Buffalo Student Residential Housing — Yangtong Zhao

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My central motivation to study and practice in architecture is rooted in my philosophical studies. This discipline has cultivated in me a habit of close observation and critical reflection, particularly around a question that continues to shape my work: how does space shape relationship between environment and human identity, and how should architects exercise this power with care and responsibility?

Email: yzhao182@syr.edu
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Buffalo Student Residential Housing

ARC307 Fall 2023|Architecture Design V
Instructor: Timothy Stenson

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The project program outlines the need for 40 to 60 apartment units of various sizes, along with associated amenities at ground level. The design concept draws heavily from early-stage urban and site analysis. An analysis of the urban landscape and green spaces reveals a significant demand for green areas, as indicated by analysis diagrams. Additionally, research indicates the presence of several educational institutes surrounding the site, with the subway serving as a connecting line, forming a cohesive system. Consequently, the design shifted towards creating student residential apartments while allocating half of the site’s area as a public green space for the neighborhood.

Given the limited available space, the decision was made to focus solely on studio and one-bedroom apartments, with other types being abandoned. The design concept evolves dynamically from floor to floor vertically, with each floor presenting different architectural forms that change as one ascends or descends. An envelope is crafted not only to afford privacy to residents facing the public park but also to generate numerous intermediary spaces that function as balconies, linking the double facade with the building itself.