Kaylan_Pham_Portfolio

KAYLAN PHAM selected works | 2024

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PENN CENTER PLATFORM fall 2024

CERAMIC 3D PRINTING summer 2024

DEEP DECORATION fall 2022

BEERSCAPE RETREAT fall 2023

CATALYST spring 2022

MEDIA + MODELING fall 2021

LEAF POD fall 2021

01

/ PENN CENTER PLATFORM / 2024

Exhibition hall rendering by Niknaz T.

STUDIO VII (fourth-year) Instructor: Danielle Willkens Partners: Niknaz Tillavaldyyeva, Kailey Williams This project transforms the Penn Center, a historic campus for vocational education, into a multipurpose, community-focused building that prioritizes local empowerment over visitor engagement. Designed as an amphibious structure, the building is built on vertical catchment systems, enabling it to float during floods and gradually recede as waters subside.

The building serves as a hub for economic development and resilience, featuring studios and incubator spaces to help locals monetize their skills, as well as offices, a wellness center, and an exhibition hall. A dedicated workshop for heavy machinery offers resources to restore buildings damaged by storms, reinforcing the community’s ability to rebuild and adapt.

By restoring the tradition of waterborne access and addressing the challenges of climate change, the structure becomes a place of refuge and opportunity. It honors the Penn Center’s legacy as a space for growth while embracing the future with resilience and purpose.

Physical model photographed at the dock of the Penn Center (site context), created by the author.

STRUCTURE DIAGRAM

existing house new steel channel reinforcement for sill beam existing sill beam

secondary steel framing to support buoyancy blocks steel double angle “T” beam buoyancy blocks screen for water-borne debris Marsh rendering by Niknaz T.

vertical guidance post Elizabeth English’s Buoyant Foundation Project addresses flooding by raising Louisiana shotgun homes with buoyant foundations, preserving their cultural heritage. A diagram was created to analyze and illustrate this adaptive strategy.

Galvanized Steel

- structural frame

provides a corrosion resistant foundation

Timber Framing

- encases the steel

frame, creating a secure interface for attaching other components

Wood Joists

- distributes weight

across the platform - allows easier modification of the floor layout

Wooden Platform

- finished with weather treated wood

Rendering of the entrance to the platform by Niknaz T. Structural diagrams drawn by the author, illustrating the design’s key elements.

PROGRAM DIAGRAM

FLOODING DIAGRAM

dock wellness center

exhibition hall studio cafe + welcome center

office incubator

workshop loading zone parking

Full team collaboration on diagrams.

Dock rendering by Niknaz T.

Cafe entrance rendering by Niknaz T.

SITE PLAN

Full team collaboration on site plan. Led by Kailey W.

Studio Site Map (4’ x 8’) | Surrounding site buildings and primary structure were modeled and 3D-printed by the author.

Exhibition Hall Trusses | Physical model showcasing structural details, constructed by the author.

Physical model (dimensions 2’ x 2’) showcasing structural details, constructed by the author.

02

/ CERAMIC 3D PRINTING / 2024

STUDIO V (fourth-year) Instructor: Katherine Wright Partner: Esteban Ramirez-Fregoso In this project, we used a pug mill to prepare the clay, ensuring consistency, de-airing, and recycling scrap clay. The clay was then loaded into a hopper and pressurized for continuous flow through the nozzle of a SCARA printer.

Using Rhino, we created support structures to ensure the stability of the bricks. In Grasshopper, we generated layer lines and converted them into g-code for the printer to read. Simulation tools enabled testing and refinement of the design before printing.

This project demonstrated the incredible potential of 3D ceramic printing in architecture.

By merging traditional craftsmanship with modern technology, it opens new possibilities for creating durable, custom structures with complex geometries that were previously difficult to achieve. This innovative approach can revolutionize the industry, enabling sustainable production and creative design solutions that push the boundaries of conventional building methods.

All photographs by the author. Full partner collaboration for coding and printing bricks.

03

/ DEEP DECORATION / 2022

STUDIO II (second-year) Instructor: Stuart Romm This project consists of a 9-story mixed-use building situated in Rocinha, Brazil, the largest hillside favela in Rio de Janeiro. Inspired by the mesmerizing patterns of girih tiles, the design explores the dynamic interplay of decagons, hexagons, bow ties, pentagons, and rhombuses, embracing a freeform approach that mirrors the lively spirit of the community.

Drawing from the principles of translational unity, seriality integration, and radial symmetry, the design weaves these elements together to create a visually striking building facade.

However, challenges arose with the incorporation of pentagons and rhombuses, leading to gaps and irregularities. To address this, secondary girih tiles were introduced strategically to fill the gaps and ensure a seamless flow across the entire facade.

With goals ranging from architectural innovation to community engagement and aesthetic appeal, this project seeks not only to redefine Rocinha’s architectural landscape but also to establish a lasting dialogue between traditional Islamic art and modern design.

CONFIGURATION PANEL

PHYSICAL CONFIGURATION MODEL DIMENSIONS 2’ x 1’ x 1’

FREE-FORM

SERPENTINE

REPETITION TRANSLATIONAL

RADIAL

PANEL EXPLORATION

SCALE 1’ = 1/16”

FLOOR 7

FLOOR 8

FLOOR 9

FLOOR 4

FLOOR 5

FLOOR 6

FLOOR 1

FLOOR 2

FLOOR 3

04

/ BEERSCAPE RETREAT / 2023

STUDIO IV (third-year) Instructor: Hazem Ziada Nestled beside the legendary Skútustaðagígar craters in Iceland, Sel Hotel, a cherished family-run establishment with a rich history, provides the ideal canvas for a groundbreaking multi-purpose facility.

The challenge was to design a new facility that seamlessly replaced the old building, housing essential functions such as the brewery, cafe snack bar, and souvenir shop. Adding a unique twist, we were tasked with introducing a key feature: the Beer Spa. My project challenges traditional longhouse design, encouraging participants to rethink communal gathering spaces. The innovative proposal introduces a central core, transforming and reinterpreting the concept of gathering.

The project incorporates the principles of voluntourism, emphasizing a connection with the local culture, environment, and communities. The approach uses 3D printing for the bottom floor, blending modern technology with traditional materials for the upper level.

TRAILS + ACTIVITIES

LINEAR EXPANSION OUTDOORS DURING SUMMER MONTHS (JUNE - SEPTEMBER)

ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION -

PLANT NATIVE VEGETATION WILDLIFE HABITAT ENHANCEMENT CURRENTLY: INSTALLING STRUCTURES TO ATTRACT AND SUPPORT DIVERSE FAUNA

PROGRAM + CIRCULATION

MONITORING + RESEARCH MONITORING + RESEARCH -

ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION -

PLANT NATIVE VEGETATION WILDLIFE HABITAT ENHANCEMENT CURRENTLY: INSTALLING STRUCTURES TO ATTRACT AND SUPPORT DIVERSE FAUNA

-

IDENTIFYING AND REMOVING INVASICE SPECIES EXAMINE WATER QUAITY FROM SURROUNDING LAKES BIRD SPECIES IDENTIFICATION CURRENTLY: MEASURING CHANGE IN THE GROUND AS MAGMA SHIFTS COLLECT VOLCANIC GAS FROM BOREHOLES USING FIBRE-OPTIC COMMUNICATION CABLES TO DETECT EARTHQUAKES

-

IDENTIFYING AND REMOVING INVASICE SPECIES EXAMINE WATER QUAITY FROM SURROUNDING LAKES BIRD SPECIES IDENTIFICATION

CURRENTLY: MEASURING CHANGE IN THE GROUND AS MAGMA SHIFTS COLLECT VOLCANIC GAS FROM BOREHOLES USING FIBRE-OPTIC COMMUNICATION CABLES TO DETECT EARTHQUAKES

PRIVATE BEER BATH TREATMENT ROOM RELAXATION LOUNGE SHOWER/CHANGING ROOM PUBLIC BREWERY/BEER TASTING CAFE SOUVENIR SHOP TRAINING WORKSHOP

HOTEL ACCESS

UTE

RO

848

EXISTING PARKING LOT

BEER WALL DETAIL

GLASS BLOCK (7” x 7”)

METAL FRAME

SIDER

BEER BOTTLE

VERTICAL LADDER ROD MASONARY MORTAR

HORIZONTAL LADDER ROD

RELAXATION LOUNGE

GROUND PLAN

TREATMENT PLAN FIRST FLOOR ROOMS

CAFE

SECTION A

SECOND FLOORMEDITAPLAN TION ROOM

BEER BATH AREA OUTDOOR RELAXATION LOUNGE BATHROOM

SECTION A

UP

STORAGE

TERRACE BELOW

UP

WORKSHOP

UP

RELAXATION UP LOUNGE

UP

SERVICE CORE

STORAGE

SERVICE

SERVICE CORE

CORE TREATMENT ROOMS

CAFE

MEDITATION ROOM

BEER BATH AREA BATHROOM UP

BREWERY

STORAGE

UP

WORKSHOP

UP

BEER TASTING

STORAGE

UP

UP

UP

SERVICE CORE

BREWERY

SECTION B SERVICE ENTRANCE

STORAGE

SERVICE ENTRANCE

RELAXATION LOUNGE

UP

STORAGE

SERVICE CORE

RELAXATION LOUNGE

SERVICE CORE

TERRACE BELOW

OUTDOOR BEER TASTING

BEER TASTING

TERRACE BELOW

OUTDOOR BEER TASTING

SCALE 1:1/8 0

1

2

3

4

5m

GROUND SITE PLAN

SECTION B

CAFE

UP

WORKSHOP

UP

SERVICE CORE

ENTRANCE FROM HOTEL

CAFE

BREWERY

UP

STORAGE

WORKSHOP

SERVICE ENTRANCE UP

ENTRANCE FROM HOTEL

SERVICE CORE

SCALE 1:1/8

SCALE 1:200 BREWERY

0

1

2

3

4

STORAGE

5m

0 SERVICE ENTRANCE

1

2

3

4

5m

Fire + Ice Experiment Instructor: Hazem Ziada This experiment explores the intersection of design agency and causality by visualizing interactions between the four states of matter—fire, water, earth, and air. Drawing inspiration from Iceland’s dynamic environment shaped by tectonic, volcanic, and glacial processes, the project connects natural phenomena with design.

Faraday Waves: a phenomenon of standing wave patterns in fluid induced by vertical vibrations, offer a visual representation of harmonic interactions.

Setup: Petri dish (black-painted for visibility) on a subwoofer, controlled by a laptop generating 50–120 Hz frequencies.

Fabrication: Captured 3D sound waves were modeled, 3D printed, molded in silicone, and cast in clear epoxy to create tangible, transparent representations of the waveforms.

The experiment visualized sound-fluid interactions and translated them into physical artifacts, revealing dynamic wave properties and inspiring integration of these principles into design.

50 Hz

55 Hz

- the number of concentric rings increase

- simple concentric circles are formed from the center towards the outsidee

75 Hz

60 Hz

80 Hz

70 Hz

65 Hz

- the delicate ripple resemble mandala

- the water begins to respond to sound

- the pattern starts to evolve into a

like shapes

waves in the middle (at the beginning),

complex shape that bounces around

but now it is coming from the outside

the edge of the dish

85 Hz

95 Hz

90 Hz

- the waves become irregular and

- the pattern resembles a sideways 8

- these clusters of crater-like holes

- the cluster of holes start to align

- the concentric circles are visible

seem to wander aimlessly e

(or the symbol for infinity)

start to appeare

creating a fractal pattern

underneath the new pattern, but it is a more complex geometry

100 Hz

105 Hz

- the concentric circles start to intersect each other and split up the infinite pattern

110 Hz

120 Hz

115 Hz

- a flower with 7 petals starts to

- the floral pattern disappears as the

- the lines of the concentric circles

- the water returns to its original state

emerge from the middle

concentric circles start to reappear

become more distinct

of tranquility

05

GROUND PLAN

/ CATALYST / 2022

SECTION B

STUDIO III (second-year) Instructor: Hayri Dortdivanlioglu SECTION A

This project is situated at the intersection of Auburn Avenue and Piedmont Avenue in Sweet Auburn. The area is fragmented and unconnected, but the community comes together during the two annual festivals in May and September, celebrating jazz, blues, R&B, rap, and hip hop.

In this unconventional space, the emphasis is on fostering a sense of unity through the universal language of music. The design encourages impromptu performances, providing a platform for local talents to shine. Moreover, when celebrities grace the venue, the rooftop transforms into a stage, amplifying the communal experience as they perform and connect with the diverse audience below.

AUBURN AVENUE

Catalyst is more than just an architectural marvel; it is a dynamic and inclusive space that celebrates the power of music to bring people together in the heart of Sweet Auburn.

PIEDMONT AVENUE

The sunken plaza hosts a unique cafe, breaking away from the typical elevated setting, while the speakeasy takes center stage, elevated above the norm. The innovative design connects these diverse spaces through a thoughtfully crafted atrium, creating a dynamic void that seamlessly links the top floor to the second.

SCALE 1’ = 1/16” N

SECTION B

SECTION B

SECTION A

GROUND FLOOR SCALE 1’ = 1/16” N

SECTION A

SECOND FLOOR SCALE 1’ = 1/16” N

SECTION A SCALE 1’ = 1/16” N

SECTION B SCALE 1’ = 1/16” N

06

/ MEDIA + MODELING / 2021

ARCH 2020 Instructor: Daniel Baerlecken voronoi diagram + two attractors

voronoi cell: used to scale component to create offset appearance interior variations: small and large

circles positioned at voronoi edge and vertex of voronoi cell; the radius corresponds with the attractor points

voronoi cell: used two scale components to make repeating patterns within the cell interior variations: small and large

populate 2D component (436) creates individual regions; the scale components generate inner shapes

voronoi cell: overlapping voronoi edges and connecting segments interior variation: similar size

In this module, we created a two-dimensional pattern using multiple attractors. By making a set of points based on random point distribution and setting up a geometric relationship between our attractors and geometry, we created a visually complex and structured composition.

In this case, the voronoi pattern was made. Based on the pattern, I constructed the three-dimensional object from Rhino and Grasshopper through additive manufacturing.

There is a central void in the object which I used to insert a PVC pipe wrapped in LED lights to create a lamp.

07

/ LEAF POD / 2021

STUDIO I (Kennesaw State University) Instructor: Simon Hoffiz The project draws its conceptual roots from the blend of a study pod and the organic form of a leaf, epitomizing a novel approach to learning in nature. The entrance, accessed by a ladder, unfolds into a gracefully curved door frame, providing an open and inviting transition into the cocoon-like space within.

The chair, is pressed against the sturdy trunk of a tree, while the table, strategically positioned to face outward, beckons users to engage with the captivating landscape. String ropes, thoughtfully integrated as a securing element, replace traditional rails, enhancing the inhabitant’s connection to the environment.

The Leaf Pod not only redefines the conventional study space but also serves as an architectural testament to the symbiotic relationship between human design and the natural world.