Portfolio_Like Gu

EDUCATION

May. 2022 - Jun. 2024

Rhode Island School of Design|RI

Master of Design, Interior Architecture Adaptive Reuse Program RISD Fellowship 2022-2024

Aug. 2018 - May. 2022

Miami University|OH

Bachelor of Fine Arts, Interior Design Fashion Minor Dean's List 2020-2021

EXPERIENCE

Jun. 2023 - Aug. 2023

LIKE GU

INTERIOR ARCHITECT

CONTACT

Providence|RI 513.371.3650

gulike98@gmail.com

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/like-gu-793b31218

HBA (Hirsch Bedner Associates) | Interior Design Intern

• Conducted in-depth research to choose distinctive materials and furniture for various hotel areas, enhancing the brand identity and customer experience.

• Collaborated closely with senior designers on three hotel renovations, focusing on selecting FF&E that aligned with each hotel's unique standards and style.

• Developed material sample boards to simplify complex design concepts for clients and to obtain clients’ trust and satisfaction, while coordinating vendors for quality and timely delivery.

• Fine-tuned construction documents using Bluebeam and AutoCAD, ensuring accuracy and project compliance to requirements.

DESIGN EXPERIENCE

May. 2021 - July. 2021

Beach Themed Cafe Design Challenge|Indonesia

• Skillfully blended local characteristic materials with modern architectural elements, respecting local cultural custom.

• Led project planning and task distribution, ensuring completion within a challenging three-week period, leveraging asynchronous communication to overcome time zone differences.

ASSISTANTSHIP

Aug. 2023 - Dec. 2023

Building Structures, Systems, Reuse|RISD

• Guided 25 students through their structural bridge models, and analyzing the characteristics and areas for improvement of each group's project.

• Distributed tasks and ensured clear communication of requirements to students, contributing to a well-coordinated educational environment.

Feb. 2023 - Jun. 2023

Digital Technologies|RISD

• Provided comprehensive support to around 50 students in resolving various software-related issues, enhancing their technical proficiency and problem-solving skills.

• Organized educational workshops for around 25 students to familiarize them with functionalities of modelling software tools like Rhino and Revit, facilitating practical learning and skill development.

A CAFÉ BAR IN BALI

[ The connection between the observer and the observed within the space ]

Bali is renowned for its well-preserved culture, traditional architecture, customs, and religious practices, offering a refreshingly distinct contrast to much of the world. Its otherworldly allure rarely coincides with discussions of construction booms, urbanization, or pollution. This project aims to weave Bali's local culture and materials into the design of a contemporary café bar, reflecting the evolving social roles and functions of coffee shops in society's progression.

Location: Kabupaten Badung, Bali, Indonesia Group work (2 people) 2021.5-2021.8

TIMELINE

The earliest coffee houses were used to bring people together for religious purposes.

The frequent gathering of people has gradually turned coffee shops into places for communication.

LEGEND

As coffee becomes more popular in different countries, it is no longer a single-function place.

Cafes will also be used in different ways according to local conditions. Some will become stock exchanges, and some will become gentlemen's clubs.

The emergence of FMCG brands brings high-quality coffee to the public at lower prices.

With more mature coffee craftsmanship, people can taste coffee from all over the world and rest in a comfortable environment.

This café is a dynamic space that combines active and static elements, enhancing the visitor experience. In the summer, it features a paddling pool for entertainment, which transitions into an outdoor dining area in the winter.

Private Coffee Tasting Area (Left) Corridor on the Second Floor (Above)

PERSPECTIVE OF ARCHES AND WALLS

Along the perimeter of the courtyard there is a continuation of the roof, which serves as a canopy. In bright sunlight,the shadow from it creates shady corridors between the interior space and the "street".

FLEXIBLE APARTMENTS

[ Justice making sure everyone can have a safe and affordable place to live ]

In Pawtucket, there is a growing need for flexible and adaptable housing that can accommodate the changing needs of individuals and families over time. To address this need, I create a new type of housing that is both beautiful and resilient called the Flexible Apartment. My understanding of the habitat of justice is that all people have the right to live in a well-designed and comfortable environment. A good living environment can bring people physical and mental relaxation, and enhance the interaction between people, buildings and the environment.

THE STRATEGY

3+household is more common locally, and the exterior walls are made of wooden boards. It can be environmentally friendly while enhancing thermal insulation performance and reducing energy consumption.

There is less green environment around the site. Therefore, retaining the original trees on the site as much as possible and creating a comfortable green environment can better make people live here.

Stone bricks can play a certain role in fire prevention and heat preservation as exterior walls. Geometric shadows can also be produced under different lighting conditions.

Bricks as cladding for apartments are not common in the area. But it has good fire protection and heat preservation capabilities. At the same time, it also has a certain blocking ability against external noise.

GARDEN PERSPECTIVE

As residents stroll through the garden, they'll be enveloped by a sense of well-being, thanks to the surrounding tranquil environment. The garden's expansive balconies and generously-sized windows allow sunlight to flood in, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere. Good design is a universal right, serving not just to please the eye but to soothe the soul and mend the spirit. This philosophy underscores the belief that thoughtful design can significantly enhance quality of life and contribute to physical and emotional healing.

INTERIOR PERSPECTIVE

Wood materials play a crucial role in affordable housing by offering a comfortable and cost-effective living environment. Thanks to their natural insulation properties and lower energy consumption during production, wood structures are ideal for sustainable and low-cost construction. Furthermore, ample natural light not only optimizes indoor temperatures and comfort, reducing the need for artificial lighting and air conditioning but also lowers energy bills. Thus, combining thoughtful design with wood materials and maximizing natural light can create eco-friendly and affordable housing solutions, benefiting both residents and the environment.

HANDMADE MODEL

While improving the aesthetics, it can also provide residents with a comfortable environment. Can lower the temperature in summer.

Three walls form a semipublic area. The adjacent open area can be used for barbecues and other exterior activities to improve the quality of life.

ELEVATIONS

Providing residents with a place to relax and unwind, relieving stress while enhancing connections with the surrounding green environment.

DENIM'S REVIVAL 03

[Provide re-employment opportunities for local women]

Denim is a staple in my daily wardrobe, characterized by its indigo hue and distinctive twill weave, evoking timeless appeal. However, globalization and fast fashion have driven a surge in demand for affordable denim, resulting in the proliferation of subpar processing plants and environmental degradation. Guangzhou, China, a major denim exporter, sees many local women seeking employment in these facilities for livelihood. Location: Guangzhou, Guangdong, China

AXONOMETRIC SECTION

The proposed site of planning is established.

SITE ANALYSIS

A multifunctional mezzanine space connects two set of stairs.

The supporting structure of multiple metal columns forms a shared kitchen space which can provide employees with meals and rest.

SCULPTURE & DEVICES

The fluid device simulates the effect of paint flowing on jeans. Applying the device to the wall shows a richer sense of hierarchy.

The cleaning device simulates the washing process in a factory. The transparent shell allows visitors to see the process of denim color transformation more clearly.

MATERIAL BOARD

CHINA GUANGDONG GUANGZHOU

REGIONAL SPACE SELECTION

LOCAL DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY

KIOSKS

WALL BENCH STIRRING EQUIPMENT

WATER TRANSMISSION

INTERIOR PERSPECTIVE

Hope to reduce environmental damage through denim's recycling plant. Recycling wastewater for dyeing can reduce water consumption. And denim is not limited to the cloth used as clothing, but the texture and color of denim are applied to other objects and spaces.

[ Smoke, bubbles, and sound can briefly distract from worries and anxieties during interaction ]

In previous investigations, it was found that depression and anxiety have become common psychological diseases of modern people, and they are gradually becoming younger. Mental health is often overlooked and ignored by people. After understanding and communicating with many psychology students and psychologists, I found that the most effective treatment is to discover and comfort emotions in time when the people around us or ourselves have psychological anxiety or depression. This can avoid the harm of unhealthy psychology to the human body.

The site is located on the first floor of the K11 shopping mall in Shanghai. K11 is the first brand in the world to take the lead in integrating the three core elements of art, humanities and nature, perfectly combining and interacting with art appreciation, humanistic experience, and natural environmental protection, bringing out a life brand with unlimited creativity, freedom and personalization, and bringing the public to the public. Come to an unprecedented sensory experience. The installation will be placed at the entrance on the first floor and in the display area of the lobby as a pop-up display.

Axonometric View of First Floor

I: A boy was walking down the street with a stroller. Accompanied by the crying of children and the sound of horns one after another, the boy's heart is terrible. His original plan was accidentally disrupted. But at this time, in order to calm himself and the child's uneasy emotions, he decided to take the child to the mall.

II: After walking some distance along the road, he saw a middle-aged man sitting on the side of the road. He looks very depressed. After the boy sat next to him and comforted him for a while, he got up and left.

IV: The boy arrived at the mall and found a novel device. He pushed the stroller into the seat of the art installation. He touched the surface of the device with his hand, and then the inside of the device showed different colors. He walked to the device in the middle, and smoke bubbles burst out with the sound of water flowing. When the bubble touches the finger, the smoke escapes from the broken bubble and disappears into the air. He looked at the disappearing smoke, and suddenly felt that the anxiety in his heart disappeared like the smoke.

V: His heart is extremely comfortable. Then took the child home.

The soft mesh covers the surface of the device. It will follow the color of the device to produce different color gradients. Smoke bubbles are produced through the tube. With the sound effects of lights and water, people can feel the fusion of light and bubbles more immersively.

[ Disability should not be a stumbling block to creating art ]

In a conversation with a disabled artist, I learned about the societal barriers she faced. Inspired, I aimed to make CIT an inclusive art space. After surveying Rhode Island's disabled community, I found mobility, hearing, and vision impairments most common. I created six studios tailored to these needs, allowing artists to display and sell their work, generating their own revenue.

20%

10% MOBILITY

5% HEARING

5% VISION

40% DISABLED PEOPLE IN RHODE ISLAND

60% HEALTHY PEOPLE IN RHODE ISLAND

CONCEPT DIAGRAM

According to CDC statistics in 2021, nearly 40 percent of people with disabilities in Rhode Island have mobility difficulties, and 50 percent of people are hearing and visually impaired. In order to allow them to create better in this space and ensure their safety, this space has a wide field of view and a large number of mirrors to provide more information for the hearing-impaired, and to be able to observe the people around and behind them. Tables of different heights provide greater accessibility for wheelchair users. High-contrast colors and textures provide greater legibility for the visually impaired.

TEXTILE TEXTILE TEXTILE DIGITAL DIGITAL DIGITAL

PAINTING PAINTING PAINTINGSCULPTURE SCULPTURE SCULPTURE FASHION FASHION FASHION WOODSHOP WOODSHOP WOODSHOP

Perspective View of Digital Studio