URBAN VOID
Thesis Research Project
A research project which investigates the activity patterns of different types of residents in tourist city Sanya and how these time-dependent patterns influence the formation and usage of voided spaces.
Introduction
The investigation starts with the question that “How can Architecture which is meant to be permanent, reacts to the context which is under constant transition?” How can we design adaptability and flexibility into our physical environment so they do not evolve into unused void space?
THE PROCESS
01.
Context Research
Given the complexity and transient nature of the topic, I have had multiple conversations with urban planners, landscape architects, and designers from other disciplines to explore the best approach to the project.
02.
Interviews
By conducting interviews with local residents, I had the chance to challenge my assumptions about their needs and activities.
03.
Investigation on Time
Time is a very critical aspect of this topic as the temporary activities will evolve. An extended speculation into the future is necessary. Moreover, by studying the time factor in this topic, it opens up the possibilities of different spatial scenarios from this ever-changing context.
04.
The System
The topic embraces the changes. Thus, it is critical to construct the system and identifies the parameters which stay consistent within the project scope.
01. CONTEXT RESEARCH
The Context
Putting this into context, I look at the City of Sanya, a coastal city on Hainan Island. Hainan island is separated from mainland China by the sea while the city of Sanya is the southernmost city. In modern days, it attracts a large number of seasonal migrants and tourists who are seeking blue sky and clean air throughout the year. The tourism industry brings modern development and new needs.
Taking a closer look at one traditional neighborhood in Sanya, we can tell that the urban fabrics have been removed to make room for tourist development of hotels and parking.
Development Conflicts
With a sudden surge of floating population and tourists, it creates a dual city phenomenon. It is also leaving behind a huge amount of hardscape of parking spaces in the city which takes away the valuable resources of green public space for local residents.
02. INTERVIEWS
The Voids
Showing in this diagram is the different time period when tourists, seasonal migrants will come and stay in the city.
During the peak seasons, the major resorts along coastlines can reach an occupancy rate of nearly 90%, resulting in overly crowdedness. While during offseason, the vacancy rate is close to 95%, creating an empty ghost town.
User Activities
The project identifies a few key user groups of the research project and summarized their typical behavior patterns. As the migrants settle in for a longer period of time, there is a greater convergence between their activity patterns to the locals. Thus, less unused space is needed for the program specifically designed to cater to the sudden influx of population.
03. TIME
Activity Durations of Different Users
The vertical axis representing the no of people while the horizontal axis representing the timeline. At the bottom timeline, it shows the different users activity throughout the year. For example, fishermen will experience fishing ban from May to August and seasonal migrants will return to their hometown from April to September.
​
For the top diagram, two typical days and their corresponding program interactions are studied more closely. One in January where all groups will be present and one in September where only locals will stay. For example, local and fishermen will actually use market space twice a day due to fishing cycles. Tourists will tend to engage with leisure activities towards the later of the day.
​
The number of people is speculated to experience changes in 10 years’ time as tourists further increase and locals are slowly moving out.
04. THE SYSTEM
The goal of the project is to design a public space that captures the constant states of transition where the past and current conflicts and resistance can be visible and continuously debated. The project identifies the existing activities on site such as local community activities, playgrounds to be preserved, and also the temporary informal activities to be kept such as fish market, temporary parking.
THE DESIGN
Based on the previous study of preservation and new programs, I propose the design as a neutral structure along with the parameters which frame a series of public space, supporting both temporary and spontaneous activities.
​
The new structure is done through the means of grid alterations. Different grid dimensions are used for different programs and they are composed on-site to cater to changes and flexibility over time.
​
By employing this strategy, the structure does not intend to impose any predetermined usage or identity, rather it opens up the possibilities of different spatial scenarios that encourage engagements from this ever-changing context.
Read Other Projects
