Jiaying FengCrescent
Crescent’s educational journey has been marked by diverse global experiences, shaping her aspirations as an emerging architect. Her academic focus is on NCSS, Nature, Culture, and Sustainability, reflecting her commitment to integrating ecological principles with cultural awareness in architectural design.
She is presently enrolled in the Master of Science in Advanced Architecture Design program at the University of Hong Kong, anticipating graduation in 2025.
Email: fengcrescent@gmail.com
Mobile: +852 6546 5088
03 THE BUILDING SOCIETY - HUTONG TOOLBOXStudio
2024-2025 ACADEMIC STUDIO
The University of Hong Kong
Instructor: Chang Liu | Nagaoka Taketo
Collaborative Work
Beijing’s hutong courtyards represent a unique urban typology—bridging traditional communal living and modern high-density development. While these hybrid spaces embody historical and cultural value, their spontaneous evolution has left them increasingly disconnected from the needs of a contemporary metropolis. Unlike rural vernacular architecture, hutong neighborhoods face distinct pressures: speculative redevelopment, aging infrastructure, and the erosion of shared space.
This project develops a multi-scalar toolkit for hutong regeneration—a system that empowers residents to incrementally improve their living environment. By combining modular design strategies, low-cost fabrication, and participatory methods, we aim to: equip communities with adaptable solutions for self-driven upgrades; transform underutilized courtyards into platforms for social and spatial innovation; and re-interpret vernacular construction techniques for dense urban contexts. The toolbox is not just a set of physical interventions but a framework for sustained evolution, where small-scale actions trigger larger systemic change.
Extending entrepreneurial platform - The Small Depot: Developed by Cohort 3 of the MSc in Advanced Architectural Design (AAD) at the University of Hong Kong, The Small Depot is an entrepreneurial initiative rethinking community-led urban renewal. Based in Hong Kong and Beijing, we prototype affordable, high-impact design solutions—from flexible partition systems to shared infrastructure—that enable residents to reclaim agency over their spaces. Join us in designing the next chapter of hutong life!