Catherine Shi Architecture Portfolio | 2023

Catherine Shi

Architecture + Design Portfolio

October 22, 2021

To whom it may concern:

I would like to offer my enthusiastic recommendation of Catherine Shi.

Catherine worked as an intern in our office for four months, from May to August 2021. During that short time Catherine was involved in several projects, including two Rezoning proposals for mixed-use rental buildings, and design explorations for a high-rise residential tower in downtown Vancouver. Catherine prepared site analyses, zoning analyses, and worked closely with me in developing building design concepts.

I can offer the highest recommendation for Catherine’s ability, work ethic, and attitude. She is quick to understand design intention, and is able to apply this understanding to her own self-directed design studies. In our small office, we rely on every individual to take on a lot of responsibility and to be able to work independently. Though she was with us for a short time only, Catherine quickly became a reliable member of our team. Her work was consistently done completely and quickly, and her versatility and positivity was invaluable to the office.

I have no doubt that Catherine will be an exemplary addition to your team

Please do not hesitate to contact me if you would like to discuss personally.

Best regards,

Taizo Yamamoto Architect AIBC

June 2nd, 2020

To Whom It May Concern:

I am writing to recommend Catherine Shi for continuing her internship with your architectural firm. I had the pleasure to work closely with Catherine during her first internship experience from January to April 2020. Catherine has been a joy since entering our New York office. Her commitment to helping with digital drawings, fabricating models, and site documentation contributed to work in our New York and Los Angeles offices. She has been a supporting member of our design team engaging in urban mixed-use projects with premier clients such as Hongkong Land and Tencent I believe her punctuality, communicativeness, and collaborative nature will serve her next experiences very well.

Catherine has met new work with a level of willingness that is commendable and appealing to others team members she interfaces. Her openness to learning and attention to details makes her an exceptional addition to any office setting. I wish her the best in continuing to gain more diverse experiences in the professional office and to build meaningful relationships that I expect will serve her well as a future architect. I would be happy to connect with you, should you have any questions.

Sincerely,

Phu Duong Principal, AIA, AICP, LEED AP

Hello!

My name is Catherine Shi. I recently just completed my Bachelor of Architectural Studies at the University of Waterloo, and am seeking positions as a junior designer.

I have a deep passion for finding sustainable solutions within my design work, and fostering strong communities through the built environment. I admire the narratives that emerge through architecture, and the social and environmental impact created through design. As a critical designer and motivated learner, I am eager to work with you, and love taking on new challenges.

Please enjoy this collection of a few of my works!

> (647) 712 3569

catherine.shi@uwaterloo.ca

> Toronto, Ontario

Education

2018 - 2023

University of Waterloo School of Architecture

University of Waterloo, Cambridge, Ontario

> Bachelor of Architectural Studies Honours Co-op (BAS)

Professional Experience

Jan - April 2023

Brook McIlroy Architectural Intern

Toronto, ON

> SD of an educational nature centre for the University of Guelph Arboretum, produced renders and drawings for funding

> SD of a residential mid-rise for Pre-Application Consultation

May - Aug 2022

Lieux Architects Architectural Intern

Toronto, ON

> SD, DD, Tender, Permit, CD and site measures of various single-family residential renovation and addition projects throughout Toronto

Jan - March 2022

Arquitectonica Architectural Intern

Los Angeles, California

> Assisted in construction documentation and administration phase of a shopping complex; drew section details, plans, and elevations in Revit

May - Aug 2021

Yamamoto Architecture Architectural Intern

Vancouver, BC

> Laid-out and produced drawings for several mixed-use rezoning submission sets to be sent to the city, working with Principal Architect

> Assisted in Design Development phase of a residential high-rise tower

Sept - Dec 2020

Diamond Schmitt Architects Architectural Intern

Toronto, ON

> Presentation drawings and promotional material for numerous cultural and institutional projects within Toronto

Jan - April 2020

Skills

NBBJ Architectural Intern

New York City, NY

> Tencent Net City: schematic urban and landscape design

> Masterplanning Competition: schematic urban design

3D Modelling

> Rhino

> Revit

> Sketchup

> Grasshopper

2D Drafting

> AutoCAD

> Vectorworks

Adobe Suite

> Photoshop

> Illustrator

> Indesign

> Premiere Pro

Rendering

> V-RAY

> Enscape

> Twinmotion

Fabrication

> Laser Cutting

> CNC Milling

> 3D Printing

Analog

> Sketching

> Photography

> Sewing

Languages

> English (fluent)

> Mandarin (intermediate)

> French (beginner)

01 Cambridge Food Bank

Course: 4B Design Studio

Site: Cambridge, Ontario

Designed with the notion that food banks are more than just a place to access food, this redesign of the Cambridge Food Bank serves as a gathering space where individuals and families can come together and forge meaningful connections through the transformative power of food. In experiencing the space, users are encouraged to ponder: How can food be something that connects, nourishes, and educates us? Where does the food we eat come from? How can we learn through our food?

Building Footprint

Solar Orientation

Long facade of north wing orienated directly north/south to optimize low winter sun angles. Glazing maximized on south, minimized on north.

Natural Ventilation

Tall pitched roofs allow for cross ventilation through the building. Major wind directions on site from the

Renewable Energy

South side of the pitched roofs lined with photovoltaics, maximizing energy production and generating energy throughout the building.

Rainwater Harvesting

Re-Use Of Existing Materials

Extruded massing following the property lines, connecting to the existing building. Courtyard condition created.

Dips and slopes in the pitched roofing allows for rainwater to flow down rain chains into a a pond, stored for irregation and plumbing.

Existing brick of the demolished building is to be reused in this new building.

west and south.

Standing seam metal roofing

Extensive green roof

175mm 5-ply CLT ceiling panels

300mm x 800mm glulam beams

300mm x 400mm glulam joists

300mm x 300mm glulam columns

Interior stud walls

Existing building structure to remain

100mm x 150mm glulam purlins

300mm x 300mm glulam scissor trusses

175mm 5-ply CLT shear walls

Reclaimed CMU foundation walls

Concrete footings

EXPLODED STRUCTURAL AXONOMETRIC

ELEVATION LOOKING NORTHEAST 1:400

ELEVATION LOOKING SOUTHWEST 1:400

VEGETATION FOR SHADING AND COOLING

VIEW OUTSIDE MULTIPURPOSE ROOM

VIEW OF COMMUNITY CAFE

VIEW OF COMMUNITY PANTRY

This 1:50 section cuts through the roof canopy structure that extends beyond the building’s boundaries, and seamlessly connects the indoor and outdoor spaces, creating an inviting atmosphere while providing shelter from the elements.

13mm plywood sheathing (x2)

Fully-adhered air, water, and vapour control membrane

6” Rockwool Comfortboard® 80 rigid insulation

175mm 5-ply CLT structural ceiling panel

13mm timber interior finish

149mm x 300mm glulam scissor truss

13mm plywood sheathing

6” Rockwool Comfortbatt® semi-rigid insulation inserted into a 2x6” framed stud wall, spaced at 16” O.C.

13mm plywood sheathing

2” Rockwool Comfortboard® 80 rigid insulation

1” air gap with vertical strapping

Horizontal cladding attachment

25mm vertical Western Red Cedar cladding

Wood decking

2x6 wood framing

1 2

Assembly Through Pitched Roof:

Assembly Through Wooden Slat Wall:

Standing seam metal roofing system

02 Cascade

Course: 3A Design Studio

Site: Toronto, Ontario

Located within Toronto’s Little Jamacia, this mid-rise apartment complex sits at the intersection of Vaughan and Oakwood and offers a solution to affordable housing within Toronto. The rental units seek to be 100% affordable for families of various sizes, and rests on top of existing retail stores which currently occupy the intersection. Through the implementation of open gardening terraces that cascade downwards towards the street, inviting and sustainable materials, and a public ground floor, the building caters to the concept of permeable design in every aspect.

Existing retail at grade with housing above. Goal is to perserve existing businesses along Oakwood & Vaughan.

Extrude retail footprint.

Maintain language of the intersection by using the existing footprint.

Pedestrian perception step-backs.

Reduce shadow impacts within the public realm & help mitigate pedestrian perception of height at street level.

Additional step-backs for gardening terraces.

Promotes healthy outdoor living for residents and encourages community engagement.

Addition of a central lightwell.

Maximizes southern daylight on each floor & promotes cross-floor interactions.

Re-landscaped alleyway and community programming.

Promotes safer use of back alleyway; addition of affordable housing units above attracts more business below.

SECTION

SUMMER PREVAILING WINDS

Air flow through atrium

- Stack effect

Green roofs allow evaporative cooling and rain water retention

03 Ramp to the River

Course: 4A Design Studio

Site: Rome, Italy

Designed in collaboration with Anita Hu

Located along Via Portuense in Rome, this project seeks to reuse the currently abandoned Arsenale complex and turn it into a new contemporary-style museum and cultural hub for the city of Rome. The new museum featuring historical and contemporary artifacts mirrors the existing Arsenale buildings while offering a modern approach. It aims to bring users down to the river through a ramping system that joins the two buildings together and features a variety of public spaces throughout the site. Ramps on the inside of the main building mirror the exterior ramp and guide users on a journey through ancient and modern Rome. Through specific programs chosen for the public to use, the continuous circulation guided by the ramps allow for the integration between guests that are local to Rome and tourists alike.

MIRROR existing arsenale buildings

EXTRUDE

CONNECT

FORM

building above

RAMP

down to river path buildings underground down to river

MUSEUM CIRCULATION + GALLERY SPACES AXONOMETRIC

VIEW OF ARSENALE

VIEW OF LOBBY

VIEW OF CENTRAL PIAZZA

VIEW OF BUILDING FROM RIVER PATH SECTION A-A 1:500

EXPLODED

TICKETSCLOAKROOM

GIFTSHOP TOILETS

CONTEMPORARY GALLERY

TOILETS

MEDIA ROOM

HALL OF STATUES

PAINTING GALLERY

WALL OF STATUES

AUDITORIUM OFFICES

MUSEUM CIRCULATION

SECONDARY CIRCULATION

04 Brook McIlroy

Jan - April 2023

Toronto, Ontario

During my internship at Brook McIlroy, I was involved in the schematic design of the addition and renovation for the J.C. Taylor Nature Centre at the University of Geulph. From scratch, I started the Revit model for the project, produced several renders and plans, and compiled them into a cohesive presentation to be shown to the clients for funding.

RENDER - LOWER BACK CORNER

1. Washrooms (1F, 1M)

2. Office (x2)

3. Storage (x3)

4. Mech. Room

5. TBD

6. Classroom (x2)

7. Kitchenette

8. Universal Washroom

9. Exterior Deck (x2)

RENDER - FACING LOWER WASHROOMS

RENDER - UPPER BACK CORNER SHOWING MOTH WALL

05 Yamamoto Architecture

May - August 2021

Vancouver, BC

West Georgia Tower

During my internship at Yamamoto Architecture, I worked on a wide variety of tasks, including the Design Development phase of a 47-story residential tower in downtown Vancouver.

Working under the guidance of the Principal Architect, the goal was to further develop many features of the tower that have not been fully resolved like the balconies, tower top, materiality, and cladding.

My tasks included 3D modeling in Sketchup, gathering precedents, balcony and cladding explorations, material test renders and laying out our progress on Indesign to be presented to the client.

BALCONY EXPLORATIONS - PICKET #1

BALCONY EXPLORATIONS - GLASS

Rezoning Application Booklets

I also divided my time between 2-4 smaller residential mixed-use projects in their schematic design/Rezoning phases.

My tasks included, but were not limited to, producing context drawings, shadow studies, aerial perspectives, 3D modeling, and more. I then laid out the drawings on Indesign to be complied into a Rezoning application to be sent to the City.

06 NBBJ

Jan - April 2020

New York, NY

During my first internship at NBBJ, I was involved in the schematic design of the Tencent master-planning project where I worked closely with the New York offices’ Urban Environments team, the Los Angeles offices’ architecture team, and the Columbus offices’ landscape team.

As an integral member of the project, I was tasked with making the initial designs for the project’s micro mobility portals for their first client presentation. I further helped the landscape team with various section renderings and drawings from sketches, road sections, diagrams, and work in Rhino.

Wind source energy collector

• Store energy for landscape uses (Ex. water pump, site lighting)

Canopy and Mast Structure

• Sound protection from air traffic

• Shade cover

• Rain cover

• Stormwater collection and reuse integrated with waterfeature

Waterwall feature

Waterfeature Vertical circulation choices all visible in one space

• Human comfort / evapotranspiration

• Sound mask

• Concealed pump room with battery storage

• Escalator

• Elevator

• Stairs

Automated micro mobility Kiosk

• Touch point in public realm

• Concealed storage + parking

• Below grade to minimize clutter

• Automated conveyor tunnel to redistribute micro mobility units across campus

G B2

B1

Transit Hub Covered Public Space

Stormwater to collection pond

Digital site section from sketch which shows waterfront landscape grading for future flooding

Renders (bottom) using Enscape and V-RAY from initial sketches (top)

1:2500 site model and 2 masterplan schemes for master-planning competition (In collaboration with Rajashree Iyer)

1:1000 site model and design schemes (in collaboration with LeiLei Zhao and Yoon Hur) for office building in Wuhan