Portfolio - Architecture and Interior Design

PORTFOLIO

CARMEN LEONG ARCHITECTURE | INTERIOR DESIGN

CARMEN LEONG London, UK

+447938410261

carmenleong@live.com

Aspiring eclectic designer, learning the art of balance.

I enjoy listening to people’s stories, crafting spaces, to connect people and spaces, and create spaces that are alive.

Growing up in a multicultural environment sparked my interest in different cultures, both tangible and intangible, which has a strong influence on my design ideas and decisions.

LinkedIn profile

WORK EXPERIENCE Apr 2019 – Aug 2020 Penang, Malaysia

Architectural Designer | Eowon Designs Sdn Bhd -- lead and manage a project to revamp a 10,000 sqft penthouse (3 months project) -- interior architecture team to convert a 5,700sqft historic building into bar and restaurant -- interior architecture team for a 135 million MYR residential project (27 months project) -- interior design team for a 5,500 sqft office project from conceptual to completion -- interior design team for a 80,000 sqft hotel project from conceptual to tender -- my top priority in all projects was to ensure client satisfaction in terms of design ideas and customer service. I dedicate a lot of time updating myself with current resources; researching and developing the best solutions for clients

Sep 2018 – Dec 2018 London, UK

Waitress | Ippudo Canary Wharf -- managing multiple tasks in a bustling restaurant, while maintaining customer satisfaction

Nov 2016 – Apr 2018 Glasgow, UK

Head Attendant | Sapporo Teppanyaki -- attending to customers and micromanage team

Mar 2016 - Jul 2016 Kota Bahru, Malaysia

Project Coordinator | Volunteering for International Professionals (VIP) (endorsed by the Malaysian Ministry of Finance) -- conducted quantitative and qualitative surveys, project evaluations, coordinate with stakeholders, and budget monitoring -- designing the agro-tourism route and programmes -- creating content for publications, online and offline promotions -- teach English to farmers -- acquired project management skills under supervision of a mentor; developed analytical, problem-solving, organisational and communication skills.

Jan 2016 – Mar 2016 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Event Organiser | eHomemakers -- organise the ASEAN Work-Life Balance Conference with over 200 participants from across South East Asia -- correspond with international government officials and NGO’s -- coordinate logistics for 130 international delegates while monitoring event budget.

-- constantly pushed myself beyond my comfort zone to achieve the deliverables within a short time frame

Jan 2015 – Mar 2015 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Intern Architectural Designer | RDA Harris Architects Sdn. Bhd., Kuala Lumpur -- involved in designing cafe, hotel, and commercial residence -- prepare 2D and 3D drawings, and design proposals -- prepare technical drawings for tender and planning submissions

RELEVANT EXPERIENCE May 2018 - Dec 2018 Malaysia

Freelance Architectural Designer and Planner -- designing a family residence in a rural setting -- participate in rural development masterplan proposal for an indigenous village in Borneo.

Masterplan is currently proposed by the village representative to the Ministry of Rural Development.

Oct 2015 - Jan 2016 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Programme Coordinator | Cross-ed Architectural Exhibition (supported by Taylor’s University) -- design and coordinate event programmes -- preparing and setting up for exhibition

Jul 2014 - Nov 2014 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

T.Ribe Participant | 26th Architectural Workshop (supported by the Malaysian Institute of Architects) -- Taylor’s University representative -- planning, designing, and constructing a 3x3m installation with team -- coordinate exhibition of selected students’ works

VOLUNTEER EXPERIENCE Jun 2019 – Mar 2020 Penang, Malaysia Jan 2011 – Apr 2011 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Programme Facilitator | Arts-Ed -- facilitate students with cultural activities in Georgetown, a UNESCO Heritage City Freelance English Teacher -- teaching English as a second language to children between 8 to 16 in refugee school

EDUCATION Sep 2016 – Aug 2018 Glasgow, UK

MArch in Architectural Design (merit) | University of Strathclyde -- Thesis Project: a rural development masterplan revolving collaborative learning -- Written Thesis: a study on value-based architectural evaluation tool for sustainable architecture

Mar 2013 – Dec 2015 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

BSc(Hons) in Architecture (CGPA: 3.21) | Taylor’s University -- Final Year Project: Youth and Cultural Centre in Kuala Lumpur as a melting pot for youth of different cultural background

May 2011 – Dec 2012 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

A-Level | Tunku Abdul Rahman College -- A*BBB in Mathematics, Further Mathematics, Physics, Economics

SKILLS AND ACHIEVEMENTS Jun 2020 – present

Sewist | Berpattern -- designing, sewing and marketing handmade accessories on online platforms

Nov 2020 – present

Freelance Visual Designer | Notre-Dame of Tokyo -- designing logo, visuals, and facilitate video editing for an independent band

LANGUAGES

SOFTWARE

English - Fluent

AutoCAD Sketchup Photoshop InDesign Vray Revit

Malay - Advanced Mandarin - Intermediate Cantonese - Intermediate French - Beginner * references upon request

Illustrator Premiere Pro After Effects Model making Freehand sketching MS Office

SELECTED WORKS

01

The Learning Village

02

Creation Centre

03

Infinity Penthouse

04

The White Peacock

2017 - 2018 Year 5 Masters Thesis Project

2016 - 2017 Year 4 Final Year Project

2019 - 2020 Professional Project

2020 Professional Project

THE LEARNING VILLAGE Bario, Sarawak, Malaysia 2017 - 2018 Year 5 Masters Thesis Project

Government, organisations and private sectors intervene to “create opportunities” for the indigenous people in Bario. These interventions often neglect the priorities of the locals; deforestation, commercialisation of the local agriculture, out-migration of the locals to seek other opportunities are amongst the issues faced by Bario, causing it to lose its culture.

The Learning Village is a grassroot intervention to transform Bario organically by cultivating the spirit of learning, reinforce their sense of identity and empowering the community against external forces. The aim is to create a new generation that will safeguard their culture and identity, and ensure the physical, mental and spiritual well-being of the people.

Less walls, more connected

Communal

Interconnected The longhouse is a communal living space of the indigenous people.

The Learning Village is designed based on the values of the longhouse and the people. Sharing, helping, and supporting each other are the key values of the indigenous people. The spaces of The Learning Village are designed to support communality, interconnectivity, and Dynamic

to create a dynamic learning environment.

Compact Living Diagramatic representation of the longhouse: shades of green indicate the individual households; red indicate the long communal space connecting all the residents.

Dwelling

Private

Public - private

Function Specific Spaces -Research -Monitoring

Section 1:300

Learning Core

Semi Private

-Classroom -Work Space -Discussion Space

Semi Public

Discussion

-Multipurpose -Formal Ceremony -Library -Exhibition

Semi Public

-Processing

Diagramatic representation of core spaces of The Learning Village.

Section 1:300

Celebration Core

Celebration Core

Partition to close unused sections

Formal Entrance

Daily Entrance

Learning Core Locals sharing knowledge with visitors View out

Local youth learning about biodiversity conservation

Openable panels for visual connection to nature

Discussion Space Corridor outside the classroom becomes interaction space

Biodiversity Inventory/ other documents storage

Classroom

Seatings along corridor

Researchers presention Co-working Space Researchers and Locals discussion Bamboo partitions to increase visual connectivity

Meeting Space

Top to bottom: Julian showing me a boulder carved by their ancestors. Boulder is believed to be over 2500 years old and is considered sacred to the people; a little boy playing at the communal part of the longhouse; farmers in Bario planting rice the traditional and organic way.

CREATION CENTRE Govan, Glasgow, Scotland CREATION CENTRE 2016 - 2017 Year 4 Final Year Project

Year 4 Individual Projectand coworking spaces for start-ups, and A project to convert an old train shed into workshops Project duration: to provide training facilities for the unemployed or24 theweeks economically inactive people to prepare Site: Glasgow, Scotland them for employment. It is a place for creation and rejuvenation of the community of Govan.

Adaptation

The existing roof truss is inverted and reused to create more vertical space for the workshop.

Skylight on the western side of the roof allow natural light to enter. The skylight and windows on the western facade opens up the building towards the park.

Section AA

1:400

Section BB

1:400

Section CC

1:400

Section DD 1:400

A

B

C

A

B

C

D

D

Key plan

Section BB

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Wall to Roof Details Scale 1:15 3.

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EXISTING MASONRY EXTERNAL WALL NEW EXPOSED BRICK INTERIOR WALL DAMP PROOF MEMBRANE THERMAL INSULATION WOODEN LINING DOUBLE GLAZED WINDOW WITH ALUMINIUM FRAME 12. MASONRY LINTEL 13. GUTTER 14. C CHANNEL 15. L-ANGLE

Roof Valley Details Scale 1:15 16. DOUBLE GLAZED SKYLIGHT WITH ALUMINIUM FRAME 18. STEEL ROOF 19. RIGID INSULATION 20. METAL DECK 21. PURLIN 22. EXISTING STEEL ROOF TRUSS 23. EXISTING STEEL BEAM 24. EXISTING STEEL COLUMN 25. L ANGLE BRACKET

INFINITY PENTHOUSE Penang, Malaysia 2019 - 2020 Professional Project 10,000sqft penthouse on the 32nd, 33rd, and 34th floor; located by the sea with beautiful surrounding views. Overall refurbishment works were done throughout the entire penthouse, including redesigning the top floor with a theme of modern tropical.

Modifying the existing curtain wall into sliding windows; transforming the space into a breakfast bar and second living area.

75mm x 150mm x 3mm thick hot dipped galvanised mild steel L-angle

Existing curtain wall

Welded

Existing Steel Structure 150mm x 150mm x 3mm thick hot dipped galvanised mild steel hollow section Existing Plaster Ceiling

New sliding window

Detailed Section 1:10

From top to bottom: original curtain wall with fixed window; workers removing glass above to reinforce curtain wall; installing steel frame for new window; smiles from clients seeing the beautiful view of the hills.

THE WHITE PEACOCK

Penang, Malaysia 2020 Professional Project

Bringing the tropics into the colonial building; this is a refurbishment project to convert a historical building into a restaurant. The interior revolves around the theme of East meets West, reflecting the Asian-Western fusion menu.