Xida Li

Having completed Part I at the University of Cambridge, I chose to work in a couple of different practices in Shanghai, on projects ranging from office, housing to schools and hospitality. In 2019, I came back to the UK to continue my part II education whilst gaining work experience in a local practice.

This year, I am interested in exploring our immediate future – the post-Covid condition, an aftermath of the months in lockdown but also a chance to reimagine our new every day. The project kicked off from looking at a particular community – the delivery riders…

Education

MA Architecture, Royal College of Art

BA (Hons), the University of Cambridge

RIDER'S UNION IN LONDON

The rise of digital economy had quite a hard impact on the real economy. Particularly during the recent Covid lockdown when shops across the world were forced to close and statistics exposed a surge in online purchases. From retail to hospitality everyone moved to a virtual activity in order to survive.

Food delivery platforms benefit the most from the global lockdown. Justeat, one of the biggest companies in the UK alongside Ubereats and Deliveroo, tripled its revenues in just three months from the beginning of the pandemic. However, food delivery riders certainly did not benefit from the same fortune, on the contrary they were subjected to an increasing amount of labour, including longer working hours, less bonuses, and still rather inhumane working conditions. Riders queueing and taking breaks on the street become nothing but a new asserted urban 'scenery'.

My thesis starts from these premises and intends to propose a space where this new emerging category of urban labourers can unionise. The project begun from the study of the New Art Museum designed by Sanaa in New York City, with a particular focus on the screen that envelop the building as a recognisable urban gesture as well as a transparent curtain that reveals the activities that take place behind it. In a completely different site from the density of New York, a similar approach to the screen is proposed in the context of London. The site is located at the east end of London, using the demolished London met building. The project takes advantage of the site by having an edge condition whilst showing a political gesture by facing Uber's head office.

Through a blend of architectural analysis and business research, my project aims at establishing a new form of institution for riders across the city. Giving them a strong public presence, offering a space for they everyday work and life, and most importantly to help them finding a sense of community and knowledge exchange.

SANAA - New Museum

Screen is a device through which the subject can be reviewed or hidden. In the example of the New Museum, the screen is used to provide a sense of transparency. It is an aluminium mesh cladded onto the plaster board facade, which had little openings due to its walls must be used for exhibiting.

Business model comparison

Rituals for the coop

I compared two existing working models for riders: a corporative model (Uber) and a co-op model (Mensakas, a Barcelona based riders’ coop). In the corporative model, riders are self-employed workers with no employee rights; they have no active engagement with the business; they have nothing to do with decision making; they do not engage with customers unless they are reviewed or rated through the app. On the other hand, Mensakas provided a much flatter organization. The algorithm of the app is managed by the riders who are all partners in the business. They are more directly related with local businesses and customers.

Initial Ownership Model

Refined Model

These diagrams explain the economic structure of the building. First of all, the building is owned by the union and used by the union members. Outposts of restaurants pubs and shops are located at upper levels of the buildings, meaning that the ground floor can be used collectively by the riders. Going around the city picking up food at different spots would not help providing a time for riders to gather. On higher floor there Is also office space and class rooms owned by the union. Union workers use this space to educate and maintain their algorithms.

Site

I have located my building at the east corner of the city of London, at the demolished Cass school of architecture, directly facing the ubereats headquarter tower across a construction site. The project takes advantage of the site by locating itself at the edge of a building block not only directly confronting the public but also allowing traffic to intrude inside the building.

-1 - Market — During the day, this sunken market is used as a farmer's market providing fresh food. At night, this space is hosted by the community for social events.

-1 Floor Plan

Ground Floor - Rider's Hub — An informal gathering space for the riders during lunch and dinner breaks. It is also used for parking and repairs.

Ground Floor Plan

2nd Floor Shops — Surplus meals imported into the building from nearby supermarkets, restaurants and cafes. The food is either ordered and delivered through the app or put on sale in a physical shop on the 2nd and 3rd story. 2nd-hand clothing shops are also here.

2nd Floor Plan

Top Floor Food Mall — Centralized kitchen formatted similarly to a food mall. Generous sittings are provided for both the customers and the riders. Food is also packaged here for delivery.

Top Floor Plan

Perspective Section South — Perspective section showing the internal organization of the space in relation to the facade which is a corridor behind the screen.

Section North — Section showing the building's relationship with public infrastructure, which is Aldgate East tube station.

Xida Li

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Royal College of Art