Ethan Chiang Architecture Portfolio 2020 | Admitted to Yale SOA and Columbia GSAPP

ETHAN CHIANG ARCHITECTURE PORTFOLIO SELECTED WORKS 2015-19

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CONTENTS ACADEMIC

01

THE VALE

A Community Market

02

ENDLESS BOUNDS

Rowing Center in the Tropics

03

THE THIRD MEMBER

Bending Active Gridshells

04

INSIDE OUT

University Student Center

[p. 4]

[p.14]

[p.24]

[p.32]

PROFESSIONAL 05

TAL TOWER RENOVATION

Nelson Chen Architects

[p.38]

PERSONAL 06

A TROPICAL LENS

Architectural Travel Research

07

VISUAL ARTS

Exploring Water and Architecture

[p.42]

[p.44]

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01

THE VALE PLACEMAKING: A COMMUNIT Y MARKET U6 Studio: Sebastian Law | Individual | Kowloon City, Hong Kong | 2019 The Vale is a municipal building in Kowloon

roof extends the landscape and forms a

City, Hong Kong. Municipal buildings are of

passageway for trail-walkers. This tower

mixed use and typically include a market, sports

takes full advantage of Kowloon City views,

hall, library and food court. However, these

standing

activities often operate in isolation. Markets such

Designing the tower on stilts frees the entire

as the Markethall in Rotterdam predominantly

grounds for a lively public space. Most

serve locals but have become international

importantly, the design re-uses an existing two-

icons. A municipal building in Hong Kong

storey carpark structure and transforms it into

has the potential to do the same. The idea is to

an exciting public garden. A new timber grid is

regenerate the site's valley condition by tilting

introduced to extend the grid across the entire

the market tower in section. Metaphorically,

site. Amidst increasing urbanisation, quality

the sports hall is a bridge connecting the

public space is rarely found in Hong Kong. This

market with Lok Fu Mountain. A green

garden is one the community would treasure.

Concept Model The Smell of Architecture

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tall

amidst

low-rise

buildings.

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1:200 Building Model Three inter-connected structures provide a continuous passageway to Lok Fu Mountain

Choreographing Spaces Spaces are choreographed so that one experiences the garden and market before entering the sports hall 7

Massing Development: Adaptive Re-use A school and carpark occupied the site. The carpark’s grid structure was re-used and transformed into a community garden 8

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80m

Site Plan 1:2000 Kowloon City, Hong Kong 22.3° N, 114.2° E 9

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20

40m

Ground Floor Plan The grid structures allow for flexible use of space. Indoor markets extend out into the open gardens.

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7th Floor Urban Farming

5-6th Floor Hawker Center

4th Floor Library/Amphitheatre Green Roof

3rd Floor Market Gym Cafe Lounge

2nd Floor Market Sports Hall Changing Rooms

Exploded Axonometrics New programatic relationships are established and each space has a constant connection to the outdoors.

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02

ENDLESS BOUNDS ROWING CENTER IN THE TROPICS U4 Studio: Bruce Lonnman | Individual | Batu Dam, Kuala Lumpur | 2017 Endless Bounds is a rowing center in the

in section from straight edge to a butterfly

tropics of Batu Dam, Kuala Lumpur. The idea

roof. Collected rainwater becomes a spectacle

is a conceptual juxtaposition. It plays upon

by flooding into the central courtyard, which

the drama between one floating structure

is then stored and recycled in an underground

contrasting with another bounded by earth.

cistern. Staircases are embedded into the earth

Timber and masonry embody this dynamic in

and hidden from view. The training center

material. The two structures are connected by

floats dramatically on stilts - a reference to

an integrated landscape; working perpendicular

the vernacular ideas of traditional Malay

to the site’s slope offers visual connections to

Kampong houses. The rowing center offers

the water at varying sectional heights. Spaces

a diversity of spatial experiences – from

are sequentially organized so one travels along

outdoor and semi-shaded to enclosed and

the site’s central axis from high to low elevation.

underground. Rowers here strive to reach

The roof responds to this axis by transforming

new heights - to reach Endless Bounds…

BEST OF CATEGORY: STUDENT ARCHITECTURE

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0

7.5

15

30m

Location Plan Batu Dam, Kuala Lumpur

3.2° N, 101.6° E 16

Solid Void

Cross Ventilation

Green Spaces

Rainwater Collection

The boathouse is orientated towards NorthEast and South-West prevailing winds. Served and servant spaces are separated into a thin and dispersed plan - a strategy to allow cool air to permeate the building. Meanwhile, the contrasting structures create an exciting dynamic between enclosed and open spaces.

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Terra Cotta Roofing

Concept Sketch: Roof Form The roof transforms along the site’s central axis to direct rainwater

Secondary Beams

Primary Beams

Framing Model 1:200

Glulam Timber Portal Frames

Portal frames are regularly spaced to reinforce visual interest in structure

Floor Structure

Structural Model 1:200

Overall Structure

An elongated structure increases the building’s exposure to prevailing winds

Structural Axonometrics Tapering beams allow for the curved roof to be constructed entirely from linear elements 18

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36m

Contextual Floor Plans A dispersed plan separates the building into 3 main programs: boat storage, training center and service spaces.

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White Cement Tiles Tiling Battens Fabric Waterproof Layer 100mm Thermal Insulation 12mm Lining Boards Rafters

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Wooden Fascia Hollow Beam Aluminium Frame Clear Glass Rigid End Beam Timber Louvres

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Sliding Glass Door Wood Frame Timber Floorboards Rigid End Beam Rotatable Pivot Metal Hinge

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Timber Floorboards Stair Tread 300mm x 900mm Girder Beam

Interior View of Training Center Elevating the training center on stilts allows for expansive views towards Batu Dam

1:200 Building Model A sloping landscape connects the two contrasting structures and offers green spaces at different levels to enjoy views of rowing 23

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THE THIRD MEMBER TOP-DOWN APPROACH TO BENDING AC TIVE GRIDSHELLS ARCH5231: Kristof Crolla

| Group (4) |

Bending Rules Elective

2018

Instead of form finding through physics and

an equilateral triangular grid was the best

simulation, our strategy took the reverse

option for strength and stability. A triangulated

approach (top - down) by first designing the

geometry greatly reduces deflections, even

final form, and then implementing a structural

in relatively domed areas of a surface, in

system that would stiffen to achieve the desired

comparison to a regular grid geometry. The

performance. In this exercise, we utilized a

design tackled issues of structural deflection

structural system that would stiffen to any

by allowing for a threshold of construction

shape through triangulation. A typical grid

inaccuracy. Designing the bamboo connection

involves only two directional members. This

was integral for this step. My significant

makes it difficult to accurately construct a

contributions to the project include 3D

complex, curved form due to deformation and

model design development, final model

shear stress. Triangulation makes it easier to

production, 2D line drawings, photographing

construct double-curved shells and complex

and editing final model images, as well as

geometries. Our investigation concluded that

filming and editing the final process video.

Team Members: Lok Man Cho | Jae Sok Suhr | Man Ho Tong

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|

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GENERATE SURFACE The doubly-curved form is generated by manipulating the control points of a flat 2-D surface. Concave and convex curvatures are optimized for smooth transitions.

APPLY COMPASS METHOD SCRIPT Diagonal members (angled 30° degrees from one another) are applied to the surface. The direction of the members follows the form’s long axis.

TRIM THE GRID The resulting surface and its members are trimmed at a base. Grid spacing is optimized to ensure sufficient area for base connections.

APPLY THE 3RD MEMBER The 3rd member runs perpendicular to the surface’s long axis. During construction, this member must be applied beginning from the model’s center points.

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INITIAL FORM

REVISED FORM

Surface

Force Analysis

Curvature Analysis

REGULAR GRID COMPARISON

SURFACE ANALYSIS The initial iterations of the geometry were based on an arbitrary surface which was trimmed using solids extruded from the base plane. This resulted in messy geometries; the force analysis shows pockets rather than areas of concave

and convex surfaces, whilst the curvature analysis shows instances of flat surfaces and incontinuous curves. On the other hand, the final surface is generated from a single sheet with significantly smoother curves and inflections.

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MAKING OF THE THIRD MEMBER https://youtu.be/MPrxQGHcSjU

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2.

3.

4.

5.

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7.

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Mark bamboo intersections Drill intersection points Make wire connections Connect X & Y members Lock bamboo underside Pop up grid in base Add 3rd member at centers Drill foundations Tighten wire connections

The Making Process The metal wire connections became integral in achieving structural stability as the grid was being popped up at the base 28

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1:20 Bending Shell: Before the Third Member Photos from the construction phase show how the desired curved form cannot be achieved without a triangulated geometry 29

BEFORE

AFTER

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FRONT

RIGHT

BACK

LEFT

Twist Wire Connection

A-A Cross Section 1:400

Connect X+Y Members

B-B Longitudinal Section 1:400 A

B

Lock Bamboo Underside

B

Squeeze Wire Connection A

Top View 1:400

Add 3rd Member (Z)

Perspective View

Lock both sides of Bamboo

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04

INSIDE OUT UNIVERSIT Y STUDENT CENTER U2 Studio: Kan Chan | Individual | Central Campus, CUHK | 2016 Inside Out is 3 storey student center situated

the floors above gradually become more private.

in the Chinese University of Hong Kong.

A large outdoor balcony is placed on the east

The design used slabs as an element to define

side of the 2nd floor adjacent to the site’s existing

continuous spaces, and drew inspiration from

trees, which also shades most of the building’s

Mondrian’s neoplasticism paintings to create a

east elevation. The creative process began with a

system of space definition. Programatically, the

series of concept models which tested how slabs

building consists of a multi-purpose exhibition

could be used at varying sectional heights to

room on the ground floor, lounge spaces on

create ambiguous spaces and offer moments of

the 1 floor and a library on the 2 floor. Clear

interaction. Further physical models were tested

glass and perforated aluminium screens were

at 1:200 scale. Studying precedent’s such as the

used to blur the boundary between interior

Barcelona Pavilion by Mies van der Rohe and

and exterior. Whilst spaces on the ground floor

Schroder House by Gerrit Rietveld inspired the

have a quality of transparency and openness,

articulation and expression of protruding slabs.

st

nd

Concept Models: Perspective Studies Interlocking slabs placed at varying sectional heights create ambiguous spaces and moments of visual connection 32

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2nd Floor Plan

Location Plan: Central Campus, CUHK

1st Floor Plan

C

D

A

A

B

B

C

D

Ground Floor Plan 0

2

5

Scale: 1:300 34

10m

West Elevation

North Elevation

A-A Longitudinal Section

C-C Cross Section

B-B Longitudinal Section

D-D Cross Section

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TAL BUILDING FACADE RENOVATION Nelson Chen Architects

| Professional | Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong | 2019

TAL Building is a 17 storey building with

and windows. After the study, we concluded

a total gross floor area of 106,600 square

that keeping and using the building’s exterior

feet. It was built in 1975 and serves as TAL

structure would be best to achieve the client’s

Group’s primary headquarters in Hong Kong.

goals. In this project, I was responsible for design

Programatically, the building’s functions are

development and producing meeting materials

distributed as shops and restaurants on the

including image references, elevations, plans,

ground floor, carparking space on the 1st

sections and detail drawings. To date we have

and 2nd floors, and office spaces above. TAL

produced a total of 8 schemes for the client.

expressed their desire for a sustainable design

The following pages show a preview of one

that would update their outlook, whilst causing

of the latest schemes - a mesh screen facade

the least disturbance to existing tenants. We

supported by the building’s existing concrete

conducted design investigations to explore the

fins. This project began in September 2019

possibility to replace the building’s exterior fins

and is currently in conceptual design phase.

5/F - 15/F Typical Floor Plan The North facade is hidden from view by an adjacent building and so is void of new mesh screens.

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Facade Option I: Mesh Screen 53 Austin Road, Hong Kong 22.3° N, 114.2° E 39

Detail Section and Elevation 1:150 New mesh screens are supported by the building's existing fins (measuring 700mm). Existing windows remain operable.

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Detail Section 1:20

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Alum. Perforated Panel Secured to RC Hood with unequal GMS Angle

Alum. Perforated Panel Secured to RC Parapet with GMS Angle Bracket

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Detail Section 1:20

Detail Section 1:20 Alum. Perforated Panel Secured to RC Beam/Wall with GMS Angle Bracket

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Detail Plan 1:20

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700

3mm Thick Perforated Alum. Panel with Fluorocarbon Fin

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A TROPICAL LENS THE BIG ROOF & DEEP ELEVATION L&O Travel Scholarship | Individual | Architectural Research | Summer 2018 A Tropical Lens: The Big Roof and Deep Elevation

architecture interacted with urbanism in this

took place in four equatorial cities – Hanoi, Ho

context. In these developing nations, resources

Chi Minh City, Phnom Penh and Bangkok. My

and energy were not as accessible compared to

architectural studies have been closely related to

Hong Kong, so buildings had to fully utilize

the tropics, having completed design projects in

passive strategies to ensure human comfort.

places including Hong Kong, Taiwan, Malaysia

Two overarching themes guided the work: the

and Indonesia. The architectural research acted

big roof and deep elevation. Travel findings were

as an extension of my design studies and aimed

documented in film, photographs, drawing and

to make tangible the layers of atmosphere that

sketches to visualize the qualities of a tropical

comprise a hot and humid climate. The aim

atmosphere. These were presented to Leigh

was to understand urban,

environmental,

and Orange Architects and CUHK through

and climatic variables in the tropics and how

a presentation sharing and public exhibition.

Palembang Waterfront: Strip Elevation Palembang, Indonesia 2.9° S, 104.7° E 42

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Pasar Johar Market - Semarang, Indonesia | Thomas Karsten

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Central Market - Phnom Penh, Cambodia | Jean Desbois

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Institute of Foreign Languages - Phnom Penh, Cambodia | Vann Molyvann

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Cho Benh Thanh Market - Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

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National Stadium - Phnom Penh, Cambodia | Vann Molyvann

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Chaktomuk Conference Hall - Phnom Penh, Cambodia | Vann Molyvann 43

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VISUAL ARTS EXPLORING WATER AND ARCHITEC TURE Selected Works from IB Visual Arts | Paul Thompson | Individual | 2014-15 Art is liberating because there are no limits to one’s imagination. It is a way of constructing an alternate reality without real-world constraints.

My background in Visual Arts led me to discover an interest in Architecture. Fallingwater by Frank Lloyd Wright had a lasting impression on me when I first saw it during the HKU Career Discovery in Architecture course 2014.

I marvelled at the design’s integration with nature, which led me to develop artwork which explored the theme of water and architecture. I strive to take an experimental approach in my designs, using mediums such as painting and sketching to express ideas. Having said that, model making is integral to my creative process.

I enjoy constructing models in varying scales to test design ideas, then photographing them in the ambiance of natural light. The following are my artworks inspired by Arne Quinze, an artist known for creating organic timber structures.

Cascade Digital Photography, 2014

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Intricate Complex Acrylic and Watercolour Painting, 30cm x 90cm, 2014

Unconventional Stilthouses Balsa Wood, Acrylic, Watercolour & Emulsion Painting, 60cm x 120cm, 2015

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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I want to thank my tutors for their invaluable advice, teaching and guidance throughout my architectural studies at the Chinese University of Hong Kong and the National University of Singapore CUHK Peter W. Ferretto Kristof Crolla Sebastian Law Patrick Hwang Bruce Lonnman Christopher Bene Kan Chan Caroline Wßthrich NUS Erik L’Heureux NCA Nelson Chen

Topical Studies in Design Theory Bending Active Gridshells U6 Design Studio U5 Design Studio U4 Design Studio U3 Design Studio U2 Design Studio U1 Design Studio

Design 8 Studio

Nelson Chen Architects

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(+852) 60710819 https://issuu.com/ethanchiang97 ethanchiang97@gmail.com