A R C H I T E C T U R E PORTFOLIO
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A Part 1 Architect graduate from the United Kingdom, looking to better my skills and kowledge within the field of architecture and the design world. During my time in studying I have developed the mindset of becoming a critical thinker in the field, as well as a mindful designer in the world of sustainable and social architecture.
BENJAMIN WONG PART 1 ARCHITECT
ABOUT
EXPERIENCE2022ArchitectIntern - The Beaumont Partnership (Bangkok)
My first introduction into the design world, where the experimentation of different fields took place e.g. Graphic design, Construction, Product design and Architecture. Where I learnt the basic fundamentals that lead me to become a well-rounded architect.
A 6 month intern, working for a medium sized commercial architecture firm. Where as an individual grew my skills of working in an practise. My role involved being a part of the design team which consisted of 3D model ling, concept design and CAD drawing and rendering.
– Westminster Kingsway College (DISTINCTION)
Innovation Prize - London Metropolitan University (2020)
Part of a group of young architects which conducted a construction project in Calabria (South of Italy)
BA (Hons) – London Metropolitan university (UPPER SECOND CLASS HONOURS)
Gold and Sponsor award by Starpack (2018) –
2018 –Architecture2021
Westminster Kingsway college in collaboration with BAM Construction (2017) -
Entrepreneurship,ACHIEVEMENTS
Phone number: Email: (44) benwongarchitect@hotmail.com7902917028
3 years in Architecture school that progressed my design skills further, but also got me thinking further theoretically about mindful design. With studies into architecture history, technical studies and conceptual design.
Art2016EDUCATION-2018andDesign
For the innovative design of a shoebox inspired by Jean Michel Basquiat.
Achieved top 3 in a design project where my artwork got displayed publicly in Coal Drops Yard (Kings Cross).
CONTENTS 2. STUDIO WORK - pages 4 - 24 CONSTRUCTION WORKSHOP - pages 25 - 28 IN PRACTISE - pages 30 - 44 MODEL MAKING - pages 46 - 50
THE FOREVER CHANGING CITY
A screen printing project, done for a competition orchestrated by BAM construction. In which came top 3, where the piece got displayed publicly in Kings Cross,Coal Drop Yards. The piece represents the forever changing city, with how the buildings are constantly being built on top of each other. Screen printed in blue represents the past and how through the years has been constantly layered upon. The bold red crane represents present and future of the new to come, as well as the advancement in technology that brings high rise buildings that is changing our cities landscapes.
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STUDIO WORK
BELMONTE
INTRODUCTION TO THE SITE
THE BRIEF
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Located in the southern part of Italy, in the old town of Belmonte. A town like many in Italy where they are left nearly abandoned and derelict, due to many locals migrating to the neighbouring cities. The brief of the project was to find a way to bring life back through thoughtful architecture but also finding a way of establishing a new purpose for the town.
ROME
LONDON
The Revitalization of Belmonte
The belvedere site, located on the eastern border of the town. That acted as the main entrance point from the main road near the coast. However, grew a dilemma, in which being that there was a lot of level changes with a long-winded footpath into the entrance of the town, implementing the idea that a direct access is needed. The site consists of 3 levels, the below street, the middle courtyard and the top street that enters into the town. Making it a perfect play with architecture and level changing.
TOPOGRAPHY THAT SURROUNDS BELMONTE
Upon observation from visiting the site and looking at the topography map, it was noted that there was a lot of hiking trails that led into the surrounding mountains, with Belmonte being at the heart between all the different trails. Creating the idea to attract a niche audience of hikers or outdoor seekers and design a hub which can act as a meetup point, resting area and information point.
THE TRIP TO BELMONTE 1 2 3 4 5 6 1 3 SCALE 1:200 ELEVATION OF BELVEDERE SITE What loved about this site was that not only did have access to the top part of the site, could also use the space below which was untouched courtyard full of debry and foliage. What really drew me to this site was the level changes which was my main focus in the last project. 6.
LONDON THE TRIP TO BELMONTE
ROME
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ADOPTING THE VISION
The main building will consist of a lounge area that can also act as a meetup point. To allow more floor space, there will be a mezzanine level with an internal staircase between the lounge area and the resting room on the top floor. The building uses materiality that match es the surrounding context, bringing forth responsibility of not outshining the surrounding architecture for that should be the highlight when visting Belmonte.
The building sits on the site connecting and allowing access to all 3 levels, with an exterior staircase that wraps around the building, creating a more convenient route from top to bottom. The staircase from the bottom street enters the mini exhibition room that showcas es the history of Belmonte and then from there the staircase wraps up to the different levels, seperating the internal main building from the staircase route.
PROPOSAL IN CONTEXT
MAKING USE OF UNUSED SPACE
The building only takes up a small quarter of space on the site, which still gave way to a lot of unused space within the courtyard on the second level, with it being an empty and flat grassy plot of land. The proposal turned what was unusable space into a camping ground, for those who wish to be a bit more adventerous, allowing to up the capacity of visitors.
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e elevation of the building shows clearly how the staircase would work, from how a person would get from oor oor, with the staircase winding around the building with terraces allowing breaks, making it not just a continous staircase up. Also within the building there is an arch gate that allows people to use the existing walkway below. 50m 10m 8.
SCALE 1:100 EAST ELEVATION OF PROPOSED BUILDING IN CONTEXT
SECTION OF PROPOSED BUILDING the building is looking south with the building pretty much cut in half. better understanding towards the interior of the building showing action the building and the furniture, which represents what can be done in the rooms. N SCALE 1:50 SECTION OF PROPOSED BUILDING section of the building is looking south with the building pretty much cut in half. section creates better understanding towards the interior the building showing action taking place in the building and the furniture, which represents what can be done in the rooms. 9.
EXPLORING THE LEVEL CHANGES
Following the same concept of a playful act of changing levels with external staircase. The interior will also include staircases that provide internal level changes, but also connecting with the external levels. Providing a private route throught the building and a public route around the building. Although intricate and playful in design, the staircase creates and easy to understand flow of movement to the different levels of the building. Having the mezzanine in the main lobby, not only does it provide more floor space for use, but it also creates a more open space, allowing the internal space not to feel cramped.
UNDERSTANDING THE BUILDING
Three main materials will be used during construction. Thus, being wood for the structure, reinforced concrete for the staircase and locally used material tufo stone, for the facade. The structure of the building will be connected to the ground with foundation, with the facade wrapping around the structure. The concrete staircase will be supported by the building as well as the change in level walls for extra support. Windows with 6mm thick glass will be added as well to provide natural light into the building.
VISUALISING THE FINAL OUTCOME
The building itself fits the purpose that is intending upon it, although not huge in design, it is the perfect size to fit the function that it holds. Following a compact design that fits everything that is needed. Shown through a photoshop render, it can be seen, the proposal sitting comfortably in the context that surrounds, not being see too abrupt and disturbing the local language that surrounds.
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FANZINE MAGAZINE
The idea of revitalising old towns of Italy is an ongoing project held out by many architects in practise. Attracting the attention of many local architects and designers to check out what the studio was doing. For example, graphic designer Matteo Blandford, editor of the Fanzine magazine. whom was known for his contribution to revitalise Belmonte. Thus asked for the design of two pages for his magazine, collaging photos and sketches and using two keywords that represents the proposal that is put forth.
Site elevation looking north Scale 1:500 @A1 Occupying the site are these as of right now unused o ce buildings that site due to the bland and repetitive layout of the buildings. erefore the these buildings into an educational institute and re-work, re-use and rede
Site elevation looking north Scale 1:500 @A1 Occupying the site are these as of right now unused o ce buildings that bring a lack of life to the site due to the bland and repetitive layout of the buildings. erefore the proposal is to change these buildings into an educational institute and re-work, re-use and rede ne the buildings.
Pictures of the o Shown through the pictures that were taken during the site visit, it can be the repetivite layout of the o ce buildings that brings no life and character highlighted the need for change to make it more appealing to the eye.
Occupying the site are these as of right now unused o ce buildings that bring a lack of life to the site due to the bland and repetitive layout of the buildings. erefore the proposal is to change these buildings into an educational institute and re-work, re-use and rede ne the buildings.
Pictures of the o ce buildings Shown through the pictures that were taken during the site visit, it can be seen more clearly of the repetivite layout of the o ce buildings that brings no life and character to the site, therefore highlighted the need for change to make it more appealing to the eye.
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THE BRIEF
The coronavirus outbreak has highlighted a new change in lifestyle, with the idea of working from home now growing ever more so popular. However leaving the need of office buildings, resulting in empty and unused buildings. Tackling a problem of finsing a new use for these buildings and adapting to the new change. As many buildings become uninhabited, it puts forth this discussion of re-use, re-work and re-design to the future that lies ahead.
Pictures of the o ce buildings Shown through the pictures that were taken during the site visit, it can be seen more clearly of the repetivite layout of the o ce buildings that brings no life and character to the site, therefore highlighted the need for change to make it more appealing to the eye.
Site elevation looking north Scale 1:500 @A1
RE-USE, RE-WORK AND RE-DEFINE
SITE ANALYSIS
Newham showing location of the site 1:5000 @A1 located in the southern part of Newham on the docks which was famously known as the industrial hub of London in the 19th century, however fell to a decline in the 70s, making a oppurtunity for re-development.
Although only in its phase one of development it was clear to see that the site did not meet the expectations that was thought of it. With it being portrayed as the next Canary Wharf a hub for international business. Shown in pictures it can be seen how dead the streets are, with no life throughout the entirety of the site. Shown in sketch was the portrayal the developers gave off. Stating how the area will be with hustle and bustle of life. Leading to the proposal of bringing life and a sense of community to the area.
INTRODUCTION
This brings us to the Royal Albert Docks. A site located in the borough of Newham, in East London. An area in phase 1 of development. However with a few office buildings built, the area is still very quiet with no life. As a studio, it was to understand why this was the case, coming to the conclusion that it had much more to do with the covid outbreak. such as the site being seperated from the local community, feeling like a private area rather than a public area and with it being in a bad location, being far away from the centre of London and not being a convinient area to build office blocks.
London Borough of Newham
EXPECTATION VS REALITY
ANALYSIS
THE ROYAL ALBERT DOCKS
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The proposal is to introduce a new college of the crafts, offering young teens to venture onwards in a career that was more practical. Due to there not being a lot of colleges in the area, as well as any which catered towards a more practical career choice. To bring about a community, the building will have store fronts selling what was crafted in the college, also having a use of becoming public exhibitions. In doing so, the building and site brings forth a way of interacting with the local community.
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CREATING A NEW COMMUNITY
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CUTTING THROUGH THE BUILDING
To take away from the boring nature of the building, that was another reason why it was felt the site never reached its potential. An action of cutting through the building will take place to create a new street, but also turn what was two seperate building into four. Creating this exciting change to the street and the building. For sustainability rea sons, what is demolished will be put on the roofs of what is existing to create a brown roof.
ADDING A NEW FACADE
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On top of cutting through the building, a new facade will overlay it. Thus will extrude out from the building by 3 meters, to create an internal walkway that is external from the building. With the walkway bridging to four buildings together. This new walkway will be supported by lightweight streel struts and will attach to the existing facade through a rectangular hollow section that will be fixed to the facade. Thinking about sustainability and demolishing more than what is needed. The facade on what is not demolished will be kept with only cut throughs where doors will be implemented. The new facade will be a curtain walling system, that will be pre-fabricated and assembled on site, with the new design contrasting the dull existing architecture. The idea took inspiration from the Herzog De Meuron Suva, where a glass facade overlayed the existing building, creating a box within a box but allowing one to see the existing through the glass. To fight against solar heating, external automatic shades will be added to adjust to the angle of the sun. And automatic window systems will be used to allow natural ventilation
e structural section shows in more detail how the struts will lightly attatch to the facade of the building through a rec tangular hollow section that will be xed to the facade. Automatic shades will be added to the exterior of the building to stop overheating in the building when the sun rays are too Existingstrong.internal column Lightweight steel strut Steel grated ooring Steel (unequalUEAangle) Lightweight steel Windowcolumnopening for naturalExistingGlazedRHSventilationConcrete(rectangularhollowsection)xedbacktoexistingfacadefacadewindowfacade Existing brick slip facade Insulation Curtain walling glazing frame SteelPinningrunnerexisting brick slip facade to concrete oor slabExisting concrete oor slab Taking out brick slib facade but leaving the facade columns Glazed sliding door RHShollow(rectangularsection) Added insulation Automatic exterior shades for solar shading 18.
Axonometric drawing showing existing Scale 1:50 @A1 10m Axonometric drawing showing demolition existing Scale 1:50 proposal@A1takes place slicing through part the building and taking out the windows, but keeping part of the facade, sustainable reasons, not too much the building demolitied. Also add that ground oor facade will stay untouched. KeptDemolishedExisting 10m Axonometric drawing showing proposed bridging Scale 1:50 @A1 Another Structural move was connecting the buildings together with series bridges. will external part the building that will held with steel columns, using again but di form strut hold the oor plates up. 10m ExistingProposed 19.
10m 50m N
3RD FLOOR 10m 50m N Scale 1:200 @A1 The upper levels consist mainly of studio spaces and study spaces where the access into them the studios to take up more space in the building. 4TH FLOOR 10m 50m N
GROUND FLOOR
PROPOSAL
Scale 1:200 @A1 The consideration of other programmes were taken into place for example adding staff rooms and a student hub which are needed within an educational facility therefore had to considered into the design of the proposal. 5TH FLOOR 20.
relationship with each other. Views into the workshops can be seen fronts the layout allows easy transportation of work through the building. 1ST FLOOR 10m 50m N layout of the building was an open space with no general layout to it. the external terraces which then is the connection point between the studio and the library spaces. 2ND FLOOR
THE PROPOSAL
INTERACTING THE STREET AND THE BUILDING
The ground floor has a huge purpose in bringing life to the street, allowing the public to use the building by entering into the shop front. Taking the idea from mews housing with how a building should co-ordinate with each level. With the upper levels being private educational facilities and ground floor facilitating the workshop and public shop fronts that connects to the streets.
CONNECTING THE BUILDINGS
The external walkway runs along the facade of the building, using lightweight materials to ensure stability. By having an external walkway it creates a new flow of movement through the building, but also creating more internal space to be used for its intended purpose.
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Through the means of bridging as a way of connecting the buildings together, there is easy access between the buildings from all levels. Seperating the flow of movement of the public on the ground floor and the students on the upper levels.
EXTERNAL WALKWAY
these buildings naturally ventilated naturally ventilate the terrace uildings sustainable strategy.
50m N
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Finding this relationship between the street and the building, windows are used to showcase the work, that have ge, having 2 entrance points with a reception, that 10m
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CONSTRUCTIONWORKSHOP
CROSSING CULTURES
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MY CONTRIBUTION
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A PIZZA OVEN SHELTER
The project was awarded the entrepreneurship - innovation prize for a group contribution of constructing the wooden structure and helping contribute to the local community of Belmonte. The project showed great skills in team communication, working within a one week time span and using what was learnt in techincal studies and applying it in a real life scenario.
ENTREPRENEURSHIP - INNOVATION PRIZE
The objective was to build this structure on the terrace on one of the buildings, where the locals were going to put the pizza oven. The project started off with measuring the site and planning the dimensions of the structure to fit onto the terrace. Using locally sourced pine, the wooden planks cut to measure to then be separatley assembly as one component, which will then be assembled together as a whole. The components that used wood was the truss, beams and frame cover ings for the steel columns. A tension cable was also attatched, to stop the frame from tilting, as well as attatching it to wall. The roof consisted of using corrugated steels sheets that was bolted onto the wooden planks, that would be the beams to create one component, to then be attatched once the structure itself was complete.
A construction workshop that took place in Belmonte (Italy). The project was to design a pizza oven shelter that could be used in community events in an attempt to bring life back to the old town of Belmonte. Thus gaining practical experience in building a wooden frame structure, as well as contributing to the local community. Working alongside fellow architect students, demonstrating the skills of working together and communicating as a team. Local architects and volunteers helped guide the team through the one week construction workshop.
CONSTRUCTION
Because there was quite a few students involved in the construction. Roles were switched very regularly, allowing each student to have equal contribution to the project. These roles include measuring and cutting the wooden planks to size. Assembly of each component, painting the steel columns blue, assembling the structure and cutting and bolting the corrugated steel roof. The role that stood out the most was the assembly of the truss and seeing the team effort put in of everyone carrying the truss, holding it up for support while myself was drilling to the structure.
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IN PRACTISE
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SISB RAYONG
The main project that took up the majority of the intern, that involved working alongside the project director and the demands of the client. My role within the project consisted of drawing and updating the floorplan for the admin and primary building, as well as 3D modeling the site and producing final renders of the proposal. My role also involved designing the massing for the admin, primary and roofed entrance point, following the design approach that was given by the client, while also design ing considering that it will be an international school. The softwares that was used were AutoCAD, Sketchup ,Endscape and Photoshop.
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Working alongside the landscape architect. My role also included creating and adjusting the landscape that was designed. Creating and applying it to the 3D model to create final renders of the landscape, as well as changing it on the site plan through photoshop, ready to be proposed to the client in the meetings.
ADJUSTING THE LANDSCAPE
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The Beaumont Foundation is school owned by the own er of the firm. In which wanted to add another building to the complex. This being the art and music building for the school. Working alongside one of the project partners to develop detail plan and renders. The basic layout of the floorplan was already given to me, but my role was to go into further detailing. Such as providing wall thickness, adding openings for windows and doors. Resulting in the detail drawings of the plan, elevation and section, which was done on AutoCAD. My contribu tion also included 3D modeling the building on Sketchup and producing a final render using Endscape and Photoshop, whilst also designing it to copy the architecture of the existing buildings that surrounds it.
ART AND MUSIC BUILDING
FOUNDATIONBEAUMONT
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GOAT HOUSE
Another project that was a part of the Beaumont Foundation. This project involved drawing in detail the plan, section and elevation of a second goat house that will be placed in foundation’s farm area. The project involved a detail drawing of based upon the original goat house that was built before using a sketch and measurements that was provided to me by the project partner.
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HOUSESTOREY
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CONCEPT MODEL
A client wanted the design for a 5 storey house located in a residential area of Bangkok. Working alongside the project leader, using sketches drawn from the concept plan, my role involved modeling the concept massing of the building. Following the plan and the needs of the client, thus wanted the building to have extruding out facades and big glass panes for the windows. This project there was a lot of freedom in designing the massing and a lot of debating with the project leader towards what can be added to make a more aesthetic building. such as materiality, like add ing wood to allow what was extruded out to stand out.
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MODEL MAKING
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47. MODELING AN INHABITED INTERIOR SPACE
Model of the Site Scale 1:100 48.UNDERSTANDING A SITE THROUGH MODELLING
49. UNDERSTANDING STRUCTURES
SCALE 1:50 SECTION MODEL OF THE STAIRCASE MADE OUT OF CARD WITH A CONCRETE TEXTURE THAT WAS PHOTO TRANSFERRED 50. EXPERIMENTING MATERIALS
MODEL MADE OUT OF WAX SHOWING THE LEVEL CHANGES IN THE COURTYARD
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