[OUTDATED] Irene Lee | Portfolio 2024 | Waterloo Architecture

i6lee@uwaterloo.ca (289)-828-4984

Hello! I’m Irene,

and I am a second year student at the University of Waterloo School of Architecture.

I believe design can be used to elevate the voices of individuals while responding to the needs of the community. As such, I am interested in how narrativedriven architecture can create spaces of belonging and growth. Through the exploration of quality craft, community engagement and sustainable design, I aspire to design architecture that promotes resilient communities and thoughtful exchange of ideas.

I am excited to learn and pursue these subjects with you and your firm, and I hope you enjoy my selection of curated works.

Territorial Acknowledgement

I respectfully acknowledge that my work takes place on the traditional lands of the Neutral, Anishinaabeg and Haudenosaunee peoples. Our campus is situated on the Haldimand Tract, land belonging to the Six Nations that includes 10 km on each side of the Grand River. I am grateful to be able to live and pursue an education on this land, and will strive to do so sustainably and respectfully.

Summary of Qualifications

Excellent graphic, visual and conceptual design skills gained through a year of architectural studies with multiple academic projects and competition entries. Proficiency in design software such as Rhinoceros and Adobe Suite

Strong problem solving skills and ability to work under pressure in fast-paced environments, demonstrated through consistent results in work and school, with both team and individual projects.

Work Experience

Jan. - Apr. 2024

Edmonton, AB

DIALOG

Architecture Student

Developed renderings, design iterations and drawings for various commercial and mixed-use projects.

May - July 2023

Pyeongtaek, S. Korea

Mar. 2020 - Aug. 2023

Burlington, ON

Other Experience

May 2024 - present

Cambridge, ON

Jan. 2023 - present

Cambridge, ON

Nov. 2022 - Mar. 2023

Cambridge, ON

Sep. 2018 - Apr. 2022

Oakville, ON

Sep. 2019 - Mar. 2020

Burlington, ON

Education

Sep. 2022 - present

Cambridge, ON

Sep. 2018 - Jun. 2022

Waterdown, ON

Won Architecture

Student Intern

Created Sketchup models from CAD drawings for a school addition project. Developed views for presentation sets.

Private Tutor (Self-employed)

Tutored students from grades 4-9 in multiple subjects including math and English. Helped ESL students improve English speaking, writing and reading skills.

Digital Rhinoceros

Adobe Ps, Ai, Id, Lr

Revit

Enscape

Sketchup

Twinmotion

Fabrication

Laser Cutting Woodworking

3D Printing

Analog

Physical Modelling

Hand Drafting

Sketching

Languages

English (fluent)

Korean (fluent)

Waterloo Architecture Run Club

Coordinator

BRIDGE Centre for Architecture + Design

Media & Events Team Member

University of Waterloo

Open House & Admissions Week Volunteer

Oakville Symphony Youth Orchestra

Concertmaster, Youth Band Assistant

Art Gallery of Burlington

Educational Assistant

University of Waterloo - Candidate

Bachelor of Architectural Studies, Honours Co-op

Waterdown District High School

Ontario Secondary School Diploma

Distinctions

Highest Academic Standing in 1A University of Waterloo Jun. 2023

First in Class

Engineering Scholarship University of Waterloo Apr. 2023

General Proficiency Award - First Class Standing

Waterdown District High School Jun. 2022

President’s Scholarship of Distinction

University of Waterloo May. 2022

Russell G. Woods

Memorial Arts Award

Waterdown District High School

2022

2024 June 14th

To whom it may concern,

As a Senior Architect registered in Alberta, I had the distinct pleasure of serving as Irene Lee’s Practice Mentor during her time in our studio from January to April 2024. Having observed her growth and contributions firsthand, I am fully convinced of her exceptional intelligence, talent, and potential to positively impact the architectural profession.

Irene’s visual communication skills were remarkably advanced for someone at her level of experience. Beyond her proficiency with the latest design and rendering software, what truly set Irene apart was her innate ability to grasp the essence of each study, drawing, or render and effectively tailor the visuals to convey the intended message. Her attention to detail and strong aesthetic sense ensured that her work was not only effective but also visually stunning.

Although Irene is of a quieter nature, during studio design charrettes she consistently stood out when she chose to engage in discussions. Her well-considered questions, posed at just the right moments, sparked lively debates, and demonstrated her deep understanding of the topics at hand. Her ability to express opposing opinions respectfully was a catalyst for deeper exploration of ideas, making her contributions highly valued amidst the myriad voices in the room.

Irene’s work ethic and eagerness to learn were exemplary. She consistently went above and beyond, especially when faced with tight deadlines, working late into the evening to ensure our team’s preparedness for the next day. Irene's proactive approach to seeking out learning opportunities, both within our office and in the broader architectural community, demonstrated her readiness and enthusiasm for the challenges of the working environment.

Irene's positivity and team spirit made her an indispensable part of our studio. Her ability to find joy in the journey of a project and work effectively in team settings spoke volumes about her character and leadership potential.

Given her demonstrated abilities, dedication, and the positive impact she had on our practice, I wholeheartedly recommend Irene Lee for any position on your team.

I am available for any further information you may require.

Sincerely,

Lauren Staples, Architect AAA LEED® AP Associate

Sul.

Program

Supervisor(s)

Location

Lola Sheppard, Sam Eby

Toronto, ON December 2023

Completed Museum

As a “living archive of lost things,” this museum of traditional Korean liquor seeks to preserve and revitalize the craft of homebrewing while providing a space for community engagement and intergenerational connection to take place.

Sul is the Korean word for alcoholic beverage, not only reserved for merriment and revelry but also a medium with which sacred rituals are conducted. Sul blesses the union between a couple getting married, is offered to passed ancestors during ancestral rites to receive good fortune, and honours deities while celebrating seasonal customs and the lunar cycle.

This museum includes an event space, exhibition spaces, several courtyards featuring pools of water to honour the history and traditions related to this craft, a taste-testing bar, and most importantly, a workshop space for hands-on learning and artisnal practice.

Located in a busy urban setting where many cultures intersect, this museum acts as a vessel of Korean culture and craft, a space for learning, experience and connection.

Azalea Rice

Ginseng

Insamju

Dugyeonju

Makgeolli

Solsunju

Gukhwaju

Munbaeju

Igangju

Gamhongro

Longan Arillus Dried Tangerine

Clove Buds Cinnamon

Ginger Liquorice Root

Bokbunjaju

Maesilju

Chrysanthemum

Pine Sprouts

Green Plums

Sorghum

Millet

Pear

Turmeric Cinnamon

Bokbunja (Korean black raspberries)

Jang-ddok

Clay pot used for fermentation and storage

Extrude

Three solid forms create double-height spaces.

Puncture & Encircle

A wooden screen wraps around the forms, in reference to traditional Korean architecture.

Poseokjung

Old ritual from the Silla Kingdom of floating a cup of wine around a path of water.

Spatial Sequence

Pools of water guide users from one space to the next.

CONCEPT DIAGRAM

EXTERIOR VIEW FROM SOUTH SIDE

History Exhibition

Jangddok Garden N

MAKING PROCESS EXHIBITION

ROOFTOP GARDEN

The difficult, laborious process of brewing is highlighted through the central placement of the workshop/brewery, with adjacencies into most other key spaces that offer views into the workshop. The taste-testing bar is located in such a way that one must encounter and learn about the history, origins and making process before being able to taste the drinks.

Archway

Program

Supervisor(s)

Location

Completed

Pedestrian Bridge

James Clarke-Hicks Kitchener, ON January 2023

Spanning 30 metres, this pedestrian bridge was designed to replace an existing bridge located in Victoria Park, a prominent location in Kitchener, Ontario. This project seeks to integrate itself into the natural landscape while creating a timeless landmark of passage and rest. The combination of wood and steel arches is an attempt at an elegant display of structure and connection details, as well as representing the diverse natural landscape located within an urban site.

1. Passing space 1400 mm

2. Rest area with possible side transfer

3. 2500 mm turning diameter

4. Span: 30 000 mm

5. Entrance width 2500 mm

6. Lookout point width 3500 mm

7. Firm, stable and grip-resistant floor

3. HSS arch to CHS detail - worm’s-eye view

4. C-channel to foundation detail

Legend

a. Cedar shingles on plywood

b. 80 mm circular hollow section (CHS) frame

c. 400 mm glulam arches

d. 150x250 mm wood beams - 1500 mm o.c.

e. 100x100 mm square hollow structural steel (HSS)

f. 30x40 mm metal handrail with cable railings

g. 120 mm CHS

h. Seating area

i. Wood veneer deck on 12.7 mm plywood

j. 240x95 mm C-channels

k. 200x150 mm HSS - 1500 mm o.c.

l. Concrete foundation

1. Glulam arch to foundation detail

2. HSS arch to glulam arch detail - worm’s-eye view

The steel arches frame views out towards the park. A seating space in the centre of the bridge provides a space for rest and quiet relaxation. The two glulam arches are the main load-bearing structure for this bridge, with smaller steel arches that hold up the frame of HSS under the deck. It is also designed with full accessibility in mind, with a gentle slope, level area in the middle, and seating with possible side transfer from a wheelchair.

1. Railing at 900 mm

2. Head clearance 3600 mm

3. 1:16 slope

4. Level area

Fjord Sauna

Program Location Competition

Collaborator Completed

Floating Sauna

Nærøyfjord, Norway

Scandinavian Fjords Underwater Floating Sauna Competition

Sylvana Kam

June 2024

Located in the rugged landscape of Norway’s Nærøyfjord UNESCO World Heritage Site, this floating underwater sauna seeks to create a unique sensory experience where users can immerse themselves in the natural surroundings.

Light, shadow and colour are emphasized through a limited material palette and simple form. A seemingly continuous wall of glazing that extends below the water’s surface allows views outward to the serene landscape, providing space for relaxation, restoration and contemplation.

Rhino 7 / Adobe Ps, Ai, Id

SITE PLAN

Different qualities of light create unique sensory experiences in each space. The underwater sauna is the highlight of this project, where users can observe local wildlife under the water’s surface. The stairs located between two vertical forms emphasize the descent below the surface.

SAUNA INTERIOR

Program Supervisor(s)

Location

Competition

Collaborator Completed Crest

Amphitheatre

Terri Boake

Burlington, ON CISC Architecture Student

Design Competition

Nara Kang April 2023

Burlington’s lakeshore is a vibrant and diverse urban community. The site, Spencer Smith Park, is in close proximity to cultural centres such as the Burlington Performance Arts Centre and the Art Gallery of Burlington, and is located in between downtown Burlington and Lake Ontario. As such, this park serves as a cultural and recreational hub for the city.

As the site of Ontario’s largest free music festival, the Sound of Music Festival, Lakeshore Amphitheatre can accommodate the sizable audience expected to gather. Its form resembles a wave bridging the lake and city, and the central mast is not only a structural element but also a landmark in a growing urban environment. With distinct curved openings that frame view to the lake and an elegant steel canopy, this proposed performance space creates a beautiful setting for entertainment and connection.

Featured in UWSA’s Projects Review 2023

LAKESHORERD.

LAKEONTARIO

The amphitheatre utilizes the natural topography of the site for the sloped seating. A mesh-like frame of HSS and a fritted ETFE cover protect users from sunlight and rain. The audience faces the lake for optimal views.

Polyphonic

Program Supervisor(s)

Location

Completed

Library & Music Centre

Isabel Ochoa, David Correa

Toronto, ON April 2023

Polyphony: “a style of musical composition employing two or more simultaneous but relatively independent melodic lines”

- Merriam Webster

Dictionary

This library and music centre challenges the expectations of a traditional library as not only a space for collection and perusal of texts, but as a place for active exchanges of ideas and bustling noise contrary to the expected soundless library.

Music has always connected people, and in an ever-growing urban landscape such as this site in the Don Valley Parkway, it is crucial to maintain this connectivity found through cultural activities. The project allows any user to celebrate the beauty of music with a performance hall, vinyl cafe, practice rooms and instrument borrowing service, as well as a wide catalogue of music-related resources like scores, recordings and history books.

Featured in UWSA’s Projects Review 2023

7 / Adobe Ps, Ai, Id / Enscape

ACCESSIBILITY DIAGRAM

The performance hall is fully accessible and is a versatile space that can cater to various types and sizes of performances. The back wall of rotating panels can be fully closed for sound and light control, or opened into the courtyard space beyond to encourage flow and connection to the urban life outside. MORPHOLOGY

Exterior Courtyard

VINYL CAFE INTERIOR VIEW

The second floor, mainly consisting of practice rooms, instrument storage and stage balcony, is shifted over to create an accessible green roof and provide light to the main library space below.

Other Works

Supervisor(s)

Collaborators Completed Puppet Theatre

Linda Zhang

Rachel Jia, Matthias Pahlavi November 2023

Library & Private Residence

Fiona Lim Tung Cambridge, ON December 2022

Program Supervisor(s) Location Completed Forest Library House

Check-out/Admin

Stairs to loft area

Private entrance 5. Path to main trail

Featured in UWSA’s Riverside Gallery Student Works 2022

An exploration of verticality and light, this pavilion is structured within a simple cubic frame from which all of the elements hang. There is a clear hierarchy in the size of the columns and beams, with the main frame being the largest. The Forest Library House stemmed from this pavilion as its source of tectonic language and spatial organization.

My favourite moment in this project is shown on the left. These delicate, interwoven members are the thinnest of the pieces used. Located immediately to the right of the entrance and across from the gathering space, the vertical pieces extend below the floor of the ground level, creating a sense of depth and mystery.