Yinan Zhu

About

EDUCATION:

Royal College of Art, MA Interior Design, 2018-2020 / London, UK

Xiamen University, BA Environmental Art Design, 2012-2016 / Xiamen, China

Hochschule Osnabrück, Exchange student, Industrial Design, 2015 / Osnabrück, Germany

Tunhai University, Exchange student, Landscape Architecture, 2015 / Taichung, Taiwan

WORK EXPERIENCE:

AECOM, Internship landscape architect, 2016 / Ningbo, China 

Contact

Degree Details

Statement

This project is the exploration of Tyler Court, a unique somewhat narrow opening between two buildings. A space that also operates as a “short cut” facilitating through access from one street to another. This unique “gap” further demonstrates a diversity of spaces, textures, dimensions and perspectives in an area of London already packed with considerable difference.

The diversity of this space however is more closely associated with a relatively closed group of local users who use the space mainly in response to their work needs.

Given the need for personal space in Soho and the lack of it for those working in the area thought was given to how this space may be adapted to fit such a need. Principally this would be done by it being more closely considered for the personal need of this relatively closed group of people, who spend most of the working day in relatively close proximity of each other and of this space.

STAYING VERTICAL?

Tyler's Court in Soho
Tyler's Court in Soho
Narrative Artefacts
Narrative Artefacts — The cast of negative space between two office buildings...
Existing Plans & Elevations
Existing Plans & Elevations — Tyler’s Court is about 38 meters in length, 1.1 meters to 2.4 meters in width.
Existing Window Typologies
Existing Window Typologies
Concept Illustration & Brief
Concept Illustration & Brief — A vertical public space for connection...

As public spaces become more popular, it is required to accommodate different users throughout the day. Solutions must be found for everyone, not just the dominant group. As Soho becomes more crowded, public space equality becomes a growing issue. Then the growth of POPS - privately owned public space - has raised real concerns regarding negative and restrictive use. Soho needs different types of spaces, identikit POPS with grey seats, puny birch or sad espaliered trees or long rows of wooden benches, cannot become the dominant model. So, this project aims to offer more quirkier, less corporate, greener and more distinctive uses for office workers.

Medium: Jesmonite, MDF

Size: 2370 x 1580, 9449 x 5315

STAYING VERTICAL!

Proposal Plans
Proposal Plans — 01 The bridge of game 02 The social staircase 03 Wine shop window 04 Air corridor 05 Slide 06 Bridge 07 Standing area 08 Vertical herb garden 09 The theatrical coffee Shop 10 The kinetic social space 11 The outdoor dining & dancing hall 12 DJ room 13 Performance window
Proposal Elevation A
Proposal Elevation A — 01 Performance window 02 The kinetic social space 03 DJ room 04 The outdoor dining & dancing hall 05 Bridge 06 Corridor 07 The social staircase 08 Slide 09 Wine shop window 10 Bird's nest 11 The bridge of game The normal transparent glass windows are turned into rainbow colour. Office workers can experience different ambiance in the office.
Proposal Elevation B
Proposal Elevation B — 01 The bridge of game 02 The social staircase 03 Slide 04 Bridge 05 Vertical herb garden 06 The theatrical coffee Shop 07 Pivoted window 08 Standing area 09 The kinetic social space 10 Performance window
The Social Staircase
The Social Staircase — The mail boxes distributing along the spiral staircase could help office workers who take up different occupations or come from different countries to communicate with others more.
The Theatrical Coffee Shop & Vertical Herb Garden
The Theatrical Coffee Shop & Vertical Herb Garden — 01 Coffee beans storage 02 Milling coffee 03 Roasting coffee 04 Grinding coffee 05 Brewing coffee 06 Coffee waste collection box 07 Water is returned with ammonia removed. 08 Fish waste and uneated food turns into ammonia. 09 Bacteria turn ammonia into nitrite. 10 Nitrite is absorbed by the plants along with other nutrients.
The Kinetic Social Space & Performance Window
The Kinetic Social Space & Performance Window — This extra space is 5 square meters. Office workers could use it as a meeting room or a cinema.
The Outdoor Dining & Dancing Hall
The Outdoor Dining & Dancing Hall — 01 Retractable roof - closing roof in the rainy day 02 Liftable large table - gathering office workers 03 DJ room - only used at the party time 04 handle of raising & dropping table 05 Bridge 06 Air corridor 07 Entrance from the social staircase

According to the research and outcome of workshops in Tyler’s Court, focus on office worker’s specific needs, eleven different type of furniture were added to in this space: outdoor dining and dancing hall, kinetic social space, social staircase, slide, bridges of game, vertical herb garden, theatrical coffee shop, standing area with pivoted window, bridge, bird's nest, performance window, setting ‘connection’ between office workers who work for different companies and invariably come from different countries.

Size: 9449 x 5315, 9449 x 9449