Katherine Lai Undergraduate Portfolio

k at he r i ne lai

[design + research | compilation + thesis]

undergraduate portfolio

curriculum vitae Education

University of Virginia School of Architecture

sept 2010 may 2014

Community as a Classroom | UVA Architecture in Ghana | Maurice Cox

june 2012 july 2012

Bachelor of Science in Architecture [expected: May 2014]

A study abroad program to Cape Coast, Ghana that engaged the local community in a design/build installation eventually culminating in a painted sidewalk.

Belmont Vortex Competition | Hub step | UVA School of Architecture | Winner of the Eduardo Arroyo Award

jan 2012

Hub Step proposed a conceptual design for a webbed surface that would act as a bridge transportation hub, and new public space, thus becoming a joint between the Downtown Mall of Charlottesville and the Belmont neighborhood.

Pulications

Monster Studio Compilation | Editor | Ghazal Abbasy

an in-school publication of student work done during the course of the semester

Vortex 02: the rivanna river | Editor | Inaki Alday

this book documents the Vortex 02 competition at the SARC. it serves as both a compilation of all the proposals and a thesis on the relationship of architecture and urbanism to the land

Skills:

CAAD Programs | Rhino, Sketchup, AutoCAD, Microstation, V-Ray, Maxwell Parametrics | Grasshopper Graphics | Illustrator, InDesign, Photoshop, Physical skills | Model Making, Woodshop, Laser cutting Publication | Formatting, Printing, Binding, Cutting

may 2013

sept 2013 may 2014

katherine lai

2021 ivy road, apt A5, charlottesville, VA 22903 ksl5yr@virginia.edu | 973.632.9962

Experience:

Research Assistant | obdl.org | Emily Williamson

june 2013 july 2013

SARC Press Room | University of Virginia School of Architecture

may 2013 june 2013

Worked within a local Muslim community on the implementation of rainwater collection system, as well as a series of vocational workshops.

Formatted material for publication, as well as fabricated them for sale [print, cut, bind]. Participated in 3 school publications: Lunch 8, Paper Matters, and compilation book for a studio.

Extern | Studio Gang

Built a working model and made a site plan for a new project for Beloit College.

Teaching Experience:

Teaching Assistant | ARCH 2710: 3D Geometrical Modeling and Visualization | Earl Mark

jan 2013

sept 2013 dec 2013

Taught a group of twelve students how to navigate within a 3-D CAAD system, through the modeling, rendering, and animation of chosen architectural case study.

Teaching Assisstant | ARCH 1010: Lessons of the Lawn | Peter Waldman

jan 2014 may 2014

Teaching Assisstant | ARCH 1030: Foundation Studio | Anselmo Canfora and Nicolas Knodt

jan 2014 may 2014

Co-lead a discussion for a group of 10 first-year students, teaching them fundamental compositional, diagramming, and writing skills as related to architecture.

Facilitate in teaching a group of 16 first year students foundational techinical skills such as drafting, 3D modeling, paraline drawing, model making, and hybrid compositional strategies in their first studio.

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Introverted | Extroverted

contents

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23 32 42

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Constucting the Sahn

Parasitic Hydrology

Marriott Doomsday Inn

[introverted | extroverted]

studio: arch 3020 | monster studio instructors: robin dripps + ghazal abbasy partner: ephraim chaney This studio sought to rigorously critique current urban housing as it exists in the dense, contemporary cities. In doing so, it raised this question: how can the architectural discipline design hybridized typologies and programs of housing that would in turn generate new ways of living and experienced the modern city? the catalytic mixing of the different spatial conditions produces the monster, an entirely new mode of living.

view of lightwell from interior courtyard 7

studies in typology

gradients of privacy

the first part of the studio was devoted to precedent studies on examples of different forms of dense, urban housing. analysis of gradients of privacy,

circulation, organization of program, public space, and hybridity were diagramed by hand.

Using these parameters, I studied Sky Village, by MDRDV, and isolated the spatial logic that determined the aggregation and organization of the building.

Each precedent study was categorized as either a block, slab, tower, or mat. Using the logic deduced from the Sky Village, a tower, I applied the steps to the other three typologies, allowing the rational to drive the generation of form

no module is more than 2 units away from circulation core

modules are subtracted from bottom and added to top

tower typology 2u

2u

2u

block typology

slab typology

mat typology

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Zoning Requirements for Site 

zoning requirements for site  48.

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site dimensions: area 10831 sq ft



Zoning District: M1-5A

Zoning District: M1-5A

FAR: 5.0

Terracing on Southern Edge

FAR: 5.0

Building occupies 100% of the plot footprint

Woost er

St

Total Allowable Area: 54155 sq ft

Total Allowable Area: 54155 sq ft Number of Floors: 5

Number of Floors: 10

Open Space: 0 sq ft

Open Space: 5400 sq ft

Tower Formation: Standard Form

Tower Formation: Block-like tower

Plot Divided into two zones: One tower on each plot with a rear backyard

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Building Height Steps Down on the Site Block

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Tower Formation: Private Interior Cou

Towers terrace inwards to allow more light into an open courtyard

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Stack floors to allow for outdoor space

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19

 

Courty more Total Allowable Area: 54155 sq ft

Total Allowable Area: 54155 sq ft

Number of Floors: 15

Number of Floors: 16

Open Space: 10000 sq ft

Open Space: 12000 sq ft

massing studies based on zoning Curvilinear form instead of Terracing Building Height Steps Down on the Site Block

Total Allowable Area: 54155 sq ft

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Total Allowable Area: 54155 sq ft

Total Allowable Area: 54155 sq ft

Number of Floors: 9

Number of Floors: 9

Number of Floors: 14

Open Space: 7000 sq ft

Open Space: 6000 sq ft

Open Space: 10000 ft

Tower Formation: Rotated for Views

Central tower: Terrace Towards Street Fronts and Southen Edge

Towers start to rotate, framing views outwards

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greater terracing along southern exposure to increase access to sunlight

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Stack tower towards center to accomodate for the sky exposure plane

Smooth, rather than terraced facade

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Woost er

Central tower: Terrace Towards Street Fronts

yard on the interior becomes private Total Allowable Area: 54155 sq ft Number of Floors: 16 Open Space: 15000 sq ft

Total Allowable Area: 54155 sq ft Number of Floors: 16 Open Space: 11000 sq ft

Total Allowable Area: 54155 sq ft Number of Floors: 16 Open Space: 12000 sq ft

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what evolved from the series of studies was a model of urban housing organized around a public

core [a series of interconnected plazas and spaces open for public use] and semipublic series of workshops nested in a scafolding system that are occupied and used by the people living above. Taking into account gradients of privacy and hybridization of

program, the scheme becomes an interior facing street, enlivening the public core with activity that the inhabitants can view from their apartments.

longitudinal section perspective 13

View of facade from Wooster St.

circulation diagram

Circulation Diagram

Circulation Diagram

platform circulation

Circulation Diagram

Secondary Systems of Platforms

Vertical Circulation for Residents

Secondary Circulation through Public Core

Circulation Diagram

vertical circulation

Vertical Circulation for Residents

Circulation through Public Core

Vertical Circ

public core Circulation through Public Core

Circulatio

full building

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l. 1

floor plans

public courtyard

l. 2

l. 3

l. 4

l. 5

l. 6

l. 7

stairs between the upper residential area 17

public space: hybrid function

public space: subd

Plinth Marking Entrance to Unit

Partition Allowing for Privacy Sleeping Area Living Area

Bathroom

two story apartment unit exploded program diagram

division

public space: performance

hybrid spaces Bedroom

Bathroom

Living Area

Entrance

situated in SoHo, Manhattan, the proposed hybridized housing scheme draws upon SoHo’s history. Having accomodated programs such as light

industrial and artist lofts, contemporary SoHo is

characterized as an neighborhood for a younger, more creatively oriented demographic. the scheme’s apartment units are small, designed to house a single individual, with a small outdoor space attached to each unit. the building as a whole functions as a

live-work model of housing, with workshop space, retail shops, artists studios that can be used the residences living in the apartment units above.

one story apartment unit

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interior view across the space

transverse section perspective 21

[marriott doomsday inn]

studio: arch 3010 | the end instructor: matthew jull partner: margaret brennen

of the world as we know it

In the event of an apocalypse, the collapse of societal order, what would people do? What new ways of living would emerge? Could people keep some amount of luxury and security in the face of societal collapse? The studio began with this inquiry: with the assumption

that the end of the world would happen in dec. 2012, as a designer, what is the architectural reaction to impeding crisis?

post-apocalyptic view of the marriott doomsday inn 23

speculative models: the semester first began with an intense period of speculation, culminating in the production of a series of study models imagining how people react to feelings of uncertainty through spatial means. upon moving into the design realm, the models became studies on concept, organization of program, circulation, and form. the reactionary spatial logic developed was a maze of interstial

spaces nested within a banal appearing structure.

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program and form from the speculative studies, the spatial scheme that emerged was a labyrinth-like series of

“prepper� programs nested within another a seemingly ordinary structure. the interstitial spaces appeal to the paranoid preppers because they are heavily reinforced spaces; within these rooms, programs such as artillery, hoarding spaces, and different living accomodations that achieve the necessary safety qualifications for different typologies of preppers were organized such that the preppers could co-exist with non-paranoid guests without the latter every realizing. there were three layers of protection in place: material protection, camouflage, and desired program that would allow for the preppers to hide in plain sight while they watched the world self-destruct.

Marriott Residence Inn: 105000 sq ft

Utilities: 20000v sq ft

Marriott DoomsDay Inn 40000 sq ft

Active Space 28000 sq ft

Hotel Program

Active Prepper Space

Prepper Living Space

Circulation

Hotel Rooms: 25000 sq

Circulation: 10000 sq

Lobby/Lounge: 1000 sq

Hotel Services (Dining, pool, etc) : 9000 sq

Prepper Suites: 5000 sq

Hotel Program

Gold Member rooms: 2000 sq Earthquake rooms: 2000 sq Basic rooms: 2000 sq

Active Prepper Space

Panic Rooms 12000 sq ft

Garden Rooms:2000 sq

Prepper Living Space

Circulation:1000 sq ft Clean room: 500 sq Medical Center: 1500 sq Surveillance: 1500 sq Armory/ Shooting Range: 1000 sq Evacuation Room: 1000 sq Broadcast Center 500 sq

Roof Garden: 10500 sq

Library/Archive: 10500 sq

Circulation

Residence Inn: 45000 sq

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The two systems, prepper and ordinary, exist intertwined, one only to be revealed in the event of catastrophe. One group lives in ignorant bliss, under the assumption that the world will remain the same, that safety is ensured. The prepper group however, is hidden in plain site, sleeping securely in reinforced bunkers, living in a semi-luxurious state that allows them to feed their paranoid fetishes. Here there is a weapons depot, viewing platforms that allow for surveillance of the outside world, and a living spaces that appeal to each unique paranoia.

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Special Key Card

Special Special Key Card Key Card

Special Key Card

Special Key Card

Special Key Card

day in the life the prepper’s daily rituals set them apart from the hotel guests. the sharp juxtaposition

of concerns and biases create a jarring mix of spaces and program. hotel rooms

are adjacent to the firing range. an observation room floats above the lobby. the intertwining spaces allo the preppers of keep constant surveillance of all rooms within the building and also of the surrounding city.

Hotel Room: Sleep/TV/etc

the hotel guests follow the standard practice of residing in a temporary residence. upon checking in, they are given a simple room with basic amenities [bed, bathroom]. communal luxuries such as the pool, spa, restaurant, and gym provided on the first floor.

Elevator/Stairs to room Check-in Eating/Dining Entrance Elevator/Stairs to room Exit

Leisure Activites: Pool/Gym

the preppers follow a specific process of entering and living in the hidden system. upon arriving at the hotel, they are given a card, which, from the elevator, takes them to the prepper floor, the entrance to the system. There are two different types of program: active and resting. the resting quarters are arranged vertically, connected directly by a stair core along the north wall. the active program snakes through the building, creating a specific sequence of spaces and functions that the preppers ritualistically follow.

Special Key Card

den Roof top Gar

Evacuation

Room

m Meeting Roo

ge Shooting Ran

m Medical Roo

Operations

Room

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living quarters

living quarters

shooting range

facing theaters

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[parasitic hydrology]

studio: arch2020 | urban studies instructor: robin dripps + brad schuck partner: emily ashby

in lynchburg

a study in the urban condition, this introductory studio required

intense mapping, analysis, and exploration of the city, lynchburg, through the eyes of a chosen character, the parasite. interpreting the character of the parasite as a human child, the city was studied and re-understood as a both a playful, tactile playground and a performative landscape. children are inherently reliant on their caregivers for

sustenace. yet children are rich in imagination, and are able to give or re-interpret program and significance to objects and things that have none. A muddy puddle after a summer thunderstorm is a ripe with stories to tell and games to play for a child.

mapping density of crime in lynchburg

of Privacy

ding Heights

perspective of child vs adult

Program: Level of Privacy

Usable Roofs

Conglomeration Usable Roofs Gradient

Edge Conglomeration: Narrowing Focus

Building Heights Program: Level of Privacy Usable Roofs

degree of privacy

Building Heights

Conglomeration building

heights

Conglomeration

usable roofs

Gradie Conglo Narrow

pathology of child and city lynchburg can be characterized as an aged industrial town; tucked into the embankment of the james river, the city’s streets are incredibly steep. The combination of the sharp grade and the rusted presence of the formerly industrial buildings creates interesting nooks and crannies in the city that any child would be eager to explore.

winding alleys, worn textures, and shaded, wet alcoves [much like grottos] provide the backdrop for a child to reimaging this sleep town.

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model of rooftop landscape

overall model

rooftop landscape to transform downtown lynchburg into a fully functioning watershed that also allows for and encourages interaction and activity in the vertical section of the city; the roofs develop a triangluar geometry that funnels water to appropriate channels, cleaning and pooling it to create refreshing, cooling moments on the street. the roofs are shaped such that they direct water, much like an organic landscape, towards the pipes that carry the water to runnels that run adjacent to the street. The new triagulated panenlled roof shapes underside, creating different spaces with multiheight interior conditions that allow for different programs.

Wind

Precipitation

Redis

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Evaporation

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Returned to Water Feature

Piped to Cistern

Wa ter

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Interacted with Children

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Water Use

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Runoff from Streets

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elevation of downtown lynchburg with stitched brick diagram

thickened surface of parts� that pull on the existing language in lynchburg [composite brick laying methods, exposed trusses and beams] and added elements to create

and active ground level, roofscape, and inbetween condition. the kit of parts creates a woven, highly textured, thinken surface that covers the downtown of lynchburg, turning the area into a vibrant landscape to be inhabited by child and adult alike.

inter gram re-pro

pipe

the system utilizes a kind of “kit

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above: a view of the new streetscape right: interior perspective

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[constructing the sahn]

studio: design thinking: syrian refugee crisis instructor: megan suau the studio was based on the premise that the architectural method of thinking [the iterative design process] is one that can and should be applied to other disciplines. Called a design thinking research studio, the studio took an ongoing problem in the world and asked how the design of architecture,

process, and policy could begin to expand our understanding of how we as students could act in the world. the ongoing civil war in syria has generated an over 2 million refugees, a quarter of which have been displaced to jordan. to accomodate the enormous influx of people, a refugee camp was founded at the border between syria and jordan called Za’atari. despite how long the syrian crises has been going on, the camp remains a collection of tent and caravans. It has become a city unto itself, yet has none of the infrastructure in place to support the 120000 people currently housed there.

a new cultural landscape for za’atari the brutal climate of the desert, coupled with the unsanitary, crowded, and unsecure environment creates an incredibly stressful environment for the refugees, who have already escaped a lifetime of trauma. the proposal involved the use of water and landscape, to create a system of landscaped terraces that slow the flow of water, cleaning and collecting it. plugged into this system would be a series of public spaces [school,

religious institutions, gardens] all designed around the Islamic typology of the courtyard or sahn.

existing city

market space

public spaces

desired direction of water flow

areas to be lifted

public | recreation space

designated water collection

residential neighborhoods

new topography water collection system 47

research phase operating from an insurmountable distance both geographically and culturally, the research phase of this project was essential for understanding the environment of the refugee camp and the health and psychological state of the refugees within the camp. It was discovered that the Z’atari Refugee Camp shared a number of qualities with a prison: limited mobility, limited resources, suspended rights, and a banal environment. coupled with

health problems, both mental and physical, a positive feedback loop was created where the negative environment generates health problems which in turn contributes to adding to the tension in the camp. the refugees, displaced from their heritage and home through violence, were

placed into an environment that furthered the isolation and alientation, making it a prime breeding ground for more violence: terrorist groups such as Al Qaeda have used the camp for the purposes of recruitment. given the fact that over 50% of the refugees in Za’atari are children, the design prompt that emerged was this: Za’tari

is fostering the new Lost Generation of the Middle East. What can me done to help these children heal the sense of anger and injustice that consumes them so they can reassimilate with society upon the end of the war? How can the space of the refugee camp become a landscape that provides for and heals these refugees?

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current conditions on site

caravans: arranged in imposed cartesian gr bathrooms: communal, arranged in rows along edge of block

tents: infilled at the edges of the block kitchens: communal, arranged in a row at the edge of the block

an rid

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sectional model + map

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study of sahn typology

residential compound

hypostyle hall

indoor bazaar

iwan mosque or school

garden courtyard

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transformation of existing sahn typology

traditional typology of courtyard [iwan]

landscape typology of space

image of space and function

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Planted Beds Pool of Water 5m

5m

5m

5m

Pixel

Pixel

Pixel in the Camp Constructed Wetlands

WATER FILTRATION

Sandy Pixel inbed the Camp Containment Pool

Planted Beds

Constructed Wetlands

Planter bed

WATER FILTRATION

Planted Beds

Pool of Water

Hardscape Walkable areas Allowance for Crossing Sandy bed

Planted Beds Containment Pool

Allowance for Crossing

Hardscape Walkable areas

Stairs

WALKABLE PIXELS

Shade + Privacy

Shading

WALKABLE PIXELS

Stone Pixel

Shade + Privacy

Agriculture

Courtyard: sunken greenscape

Courtyard: Hardscape

Gathering

Shading

Stairs

Sunken Pixel

Stone Pixel

Courtyard: sunken greenscape

Sunken Pixel

Agriculture Courtyard: Hardscape

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current section

proposed section

residential | collection point

buffer zone

fountain | gathering

public space blackwater

bathing

composting

collection tank

ablution fountain

what emerged from the research was the knowledge that the refugees were in dire need of tactile stimulus and protection from the harsh desert environment. this new landscape would provide shade, color, recreational space, agriculture, and worship space for the refugees. Taking the flat, barren existing condition, the proposal, through the process of moving of earth, constructing

wetlands and the design of public space, creates cultural landscape that generates different outdoor rooms and soothing, multisensory microclimates.

water filtration | terracing

watershed

agriculture

5m terracing module

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thank you katherine lai