XJTLU 2013-14 HUANG Chien-hua ARC304 FYP Folio

Shifting Narratives
Huang Chien-hua
Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University - ARC304 - FYP - 2013/14
Tutor: Claudia Westermann

To the ordinary man. To a common hero, an ubiquitous
character, walking in countless thousands on the streets. […]
He is the murmuring voice of all societies. In all ages, he comes
before texts.
(de Certeau, 1984, p. v)
On the other side,
the transformed images of an invasion.
On this side,
imported forms high enough to blur in the hazy sky,
and streets wide enough to call a distant future – in
confidence.
To our feet, the river.
It is as if all the billions of individual stories that life
creates have no other option but to sink into the
endless flow of brown water – to disappear.
Anonymous, September 2013, Shanghai, Pudong
Contents
Brief 1
Research 2
Purposes 7
Detour 20
Potentiality 25
Proposal 41
Reference 77

Brief
The brief Architecture Narrative / Common Fiction initiates
a dialogue between architecture and narrative. It asks students
to investigate notions of narrative and possibilities for the use
of narrative in architectural language. The site is given, and
located along the historically important Huangpu River in Pudong,
Shanghai.
The brief suggests that strategies found in Chinese experimental
literature could be used and translated to re-emphasize dimensions
of life and inhabitation. Considering narrative and
its potentiality, one might be able to find solutions for an architecture
that does not primarily aim at creating skyline images
but instead makes human life its framework in every step of
the design
Research
The project starts from investigating possibilities to approach
Kantian potentiality in architecture, an ‘art’ which
appears to be inevitably limited and defined by purpose.
The research focus is on narrative and its capacities to
create dimensional difference.
Kant suggests that fine art obtains beauty—and with it
universality—if it relates to purposiveness, not purpose.
Purposiveness is potentiality, as it does not link a work
of art or design to specific purposes or orders, but instead
relates it to the possibility of order. Purposiveness
raises notions of beauty, and initiates ‘free’ imagination.
The research suggests that it might require a detour via
an alternative design methodology to temporarily detach
architecture from particular purposes or functions.
The following section shows a part of the study into narrative.
It searches for a definition of narrative that could
serve the construction of an architectural language, and
looks into the benefits that narrative could offer to architecture.
The research starts with A Dictionary of Maqiao,
a novel by Shaogong Han (1996). During the research
process, a wide range of possibilities are discovered for
re-creating narrative through the redefinition of terms,
re-composition, etc.
Cover ‘A Dictionary of Maqiao’ (Han, 2005)
1
2

‘A Dictionary of Maqiao’ is a Chinese novel depicting the life in the village Maqiao.
The story is re-constructed by breaking it into components and by arranging it
according to specific terms, similar to a dictionary. Each component is described
from a subjective viewpoint, and each term depicts a story in different perspectives
and scales.
The word/term/narrative has its own scope. Different words might be used in
different regions. The definition of a word and its method of use also vary from
region to region.
Word
Grammar
Narrative
Component
Tectonic
Architecture
How are narrative and architecture constructed? Is there an analogy? Narrative in
written words is constructed through grammatical composition of words. Similarly,
architecture is constructed through tectonic composition of components (mater
als).
Studying different translations of ‘A dictionary of Maqiao’ might be helpful, and
contribute to an understanding of how terms and narratives could be transferred
into architectural language.
Languages Narratives Tectonic
3
4

“Literature has ‘root’ (gen), which should be en-rooted in the soil of traditional ethnic
culture. Shallow rooted, leaves hardly flourish.”
Han Shaogong
“Sometimes reality is too complex – stories give it form.”
Jean Luc Godard
Root
A root is the origin of a place, or a space. It is also the origin of a stream. A root defines a stream
and makes it concrete.
Stream
A stream is flow. It is the flow of history, culture and time. The dimension of a stream determines
the quality and characteristic of a place.
5
6

Purposes
The project requires the definition of initial specific purposes related to
local demands, as creating and translating narratives needs a direction,
and can only be successful if there is something that can be approached.
The following section shows the site analysis, beginning at the city scale
and ending with the particular site on the riverside. Based on the analysis,
ranges of demands are identified. They define the key functions of the
design project - following local cultural developmental goals.
7
8

Pudong – the former farmland in the East of the Huangpu river is the new Shanghai. Its skyline image is used to communicate
the rapidly growing power of China to the world. It is this image together with the resonances that it generates
that appear to make this new Shanghai.
The project Shifting Narratives is located in Pudong on a site that stretches alongside the East bank of the Huangpu
river. The project takes its beginning in the crisis that makes Pudong emerge as a hostile place for living. The ways we
conceive Pudong—as an image of power—prevent the construction of structures that are inhabitable.
Pudong - New Development
District of Shanghai
Lujiazui Masterplan - Center of
Identity
N
Pudong
Puxi - Origin Shanghai City
Coal Transporting Structure
16 Wharf - Origin of Shanghai
Development
Coal Storage Structure
Huangpu River - Heart of Shanghai
0 m
50 m
100 m
150 m
200 m
Puxi
Location Plan
9
10

Huangpu Riverbank Development Plan
(Development of Huangpu Riverbank, 2007)
Masterplan defines local development (Source: Wang 2009)
11
12

0 m
50 m
100 m
Current Site Plan1:2000
13
14

Huangpu River West
Huangpu River East
15
16

Residential
Commercial
Because of the tightly controlled masterplan, which is in place to create the image
of the new China, a sense of belonging and inhabitation is lost in Pudong. However,
the identity of the city and nation depends on the controlling narrative, and it should
not be eliminated. Therefore, co-existence of both controlling narrative and personal
narrative should be the aim. As the masterplan of the area focuses on cultural development
for the next decades (Development of Huangpu Riverbank, 2007), a new project
might best situate itself within this bigger scheme. To propose a building that is related
to cultural activities is seen as the most feasible approach. The project thus investigates
narrative of scales to connect both dominant and personal narrative within the framework
of an architecture related to culture.
Offices
Cultural
17
18

Detour
The previous section sets the functions of the architectural proposal in
connection to the existing narrative and masterplan. A detour is now set
to approach potentiality in the design process. According to Goldblatt
and Paden (2011, pp. 1-7), architectural function limits the beauty of architecture.
The detour thus initiates a temporary escape from the functional requirement
in order to liberate the design process from limitations.
A narrative of scale that could create a balance between personal narratives
and controlling narratives in Pudong is studied in this section. Our
ideas of specific scales connected to specific spaces and activities are challenged.
The disconnectedness between the scales ‘city’, ‘building’, ‘house’,
‘room’ is put into question, and possibilities for connecting are re-considered
from various viewpoints. After the blurring of the boundary of
scale, exterior disappears. Everyday personal narrative and controlling
narrative are in conversation.
19
20

City In Room
City
Building
Room
Room In Room
Room
Room with city inside
City is a room with various objects
Room is a city with various buildings
Room with building inside
21
Room In City
22

23
24

Potentiality
This section shows the development from narrative to form and material.
To achieve potentiality of space is the aim of the methodological detour.
Precisely, its aim is to achieve the co-existence of dominant narrative and
personal narrative, as well as to overcome the limitations of a methodology
that is guided primarily by the functional aspects of architecture.
Therefore, it gradually retrieves the initial goals set following the site analysis.
The co-existence of both narratives would encourage free imagination,
and potentiality also in regards to the use of space.
The historical narrative starts from the Pudong-fisherman and leads to
the Pudong masterplan of today. Past and present rhythms in Pudong are
captured. The narrative of past Pudong is projected onto the future of
Pudong where personal narratives return, and activities are reconnected
to celebrate Pudong city life. They now cooperate with the controlling
framework. The architecture serves the image – and with it the identity—
of a new Shanghai, but also creates a city structure to be inhabited with
personal narratives.
25
26

Lujiazui District
Grand Immigration
Shanghai Industrial Age
Joy of Economic Success
Pudong Cultural Development
Fisherman
River of Citizen
27
28

29
30

Various potential activities are indicated. The circulation creates encounters and combines different activities that generate
potentiality. A conceptual model is made under consideration of the rhythms of the existing industrial structures
on the site. Potential activities are indicated again. Encounters between the old structures and the new architecture are
explores. Finally, the four main activities—reading, performing, exhibiting and making—are chosen based on their potential
of involvement with the everyday narrative of the citizens of Pudong. The four activities initiate but do not limit
the future utilisation of the space.
31
32

33
34

Existing Park
Proposal
Future Gallery
The project is located at the south edge of the existing structures. This location allows the building to connect
to the gallery in the old coal storage building that is under development, while retaining the unity of the park.
The four main activities Reading, Performing, Making, Exhibiting cooperate with the existing rhythms on the
site. The four main activities, their potential in regards to place making and their scales are depicted on the
plan of the site. Instead of drawing particular rooms and functions, activities translated from the narrative
proposal are written down, and serve as indicators for potential functions and settings. For example, ‘sitting
alone in public with view onto the river’ is planned with reference to the potential size of the space, its views
and circulation. The plan creates transitions from purposiveness to particular purposes, however without fixing
spaces in particular purposes.
35
36

Existing Rhythms
Horizontal Transition
The structures on the site make the existing
rhythms of the place, and flow along the Huangpu
river.
At the upper levels, the spatial borders of each
block dissolve. Possibilities for encounters and
combinations of activities are created. Different
spaces and experiences are provided.
Rhythms Contrast
Shifts
A new intervention from the city site (East), a
new structural grid, is made to act as a contrast
to the existing structural grids.
The spatial scales of the blocks are dissolved
and towards the river side other spatial scales are
generated. They indicate a new smaller inhabitable
scale.
Vertical Growth
Rhythmic Cooperation
Several structural walls grow vertically and generate
four main blocks for four activities.
As a result of the shifts of spatial scale, the new
grid begins to communicate with the existing
one. New experiences are generated following
the rhythmic encounters in the new building.
37
38

39
40

Proposal
Pudong is re-constructed in an architecture that meets local demands and
generates free imagination. The proposal is ‘room’, ‘building’ and ‘city’.
Providing various activities, a sense of belonging is created by dissolving
fixed notions of scale and by re-composing both personal narrative and
the narrative of power. New rhythms are established. The image of Pudong
and the image of civic life in Pudong now coexist.
41
42

43
44

0 m
Meters
50 m
Vertical Transition
Flow of Performing
Flow of Exhibiting
Flow of Making
Flow of Reading
45
Plan
46

B
N
C
9
9
6
1
A
1 1
2
8
1
A
4
4
3
3
6
5
6
5
4
7
C
7
B
0 m
5 m
10 m
1 - Main Hall / Reception
2 - Resting Place
3 - Staff Office
4 - Toilet
5 - Store
6 - Restaurant / Cafe
7 - Outdoor Performance Stage
8 - Open Kitchen
9 - Exhibition Space
10 - Theatre
11- Reading Space
12 - Open Workshop
13 - Training Room
14 - Preparation Space
15 - Self-study / Discussion Room
16 - Conference Room
17 - Workshop Storage
18 - Computer Space
First Floor Plan 1:200
47
48

B
N
C
12
3
A
11
A
10
3
9
5
14
7
13
12
11
2
6
9
2
C
B
0 m
5 m
10 m
1 - Main Hall / Reception
2 - Resting Place
3 - Staff Office
4 - Toilet
5 - Store
6 - Restaurant / Cafe
7 - Outdoor Performance Stage
8 - Open Kitchen
9 - Exhibition Space
10 - Theatre
11- Reading Space
12 - Open Workshop
13 - Training Room
14 - Preparation Space
15 - Self-study / Discussion Room
16 - Conference Room
17 - Workshop Storage
18 - Computer Space
Second Floor Plan 1:200
49
50

B
N
C
13
A
9 18 4
A
9
3/14
4
9/17
11
11
11
9
C
B
0 m
5 m
10 m
1 - Main Hall / Reception
2 - Resting Place
3 - Staff Office
4 - Toilet
5 - Store
6 - Restaurant / Cafe
7 - Outdoor Performance Stage
8 - Open Kitchen
9 - Exhibition Space
10 - Theatre
11- Reading Space
12 - Open Workshop
13 - Training Room
14 - Preparation Space
15 - Self-study / Discussion Room
16 - Conference Room
17 - Workshop Storage
18 - Computer Space
Third Floor Plan 1:200
51
52

B
N
C
13
9
9
6
15
A
4
A
2
9
9
13
11
4
C
B
0 m
5 m
10 m
1 - Main Hall / Reception
2 - Resting Place
3 - Staff Office
4 - Toilet
5 - Store
6 - Restaurant / Cafe
7 - Outdoor Performance Stage
8 - Open Kitchen
9 - Exhibition Space
10 - Theatre
11- Reading Space
12 - Open Workshop
13 - Training Room
14 - Preparation Space
15 - Self-study / Discussion Room
16 - Conference Room
17 - Workshop Storage
18 - Computer Space
Forth Floor Plan 1:200
53
54

B
N
C
A
9
11
A
4
9
16
4
11
C
B
0 m
5 m
10 m
1 - Main Hall / Reception
2 - Resting Place
3 - Staff Office
4 - Toilet
5 - Store
6 - Restaurant / Cafe
7 - Outdoor Performance Stage
8 - Open Kitchen
9 - Exhibition Space
10 - Theatre
11- Reading Space
12 - Open Workshop
13 - Training Room
14 - Preparation Space
15 - Self-study / Discussion Room
16 - Conference Room
17 - Workshop Storage
18 - Computer Space
Fifth Floor Plan 1:200
55
56

0 m
5 m
10 m
Elevation West 1:200
57
58

0 m
5 m
10 m
Elevation East 1:200
59
60

0 m
5 m
10 m
Elevation North 1:200
61
62

0 m
5 m
10 m
Elevation South 1:200
63
64

0 m
5 m
10 m
Section AA 1:200
65
66

0 m
5 m
10 m
Section BB 1:200
67
68

0 m
5 m
10 m
Section CC 1:200
69
70

Purposes
The building presents itself as a cultural facility that contains various spaces for reading, exhibiting,
making and performing. The building can attract citizens through the variety of functions provided
for both creation and contemplation.
Purposiveness
Due to the detour taken during the design process the final plans maintain uncertainty, and encourage
other uses. The spaces in the building suggest that there are many ways to use and to experience them.
Users are encouraged to imagine new functions. Purposiveness and purpose are both achieved.
71
72

73
0 m
5 m
10 m
74

Materiality
The materials, circulations and functions of the buildings are generated from the written narratives,
under consideration of local building regulations and standards. The Corten steel panels in the facade
with their burned look relate to the site’s industrial history, however suggest the possibility for its
transformation to contemporary Pudong city life.
75
76

Reference
De Certeau, M. (1984). The Practice of Everyday Life. Berkeley: University of California Press.
Dewey, J. [1934] (1980) ‘Art as Experience’, New York: Perigee Books.
Dickson, Donna, Linda Tolan, and Rosaria Meli. (2007).“Using stories to develop future leaders in china.”
Goldblatt, D. and Paden, R. (2011) ‘The Aesthetics of Architecture: Philosophical Investigation into the Art of
Building’. Chichester: Wiley-Blackwell, pp.1-7.
Han, S. (2005). A Dictionary of Maqiao, New York: Dial Press Trade Paperback
Han, S. (1985). 文 学 的 根 (The Roots of Literature), in 作 家 (Writer), no. 4, pp. 2-5
Kant, I. (2000) ‘Extracts from ‘Analytic of Aesthetic Judgment’ and ‘Dialectic of Aesthetic Judgment’,
Critique of Judgment’. In: Cazeaux, C. (ed.) The Continental Aesthetics Reader. London: Routledge, pp. 16-34.
Shanghai Municipal Leading Group for Development of Huangpu River Banks General Office (ed.), 2007. Development
of Huangpu River Banks, Shanghai: Shanghai People’s Publishing House.
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