Part I: Site Analysis

Interpretive Model - Open Space
As part of the study of the Xiegong Memorial hutong, we created an interpretive model of the open space at the historic neighborhood. Rather than construct a conventional model, we were instructed to build a creative interpretation of the hutong's open space. Upon visiting the site and collaborating in the studio, we determined there are three major themes which contribute to successful open spaces. These major concepts are personified in our interpretive model of the Xiegong Memorial hutong as ratio and dimension, sense of identity, and function.



Ratio and Dimension
First, in exploring and interpreting our site, we noticed that the dimensions of an effective open space follow a ratio that is both pleasing to the human eye and human comfort. We noticed that the dimensions of the General Xie hutong closely followed the "golden ratio" or 1:1.6. Of course, this terminology is borrowed from Western literature, and it may seem esoteric to Chinese designers. Also, it isn't a rule of thumb for designing outdoor space, however, it indicates that this proportion exists in nature and connects humanity regardless of cultural differences or location. In essence, both balanced in width and height, the Xiegong courtyard/pathways and Fayuan Park remain accessible as the buildings and courtyard are neither too high nor too long. We chose to recreate the interpretive model with this ratio in mind.

The human scale of the buildings and roads foster community events and activities in the open spaces.

An example of a balance in the width and height of roads and buildings according to human scale.

Sense of Identity
Second, impressionable open spaces foster a sense of identity and belonging. This idea is expressed through the movable and elevated pieces, revealing the floorplan underneath.

Greg plays with the model, revealing the floorplan as the base.

By showing the floorplan, we wanted to symbolize the imprint of the buildings if the hutongs were demolished. Thus, if the entire Xiegong Memorial neighborhood were to disappear, the footprint would represent the legacy and history of generations who have lived there.

Similarly, there is a piece of the model which is on a hinge and can swing back and forth. Left in its initial place, the piece covers the floorplan beneath it. However, once the user rotates it, they will see the floorplan. This part of the model goes with concept of identity and is actually based on an observation encountered at the site. Indeed, with the hutong, we noticed how buildings were built over the years on top of existing foundations. Some were placed directly on top, others were shifted a little from the original foundations. Likewise, in the model, the user may shift the piece, but regardless of the case, he or she will always see the underlying footprint. The message here is that regardless of how the hutong develops, its past will always be a part of its present.


Function

Lastly, the types of use in an open space range according to season. Although cold weather may prohibit people to go outside, open spaces are certainly still used for other reasons; possibly, children can play outside in the snow or adults can have a hot drink and socialize. Hence, we expressed the transformational uses of the courtyard and Fayuan Park by including cross-sections, elevations, and sketches on top of the buildings. Viewers are able to focus on specific drawings, and at the same time, look at floor plan of the entire Xiegong Memorial neighborhood. Additional tools used to strengthen our argument for the hutong’s success in open spaces included scoring the courtyards and alleys in relation to the building heights, giving the viewer a sense of spatial recognition. The use of photos reflects the activities that occur in a specific open space in the site plan.

Notice the scoring of the photograph, each rectangular unit represents one person's standing space.

The overlapped photos and sketches create a feeling of commotion and vitality.

The density of the sketches is analogous to the concentration of trash, unused building materials, and the loss of open space. It can also represent the commotion and vitality of a historic district, bursting with human life. In any case, crowded outdoor spaces would be an imbalance between the open space and built space, which would alter the principles of traditional Chinese architecture. Essentially, this would equate to losing the Xiegong Memorial neighborhood as a historic relic.

Our translation of the hutong's open space; the foam pieces create a scaled 3-D version of the siteplan.

This video clip provides a fluid experience of the interpretive model.

Part II: The Archive

Revitalizing the General Xie Memorial Hutong


The History of the Neighborhood:
General Xie was an army officer who lived in the immediate site when the Song Dynasty collapsed and was succeeded by the Yuan Dynasty. Due to his unyielding loyalty to the Song emperor, General Xie openly defied the succession. Eventually he was imprisoned, but Xie’s fight was far from over. Even in prison, he refused to show any cooperation and as a final demonstration, he went on a hunger strike. He eventually succumbed to hunger and died of starvation for his beliefs. The Xiegong Memorial honors his legacy.

Our Vision:

In redeveloping the hutong, we wanted to create a project that was mentally stimulating. General Xie embarked on a path that he thought was right; it was a path he chose to cultivate self-worth and self-respect by adherence to loyalty and his beliefs. The network of paths in the new neighborhood will not only be a way for individuals to understand the struggle General Xie endured during his period of resistance, but it will also allow residents and visitors to choose their paths on a daily basis. The progression through these paths leads to moments of reflection and contemplation. By providing alternative venues, we encourage the users to make decisions when traveling to The Archive, thus making their experience personal and engaging. Arrival at the Archive signifies a cultivation of self-worth through personal decision-making and knowledge acquired from the books and artifacts at the Archive and the experience gathered along the journey.

One of Many Paths to the Archive

Atrium of the Archive: To Climb or Not to Climb?

Design Process:

In relation to the first project, we preserved three elements and expressed them in our final design of the Archive. First, we focused on human scale and maintained the relationship between human and built form. In the Archive, a second story is added and the courtyard is eliminated. Due to the loss of green space and social health that is associated with parks, we implemented a rooftop garden system on top of residential homes. Additionally, the Archive is only three stories, hence the neighborhood remains accessible and inviting to a passerby.

Next, the elevated pieces in the foam model indicated an opportunity to relieve overcrowding by installing a second story. Also, we aimed to recreate a memorial-like structure similar to a theater. Thus, the Archive is architecturally monumental and taller than the residential structures.

Lastly, we preserved the majority of the original floorplan to express the fundamental structure of traditional Chinese construction. We believed that the original floorplan was essential to the vitality of the neighborhood. By retaining the walkways and paths, the natural layout encourages exploration and gives visitors an opportunity to explore the neighborhood.

Driving Themes:

- Preservation of Humankind, History and Culture, and Human Scale

- Reflection of the Self

- Transformation of the Individual

These three themes were devised to serve as a basis for the overall intent of the project. Every phase has if not all at least one of these themes incorporated within the message that is being conveyed.

The Archive: The New Xiegong Memorial

- The Archive contains artifacts, cultivating respect for relics of humankind
- It retains pieces of the original memorial to honor the history of the neighborhood

Preserving Community Through Communal Spaces

- The quality of the outdoor life is preserved by the addition of a second layer housing green rooftops and areas of communal gathering and reflection.

Rooftop Bridges: Networks that Provoke Reflection

- The bridges and connectors transform the hutong into a multi-dimensional space

- The different vantage points create different ways of understanding and represent the 'crossroads' in one's life

- Private gardens are created in order to facilitate self reflection

- Incorporation of opaque glass encapsulates private gardens allowing privacy and contemplation

- Etchings of the old hutong on opaque glass are created to allow people to glance into the past while in the present which perpetuates further self contemplation

Private Reading Rooms Designed for Self-reflection

- These private spaces within the archive provide an environment conducive for self contemplation.

- They serve as an opportunity for the individual to take full advantage of such an experience to focus and better his or herself.

Detail of the Shelving System within the Archive which Holds Relics, Books, etc.