Synopsis
In the age of data explosion, the power to visualize, strategically organize and overlay complex information has become an invaluable design tool. New York based architectural and urban designers Ida Tam, Ran Yan & Felita Li in their recent publication, entitled “Reconsidering Authenticity: urban analytics and historic preservation of Lilong in Shanghai” leveraging on various data mining and infographics techniques to visualize the problem of historic preservation in Shanghai. As the team notes, “despite the abundant data available, the power of mapping in architectural design has under served by the literal, linear visual representation of information. It is through rigorous process of cross-referencing and overlaying different matrices of information, one can truly identify the ‘hidden’ patterns, problems and opportunities.” Through the aid of 2D and 3D computer programs such as Rhinoceros, Grasshopper, 3D AutoCAD and GIS-related softwares, matrices of historic, demographic, transportation and infrastructure data of Shanghai are being paired; relationships are being identified and recreated. The process of data reorganization not only facilitate formation of pragmatic historic preservation solutions, but also prioritize intangible issues, such as sustainable growth, community and social networks, that have been previously neglected.
About the Author
AUTHORS IDA TAM A New York based architectural designer, photographer and film maker. Ida has published and practiced architecture internationally, working on projects in London, Hong Kong, Shanghai and New York. She is sole author of the book Reconsidering Authenticity: Computational Approach to preservation of Siheyuan in Beijing. Specializing in computational design, building information modeling and digital simulation, her research has also been published on the Architecture and Civil Engineering Journal in the US and Journal of Urban Construction and Theory Research in China. RAN YAN received her Bachelor's in Architecture and Historic preservation in Tongji University, Shanghai and Historic Preservation Planning at Cornell University in the U.S. She conducted her Master's thesis research on Shanghai's alleyway housing communities' preservation, emphasizing different stakeholders' influence on urban neighborhood renewal. Over the past 3 years Ran has been in a leadership role supporting the LatimerNOW project piloted by the Historic House Trust, exploring anarchic ideas to reimagine historic house experience at the Lewis H. Latimer House Museum, especially to engage the Mandarin-speaking communities in Flushing, Queens. Ran devotes herself to revitalizing and diversifying historical and cultural heritage through community-centered approaches. FELITA LI A New York based architectural designer. A graduate of Cornell University, Felita dedicated her interest in curating cultural & historic spaces in urban environments in Seoul, integrating cultural informal practices in urban cities. After graduating, she began her career at the venerable Office of Metropolitan Architecture (OMA) in New York, winning the Transbay 8 San Francisco Competition. Subsequently, she has played a leading role in the development of a masterplan for Manhattan's dilapidated Inwood section, in which she worked closely with the New York Economic Development Council (NYEDC) at Studio V. There, she collected substantial information from the GIS database - Pluto Data - and then used it to generate over 100 maps, which, in turn, were used to analyze the most appropriate methods to develop dilapidated area.
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