6. Nonterior
Yuxin Li
HI, I AM YUXIN LI 🇨🇳
EDUCATION BACKGROUND:
Royal College of Art, MA Interior Design, 2018-2020 / London, UK
Beijing Institute of Fashion Technology, BA Environment Design, 2013-2017 / Beijing, China
National Taiwan Normal University, Exchange student, 2016 / Taipei, Taiwan
WORK EXPERIENCE:
Anti-gravity international, Design assistant, 2018 / Beijing, China
Wisdom Space, Internship Interior designer, 2017 / Beijing, China
Tencent Video, Internship Graphic designer (Marketing department), 2016 / Beijing, China
EXHIBITIONS:
Kortrijk Creativity Week Design Exhibition, 2019 / Kortrijk, Belgium
Beijing Design Week, 2017-2019 / Beijing, China
Anxious Architecture Non-Famous Architects Exhibition, 2018 / Beijing, China
AWARDS:
China 7th Environmental Art Design Exhibition, Chinese Artists Association, 2016 / Beijing, China
New Cup Chinese College Students Interior Design Competition, Chinese Architecture Association, 2016 / Beijing, China
Where I am in 2020, 20% of my time in the gym, and 5% on my way there, and 75% working on my interior investigation. As a designer, I am keen to investigate the surroundings around me and how creators communicate with their works and the audiences. For me, working in the design field is more related to storytelling and communications. I'm currently staying in London, and intend to work as an interior designer with a passionate group, wish to create more joyful projects.
The research focused on the LAT (living apart together) lifestyle, which refers to couples having an intimate relationship but choosing to live at separate addresses. As a new, emerging family form, LAT relationships may become a viable alternative to ideas of traditional households, intimacy and commitment. Studies in a range of western countries have shown that about 10% of adults are in LAT relationships. In Britain, almost 50% of LAT couples are in the youngest age group (18–24).
As a way to achieve a balance between independence and emotional commitment, LAT relationships also come with risks such as the lack of intimacy, poor communication, and negative impact on finances, especially among the younger generation. A significant proportion of them faced the dilemma of maintaining LAT relationship and financial issues.The proposed design responds to these issues by creating a unique hotel, which provides the freedom to experience the spatial opportunities and dilemmas of a LAT relationship.
This proposal, based on three top floor apartments converted from the existing residences situated in Berwick Street, collaborates with a local developer, aiming to test out the potential of creating a LAT focused neighbourhood in Greater London.
Based on the understanding of the need for a balance between the demands of personal life circumstances and the desire for intimacy, the project explores a spatial strategy that would allow guests to configure the hotel experience into 27 different options for domestic space. These spatial options would cater to different needs, wants and desires of the partnership, creating opportunities for living modes of independence, moments of sensual intimacy and configurations for time together.
The project aims to explore the potential of the interior as a spatial intervention for examining the realms of intimacy, whilst also opening up a conversation about the opportunities for social life at home.
As a way to achieve a balance between independence and emotional commitment, LAT relationships also come with risks such as the lack of intimacy, poor communication, and negative impact on finances, especially among the younger generation. A significant proportion of them faced the dilemma of maintaining LAT relationship and financial issues.The proposed design responds to these issues by creating a unique hotel, which provides the freedom to experience the spatial opportunities and dilemmas of a LAT relationship.
This proposal, based on three top floor apartments converted from the existing residences situated in Berwick Street, collaborates with a local developer, aiming to test out the potential of creating a LAT focused neighbourhood in Greater London.
Based on the understanding of the need for a balance between the demands of personal life circumstances and the desire for intimacy, the project explores a spatial strategy that would allow guests to configure the hotel experience into 27 different options for domestic space. These spatial options would cater to different needs, wants and desires of the partnership, creating opportunities for living modes of independence, moments of sensual intimacy and configurations for time together.
The project aims to explore the potential of the interior as a spatial intervention for examining the realms of intimacy, whilst also opening up a conversation about the opportunities for social life at home.
Narrative Pitch
Narrative Artefact
Soho is defined as one of the top 10 unhealthiest places to live in Britain. Research indicated however that local residents held a high sense of satisfaction with their living conditions, especially those who live by themselves. This principally was because of the close proximity too amenities in the area.
What was further observed was that there has been an increase in the amount of people living alone. So much so that in the community courtyard of St James Residence Soho there were less community activities, fewer sharing of accommodation and not as many complaints of feeling alone as one might imagine when considering that trend in national statistics. This spoke to a change in lifestyles regarding relationships and some people preferring to be in what is now referred to as LAT unions (Living Apart Together).
By observing the living stories of LAT unions in St James’s Residence, the model explores the narrative of those stories and tries to find the potential for contributing to contemporary living form in Soho.
What was further observed was that there has been an increase in the amount of people living alone. So much so that in the community courtyard of St James Residence Soho there were less community activities, fewer sharing of accommodation and not as many complaints of feeling alone as one might imagine when considering that trend in national statistics. This spoke to a change in lifestyles regarding relationships and some people preferring to be in what is now referred to as LAT unions (Living Apart Together).
By observing the living stories of LAT unions in St James’s Residence, the model explores the narrative of those stories and tries to find the potential for contributing to contemporary living form in Soho.
Size:
2019.10-2020.01
Scenario studies
Concept drawing
Schematic development
Selected apart & together plan
Apart plans
Together plans
27 rooms in one
Sections
Perspective drawing - Party mode
Perspective drawing - Workout mode
Perspective drawing - Bathroom
Detail drawing
A LAT hotel experience, which provides the freedom to experience the spatial opportunities and dilemmas of a LAT relationship. This proposal, based on three top floor apartments converted from the existing residences situated in Berwick Street, collaborates with a local developer, aiming to test out the potential of creating a LAT focused neighborhood in Greater London.
Size:
2019.10-2020.06Research Diary