CAFx - No leftovers, no left behind by Daisy Ziyan Zhang

No leftovers, no left behind

Daisy Ziyan Zhang

USA

Increasingly, nature has become more of a luxury for city dwellers to access in our everyday life, an indicator closely tied to real estate value and the process of gentrification. Meanwhile, our building industry is established upon the constant exploitation of nature and the production of waste. Can we redefine and up-cycle trash to create public space that serves us all? This project by Ensemble Studio transcends the shackles of a tight budget and designed a public corridor with recycled CDs and leftover quarry stones - a gigantic sculpture, a playground, a microcosmos of nature that welcomes everyone to rest, wander, play, and decompress.

Latest films

Parking is one of the significant city planning problems of Baku. The neighborhoods with high buildings usually lack parking lots and the cars pile up in the backyard of the residence buildings. Children in the neighborhood reclaim the streets! They want to play one more round of soccer, but the already existing limited and shrinking space for a playground is taken away by the cars coming in and out of the yard. Also, children playing in the “playground” of the residential buildings put parked vehicles in danger, and many incidents usually occur. You could see a grumpy person taking their head off of the window and shouting “go play your soccer somewhere else”. City design and the built environment around the residential neighborhoods should take everyone’s needs into account. Including kids who love to play games in the backyard of their apartments…

The Wall Of Happiness

Getting a satisfactory haircut can be a simple pleasure that brightens up your day, leaving you feeling confident and comfortable. For 20 years, a skilled barber has been providing this little happiness to people through his small, inexpensive, wall-based barbershop. This is more than just a place to get a haircut. It's a hub where people from all walks of life can come. At this peaceful place, people can feel comfortable and accepted, regardless of their background or appearance. It's a reminder that happiness can be found in the simplest of things, and that sometimes all it takes is a friendly smile or a listening ear to brighten someone's day. In the midst of a bustling and rapidly changing city, there are still pockets of peace and warmth.

The bridges are an important urban element in Copenhagen, providing different ways of navigating the city. A bridge in the city is not only a connection to the waterfront, it contains a broader definition. By observing the bridges, we can see Copenhagen's diverse lifestyle and the city's inclusive culture.