miq.) Miq.
Trachycarpus fortunei (Hook.) H. Wendl.
STUDENTS
There are trees in good growth condition planted on the original site. We actively retain them and design on this basis.
According to the preset function, pull out the corresponding terrain height difference of each unit
Public spaces with different atmospheres
SPACE FOR VARIOUS ACTIVITIES
Each unit space has a different functional purpose and they are mainly divided into three categories
Rich and intertwined paths
Green spaces that plays a role in education, practice and science popularization
EDUCATION & PRACTICE
Divide the site into multiple small units according to preset functions based on the original tree points.
Supplement corresponding facilities, such as bench, low walls, etc., to further meet needs and enrich activities.
Wooden Bench
Gravel Pit
Staircase
Grassy Slope
Sandpit
COLLABORATIVE GREEN SPACE DEVELOPMENT
Create
This concrete has larger pores that let water flow into the
below, aiding stormwater management and reducing
Iris pseudacorus L. Lythrum salicaria L. Hemerocallis fulva (L.) L.
lactea Pall.
LANDSCAPE SECTION & DETAIL
Create site sections with varied elevation changes and visual experiences, ensuring the integration of detailed elements within specific profiles.
50 mm thick anti-corrosion wood capping
10 mm thick troweled mortar finish
20 mm thick 1:2.5 cement mortar bonding layer
100 mm thick C20 plain concrete base
DETAIL A
400g/m² waterproof geotextile membrane (0.5 mm thick)
100 mm thick 3:7 lime-soil mixture layer
150 mm thick cement-mixed fine stone powder
50 mm thick cement mortar with waterproofing additivecapping loose pebbles backfill with planting soil backfill with planting soil
Relax & Enjoy the View compacted natural soil compacted natural soil
DETAIL A
SECTION 1 - 1'
DETAIL B DETAIL B
Stay & Wait
SECTION 2 - 2 '
DETAIL B
Play in The Sandpit
SECTION 3 - 3 '
Bench on the Grassy Slope
Staircase Planting Slope
Ring Bench Under The Tree
Teachers give on-the-spot lessons
GARDEN OF LEARNING
This part includes many ways of learning, for example teachers giving lectures on grassy slopes, students observing plants by the grassland, and students planting plants on the stairccase planting slopes, etc..
GARDEN OF PLAYING
This part includes different ways of playing and relaxing, for example kids playing with friends or doing sports on the grass slope and sandpit or relaxing even eating on the wooden viewing staircase.
Rest and relax on the platform
Sports and Games in the Sandpit
Grow plants by oneself
04 THE LANGUAGE OF FORM
PRESENTATION OF THE PROCESS OF MINING PIT FORMATION
PROJECT CATEGORY:
PROJECT LOCATION:
INSTRUCTOR:
AREA: DATE:
10/2022 - 2/2023
Academic Work | Individual Work Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
9.5 ha Cangshuan Li | cangshuanli@nwafu.edu.cn | +86 18292187485
PROJECT DESCRIPTION:
Mines are scars brought to the earth by human development in the industrial era. The ecology is damaged and difficult to recover. This project abstracts the steps of mining and uses formal language to record them, allowing people to remember the damage while restoring green.
DISTRIBUTION OF MINE PITS & CONDITIONS OF LAND AND TRAFFIC
The site is located in the northwest corner of the mountain called Yangshan in Nanjing. Many mines are around here. Some have already been greened, but there are still some pits that have been mined and urgently need to be treated.
MAIN STEPS IN PIT MINING BLAST
Through reasonable blasting design and control, using explosives to break rocks and mine ores with their explosive impact and destructive power is the first step of mines.
In order to extract ore, it needs to peel off the surrounding rocks and covering rock layers of the ore body and use certain mining equipments for mining operations such as drilling machines, tunneling machines, loaders, etc
Transportation requires transporting the mined ore from the mining site to the processing plant or export port.
Transportation equipment includes trucks, trains, conveyor belts, etc.
Dumping is the operation of unloading and stripping materials from the dumping site. The amount of stripping can be several times the amount of mining,generating dust and sewage that can pollute the environment.
STRATEGY
Artistically process the real-life images of the four main steps of mine pit, abstract them, extract line shapes, and finally integrate them into the design, combined with the terrain, to generate the four main parts of the project.
MASTER PLAN
SITE TOPOGRAPHY ANALYSIS
THE LAKE THE GENTLE CLIFFS
THE STEEP CLIFFS FLAT GROUND
Explode the mountain body Mine in the horizontal direction Mine in the vertical direction
Transport on flat ground
SCENARIO
After regreening, the site presents scenes with different atmospheres. Looking at the entire site from the entrance, the large exposed cliffs on the front bring a strong visual impact, forming a strong contrast with the surrounding greenery, and also give visitors a Bringing a deep impression, silently recording and telling people in this form that the existence of the mine is a scar that cannot be healed by nature.
Regreen Soil Slope
Rubble Pile
Cliffs
01- Facing exposed cliffs and exploded mounds at the entrance.
Walk into the center of the site to interact with the lake and admire the stacked earth slopes.
Feel the changes in the height of the mound slope and the presence of green plants while walking up and down the mound slope.
mountain.
Climb to the top of the cliff and
bird's-eye view from the platform.
PURITY BRIDGE:URBAN GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE IN HIGH-DENSITY URBAN ENVIRONMENT
PROJECT CATEGORY: PROJECT
TEAM
DATE:
Shanghai, China
Wu Weiyi, Yang Leijing, Wang Churui, Wang Zhaoya, Ding Hao
Enriqueta Llabres-Valls | e.llabres-valls@ucl.ac.uk
10/2024-11/2024
BAMBOO RETREAT: TEA WITH THE WHISPERS OF THE WIND
PROJECT CATEGORY:
PROJECT LOCATION:
Anji, Zhejiang, China
INSTRUCTOR:
INSTRUCTOR: Hongfei Ji
DATE:
Aiai Huang, Leijing Yang, Shijia Ma, Sitong Liu, Tianying Tang, Weiyi Wu, Xinran Cai, Xinran Wei, Xinyi Shu, Xinyue Zhen, Yijing Xiao, Yiqing Kong, Yingzi Xue, Yixuan Yan
6/2024-8/2024
DESIGN
