Proposal for Gateways to Chinatown
In 2017, artist Mel Chin was invited by Asian American Arts Centre to participate a new project - building new gateways to chinatown in New York City. Chin's idea is to present one of the most important elements in traditional Chinese architecture, "Dou Gong (斗拱)," together with the green energy system, to create a community center for the local residents to escape from the modern hassle and connect with their heritage, history and culture, and each other.
The use of Dou Gong first appeared in buildings of the late centuries BC and evolved into a structural network that joined pillars and columns to the frame of the roof. Dou Gong was widely used in the ancient Chinese during the Spring and Autumn period (770–476 BC) and developed into a complex set of interlocking parts by its peak in the Tang and Song periods. The pieces are fitted together by joinery alone without glue or fasteners, due to the precision and quality of the carpentry.
To assist with this proposal, I conducted researches upon ancient Chinese buildings, architectural elements and techniques, specifically, the uses and structures of Dou Gong in recent centuries and produced a report and 3D model for a direct visual presentation.
For the concept of "connecting," the layout was designed according to the Big Dipper, an asterism within the constellation Ursa Major, which is an important constellation in Chinese mysticism and religion. It is known as Bei Dou, the Northern Bushel or Dipper.
Roofing with Solar Panels will allow the system to be self-sustain and provide a temporary harbor for street walkers during the hot summer or sudden storm.
Views from different angles:
A calculation was done based on the light receiving angle and the animation below shows how the gateway interact with sun light over the day.
At last, a simple demonstration shows the appearance and location of the gateway in Chinatown, NYC.
