With the exploration of the cultural meaning and structural capacity of the traditional Chinese joinery, Sun Mao, the intent of this thesis is to propose an emerging design methodology, which bridges vernacular Chinese culture with contemporary fabrication technology and explores new formal expression through ancient joinery techniques.
The thesis is tested through a series of iterative designs with the China Pavilion in Dubai EXPO 2020 as the testing ground for the design. Through the evolution and the transformation of an ancient Chinese building, Sun Mao joints are reconsidered through the idea of emergence. They are utilized to depart from the traditional pavilion to a new design that rethinks the form, spacial quality, and meaning i
The Board:
