Archinect
KUNSHI LIU

KUNSHI LIU

Ann Arbor, MI, US

 

About 

As a current graduate student at Taubman College, I am devoted to investigating how man-made structures can spatially, programmatically, and environmentally influence the cities in which we live. This philosophy is evident in both my professional and personal work, in which I thrive in exploring architectural solutions to social and ecological dilemmas.

While studying architecture at Politecnico Di Milano I excelled in my design and technical courses, for which I received recognition for my ingenuity and work ethic. My thesis before graduation was a research in “Acoustics for Ultra-Lightweight Structure”. The Research was based on the comparisons among rain noise and acoustics insulation tests on ETFE membrane in three cases studies, and a further development on one of the installations of the cases.

More notably, however, my passion for developing innovative solutions for urban and environmental crises encouraged me to explore and experiment within the parameters of architecture. In one instance, during a semester-long investigation of how light and matter relate to architecture and its sites, my groupmates and I designed and constructed modular components that worked in different ways with light and darkness. Entitled Crystalized, the video is currently available on YouTube, the link is:

Elsewhere:

Employment 

Herzog & de Meuron, Basel, Architecture Trainee

Full time position as an Architecture Trainee. Research and design on Grand Canal Museum in Hangzhou, China, from the beginning of the Schematic Design phase till the end of the Detail Development phase, assisting the project architects on the design process, producing visuals/diagrams for presentations and panels, as well as detail drawings in DD phase

Oct 2020 - Aug 2021
 

UNStudio, Amsterdam, Architecture Intern

Full time position as Intern Architect. Research and design on several large scale projects, assisting the project architects on the design process, producing competition-ready visuals/diagrams for presentations and panels

Aug 2019 - Jul 2020
 

West-line Studio, Guiyang, Architecture Intern

Full time position as Intern Architect. Research and design on several small and large scale projects, assisting the project architects on the design process, producing design development and construction document for a number of commercial buildings

Apr 2018 - Sep 2018
 

Education 

University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, US, MArch, Master of Architecture

The Taubman College Master of Architecture is committed to the idea that architectural education in the 21st century can build upon a plurality of foundations – diverse epistemologies, experiences, histories, methodologies, and technical and conceptual capacities. In doing so, we understand that architecture is a cultural product that always negotiates a complex multitude of voices and ideas, and a myriad of social, political, and aesthetic concerns. Through the intellectual diversity of our internationally recognized faculty, and through the experimental spirit within our studios, we seek to model that plurality.

Sep 2017 - current
 

Politecnico di Milano, Milan, IT, BArch, Architecture Design

The programme in Architecture and Urban Design provides students with an advanced training in the field of Architectural Design and develops theoretical, humanistic, artistic and design competences based on the Italian tradition, facing different housing cultures, the new forms and spaces of contemporary cities, the development of new urban settlements in developing countries, the innovation in building techniques and environmental sustainability. The educational path meets adequately the increasing need to face the complexity of problems and the new professional responsibility of architects, as required both in Europe and worldwide. The programme focuses on the core Architectural Design experience at various scales, both in theory and in practice. The educational offer makes it possible to characterize one’s study plan thanks to optional courses and to elective thematic and final Design Studios.

Oct 2014 - Jul 2017
 

Skills