Author Archives: yniu6

[embeddoc url=”https://blogs.uoregon.edu/ecotopia/files/2017/06/YN-R1-10npwzj.png” download=”all” viewer=”google” ][embeddoc url=”https://blogs.uoregon.edu/ecotopia/files/2017/06/Ecotopia-Towers-Ya-Niu-Final-Poster-A1-1gmygko.pdf” download=”all” viewer=”google” ][embeddoc url=”https://blogs.uoregon.edu/ecotopia/files/2017/06/diagrams-to-print-27h7abp.pdf” download=”all” viewer=”google” ]

Optimized for the natural elements, the design merges sustainability with aesthetics. Vertical gardens absorb and expel water. The collected water then flows along the winding stairway, and into an underground basin. The tower stores portland’s abundant rain for use during both summer and winter months- heating the water to help warm up the building during the winter, and evaporating water to take away heat during summer. The wave system’s geometrical shape allows each unit a south-facing window, while also echoing the curving energy of the adjacent river. Wind turbines installed within the tower’s green spaces catch wind flowing through the building, lowering the building’s electricity demand.

1. What were the most useful review comments, applicable to several student projects?

The most useful review comment is to decide what kind of people can use the units and how to invite people to use the stair on the façade. Also, how to invite people from ground level.

2. What did you learn from seeing other students’ visual and verbal presentations?

I learned that a good presentation should have clear pictures or diagrams to show what the feature of the design and how it looks like. Choosing good angle of perspective is very important.

3. What would you like to adjust on your panel for the CTBUH submission (July 17, 2017 registration deadline).

I will improve my rendering. Choosing some good views to show the tower more clearly. Also I will clarify  the sustainable diagrams to make the concept more clear.

Strength:

• The concept of creating vertical green space and using wind and water to control temperature.
• The way to organize units.
• The idea of increasing the natural light and allow each unit has south window.

Need to Improve:

• For the poster, it is better to color the units in plans, sections and diagrams to inform the same space.
• There could be a thin green space on north side.
• There are good views on the edge of garage. It could be commercial space.
• Move the parking entrance further from the street and organize the parking space according to the structure above.
• Making clear systems of using water to control temperature, such as using rain screen.
• It is possible to think about the size and location of turbines. Using them to create patterns on facade.
• Taking care of the relationship between tower edges and site.
• Try to make different views along the hallway.

Personal Goals:

• Try to use the way reviewers suggested, using grid and put volumes in and out to make the façade interesting.
• Changing the orientation of parking space, along the orientation of tower structure.
• Redefining the edge of the building.
• Well organizing the public space.
• Trying to make changes along the hallway.[embeddoc url=”https://blogs.uoregon.edu/ecotopia/files/2017/05/Ya-Niu-midterm2-1afl31l.pdf” download=”all” viewer=”google” ]

[embeddoc url=”https://blogs.uoregon.edu/ecotopia/files/2017/05/midterm1-poster-1s0szxp.pdf” download=”all” viewer=”google” ]

[embeddoc url=”https://blogs.uoregon.edu/ecotopia/files/2017/05/diagrams-qbbmm4.pdf” download=”all” viewer=”google” ]

Concept

Sponge is based on a concept—maximize the usage of water. The tower follows the way how sponge works, which can absorb water and squeeze out water. According to the weather in Portland. The tower will store up the rich rain water in winter for summer. Heating the water to help warm up the tower in winter and evaporating water to take away heat in summer.

Comb system serves as the geometrical form for the tower to create a sense of homie and cozy living environment. Leaving some of the combs as holes, which creates vertical garden in the tower. Each unit has their own green space. Crosswind foes through these gardens to take away heat in summer.

Strengths

Creating vertical green space in the tower. Using wind and water to adjust the temperature. Imitating the way how sponge works to deal with water. Store water in rainy season and use it in dry season. Arranging units in a single row maximize amount of nature light. The organization of the micro unit is one of the most interesting parts in the tower.

Bringing it Forward

Firstly, adjusting building shape to enlarge the use of natural condition. For example, changing the size of entrance and exit where wind comes in and out to adjust speed of wind. Secondly, developing better communities. Reorganizing public spaces and making better connection between different activity spaces and private spaces. I need to think about more functional spaces in the tower, such as educational space, medical space, meeting space, dinning space and so on. What’s more, I also need to change the shape of units. Using normal walls instead of sloping walls.