An Interview with the Second winner of Tiny Library 2021 Architecture Competition- Miaoxin Wang

Interview

We like to take the opportunity to introduce you to the Second winner of Tiny Library 2021 Architecture Competition- MIAOXIN WANG.

01-How would you introduce yourself / Team /Firm? (50-100 word)
My name is Miaoxin Wang, and I’m from China. I graduated and received my B.Arch. degree from California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo in 2020.

02-Give us brief information of your previous projects/ works/ research/achievements?
Ans. I was the first prize winner of 2017-2018 Best of Show 3rd year Super Review at school, which was an academic competition certified by AIA. The project investigated and applied the Laban Movement theory from choreography to the creation of an architectural language that combined working space with dance studios to develop an VR/AR research facility.
In my fifth year, I was among the 18 students from a pool of over 150 in my year to receive a thesis award from the school. My thesis, the Wall, created a fictional “wall” for uncensored media production and distribution in Beijing, China. It argues for an unstable paradox between control and freedom that exists in the exhibitionist society driven by proliferations of different types of media that we are living in, where our experiences become products but also influences to create power.

03-What advice would you give to individuals who struggle to decide whether it would be beneficial for them to participate in architecture vision competitions?
Ans. I would encourage everyone to participate architecture vision competitions if they have a clear goal of what they want to get from the competition. There are two reasons. First, competitions are incredibly time-consuming. Knowing your goal can significantly help you to plan out how much time and energy you want to invest in the competition. Second, it prevents you from overly comparing your entry to others, and stay focused. It is necessary to research about previous winners, but if you know what your final goal is, the understanding of your project could help it stand out even more.

04-What were the challenges you faced while designing for such architectural space?
Ans. Because the project is only 400 sqm, it needs to acquire a certain level of realness and be innovative at the same time. This requirements creates a very interesting zone to explore the possibility of small scale architecture. For example, the idea of ramping through a building will be much much harder to achieve in a bigger project, but a lot more convincing and powerful in a project like Tiny Library. Moreover, the highlight of the project, a continuous ramp, is also the logic and organizational reference for assigning programs and creating experiences. Everything should evolve around it.

Another challenge would be to figure out how to tell a good story with the minimal amount of work because I was working alone. I needed to make sure that I didn’t waste any space on the board with the belief that I could still tell a great story without as many images as other entries had.

05-What was your thought process while designing for Tiny Library Architecture Competition?
Ans. The first step was to research and define the problem. What does a “disadvantageous group” mean? Who am I talking about? Why should I care about them? What will this piece of architecture mean to them?
I was drawn to a line when I read the brief, where it asked to design for such groups in “either rural or urban context.” I immediately went for the urban context, a metropolitan one, because I thought there has been a vacancy in the discourse when we spent a lot of time and energy designing for those in the less developed areas, meanwhile there are people in big metropolitan cities facing similar issues of inequality, social justice, exclusion, etc. I also want to ensure the realness of the project by being able to see and experience those problems. That was the point when I started to narrow down the scope and stared to look into those blue-riders in Beijing.
Next step would be finding a good concept to guide the design. Because this project is to promote self-growth and dignity, community bonding and inclusion, there are some key words such as “connection” and “show-case” that really stood out to me. Finally I landed on the a concept of combining bookshelves with ramps to create the major experience of the project.
The organization of the programs and circulation was a result of understanding the code for ramps and calculating how to maximize connectedness of spaces to create layers of experiences without exceeding the square meter. I went through a few iterations of potential uses of spaces. Façade and exterior of the building were also considered during this process to create varieties and excitement.
The structures are also considered in the early stages because I thought the shelves should contain structures and hide them from the circulation to have a clear passage for both pedestrians and riders, which will strengthen the concept.
For the interiors, I developed them through testing out in renders to find a good atmosphere to convey the correct feeling. At this point, draft renders are developed along the way so they could go through more iterations towards the end. The hero shot, started to develop once the angel was found and exterior was set, and I was still making small changes until the last hour before submission.

06-What attracted you to this competition?
Ans. It’s a small project that I could handle it by myself, and I’m interested in designing a public project. I also need a good project for my portfolio for applying masters.

07-Where does your interest in design come from?
Ans. Hard to say. I think from the belief that design is a mentality, an optimism that believes everything could be better.
I still don’t consider myself as a qualified designer because I’m not as compassionate as a lot of my peers. But for the subjects that I'm very passionate about, I could be pretty critical.

08- What design fundamentals do you believe in?
Ans. I believe designs only exist when there are limits. In order to design, I have to be able to define the problem first. Definitions will bring out limitations. I’m also not a minimalist. I love complexities. I care a lot about forms and aesthetics because I believe in the power of appearance to appeal emotions and feelings.

09-What were your references/ inspiration?
Ans. Neil M. Denari was a huge reference. I’ve also wanted to explore the graphical quality of architecture and I think a library with an emphasis on the mobility of users would be a great fit.

10-Which aspects of a design do you focus more during designing?
Ans. Activities and user perspectives. Circulation in this project especially.

11-What according to you is the key to making your design a success?
Using one single concept -- a continuous ramp around a bookshelf – guide throughout the project. No other fancy ideas.
Also needless to say, time management.

12-Which tools do you use during design? What is inside your toolbox? Such as software, application, hardware, books, sources of inspiration etc.?
Rhino 6 for modelling. Lumion for the first time for renders. Vray for other graphics. Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, and InDesign.
Manuel of Section, Details in contemporary architecture, Details in contemporary glass architecture are the books I constantly refer to.
I also looked at winners from previous years carefully to help layout my board.
Last but not least, Pinterest.

Thank you for providing us with this opportunity to interview you.