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
04
ROOTS TO RHYTHMS
Thesis
2024 ACADEMIC THESIS
Rhode Island School of Design
Instructor: Lafayette Cruise
Individual Work
It is a journey of rediscovery and renewal – a symphony of roots, rhythms, and revitalization. Drawing inspiration from the essence of Chinese traditional philosophy and the tranquil landscapes of Suzhou, my hometown, the study delves into the logic of energy flow within 108 scholars' gardens. Within these landscapes, attention shifts to the crucial role of pavilions—a pause akin to acupuncture points in the dynamic rhythm of spatial experience.
With this understanding, the focus extends to Chinatown in Boston—a vibrant cultural crossroads. Here, the mimicry of Chinese architectural elements belies a deeper disconnect from the authentic verve of the culture. Amidst sanitation and mental well-being challenges, a vision emerges: reintegrating the ethos of classical gardens, imbuing Chinatown with clear energy flows that bring cleanliness, peace, and elegance back. The design strategy emphasizes connectivity, weaving green spaces and pathways to facilitate the circulation of energy—a nourishing loop that revitalizes the urban fabric. Through the strategic reconnection of open spaces and holistic redesigns, Boston Chinatown becomes a transformation to cultural resurgence and human flourishing.
It is a vision for a future where urban spaces actively contribute to society's health, holism, and harmony. It is more than just reinterpreting public spaces from multi-scales inspired by Suzhou Gardens and redefining the concept of pause and tranquility. It's about designing spaces with sensitivity to the flow of energy, both seen and unseen, to nurture the well-being of individuals and communities and to generate a new type of "healthy" architecture.