Derek's Portfolio

PORTFOLIO of Architecture-

-Derek, LIU

As urbanization continues to unfold, the evolving urban landscape prompts a reevaluation of architectural conceptions and societal expectations regarding urban development. The increasing influx of individuals into cities necessitates an earnest quest for innovative design thinking that can harmonize the fulfillment of human aspirations with responsible resource utilization. In my perspective, the ethos of sustainable building design stands as an exemplary paradigm for progressive design thinking in urban development. My aspiration is to perpetuate my engagement in design and research endeavors, utilizing these opportunities to cultivate a more methodical approach to sustainable design thinking. Through rigorous exploration and repeated demonstrations, my aim is to establish a consensus among a broader audience, affirming the credibility and necessity of sustainable design principles.

ABOUT ME

MSc in Sustainable Architecture -Sep. 2022-Sep. 2023

The University Of Sheffield Sheffield, UK

MArch in Architecture -Sep. 2021-Sep. 2022

Tunghai University Taichung, Taiwan

B. A. in Architecture - Sep. 2016-June. 2021

Ming Chung University Taoyuan, Taiwan

Graduation Project: Stroll in the City

Architectural Assistant -July. 2019-Aug. 2019

AJA Architecture Studio Taichung, Taiwan

Developed comprehensive 3D models to articulate design ideas, playing a crucial role in assisting senior designers in persuading clients to adopt our proposed solutions. Facilitated effective communication between senior designers and the construction site teams, ensuring the successful realization of design concepts through accurate on-site measurements and detailed drawings.

Engaged in a competitive tender project for the Shanghai Steak Bistro. Conducted thorough site analysis for a Shanghai Steak Bistro, a competitive tender project, pinpointing the optimal location for a nightclub dance floor, and proposed shading solutions based on sunlight analysis to mitigate excessive heat radiation. Additionally, managed post-production tasks such as floor plans and 3D renderings.

Lead the design of the GH House project. Addressing the challenge of inadequate natural lighting resulting from the site's elongated shape by introducing an atrium system. Implemented an outdoor spiral staircase connecting the first and second floors to enhance connectivity between the common room and the master's study, fostering open, semi-open, and private spatial relationships to courteously accommodate diverse visitors.

Dobbin Hill

The

Presented a phased renovation plan tailored to the homeowners' lifestyle habits. Proposed an energy-efficient solution aligning with Passive House principles, incorporating a heat pump and PV panels to reduce carbon emissions by a total of 1246 kgCO2/yr.

Transformed the garden's glasshouse by implementing insulation measures to reduce significant heat loss from expansive glass surfaces. Additionally, introduced a shading system and repurposed the space as a dining room to enhance comfort and utilization. Optimized the configuration of the Ground Floor to minimize space wastage and concentrate areas of simultaneous use, effectively reducing unnecessary energy dispersion.

Collaborated with four international peers on this live project, conducting a comprehensive analysis encompassing site conditions, sunlight simulations, and a thorough review of past utility bills. In comparison with the Passivhaus standards, identified that the current residence experiences excessive cold due to substantial heat loss, thermal bridges, and insufficient insulation.

Residential house /Sheffield, UK

Park /Taichung, Taiwan

Leisure centre /-

Library /Illions, USA

Residential house /Sheffield, UK Park /Taichung, Taiwan

Leisure centre

University of Sheffield Sheffield, UK

DOBBIN HILL

YEAR:

2023

Site:

Sheffield, UK

Team:

Liu Shu-Chen

Samin Sefandar

Radwa A Mahmoud

Janhavi V Baviskar

Christian A Medina Perez

Function:

Residential house

The current project revolves around a semidetached Victorian house owned by the architect, Lovely Sam's family. The property faces energy issues exacerbated by its hilltop location, lack of indoor insulation, an outdated heating system, and problems with leaking windows and chimney. The glasshouse in the backyard, receiving direct sunlight, also contributes to temperature loss.

To address these challenges and enhance living conditions while reducing energy bills, a proposal aligning with the Passive House (Passivhaus) strategy has been put forth. This includes incorporating mixed insulation to minimize thermalbridges and heat losses, installing triple-glazed windows to mitigate heat loss, implementing a heat pump for energy efficiency, and reconfiguring the ground floor to maximize its useable space.

LOCATION- SOLAR ANALYSIS-

Talking to the environmental issue, there’s a primary school and senior high nearby, may cause positive effect in education for the owner’s daugther maya.

The site located on the skirtbell of Sheffield, would take around 10 mins drive in to city centre, while the nearest bus stop is only 200 metres, so taking bus might be the best way for house owners to the city.

All

EXISTING EVALUATION- MATERIAL

The Design PH model allows to visualize the components where the heat loss is expected and to what extent then compare with the heat gains available in that condition and predict a heat prediction requirement for the remaining demand. It can be observed from the simulation that the component of the building where the heat leaks is the envelope (walls, roof, floor), due to the lack of insulation in the building, followed by the windows, and ventilation losses.

Limestone wall

E value: 1.753 W/m2K

260mm- Limestone 20mm- cement/ plaster/ mortar -gysum plater

Brick wall

E value: 1.753 W/m2K

260mm- Brick 20mm- cement/ plaster/ mortar -gysum plater

Roof

E value: 2.614 W/m2K

25mm- Roof material 20mm- Air gap

5mm- Roofing flet 12.7mm- gypsum board

PROPOSAL-

C/

During winter, radiation is getting lower consider to short day time period. The average number is drop to 54, which is 3 time less than summer. However, because of the solar angle is getting lower, south facade would gain even higher than roof, which means if well- insulated, dining room might get warmer compare to other room in this time period.

/. Dining room

/. Garden

/. Kitchen

URBANLINE-

YEAR:

2021

Site:

Taichung, Taiwan

Team:

Shu Chen, Liu

Function:

Greenary pathway

Market

Pet park

The significance of green spaces in cities holds multifaceted importance, serving as vital recreational hubs for citizens while catering to diverse needs through green areas with varied functionalities. Taichung's "Chingkuo Greenway," as a crucial urban park, located in the heart of the city central area, surrounded by significant commercial centers and serves as a focal point for the leisure activities of nearby residents. It's also an essential route for daily shopping. Additionally, the cultural creative stores, cafes, and other establishments that have emerged around this green belt have become popular destinations for Taichung residents on weekends.

However, the original design of the Chingkuo Greenway was excessively monotonous, featuring a lifeless straight path that traversed all the green areas. This design flaw not only made it challenging for nearby residents to utilize but also lacked adequate shaded areas, deterring people from staying during summer due to high temperatures, resulting in a substantial waste of space.

This project aims to revitalize the use of this green space. by redesigning the pathway to cater to the needs of both residents and tourists and enhancing the different functionalities of four major green zones. By aligning with the park usage habits of Taichung citizens, each green area will be designed with distinct functionalities, ensuring that they are not identical and vacant but serve diverse purposes.

Current evaluation

Route analysis

Combination

Proposal

The park is compartmentalized into three segments through an elevated system: the upper bridge serves as a touring pathway for leisure and relaxation, underneath functions as a marketplace featuring local creative businesses, which is the new comer of these community. The original park area reorganized with guided pathways, will specifically provided for the convenience of local residents and seniors, It is furnished with tables and benches to facilitate activities such as chess and tea enjoyment.

a.

b.

c.

d.

e.

f.

g.Reinforced fabric

a.

b.

c.

d.

e.

f.

RENDER-

Square 3→ Square 4 ↑

←Square 4 ↓Square 2

OFFROAD-

YEAR:

Site:

Team:

Function:

2020Shu Chen, Liu

Leisure center

The leisure center, as one of the relatively scarce recreational facilities in the city, holds various social, health maintenance, and entertainment benefits. A well-designed leisure center often leverages the combination of space and facilities to maximize its value as infrastructure, thereby enhancing the wellbeing of the citizens. However, nowadays leisure centers tend to be overly uniform and systematic, lacking in novelty and discussion points. The primary objective of this experimental project is to introduce an almost implausible extreme sports event - stunt off-road motorbike competitions - into these spaces. The aim is to infuse these venues with more interactivity and innovation through this intriguing new venture.

DIAGRAM-

Presently, three ramps with angles of 51.5, 38.2, and 41.5 degrees offer varying lengths and heights for riders to practice different skills at a speed of 60 km/h.

Basic typeCombination-

Spaces are designated based on width and height limitations. Sports areas occupy unrestricted spaces, while service facilities like bathrooms, offices, and staircases are strategically placed for optimal use.

Transform-

Inspired by the ramps and considering height limitations for sports like badminton and basketball, three different ramps were strategically set with their respective heights. When combined, a continuous ramp surface,

The whole design is inspired by three types of jumps mostly used by off-road motor racing: determining the jump angle and bounce trajectory at a speed of 60 kilometers per hour as the foundational elements. These three lines delineate the structure of the space's roof system. Subsequently, the designated fitness area is divided into two categories: one with height limitations and another without such restrictions, both allocated within the region visible under the roof.

INTERIOR RENDER-

MML-

(Mies Memorial Library)

YEAR:

Site:

Team:

Function:

2022 Illinois, USA.

Shu Chen, Liu

Library

Memorial hall Gallery

This project was undertaken by READ LAB, and was invited to participate in the Mies Van der Rohe Memorial Library design competition by IIT. In our design approach, we not only reflected on Mies' legacy but also attempted to integrate our vision of the future library, aiming to blend the past and our imaginative foresight.

ThedesignprocesscommencedwithanexplorationofMies'personal design skills. Boldly, we transformed Mies' commonly used grid system into a three-dimensional structure. This concept enabled the creation of a fluid spatial system and an architectural outlook.

The site was an open green area where the school may hold competitions. We aspired to preserve its initial openness and usage habits. Besides minimizing the building's height, we create the greenery rooftop space which can used with a multifunctional outdoor venue. Users can stroll on the green roof, and the circular stage area is provided for any performing activities.

Regarding future libraries, as digitization progresses, social interaction and needs are expected to surpass the mere storage of knowledge. Being a memorial library, how to better commemorate the memorialized individuals is also one of our considerations for social usage. Hence, we designed a series of functionalities related to Mies – housing Mies' work collection, exhibition halls, and even futuristic projection rooms – all comprehensive aspect is designed to visit Mies Van Der Rohe's life and achievements.

Through this project, we aim to demonstrate the flow of time –past, present, and future – and considerations across different temporal contexts.

The whole design is inspired by three types of jumps mostly used by offroad motor racing: determining the jump angle and bounce trajectory at a speed of 60 kilometers per hour as the foundational elements. These three lines delineate the structure of the space's roof system. Subsequently, the designated fitness area is divided into two categories: one with height limitations and another without such restrictions, both allocated within the region visible under the roof.

- Mies Memorial

A:Mies Collection area

B:Research Room

C:Architecture Library

- Leisure

D:Cafe Shop

E:Performance space

- Microclimate

F:Wind tunnel

- Library

G:Library space

H:Reading area

ELEVATION-

Grassy Square- Openable Pathway Memorial Hall

Holding a variety of activities in three different types of areas- outdoor, semi-outdoor, and indoor, to attract visitors getting close to not only a library but most importantly, Mies Memorial Hall. moreover, grassy square also can used to hold a student party such as the famous "Pumpkin Launch".

Considering the high traffic space may obstruct the ventilation, a wind tunnel has been planned at the centre for cross ventilation. The cylindrical skylight helped to create a microclimate environment to create a cozy interior. Seats are provided at the open area for visitors to enjoy a communal relaxing moment.

To celebrate with Mies Achievement, a series of routes has been designed to interact with the life of Mies van der Rohe, the visitors may first stroll into a cylinder room, which performs a 360-degree virtual reality projection of Mies, The ground floor would lead to the Mies collection room, which exhibit part of Mies's masterpiece. By get in touch with variety projects, to realise his ambition and sense.

Bookshelves System Performance space

The function of bookshelves can be more than storage. In this case, the system of bookshelves has been designed not only for storage but as the sub-structure to ensure the stability of the building. Moreover, the bridge along the line of bookshelves has been designed, to connect all bookshelves, so you can literally "surfing inside the knowledge"

In response to lacking open space for student hub activities, an outdoor performance space is provided to enhance the liveliness of the place. Furthermore, multiple entertainment spaces inspire students to get close to the library, feeling the joy of learning differently.

RENDERING-

"Architecture is the will of an epoch translated into space. Living, Changing, New. Not yesterday, not tomorrow, only today can be given form. Only such architecture is creative."

- Ludwig Mies Van Dohre

PATTERN

YEAR:

Site:

Team:

2020Shu Chen, Liu

Drawing inspiration from Islamic totems, our approach involves crafting gradients and circular arrays using circles. These components serve as units, strategically arranged to create intricate and complex geometric designs.

DIAGRAM-

FISH SCALE

YEAR:

Site:

Team:

Shu Chen, Liu

Drawing inspiration from Islamic totems, our approach involves crafting gradients and circular arrays using circles. These components serve as units, strategically arranged to create intricate and complex geometric designs.

DIAGRAM-

YEAR:

FLOWER 2019

Site:

Team:

Shu Chen, Liu

XIAN-JUN, LAI

YAN-CI, ZHANG

Exploring the imagery of a flower, our approach begins with designing a two-dimensional flower pattern. Subsequently, we transition to a three-dimensional representation. By adjusting the size, we can dynamically alter the shape at the center, swiftly generating diverse patterns and innovative architectural forms.

DIAGRAM-

DEVIL FISH

YEAR:

Site:

Team:

Shu Chen, Liu

Drawing inspiration from fish bones and scales, this practice involves altering the size of each skeleton to influence the dimensions of the scales, achieving a gradual and harmonious effect in the design.

DIAGRAM-