Why is the Mori Art Museum on top of class A office buildings in Roppongi Hills in Tokyo? Why do public playgrounds situate right next to prime retail spaces in the Netherlands, while they are often treated not as the "highest and best use" in the mixed used development in the US?

 

As my master thesis at Harvard University, I asked how can we go beyond traditional mixed-use development through 12 unique mixed use development across the globe by unpacking their spatial, social and economical elements. 

 

When it comes to mixed-use projects in North American contexts, they often bare the stereotypical image of pancaked building programs, occasionally mixing uses but not really users. The programs of such buildings often cut out or significantly downplays various layers of public spaces, cultural/civic programs. But some mixed-use projects in other parts of the world, can be innovative and sustainable spatially, socially and economically. What can we learn from them?

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The thesis research crystallizes my time at Harvard, blending in my education and practice from Architecture, Real Estate Finance and Urban planning. The research book includes 12 cases of classic mixed-use development across all geographical and socio-political contexts. It studies how some non-typical projects are innovative and what drove them to be so. By researching, contextualizing and comparing them, the research book examines each case through multiple lens of design, planning, and real estate finance, and the negotiation and relationships between various stakeholders. The findings provides a range of spatial, social and economical suggestions for future large scale developments.

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Below are a few glimpses into my research book. Please feel free to reach out to me receive a PDF copy of the entire research book.