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DORIS LAU RESUME & PORTFOLIO

2014-2025 SELECTED WORK

ARCHITECTURE ILLUSTRATION DESIGN

JOIRNEY

DORIS YEN KIU LAU

beautiful country side in Hong Kong “Allow nature’s peace to flow into you as sunshine flows into trees.” John Muir

ARCHITECTURAL PORTFOLIO

Content selected work from 2014 to 2025

Cultural Complex

Shenzhen Baoan Cultural Complex

6-11

02/

Theatre

Wanderer, The Theatre of Possibilities

12-13

03/

Leather Tannery

MArchThesis: Behind the Skin

14-21

04/

Research in Fishing Net

MArch 1: Net Positive: Part I

22-23

05/

Recycling Centre

MArch 1: Net Positive: Part II

24-31

06/

Residential

BArch Thesis: Rings of Square

32-37

07/

Local Community

WeConnect Pavilion

38-39

08/

Local Community

Charitable Funding: Unique By Grace Cafe

40-41

JOURNEY

01/

DORIS YEN KIU LAU

01 Baoan Cultural Complex Rocco Design Architects Associates Ltd. To be completed in 2022

BAOAN, SHENZHEN, CHINA

S henzhen Theatre is my first project at Rocco

BAO AN CULTUR AL COMPLEX

Design Architects Associates Ltd. It is also the first project that I learn to use grasshopper to generate facade pattern and curvy form.

The design beings with a simple, rectangular mass to start with, the buildings are subjected to different morphing operations: the theatre’s flutters like stage curtains against the gentle breeze from the shore. Tectonically speaking, the buildings’ façades take cues from wood and ivory carving techniques that are indigenous to Southern China: The delicately perforated skins provide not only efficient shading for the interior, but also rich, dramatic visual effects on the exterior. Moreover, the skins’ opacity varies according to the functions they serve at different parts of the building. While formally pioneering, the design inherits its subtleties from a long oriental tradition. Each curvy facade panel is different in its size and angle aligning with the wall in order to create shades. They are drawn by grasshopper scripting. Numbers and data are then generated in the scripting as a setting out for the contractor.

ARCHITECTURAL PORTFOLIO

BAO AN, CHINA

Renderings owned by RDA.

DORIS YEN KIU LAU

execution / construction

External Facade Panels

BAO AN CULTUR AL COMPLEX

Facade design is one of the main tasks by the design team. By using grasshopper, the facade panels are designed in organic forms inspired by Southern Chinese artistic traditions like wood and ivory carving. Each is encased in a perforated skin system that is modulated in different ways, creating a visually unified complex while defining distinct identities for the three structures.

Co n st ruction drawin g Deta i l s of t he i n sta l l a t i o n of t he facade panels .

ARCHITECTURAL PORTFOLIO

BAO AN, CHINA

Si te Vis it Stage o b ser va ti o n of t he fa c a d e pa ne l s i n sta l l ation.

Tender drawing Facade s ettin g out of system of the roof (top ) and CL 1 A of the Nor thern Tower (bottom ).

DORIS YEN KIU LAU

presentation / plan and section design

Interior and Theatre

PRO JECT NAME

The design includes two theatre and the supporting rooms for cultural complex. Wood is widely used in the design to give the warmth tone and the clean nailing.

Pl an and sec tion design

ARCHITECTURAL PORTFOLIO

SITE

I n te r i o r re nd erin gs M a teri a ls a nd l i g h t i n g a re t he key e l e men ts .

Interior renderings Acustic panel s, seatings and stage l ighting are the key el ements.

DORIS YEN KIU LAU

02 Wanderer The Theatre of Possibilities OISTAT, The Theatre Architecture Competition 2025 Team with Zachary Wong and Leo Li

SHARJAH CITY,UAE PRO JECT NAME

T he “Wanderer” is a temporary theatre inspired by the

whimsical nature of a hot air balloon, nestled in the vibrant landscape of Sharjah. This innovative structure embodies the theme of the Theatre of Possibility, characterized by its lightness and flexibility. Enveloped in a translucent ETFE balloon, the theatre opens up a myriad of scenarios. During the day, natural light floods the space, while fog can be introduced to control translucency, creating a dynamic spatial experience. The lower portion is draped in transparent acoustic fabric, which absorbs sound while maintain-ing an intimate atmosphere within the performance space. This design ensures a consistent acoustic backdrop, enhancing the overall audience experience. Featuring Low-E coated ETFE cushions, the structure provides excellent thermal and acoustic insulation. Its modular and lightweight design allows for easy assembly and disassembly, minimiz-ing its ecological footprint. The modular stage floor facilitates various performance modes, accommodating traditional and modern music, drama, new writing, or spoken word. The raised stage allows for essential services and ventilation underneath. “Wanderer” invites audiences to explore the boundaries of imagination, crafting a unique, uplifting atmosphere where stories can take flight, embodying the essence of possibility in every performance. Short video for the competition: https://vimeo.com/107 5018130/18317912e0?ts=0&share=copy

ARCHITECTURAL PORTFOLIO

SITE

DORIS YEN KIU LAU

BEHIND THE SKIN

Behind the Skin

21/22 The Royal Danish Academy (KADK) / Masters in Architecture and Extreme Environment Advisor Daivd A. Garcia Tutor Will Lambeth

Fes, Morocco

B ehind the Skin (II) studies industrial space in urban context. By looking into the tradition-

al tanneries in Fes, Morocco, it investigates ways to intertwine tourism, industrial space and waste handling. While many of the industrial spaces are moved to the outskirts of cities, the project wants to find solutions and possibilities of keeping them inside a city and become part of a community. The site is located in Fes next to an existing tannery, the Chouara Tannery. hide (n.) the strong, thick skin of an animal, used for making leather. tannery (n.) the place where leather is made. vessel (n.) a curved container that is used to hold liquid. Project profile: https://royaldanishacademy.com/project/hide-and-seek

ARCHITECTURAL PORTFOLIO

FES, MOROCCO

BEHIND THE SKIN

DORIS YEN KIU LAU

Vocabulary of vessels

ARCHITECTURAL PORTFOLIO

FES, MOROCCO

Longitudinal section

design /

Definitions and Vocabularies of Vessels The design is driven by 2 ways : the connection of vessels in traditional tanneries and the programme relationships. From the diagrammatic exercise of vessel vocabulary to the sectional drawing, it is aimed to make use of the vocabulary to arrange the programmes. In the vocabulary exercise, construction methods, structure, material and relationships of traditional vessels are studied. “vessels” are defined as a space with definite wall but organic formation of the exterior facade to embed structure and connect to the surroundings. The exercise translates the observations and findings into spatial elements. Openings and wall thickness are the main design elements formed for the design stage. The vocabularies aim to facilitate the functional programme as well as the aestheticity. 17

DORIS YEN KIU LAU

BEHIND THE SKIN

Overlay of multiple sketches on section

design / story

Fluid Geometry Sketching is one of the main design processes in this project. The fascination of traditional vessels in the tanneries allowed me to design the set of vocabulary of vessels and use them as a set of components in the design.

Overlay of multiple sketches on plan

The definition and vocabularies of vessels allow the design to explore more possibilities in terms of the geometry and the relationship between programmes. The programmes include both tourism and industrial function, which require the design to drive a balance in them.

ARCHITECTURAL PORTFOLIO

Flow of users

FES, MOROCCO

design / programmes Water flow and filtration system

Curvy Flows The design includes 3 main flows for different groups of users and 1 system for effluent handling. The targeted group of users are tanners, tourists, and students and local people who would enter or pass through the building. The programme arrangement aims to echo the flow for the users and make use of the vessel vocabulary to form the specific type of space for the programme and the flow.

Programme arrangement

The system handling effluent is embedded underground. The effluent, referring to the one coming from the existing tannery, goes through the underground filtering facilities, goes to the pool in the central courtyard, and enters the building for new tanning purposes. This design aims to explore possibilities of recycling effluent into new use. 19

DORIS YEN KIU LAU

visualization /

BEHIND THE SKIN

Experience of Being in a Vessel

1:400 massing model

The asthetic part of the design aims to give users an experience of being in a vessel as an echo to the tanners standing inside a vessel to work on the tanning. It, therefore, has a smooth facade and curvy language in the design. 20

ARCHITECTURAL PORTFOLIO

visualization /

Material / Ram Earth

1:250 Foundation Details

Visualisation Central courtyard / Water filtration

FES, MOROCCO

Part of the project gives tribute to the arabic material using ram earth as the main material. The structure is mainly concrete and compressed ram earth.

DORIS YEN KIU LAU

NET POSITIVE ( I)

Net Positive (I)

2021 Spring The Royal Danish Academy / Masters in Architecture and Extreme Environment Advisor Daivd A. Garcia Tutor Michael Leef

Faroe Islands

N ET POSITIVE aims at raising social awareness in upcycling abandoned fish-

ing nets and ocean protection. It collaborates with local recycling company as well as a high school for education. It is also a project re-imagining the future recycling industry upcycling resources. Stage I (semester 1) focuses on site research and device building to upcycle fishing nets as a new material used in design and architecture. The device is a tool for me to connect to the local high school, community and recycling industry. Stage II (semester 2) focused on designing architectural program as a recycling factory and research hub. During the 1 month site visit in the Faroe Islands, I visited one of the largest fishing nets production factory, the local nets recycling facilities and some fishing ports to form my statement. Project video : https://youtu.be/Vsy0I9plja8

ARCHITECTURAL PORTFOLIO

project background/ site Investigation /

Twist / Knit / Education The device is designed to be a hand-held tool which could be installed and carried by users in different spots as long as there are fishing nets. The used fishing nets were twisted to form new ropes. By twisting and interlocking different types of nets, new strength of the material is discovered. The device and material were brought to the high school in Vestmanna for a sharing session, hoping to inspire the younger generation to be aware of the issue. Shairng session in high school in Vestmanna

THE FAROE ISL AND S

Testing out the device in an old fishing port

Environment and Health Issues

Procedure

Final product

Narrative - Infographic research forenvironmental related health issues

DORIS YEN KIU LAU

NET POSITIVE ( II)

Net Positive (II)

2021 Spring KADK / Masters in Architecture and Extreme Environment Advisor / Daivd A. Garcia Tutor / Michael Leef

Vestmanna, Faroe Islands “What is the role of architecture in the recycling industry?”

The project is phase 2 for the research in the Faroe Islands. Based on personal interest in the

waste handling industry and the local fishing industry, Net Positive (II) is a hybrid use of a resource recycling factory and a research hub which allow the public to be part of and see the whole process. As fishing nets waste is always a hidden ocean problem, the project hopes to arouse people’s awareness. It also hopes to explore the future direction of resource upcycling. It is believed that upcycling is the best way for reducing the use of resources.

ARCHITECTURAL PORTFOLIO

project background/ site Investigation /

The Old Fishing Port Vestmanna, Faroe Islands Present Located on the west of the island Streymoy, Vestmanna is a “tourist village” with steep cliffs and landscape. The cliffs on the north of the towns are home to thousands of seabirds. It is also a past ferry port. The village in Vestmanna is mainly residential houses. There is one high school, Miðnám í Vestmanna, and one tourist cente in between the village and the main road to Torshavn. Vestmanna is also one of the salmon farming spot in the Faroe Islands currently. However, it is expected to be moved to indoor factory in the near future. Invetigation Direction wind / population / fishing industry

VESTMANNA, THE FAROE ISL AND S

Wind rose in Vestmanna, generated by Ladybug

1:20000 Vestmanna site map

DORIS YEN KIU LAU

design / programme and zoning

PRO JECT NAME

The Walls of Twisting Nets New Materials and Spatial Connection

Master plan

ARCHITECTURAL PORTFOLIO

VESTMANNA, THE FAROE ISL AND S

Isometric diagram

The design concept came from upcycling fishing nets and integrating the upcycling process into daily social life. Therefore, the walls for net twisting aims to create space for people to use as social activities, while the machines will twist the nets and create new materials. 27

DORIS YEN KIU LAU

design / spatial elements

Interlocking Recyling and Socialising Space

NET POSITIVE ( II)

The design proposes a hybrid use of industrial and public space. Such a proposal aims to reduce the rejection of people to the recycling industry. It is always classified as a “dirty industry”. Yet, waste handling is believed to be part of the cities where the public should be allowed to see the process and understand the possibilities and limitations in resource handling.

Floor plan

ARCHITECTURAL PORTFOLIO

VESTMANNA, THE FAROE ISL AND S

design /

Mix use of Industrial & public space Section

The spatial elements are translated from the sketches and the device design at Stage 1. Solid and void creations are the main driving directions here to match the functions. Design elements

Spatial quality aims to draw connections to public use and industrial uses. 29

DORIS YEN KIU LAU

design /

The Open Factory One of the concepts is to play with and utilise the characteristic and flexibility of walls to create space. Walls create openness in a building, as well as the transition and enclosure. By removing parts of the walls and inserting machineries, the form of the architecture and space is altered.

NET POSITIVE ( II)

Rope twisting

Semi-open factory space

Transitional space from the pier

ARCHITECTURAL PORTFOLIO

VESTMANNA, THE FAROE ISL AND S

Sectional perspective

design /

Transition and Enclosure

DORIS YEN KIU LAU

THE RINGS OF SQUARES

The Rings of Squares

2018 Spring University of Hong Kong / BA(AS) IV Advisor John Lin

Morocco

This is a research-based prototype design project. It aims to re-design the original 3-rings spatial structure of riads to create collaborative living spaces for Muslim and newcomers in Marrakech.

As most of the traditional riads are designed based on the religion rules Muslim uphold, privacy and family bondings are major concerns. Newcomers rebuild the riads violate the rules and conflicts between the two groups occur. It is hoped to strike a balance between the economic development, religion, humanities and living standard by introducing new designs on local houses.

ARCHITECTURAL PORTFOLIO

“This antique ring looks good. How much is it?”

“Hello,what can i help you?”

Non-Mus li m/ Non-Morocc a n

Mus li m/ Morocc a n

“OhNo! Our neighbour is naked sunbathing! This is Guilty!”

“Honey, the weather is fantastic.”

MOROCCO

“Want some authentic dim-sum? We serve the best Chinese cuisine in town!”

“How can I avoid seeing him planting? It’s embarrassing” “Let’s go,we aren’t eating pork.”

“Look! Here’s The best view from the Observatory Deck”

“Want a Cup of Moroccan Coffee or Indian Tea?”

“Hey,what is he doing in his courtyard?”

You want to go back home now?

“Hurray! Journey begins!”

Site study: Dialogue between new and tradition

DORIS YEN KIU LAU

design /

Walls and Arches

THE RINGS OF SQUARES

The design stage starts from the study of layout in traditional riads in Morocco. The plan is divided into 3 rings, which is read as the exterior wall, the rooms and the veranda. The study is an exploration for rearrangements of the partitions and rooms to form new designs according to the new user groups. The design targets 3 prototypes which are based on the family size, functional programme and religion and gender.

ARCHITECTURAL PORTFOLIO

MOROCCO

D e s i g n s fo r 3 n e w u s e r g r o u p s

Prototyping of arches

1:500 design model

Final Plan

DORIS YEN KIU LAU

design /

Walls, Privacy and Belongings

THE RINGS OF SQUARES

In this prototype design, the main focus is the concept between religion and gender. Hence, walls, privacy and belongings to the living place drive the whole design. The thickness of the walls create pockets and rearrangement of the partition creates moving space as well as shared space to allow both women who follow traditional rules and newcomers who do not.

ARCHITECTURAL PORTFOLIO

MOROCCO

Sectional perspective

design /

Prototype 03: Religion 37

DORIS YEN KIU LAU

07 WeConnet Pavilion 2015 Summer Wu Zhi Qiao Charitable Foundation (Bridge to China) Pavilion for Undeveloped village in ChongQing, China

The pavilion is named 連心亭which means connecting everyone’s hearts. It is located in the middle of a long path connecting the main road and the village. We hope that it could provide a resting and gathering space for villagers during their long journey back to the village.

WECONNECT PAVILION

Also, we studied the building structure of the traditional temple in the village and used the method in this pavilion as a tribute to the historical architecture. The pavilion is built by volunteers and villagers collaboratively so that we could exchange ideas in the process. We shared our knowledge of modern design and construction while they demonstrated to us the traditional building method by manpower.

1 foundation

2 column

3 introductor y

4 bamboo

5 roof structure

6 roof

Con struction procedure

The procedure of the construction is direct and simple. The project aims to include local villagers so the procedure referenced from the local hosue construction method. The use of local materials such as wood, bamboo, concrete and roof bricks reduce the costs of the projects as well as giving economic benefit to the local small shops. Villagers are happy to engage in the project and the colleboration was really a nice experience for both students and locals.

ARCHITECTURAL PORTFOLIO

CHONGQING, CHINA

Pl an

Section

El evation

DORIS YEN KIU LAU

08 Unique By Grace 2023-2024 project manager / volunteers coordinator / publication

U nique By Grace is non-profit start-up project in Copenhagen under Blå

Kors Denmark which sustains purchase-with-purpose and supports the shelter project for homeless people. In April 2023, our team was granted funding to expand the project from a retail store into a coffee shop which was launched in March 2024.

UNIQUE BY GR ACE C AFE, COPENH AGEN

My role in the project grew from volunteering to becoming a core member in charge of the project management, coordinations of volunteers and collaborations with donation partners. As the store underwent refurnishment and rearrangement, I took the oppportunity to help with the interior design with 3D modelling and visualisation skills.

design / re-furnishing

From Unique Store to Unique Cafe

Logo of Unique Store

Visualisation & Actual Cafe Logo of Unique Cafe

Re - b ra ndin g Fro m U nique Store to Un ique Cafe

ARCHITECTURAL PORTFOLIO

UNIQUE BY GR ACE C AFE, COPENH AGE N

graphic design / re-branding

Digital Graphic for Social Media Social Media Layout

Product Mock-up 41

Thank You! Stay Connected laudoris@connect.hku.hk (+45) 5268 9549 http://www.linkedin.com/in/dorislaunetworking @doriodoodoll (Instagram artwork) @doughandmough (Instagram self-employed business)