2021-Present

In 2021, I acquired a grant from CSGC (Center of Service and Global Citizenship) at Deerfield Academy to use the Architecture skills I have learned in the classroom to impact my community. Born and raised in Yunnan, China, I was familiar with the province's cultural diversity, home to 26 of the 51 ethnic minorities in China. In July 2021, I returned to Yunnan and visited the Village of Nongguding, a Tibetan-Lisu Village. With the help of Mr. You from YIC Architecture based in Yunnan, we identified the need for a public restroom in the village for the Buddhist pilgrims that frequent the village and the nearby Temple of Bodhidharma. Mr. You and I worked for a year on the design that incorporated both the stone of Tibetan Architecture and the wood of Lisu Architecture. We finalized our plan in the summer of 2022 and proposed our project to the Rural Revitalization Program of the CCP. The government has begun constructing the restroom and set its completion date for early 2023.  

 - Rendering for the west elevation of the restroom -

- Rendering for the east elevation of the restroom -

The CSGC grant was initially aimed at addressing the dilapidated food storage system in the village. I began with site visits in this Tibetan village. However, I soon learned that villagers no longer needed communal storage as new refrigerators installed in their homes had replaced the traditional storage method. This discovery forced me to change plans. I decided to live with the villagers for a week to understand them better. I talked with different families about their visions for the village. During my interview with the village head, he revealed an urgent need for a public restroom to address existing public health risks. This revelation changed my course and enlarged the impact of the project.

- Nongguding Village surroundings -

- Restroom Section & Elevations -

- Restroom Floor Plan -

After returning to school, I updated my progress during my Deerfield presentation. I launched a new project to design a public restroom that respects traditional Tibetan architecture while incorporating breathtaking views and modern functionality. 

- CSGC Grant symposium -

This experience taught me the importance of community engagement in architecture. It is a collaborative art between its intended audience and the artist.

- Workers clearing the site -

- Site Location -

- Site Before Construction -

1