Climate Risk. Project by Wenhan Dong, Linyi Zhang and Xiyan Wang​. IDEAS - Urban Strategy program. Led by Associate Adjunct Professor Jeffrey Inaba, Gillian Shaffer and David Jimenez

Wenhan Dong, Linyi Zhang, and Xiyan Wang are students in UCLA Architecture and Urban Design's Master of Architecture II (M.Arch.II program). Archinect caught up with Dong, Zhang, and Wang to discuss their final project within the school's IDEAS - Urban Strategy program. Led by Associate Adjunct Professor Jeffrey Inaba, Gillian Shaffer, and David Jimenez Iniesta students unpack the city of Los Angeles and the effects climate change will have on land-use and development in the year 2050.

The research-based projects at UCLA's IDEA's campus, according to the educators, push students to not only conceptualize possible outcomes through data and prototyping but also foster solutions for possible futures in land use.

Archinect's Spotlight on 2020 Thesis Projects: 2020 has been an extraordinarily challenging year for architecture graduates. Students were displaced as schools shut down, academic communities had to adapt to a new virtual format, end-of-year celebrations were canceled or changed dramatically, and now these students are graduating into an extremely challenging employment market. To support the 2020 class we're launching a summer series of features highlighting the work of thesis students during this unique time of remote learning amid COVID-19. Be sure to follow our 2020 thesis tag to stay up to date as we release new project highlights.

Please briefly describe your thesis/final project and your inspiration.

Our project looks into Los Angeles in 2050, where intense climate change led to the real estate value of LA has dramatically shifted. The ‘Flats’ of LA are safe from the threats of climate change and earthquakes and will have the highest land value. The majority of Angelenos who cannot afford this area are forced to live at the boundary along high risk areas. Our proposal is to create places for people to live along this climate edge.

The majority of Angelenos who cannot afford this area are forced to live at the boundary along high risk areas.

How did your project change as studios transitioned to remote learning?

More changes took place in terms of communication, using online tools such as sharing screens and annotation made it easier to exchange ideas about a drawing or a 3D model. And remote learning saved us much time on commuting and allowed for even more time to work. 

...sharing screens and annotation made it easier to exchange ideas about a drawing or a 3D model. 

Any tips for students working through their final projects?

Please don’t travel if you don’t need to, and if you must, please prepare plug adapters and VPN in advance. Stay optimistic under any condition, stay healthy and keep exercising during your work!