Tag Archives: China

Last stretch before the Reunion!

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Sisters! I can’t wait to be reunited in December. Hopefully all is well with you three. I am working hard for the final review next week. I know you are all busy doing your work but I just wanted to say that I am so excited for this winter break and can’t wait to create together.

I myself am working on this final project-doing a lot of drawing and modelling. Pray for me-I am just not good at creating physical models.
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Rachel: I pray that this Thanksgiving Break will give you the strength you need to knock out this first semester! You are doing so well and I’m so proud of you!! Your work was just too good to not share here. I love the movement and the ink is really great on this one!

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Jessie: I know you are doing so much-Vex, Uni applications, SAT, AP preparation, and Art- Just remember to rest and know that you aren’t defined by the outcomes of any of these things. And congratulations for all that you have done so far! AMAZING AWARD FOR YOU! I had to share this image because-Jessie- I really is amazing. Proud of you and your dedication to your work!

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Maddie: Hope that 10th grade isn’t killing you. I know that Computer Science can be hard, but don’t forget your fun loving spirit in all the work 🙂 Just know that you will be taking a break very soon and get all that work out of the way before hand. I wish I could be in Guangzhou with you and the Gohs!

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On Site: Guangzhou Factories

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Hey guys!

Last week was my Reading Week and we went to China to check out some factories in Guangzhou. I really enjoyed getting to see how stuff actually works and how we can use those things in our designs.

The first factory was a wood lamination factory, this machine (below) took the wood planks and laminated them together to make a full load bearing wall.

This is the view of the control room of a concrete factory we got to visit. They mentioned that they actually add ice to the mix to better bond the concrete mixture.

This is a model of one of the container ships at the Guangzhou International Shipyard. It was really cool to see the model and then go outside to see the gigantic ship being built!

We had to wear our hard hats.. good times.

These apocalyptic cranes are actually out of use and just sit at the concrete factory site. They reminded me of an alien infrastructure invading the Chinese countryside (maybe too much Falling Skies, eh Jessie?)..

From the Studio: Analysing Yau Tong

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Our first project of the semester involved analysing the peripheral site, Yau Tong.

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I loved getting around the site and exploring the area. We produced this drawing throughout the first few weeks- looking at how specific areas of the site effect each other and how we can draw conclusions from those findings.. (click the image for a closer look)

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From the Studio: Chinese Calligraphy Acrylic Cut

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Studying architecture can be difficult at times: the work load, the hours, the complicated models and tedious drawings. I often get very frustrated, but there is one thing that I am thankful for in it all. I am so thankful for the things that architecture has taught me. Yeah, yeah, it taught me about diligence-working with others.. bla, bla, bla..

But who really cares about architecture work ethics? I am excited about the representational styles and visual communication skills it has taught me.

If I went through all of this and only learned this-I would be happy.

This is the Chinese New Year season, and a friend commissioned me for a project to do with Chinese calligraphy work. He wanted name tags for some of his friends in China. (And I decided it would be fun to make my own name as well!)

First step was to draw the outlines of the Chinese calligraphy on the computer so that we could laser cut the 5mm acrylic board. I used Adobe Illustrator and then cleaned everything up in AutoCAD.

Next step was to laser cut-I don’t have my own machine, but a local architecture supply store has machines for rent (by the minute). We grabbed a USB drive with our file and started the cut… it took 30 minutes (and at 4HKD/minute that comes out at about $15 USD).

Next step is spray paint… we used a perforated plastic sheet as the pattern for the spray paint. (Painting on the back of the character..)

My Chinese name is: 韓睿忠 (hán ruì zhōng). Above you can see the 韓 being sprayed, and below a detail of the 忠.

Here is the final product of the 睿忠.

From the Studio: Architecture Analysis

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It has been an interesting semester thus far in my second year of architecture. We are working on Architectural Urbanism, exploring how architecture effects the city, and how a single building can change a certain site.

Our first step was to analyse the site-Monkok, a highly dense area in Kowloon that hosts a range of programs like street markets, book stores, live-work lofts, illegal structures, and big box malls.

The analysis of tenement housing in the site led us to the discovery of the eventual reclamation of the whole area.

I am excited about the next step of design and finding interventions that will change the city’s fabric.

Here is the full analysis with textual description and other drawings:

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Guilin Memories

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I am continuing my Memories Collection with one of my favorite places in China, Guilin. We went on a vacation to this scenic area in the South of China the first year our family lived in in the Middle Kingdom.

During our travels down the Li River, we stopped at small villages along the way. The locals in this semi-tropical area still lived in structures; some of which were hundreds of years old.

China’s token color is red, which we got a lot of throughout our trip to Guilin.

Another great part of the trip was the produce and food. Fresh berries and other fruit are produced in the area.

The historic legacy stretches into both culture and arts… below is a Chinese opera costume.

Lastly, known throughout China, the scenery in Guilin is, in itself, a compelling reason to visit this place. The sights are breathtaking and being able to traverse these karst mountains was a blast!

This post is part of my Memories Collection-revisiting places where Connecting Four really connected and explored the world together. See my Thailand Memories post here. See my Tianjin Memories here.

India is Served

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This break has given me the chance to cook in our new house’s kitchen (at University I don’t really have a great space to work), and I’ve been exploring a bit in terms of drinks and food (Lemonade & Dumplings).

I decided to try out something I first tried four years ago (and have LOVED ever since!): Masala Chai Tea-thank you Ruth Bevis for introducing me to this incredible drink.

For a great recipe, you can reference Simply Recipes for their amazing Chai Tea– I make a few variations as compared to theirs.

I add chilli powder to my chai tea, it gives it a great spicy kick!

First: gather your ingredients, mix the dry ingredients well in a large saucepan and add water. You are going to want to bring the water and spices to a rolling boil for about 10 minutes before moving on to the tea.

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Cover the saucepan to bring it to a boil quickly.

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Secondly, remove from the heat and let the tea steep for around 5 minutes. Remove the tea bags.

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Then, add the milk and brown sugar (or your preferred sweetener). Bring back to a simmer and keep warm til you serve.

Another great tip: Chill the tea after you are done, and serve over ice. It tastes just as good cold!

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Serve with baked goods, cake, bars or even savoury food (curry or tandoori chicken?). Rachel made a special treat for us the other day and it was GREAT with the Chai!
(Here’s a preview of it):

Sunset at 3am

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The countless carefree summer evenings, always comfortably residing in the back of our mind.

(nikkithy, instagram)
The artist places focus on the seaside sunset and dark ocean clouds, steering away from pure photography and stepping into the realm of art. The geometric alteration and vintage color scheme transcend a representation of this moment to communicate an emotion.

Here I tried the same technique.

By the way, check out Nikkity’s web store and blog here.

A Little Bit of China.

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While We were on errands around our neighborhood a few days ago we came across this small vender selling some traditional Chinese Flat Bread. Since so many people were waiting for this toasty snack we figured it must be good. So we “placed” our order, paid about 20¢, and enjoyed this salty treat on our way back home!

Living in China leaves you with so many new experiences, discovering new foods is one of the major adventures I have found while living here. You can buy flat bread, fruit, popcorn, or even Cotten Candy while walking down the road on a nice evening. I have gotten to discover so much from living in China, it is definitely a blessing being able to live in this foreign place.

Summer Food

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Since coming to China, I’ve been eating like crazy.

Here are some foods you MUST try:

Korean:

Korean BBQ Pork.  Not quite barbecue at all, more like deep fried heaven. With a side of sweet and sour sause.

 

Kimchi. My favorite korean vegetable. The spicier, the better!

 

Korean appetizers. An assortment of all the best, and you don’t even have to pay for them, Korean service win.

Chinese:

Chinese “Zongzi”. Bamboo leaf rice dumpling. Filled with all kinds of surprises.

 

Soup Dumplings “Xiaolongbao”. Traditional dumpling with a twist. Caution: the soup you are about to drink is extremely hot!

Western.

Pastries. Who doesn’t love brownies, cheesecake and eclares.

 

Blended Coffee Drink at Coffee Factory. Best cold coffee drink I’ve tasted in a while. Maybe the best ever.

 

Cappuccino. Frothy goodness. Add a pack of sugar for the perfect balance of espresso and sweet.