Xena Zhang
Master of Architecture with a Track in Interior Architecture
SAIC School of the Art Institute of Chicago
Graduates: 2022
Specialisms: Digital Design / Architecture / Ceramics
My location: Chicago, United States
Xena Zhang
First Name: Xena
Last Name: Zhang
University / College: SAIC School of the Art Institute of Chicago
Course / Program: Master of Architecture with a Track in Interior Architecture
Graduates: 2022
Specialisms: Digital Design / Architecture / Ceramics
My Location: Chicago, United States
Website: Click To See Website
About
As an architectural designer, I see myself as a director of spatial experiences, blending creativity with a deep understanding of spatial design and storytelling. My background in architecture and interior design has cultivated a passion for what I term “spatial magic”—the spontaneous and transformative interactions between people and their environments. This creative mindset drives me to generate innovative ideas that resonate with the needs of my audience, whether I’m working on personal projects or collaborating with a team.To keep my creativity vibrant, I actively engage in interdisciplinary exploration. I’ve delved into fields such as photography, gaming, virtual reality, and ceramics, each of which enriches my perspective and informs my approach to interior architecture. This openness to diverse art forms and design disciplines allows me to weave a rich tapestry of ideas and possibilities.
FUTURE ARCHITECTUREAND EXTENDED REALITY --WHAT IS THE ARCHITECTURAL POTENTIALOF A SPACE THAT CAN BE DIGITAL AND PHYSICAL
In the context of rapid population expansion, limited resources, and advanced technology, theintroduction of virtual worlds seems like an elixir, Virtual and augmented reality allowspeople to choose their own spaces, sites, atmospheres, and even avatars and modes ofInteraction.As a result, resources can be shared to a greater extent,geographical boundariesblur, and the physical characteristics of major cities around the world converge. Virtualworlds, or the Metaverse, are a blend of all aspects of digital technology that enhance thehuman experience and change the way individuals perceive, process, and interact with theworld. In the future, visual and auditory experiences will compress and translate into the Metaversebut other subtle sensory experiences like touch, smell, and taste will be difficult to simulatefully, Architectural spaces wi intearate the dvnamic and changeable spatialfunctions ofLive, Work, and Play to accommodate new lifestyles.Three-dimensional multimediainteractive layers will be fused into the space, providing infinitely updated information. As aresult, the building would no longer be a silent solid. instead, the physical space, supportedby technology, will also strengthen the connection between people in the surroundingcommunity. Within this framework, this thesis explores how the public will experience the simultaneousexistence of real and virtual experiences in the city on a community scale. Facilitated by thishybrid experience of metropolitan life in the future, architectural spaces would be able toembrace both digital information and physical engagement.