Loop de Loop

In response to the growing demand for covered bicycle parking at Rice University, Loop de Loop strives to establish a prototype that can be applied to multiple sites across the campus. The prototype consists of two parts -- a series of modular bike racks (the Inner Loop) and an overall shed that covers the site from raining (the Outer Loop). The two components reflect each other in their geometry, echoing with the signature arch-architectural language of Rice University.

Designed out of modular units, Loop de Loop can be easily modified to accommodate different scales of needs at site. The Outer Loop is constructed from a series of hot galvanized and polyester powder coated modular arch-shaped frames in 1.5’’ steel plates, reinforced by a cover in 0.6” thick polycarbonate sheet and another series of 1.5’’ steel plates as horizontal support. Each framework consists of one 10’ tall full arch and one 8’ tall half arch. Covered under the polycarbonate sheet, such combination allows ample space within the bike shed and protects the users from the violent Houston rain in a graceful, efficient and structurally safe way. Rainwater can be either distributed towards the two ends of the arch or collected in the 0.07” thick shaped gutter profile (positioned between the full arch and the half arch) and carried through the channels directly into the supports. Inspired by the materiality of the new Humanity Building, the Outer Loop ends by a 0.063” perforated aluminum panel, which encloses the structure and offers a billboard space for university announcements, club advertisements, and political agendas.

With an estimation of $12,000 budget (not including labor cost), Loop de Loop advocates for a sustainable transportation choice of biking, a formal aesthetics that reflects the campus building environment of Rice University, and a durable typology that can be applied to new locations.

General Dimension: Spacing between “Outer Loop”: 6ft; maximum height: 10ft; depth: 10ft.

Summer 2021, competition entry collab with Andrea Gomez, Christina Zhou, Yilin Ren, and Tony Dai.
Los Angeles | Houston | Wuxi
© Elina Chen 2022