ELU
Ethan Lu
Undergraduate Portfolio
Selected Works 2025
COMPASSION
Urban Housing | Boston, MA
Northeastern University | 2140
Fall 2025 | Instructor Jocelyn Chiou
Skeleton Diagram.
Columns arranged to create a clear path through the plaza. Floor plates protract and retract in relation to the neighbor’s privacy Concept Sketch.
A “breathing” concept is formed in response to the needs of the neighbors Circulaton Napkin Sketch. Zig-zag circulation creates interesting moment in the center
Axonometric Drawing. Higher elevations on edges create strong facades on street openings Mesh creates contrast between ridigity and fluidity
Massing Evolution.
The addition of anchors mirrors the columns, disrupting the smooth internal facade
Site Context Plan.
Paths weave in and around the building giving residents convenience while preserving scenic quality
Structural Diagram.
Chain-mail mesh wraps around anchors extending from the floorplate to create tightly-wrapped, breathable “sweater”
Ground Floor Plan.
Openness from columns invites pedestrians in, and unfolds a world of its own As pedestrians walk further into it, they find these programmatic gifts
Program Diagram. Programs placed intentionally from public to intimate, community spaces in the center.
GALLERY STUDY POCKET BENCH GROVE PERFORMANCE NOOK
CAFE MIXED USE
5th Floor Plan. Typical Plan.
Unit Types. Section.
Contrast between maleable mesh and rigid structure, and between open ground-floor plaza, and secluded upper floors
“Gift” Collage. Liminal “gift” spaces typically shared between two-three units, encouraging neighborly engagement and community Plaza Collage. Thin concrete walls vary between elevations to control what is intimate and public
Site, Space, Program | Boston, MA
Northeastern University | 1170
Summer 2025 | Instructor Justin Tan
In collaboration with Jake Reilly
Axonometric Drawing.
The twisting of “books” creates outdoor balcony spaces The leaning books creates threshold spaces of natural light in between the books
Stacking Demonstration.
Allowed physical testing of the spaces created by the twisting and turning
Usable Space Diagram.
Testing ideas of stacks and leans, as well as the constraint of usable space due to the leaning condition
Exploded Axo.
Internior furniture twists around the revolving core that acts a shelf and light diffuser
LECTURE HALL
READING AREA
MEETING ROOMS
DIGITAL LIBRARY
BALCONY
MAIN STUDY AREA
MAIN COLLECTION
KIDS SECTION
CAFE
BALCONY
Ground Floor Plan.
Second Floor Plan.
Third Floor plan.
Core Collage.
Hollow square shelves rotate upward with opening in between to diffuse natural light from the skylight above
BELONGING
Fundamental Architecture Design | Boston, MA
Northeastern University | 1110
Spring 2025 | Instructor Ryan Gagnebin
Exploding Diagram. Exploding the programs of a typical single-family residency
Link Diagram.
Connection of exploded programs creates a moment of reflection and “restart”
Exploded Axo.
Third Floor Plan.
Second Floor Plan.
Ground Floor Plan.
Axonometric Drawing.
Building slithers up the elevating site with moments of linking Sectional Drawing.
Residents feel disconnected from each program until intentionally entered
WABI-SABI
Photographic Endeavors
Capturing human trace
The serenity and intimacy of human imprint
The beauty in the “weathered” the “corrupted” the imperfect
SHORT - FILM
Miami 2023. https://youtu.be/v11FxJLsL4k Milan 2024.
https://youtu.be/nsV0W7gm5Mk Lisbon 2025.
https://youtu.be/LBS1bKFqaWc
FASHION
https://erictrandesigns.com/designs/project-three-8zgh7-7y8s8
+1 (774) 228 8020 ethanhlu52@gmail.com www.linkedin.com/in/ethanhlu https://issuu.com/eethanlu