Wenxi Wang

Architecture (MA)

[The Hidden Heterotopia Wonderland] is an immersive theatre proposal based on otome game players and the wider cosplay subculture community. The design deforms furniture and platforms to define the space, while metallic materials and lighting enhance its surreal and uncanny quality, creating a safe space for the community. Anywhere can be a stage in here, and everywhere is a performance. Whether or not you are in costume, you have already become part of this heterotopia performance.

By transforming series of railway arches near Borough Market into an immersive theater space, a junction of reality and fantasy is created. The project features an immersive theater, a community workshop, and a scaffolding theater to accommodate various performances and interactions.

[The Kang Platform Project] The usage of the platforms changes with the seasons and climate. This drawing shows how the platforms are used in spring and summer. In these two season, the platforms are mainly used for outdoor food-related community activities and urban farming.

In autumn, the platforms are primarily used for food preservation activities.The extreme cold winter weather and temporary ice structures can add an interesting experience to the platform system, related to local food traditions. In winter, all activities will move to the underground to stay warm. The structures above ground might be open pavilions, but during winter, these pavilions can be enclosed with ice walls to block out the cold and create storage spaces.

About

Wenxi Wang is an architectural and spatial designer who is currently based in London, who’s interest focuses on narrative spatial experience design and production, curating space through architectural design strategy supported by cultural and community research. Wenxi completed her Bachelor at Xi’an Jiaotong Liverpool University with a First-Class Honours degree in Architecture, and she was nominated for the RIBA President’s Bronze Medal for her final year project Mind Oasis.

Last year at ADS 10, Wenxi developed a modular open platform system，which aims to continue the food culture of Northeast China, which is closely linked to the extreme climate and natural environment. By changing the traditional practice of preparing winter foods and combining it with the traditional lifestyle of kang bed, the multifunctional platform, to bring two domestic concepts into the social community context for discussion, so that these traditions can be passed on in an innovative way, while inspiring new relationships between people and food in the urban context. The project also explored the possibility of using ice as a sustainable material for constructing temporary structures, based on extreme winter conditions of the area.

This year, Wenxi explored the cosplay culture and community. The Hidden Heterotopia Wonderland is an immersive theatre proposal based on otome game players and the wider cosplay subculture community, discussing their performative interaction dominated by costume and appropriation of everyday life. By transforming series of railway arches near Borough Market into an immersive theatre space, a junction of reality and fantasy is created. Here, the significance of cosplay, or ideal personal avatar is explored, creating a safe space for the community. Anywhere can be a stage here, and everywhere is a performance. Whether or not you are in costume, you have already become part of this heterotopia performance.

Content Warning

The content on this website may contain themes and materials that some users find distressing or offensive. Further, the content on this website may not be suitable for individuals under the age of 18. User discretion is advised.

Any views and opinions expressed in this student profile represent the views and opinions of the student and do not necessarily represent the views or opinions of the Royal College of Art or its employees or affiliates. The appearance of any views or opinions on this page do not constitute endorsement of those views by the Royal College of Art. This student profile has been made available for informational purposes only. The Royal College of Art does not make any representations or warranties with regard to the accuracy of any information provided in this student profile, nor does it warrant the performance, effectiveness or applicability of any listed or linked sites. The Royal College of Art is not responsible for the content submitted by any user, or for the defamatory, offensive or illegal conduct of any user. If you wish to report any errors or inappropriate material that may cause offence, please email feedback@rca.ac.uk

To opt out >