My name is Caitlin Yang and I am a recently graduated student from Cal Poly Pomona’s BArch and Music minor programs.
Color, functionality, and form are aspects of design that I hope to explore with this portfolio. I am heavily interested in creating unique experiences that tell a story, crafting value and genuine connections for the community. With influences from my personal hobbies (such as sports and music), these projects exude confident, bold, and artistic outlooks on life.
table of contents 01 02 03 04 06
educational residential infrastructure mixed-use personal 05 stadium the children’s center of music exploration the garter snake apartments the pit-stop pavilion truck center the floating grove scientist retreat the canopy court tennis complex solo creative works pages 04-09 pages 10-13 pages 14-15 pages 16-17 pages 18-21 pages 22-23
01 educational the children’s center of music exploration
Senior Project 2024-2025
Site: 316 Jackson Street, Los Angeles
Nestled in the heart of Downtown Los Angeles, Little Tokyo remains one of many cultural heritage sites as well as a national historic landmark. Founded in the late 1800’s, Little Tokyo continues to be characterized by its charm and significance to Japanese immigrant families. While much has changed over the past century, the goals of preservation and relevance remain the same. Despite growing tourist numbers, the population demographic is consistent - large amounts of senior citizens and a concerningly
Exterior view from one of the entrances into the practice courtyard
The plan is broken into 3 nodes, formed by intersecting pure circles. This intersection creates a “venn diagram” effect, generating a special outdoor auditorium for locals and visitors to enjoy. The circles also help to create walls that are guided by depressions in the ground, maintaining a low-profile amidst skyscrapers and residential complexes.
The scale of the project also creates a welcoming void, ushering the community without breaching the safety of the families utilizing the space. The site is surrounded by other establishments, making the CCME (Children’s Center of Music Exploration) a pocket of family-friendly entertainment and learning.
The usage of bright colors and greenery keep the interior and exterior fun and stimulating. With a plethora of activities to explore, children are encouraged to express creativity through the art of music
To keep activities age appropriate, practice rooms and halls are separated by age group, servicing 3-7 year old on one side and 8-12 year olds on the opposite. Each node has some aspect of outdoor play involved, including 2 dedicated exploration courtyards for connecting music to nature elements
A major aspect of the CCME is to promote healthy growth of skill and confidence, specifically through performance and experience. Starting with practice rooms and staggering down to performance courtyards/explorative rooms, the goal is to reach the main music hall located in the deepest node. Here, children will get to experience the closest environment to a professional venue
The facade of the building is composed of GFRC (Glass Fiber Reinforced Concrete) panels and the shade structures are made from steel panels with a mirrored underside. Clerestories are added to allow natural light into the otherwise monolothic blocks. Tinted colored glass can be seen on select walls, restricting a greenhouse effect caused by the sun during all seasons. The building never reaches over 2 stories tall, making the structure and construction process more efficient
CHILDREN’S CENTER OF MUSIC EXPLORATION
CHANGING LIVES ONE NOTE AT A TIME
02 residential the garter snake multi-family apartments
Spring 2023
Site: 610 N Santiago St, Santa Ana CA
Awards: The Jack and Marilyn
Zuber Remembrance Award
Nominee
It seems more intuitive to create a typical multi-family residence using square forms, steering clear of circular building typologies. By utilizing squares and triangular shapes, the Garter Snake successfully creates an illusion of curvature without the hassle of circular construction.
By looking at the project from a micro to macro scale, ever element - from the overall form to the planters - maintains a continuity of style. The utilization of two squares connected by 45 degree angles is a common theme, giving the project a strong grid as well as flexibility in function
Interior render of the unit kitchen space
Balcony view of an interior courtyard
THE GARTER SNAKE
NOTES
Each unit is modular and repeated throughout the project. This allows for each unit, whether it be a studio, one-bedroom, two-bedroom, or live-work, to function similarly. The project hopes to support generational growth, encouraging tenants to stay long-term. For example, a new graduate from college could move into the studio apartment and slowly upgrade to a different unit once he starts a family.
The facade takes up a terracotta tiling system, paying homage to the traditional materials found at the Santa Ana Train Station. Bamboo louvres complement the cladding and provide shade, promoting sustainability.
03 infrastructure the pit-stop pavilion truck center
Spring 2024
Site: 6241 Telegraph Road, City of Commerce CA
Collaborators: David Ainza
Often recognized for the Citadel Outlet shopping mall or the Commerce Casino, the City of Commerce is a hub for transporting goods and international trade. With thousands of vehicles passing through daily, truck drivers often go unnoticed and forgotten. The Pit-Stop Pavilion hopes to provide a brief moment of respite for truck drivers searching for a safe overnight stay. Modeled after Silk Road caravanserais, this project acts as both a shelter and community space for the dedicated workers who help fuel the economy.
Hand-modeled section of the project, mesh roofing and steel paneling
Fall 2022
Site: Mount Wilson Observatory, Mount Wilson CA
The observatory provides a research center for many scientists, focusing on ther analysis of stars and plants in a controlled environment. The Floating Grove gives these researchers a retreat home that cantilevers over the slopes of the mountain. By using a unique structural system, the project blends in with the tree and achieves a floating effect.
Exterior view of the two-module cantilever system complete with a garage, bedroom, and study
05 stadium the canopy court tennis complex
Spring 2023
Site: Cal Poly Pomona, Pomona CA
Collaborators: David Ainza and Kaylee Boyd
Personal Responsibilities: 3D Modeling and Drawings
Many of Cal Poly Pomona’s fields are unoccupied and simply exist as multi-use grass spaces. The Canopy Court Tennis Complex hopes to add a new layer to sports clubs, social gatherings, and facilities for student and faculty usage.
Interior view of the main tennis court, can be transformed into pickleball courts
Integrating technology and flow, the Canopy Court Tennis Complex provides a user-friendly experience the moment visitors park on campus. The bowl uses multiple pathways and entrances to guide visitors to different levels depending on their ticket. While the seating is arranged in an octagon, the flowery shade tensile structure is circular.
The pathways are the leaves of the flower while the canopy acts as the petals. The university has more access to event venues, especially in the smaller bowl. Here, students can run club meetings, host banquets, and most importantly, build a community that continues to enrich the culture of Cal Poly. 19
The shade structure, inspired by the agricultural significance of Cal Poly Pomona, is made up of several structural members. The beams, cables, and trusses all work together to ensure that the tension holds throughout the roof.
The colors are representative of Cal Poly Pomona’s school theme, green and gold Using different shades of yellow and orange provides more depth to the cables that play a large role in the massing of the stadium.
While the original landscape was flat, the Canopy Court reuses the land that was dug out for the stadium bowl to create burms along the walls. This makes the space feel “planted” into the site, integrating the walkways rather than letting them stand alone.
There are generous spaces for workers, players, visitors, and VIP guests. Organized by floor, each section is dedicated to each user group, ensuring organization and easy access for everyone.
06 personal personal works and other projects
Personal piece as a sectional study of two-dimensional art
Futuristic rendition of the Bonaventure Hotel in Los Angeles, California (illustrastion for an original written piece)
Inverted color acrylic paint study on the Bathhouse featured in Studio Ghibli’s Spirited Away
Digital art illustration of Aglaea, a fictional character featured in the Hoyoverse video game Honkai Star Rail
Original environmental art designs featured in the game “Pancakes and Love Letters” from Cal Poly Pomona’s game development club
Winning audition for the International Ukrainian Youth Music Competition in Cal Poly Pomona’s Piano Ensemble
