From Ruins to Rhythms

Location: Nanjing, China

Completion: Fall 2024 | Individual Work

Scope: Humanistic Care

In 2365, China faced worst infectious disease outbreak, plunging the country into a decade-long post-virus era. Initially residents were confined by strict lockdowns, many later became too fearful to leave homes. Prolonged isolation left deep emotional scars that lead to widespread mental health struggles. This project uses music as a tool for healing, helping people process pain and rediscover joy. It’s based on the belief that only through deep suffering can true happiness be fully appreciated. Through music, this project aims to bring hope and emotional recovery to a society shaped by fear.

Context

It shows a speculative urban future shaped by infectious disease, shifting from vibrant city life to isolation and collapse. As the disease spreads, streets become empty, people rely on protective measures and mediated communication, and fear dominates daily life. Ultimately, the city transforms into a fragmented and traumatic environment, highlighting the deep social and psychological impacts of prolonged health crises.

This diagram organizes everyday urban activities—clothing, food, transit, and housing—under the constraints of infectious disease. Each row combines spatial layouts, circulation paths, and real-life scenes to show how social distancing, controlled movement, and sanitation reshape typical environments. Retail, dining, transportation, and domestic spaces are reconfigured with defined distances, guided flows, and reduced interaction