'18 Thesis Exhibitions

One of my goals this year is to check out some architectural thesis exhibitions, and the past weekend was the time to fulfill such thing! The ones I visited were National Cheng Kung University, Tamkang University, and Tunghai University's thesis exhibitions in Taichung and Taipei. Before I start it, you should know that there is a very special system in Taiwanese architecture school, in which the lower classmen have to help out their upperclass men for their thesis projects during the final's week. The lower classmen would not have any class for about a week, but solely focusing on making physcial models or renderings for their upperclass men. This is a great way for lowerclass men to learn about some pro tips in terms of model making or software techniques, and a lot of traditions get to pass on from one generation to another. Alright, let's jump right in and allow me to bombard you with bunch of beautiful projects!

I do not own any of these projects. This is a non-profit article, and all rights reserved to the original designers. If you do not want me to post your project, feel free to contact me, thank you. 

Tunghai University

Lots of projects targeted at political issues and social justice. They responded with mix-used social housing and facilities. These are the type of project that I don't usually see in UIUC because it's more like a master planning. It is an absolutely suitable topic for Taiwan due to the complex urban development and housing issues. 

Some projects are re-defining the typology, such as re-thinking about sacred places, or finding a new balance between man-made and nature. 

Various housing prototypes suitable for different sites and environments

A prison project.

A nursing home project.

A project that discusses man-made and natural orders.

A project that engages with historical context and landscape.

This is one insanely beautiful urban site model.

Tamkang University

Tamkang University has a very diverse program that has different studios focusing on various topics, kind of similar to UIUC. They have a studio working on digital fabrication, which is led by professors from AA and Barlette. They also have studio working on social housing and urban context.

A project that talks about how architecture is never truly finished. The construction site is the architecture itself, and it is customizable for its habitants.

I love how they made these prototype models. It's like the isometric diagrams, but in real tangible forms!

The blue components are fixed, and the red ones are adjustable for users.

A project that talks about how senses can be manipulated and altered by architecture.

National Cheng Kung University

NCKU focuses a lot on restoration and revitalization projects, which has been a rapid growing trend in Tainan. NCKU also specializes in structures and architectonics, which in many ways are similar to UIUC as well. The projects are in lesser scales, usually an instituional type building instead of a master plan.

Reflection

I think overall the projects are a lot more conceptual than the ones I've done in school. They are not afraid to use colors in their projects, which is something I should try. They are also willing to use different physical model materials to present their projects. Many of us only use singular materials or monochrome style for physcial model, and that's not always the best way to do it. Aside from that, I don't see many structural explorations other than NCKU. It would be great to see some diverse structural systems or materiality experimentations. I'd also love to see more projects that challenge the standard design methods. Most of the projects developed ground-up with organization and layout, it'd be great to see more creative ways of designing architecture.