World Architecture(WA) Magzine guest critic review issue 201312 by Ziyu Zhuang

Review 1: Bamboo Eco dome

 

作品不仅仅是类富勒烯拓扑结构的简单竹化版。整体上，单一天然原竹本身几何形态上的异向性被化解在了拓扑形态的匀质性中。单元上，这种原竹材质的自然性，原生性与加之其上人造连接件的确定性，限定性相得益彰，从而形成每一个结构和视觉上同样稳定的＂金字塔＂ 基本单元。整体上，每个单元与相邻三个单元的连接均采用了捆扎而非顶点连接的方式，也恰体现了作者对传统竹结构中以原竹捆扎来增强稳定性工艺的传承和敬意。楔形切口部分的搭接也保有传统竹构工艺的意象，六组楔形汇聚的几何顶点虽无结构连接，却已从整个形态体系中获得了无形的张力。

 

The work of Bamboo Eco dome was not simply a bamboo version of Fullerene.  In general, the anisotropy of bamboo nature geometry is resolved in the homogeneity of bamboo typology form. In its unit structure, the natural materiality of bamboo, together with précised artificial connections in which their limit allows them to complement each other, thereby formed each unit structure and visual appearance as a stable golden pyramid.  The connections between each unit and its three others were made by bundle method instead of vertices connection.  The bundle method showed that the architect inherited the traditional bamboo structure craftsmanship and expressed his respect to this traditional structure method, which the wedge connection method was also in respect to.  The vertex of the each six wedge-connections made a strong inherent force among them, although they were not physically connected.

 

 

毕马威安康社区中心

Review 2: Community Center of Bimawei 

“用竹材做大跨空间”，此命题本身即是一个对于竹构传统的挑战。复合竹材，梁柱体系和弧形主梁的使用似乎已经提交了令人非常满意的答卷。然而，主体结构中原竹结构极限和大跨需求之矛盾在建构层面解决途径的缺失，使作品本身在建构文化的立意上难免显得有所缺憾。虽然挑檐部分有部分原竹元素的表达，但其符号意义远胜于其建构实质。当然，作品中一系列被动、智能和本土化策略的成功应用，早已将竹命题建筑的结构性和经济性和社会性拓展至了更广阔的范畴。

 

The task “a long-span structure made by bamboo” was undoubtedly a great challenge to the traditional bamboo structure industry. The building seemed made a great performance by taking the advantages of laminated bamboo lumbers, beamed structures and cambered girders. However, the materiality limit of bamboo structure and its large spanning demand placed itself into contradictory and ultimately relied on structure floor to achieve its spanning.  As a result, this structure solution method led the building less powerful in the expressions of architectonic. Although there were some expressions of the bamboo materiality at the cantilevered eave, their symbolic meaning still overwhelmed the actual architectonic meaning. As a matter of fact, with the help of passive technology, intelligent technology and low-tech vernacular approach, the architect had already achieved a great success by promoting the bamboo architectures’ structural, economical and sociological features into a whole new stage.

 

印度馆，上海世博会

Review 3: Indian pavilion of Shanghai EXPO

 

世博会印度馆本身就仿佛一幅斑斓的“三维拼接画”。作品在建筑元素表意上的直接和真实着实让人惊讶。片段化的表皮容纳在完形的几何空间的构成方式本身便好像印度文化对于混沌与统一之关系的物化诠释。所选用材质自身的特质在表皮和结构上的表达也是质朴而直接的。覆盖竹穹顶的混凝土薄壳可能是些许的遗憾之处，私以为如能在建筑外部表皮上获得穹顶竹结构的阅读性或许会给作品创造更强的一致性。

 

The India Pavilion itself is definitely a colorful “3D photo collage”. It’s amazing how those cultural metaphors were transformed into the architectural elements sincerely and directly. The fragmented skin expressions were enveloped in some original geometries; it is in similar to the metaphor relationship between chaos and unification in Indian culture. The original materials’ characters were fully expressed at the building’s architecture skins and structures. The only discount might come from the thin concrete shell above the bamboo dome. It would be more understandable and expressive if the bamboo dome skin revealed some part of its stru    

 

印度馆，上海世博会

 

世博会印度馆本身就仿佛一幅斑斓的“三维拼接画”。作品在建筑元素表意上的直接和真实着实让人惊讶。片段化的表皮容纳在完形的几何空间的构成方式本身便好像印度文化对于混沌与统一之关系的物化诠释。所选用材质自身的特质在表皮和结构上的表达也是质朴而直接的。覆盖竹穹顶的混凝土薄壳可能是些许的遗憾之处，私以为如能在建筑外部表皮上获得穹顶竹结构的阅读性或许会给作品创造更强的一致性。

 

The India Pavilion itself is definitely a colorful “3D photo collage”. It’s amazing how those cultural metaphors were transformed into the architectural elements sincerely and directly. The fragmented skin expressions were enveloped in some original geometries; it is in similar to the metaphor relationship between chaos and unification in Indian culture. The original materials’ characters were fully expressed at the building’s architecture skins and structures. The only discount might come from the thin concrete shell above the bamboo dome. It would be more understandable and expressive if the bamboo dome skin revealed some part of its structure to be seen.