one street, two plays
UA INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION “ARCHITECTURE FOR EVERYDAY LIFE”
2ND PRIZE
2014
This is a very interesting and special project in my portfolio. Because of this project,
I started to really see the world around me, especially the beauty of my everyday life.
PROJECT BACKGROUND
In recent years, buildings in China have become the flip side of commercial operations instead of usage value. The origins and meaning of architecture have been overlooked. Buildings are separated from everyday life and provide sensory stimulation. Humans act as objects and have lost the ability to discover or experience the beauty of life. However, ordinary things sometimes are more powerful and everlasting.
Backing to everyday life, focusing on human behavior, we want to arouse more people to find the original beauty in daily life.
SITE RESEARCH
Under the theme of "Finding The Original Beauty In Daily Life", I chose Caishier Road, a lively street in Qingdao, China, as the site of my project.
Caishier Road is an extremely lively street - from midnight to noon, it is a seafood market. From afternoon to evening, it is a night market.
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
The method of site research is very experimental - in order to understand every detail of this street, we decided to stay on the street for 15 consecutive hours, from 7:00 am to 10:00 pm.
(A video of this research process can be found here)
DEFINE PROBLEM
Soon we found that during the market’s time, sellers, buyers, passers-by, cleaners, and many other people with different identities will come to this street for different activities.
However, due to the lack of clear regulations and guidance, there were always serious traffic jams, which greatly reduced the efficiency and experience of all parties.
SOLVE PROBLEM
In order to separate the flow of people and traffic and ensure a pleasant experience for all parties, we designed a set of "urban furniture", a set of devices that can be flexibly folded and shaped according to each person's needs. It can help people better divide the space, use spaces, and guide different flows.
TAKE AWAY
This is a project the outcome of which we cannot predict. Throughout the process, we have been amazed, shocked, moved, and inspired by the simplicity and liveliness of this street. Ultimately, I wish to share the beauty I have witnessed through my paintbrush and remind more people that - life is beautiful.
Thanks for reading this far!
ROLE
Research, Urban Design, Storytelling, Visual Communication
Team of Three: Chi & Yutong & Me
TIMELINE
Two Months
TOOLS
Photoshop
SketchUp
Time-Lapse Camera