JINTAO ZHAI
For the X2 project I chose three objects as my original form concept, a table lamp model from X1, a pendent and a thermos. I used them to Explore three different X3 massing models and chose the table lampas the final architectural form concept, and shared the pendent with the community as part of the prototype for the pavilion.
Regarding the community, we were asked to provide the concept of sharing: sharing something, space or activity to the community. Olaf, Ashely and I decided to provide a communal space in the middle of the community that could be made up of a communal courtyard and a lookout modeled after llama, providing a space for the residents of the community to connect, cook and meditate. The prototype is based on the objects we exchanged: pendent, llama toy and metal whisk.
My site is located in the upper right corner of the community, next to an existing building. How it engages and shares with the whole community becomes the key to my project.I tried to use the open outdoor space to relate to our shared project, the courtyard. I also tried to maintain the integrity of the façade on the side adjacent to the existing building to maintain the continuity of the alley.
So for the project, those years we often talks about the post-epidemic era and how people should live with viruses, but two years on, it's all nonsense when it comes to actually confronting them. People's fear of the virus has somehow translated into an aversion to public spaces themselves being either cordoned off or isolated. I wish to create a space for people with the opportunities to meet and communicate, especially after experiencing an epidemic that has permanently changed the way we live and work, home time has become longer and it seems we can rethink how should we live together.
Alos, nowadays Life is perceived in haste, in the midst of lots of hype and lots of distractions. We are constantly urged to go elsewhere, to do something else. Click me. Like me. Tweet me. Share me. Too much noise. It's impossible to concentrate. I want to offer a space to those people who want to perceive the world and self slowly, and rethinking about themself by offer the different type public space.
Through the internal courtyard and the public space between the external blocks, as well as the balcony on the second floor, we have created a series of public spaces suitable for different usage functions to meet people' demands.
The first floor is all public space, while the second floor is all private space, and only one outdoor staircase is used to connect the first and second floors, in order to increase people's connection in this way (forcing them to communicate more by going up and down the stairs.)