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PORTFOLIO Undergraduate B + C Architecture Program Victoria Lai 2016

auditory environment

01 confluence

02 time bank

03 04 125th Street

reiminaging the national black theater

05 movable hook panel desk

MASKING PERCEPTION

Objective: Design a site model that represents your path in Central Park from 71st street to 69th street based on your sensory deviceâ€™s data.

Device: Based on manipulating sounds through two mediums, plywood and sheet metal

Site Model: Maps data recorded through sound device from 71st street to 64th street EAR INSIDE DEVICE PERSPECTIVE VIEW

FACETED SURFACE PERSPECTIVE BOTTOM VIEW RENDERED

Auditory Environment Masking perception through an auditory device Central Park, 64th Street to 72nd Street, New York NY Perceptions Spring 2014

additional data was created by analyzing the structure of the ear and its inversion or ‘poche’

wireframe: modeled own ear by sketching a 2D outline, measuring depth of ear, and turning 2D sketch into 3D

The model of the ear serves as a reference and guide to understand its functions and abilities. From the shape of the ear and the small cavities protruding throughout, particularly the area surrounding the ear canal, it identifies where sound waves enter and are directed before it is processed by the brain. PERSPECTIVE from phase two RENDERED

EAR ANALYSIS

NEGATIVE SPACE

WIREFRAME

wireframe of internal ear arch and tragus

TAPER COMMAND PHASE TWO

WIREFRAME PROCESS

TAPER COMMAND PHASE ONE

CURVILINEAR SURFACE

TAPER COMMAND PHASE ONE

FACETED SURFACE

TAPE COM PHAS

The inversion of the model creates a new perspective that illustrates the density of the ear, the cartilage. It focuses on the outer ear which consists of the auricle or pinna; the other parts are the middle ear and the inner ear. TAPER COMMAND PHASE ONE

PERSPECTIVE RENDERED COMPLETE

How can we illustrate sound waves and its effect on the human body?

TAPER COMMAND PHASE TWO

perspective from wireframe to rendered PERSPECTIVE from phase two RENDERED

TAPER COMMAND RENDER

TAPER COMMAND PHASE THREE

RENDERED

ER MMAND SE ONE

NEGATIVE SPACE

poche NEGATIVE SPACE

ear defragmented and pulled by sound intensities taken from Central Park TAPER COMMAND RENDER

perspective rendered complete PERSPECTIVE RENDERED COMPLETE

MASKING MASKINGPERCEPTION PERCEPTION 8

Objective: Objective: Design Design a site a site model model that that represents represents your your path path in Central in Central Park Park from from 71st 71st street street to to 69th 69th street street based based onon your your sensory sensory device’s device’s data. data.

Sound Mufflers: 2-ply Chipboard and Sheet Metal Headphone Attachment: Cardboard tube

Cushions and Security Strap: 100% Cotton Fabric

Placement: Cover ears completely

Device: Based on manipulating sounds through two mediums, plywood and sheet metal

Identifying the auditory sense as the key sense in recreating a built environment, that of Central Park, a material headphone device was constructed from chipboard, sheet metal, and a cardboard tube. The tube’s material provided a channel for sound received from the two materials to pass through without disturbances. For additional support, cotton fabric was placed at the ends of each tube to block sound that would potentially leak through the ends of the cardboard tube as opposed to the chipboard and sheet metal. Sound data was collected by placing minimicrophones directly inside the vaccum of the chipboard and sheet metal box. The recorded path was between 72nd street to 64th street. After the recording, the data was imported into a recording program caleld Audacity. It was then deconstructed into five levels where the peak and trough were both accounted for. Two sets of data were analyzed, one for the left and one for the right side. Sound from the sheet metal Device: Based Based on on manipulating manipulating sounds sounds through through twotwo mediums, mediums, Site Model: Model: Maps Maps data data recorded recorded through through sound device device from from 71st 71st sideDevice: illustrated higher peaks and troughs, which means it had a sharper, and more clear sound. Site The 2-ply chipboard had the sound opposite effect plywood plywood and and sheet sheet metal metal street street to to 64th 64th street street where sounds were dampened and slightly muffled. A map conveying each level was compiled to contrast the sounds affected by the material differences. LEFT

RIGHT

left right LEFT

RIGHT

sounds recorded were separated onto five levels, either by peak or trough

left and right data separated and placed side to side

frequency measured and represented as lines

intersections and abundancy documented and analyzed

68th Street

72nd Street

64th Street

MODEL PRODUCED FROM DATA Based off the data given in the walk on Central Park, the sound levels were translated into the density of wood blocks. This includes the frequency and the peak or trough of the audio. For example, birds chirping would register with a low peak and medium density as they chirp for a few minutes. The left and right sides were placed together, with the data representated as blocks facing each other. It creates a new space where the blocks serve as boundaries in the new space. The blocks carved new cavities in which the user can be more intimate with the space. Reconstructing the spaces again creates a new model, as shown on the right, where the blocks become hollow spaces users can inhabit. From balconies to rooms, it allows for a different experience of the built space that utilizes the sense of sound. Furthering the experience, the rooms are plated with the same material used to create the environenment - plywood and sheet metal. This begins the process of creating new data within the space built by the original sound data.

CONFLUENCES Freshkills Park Field Station for Art and Ecology Staten Island, New York NY Design I Fall 2015

CONFLUENCE (n.)

“the junction of two rivers, especially rivers of approximately equal width” and “as an act or process of merging” (oxforddictionaries.com)

SITE DOCUMENTATION & ANALYSIS

identifying two scales of the site: macroscale and microscale the macroscale relates to Manhattan, Staten Island, and Fresh Kills and the microscale are sky, water, and earth. These elements and its use as represented in Fresh Kills combined with real estate affordability surrounding the confluence, brings a set of complexity involving visual transformation through time

MANIPULATE + SEQUENCE

documenting stop-motion film strips illustrating the journey around the park and back to the confluence, and the effects of human interaction on the site.

Roof

Real Estate Affordability Surrounding Confluence

Public Path & Intersecting Public and Research Areas

100k - 150k

150k - 200k

200k - 250k

250k - 300k

300k - 350k

350k - 400k

400k - 450k

450k - 500k

500k - 550k

Research Centers: Wetlabs and Studios

750k - 800k

[Lighthouse Hill]

1990

1950

2000

2010

1970

1980

Analyzing the real estate and its affordability around the site provides demographic and wealth information on the residents of Staten Island in these adjacent neighborhoods. It also suggests the progress of Fresh Kills’ development by understanding certain areas, such as near parks and public transportation, are more desired than other areas that lack convenient resources.

2015

1990 Bull’s Head; $425, 000

1920s

1980 - 1989: -period of rapid NYC housing prices -27 - 100% increase of housing price appreciation according to NYC Department of Finance, Furman Center, 2008

- manufactured linoleum; - mostly industrial area w/ some residential homes - Changed name from Linoleumville to Travis

> 50k - 100k

1989 - 1996: - Suffered the biggest price decline in all NY boroughs, where prices fell 30% -neighborhoods affected are largely diverse; larger Hispanic population, have lower mean incomes, smaller number of high school graduates

Exhibition Centers: Gallery and Art Space

100k - 150k

150k - 200k 200k - 250k

Community Space, Classrooms, and Adminiinistrative Offices

250k - 300k 300k - 350k

The combination of artists and scientists bring about a new relationship highlighted by the Field Station design. It places both specialists across from each other while providing private space. The space created in between create an opportunity for interaction and shared knowledge. At the ends of the path, the Visitor Center and Kayak Dock serve as a continuation of these interactions with scientists, artists, as well as the community.

Site for Boat House in the Confluence’s Center

Visitor Center & Kayak Dock

Grasslands reforms erosion control, soil health, and wildlife diversity Introducing non-native grasses and plants as a safe alternative to insecticides and herbicide applications Re-introducing native flowers and grasses

Leachate Management System removes pollutants by containment, collecition, and treatment Layering system: soil, barrier protection material, drainage layer, impermeable plastic liner, gas venting layer, soil barrier layer, waste layer Landfill engineering transforms toxic land to public park

SCIENTISTâ€™S WORKSPACE: THE WETLAB

ON SITE MATERIAL STUDIES

PERFORMANCE SPACE & GALLERY

GALLERY

ARTIST’S WORKSPACE: THE STUDIO

ROOF: STRUCTURAL MEMBRANE

19 Remapping the Harlem Footprint Remapping the Harlem Footprint by Victoria Lai Remapping the Harlem Footprint by Victoria Lai by Victoria Lai

Frederick Douglass Boulavard Frederick Douglass Boulavard

132nd and Malcolm X Blvd

Frederick Douglass Boulavard

132nd and Malcolm X Blvd 132nd and Malcolm X Blvd

123rd Street Crossing at Malcolm X Blvd 123rd Street Crossing at Malcolm X Blvd 123rd Street Crossing at Malcolm X Blvd

125th Street 125th Street 125th Street

Choosing a Side: Dynamic Static Movements: 116 + Street and Adam C Powell Blvd 116 Street and Adam C Powell Blvd Reimaging the National Black Theatre Harlem, New York NY Design II 116 Street and Adam C Powell Blvd

5th AVE 5th AVE 5th AVE

Intersection of 125th St & Intersection of 5th Ave 125th St of & Intersection 5th Ave 125th St & 5th Ave

Hinge

20 Formulation of Program X Design II_Project 2: Reimagining the Theatre Spring 2016_Victoria Lai System A

Reflect

Skin/Roof Structure/Scaffolding

Program: Continuous structure created by triangle geometry touching system B at two System A points and an adjacent triangle at the last point. -meant to wrap around the entirety of system B Skeletal/Frame

Program: triangle geometry touchB intersect orContinuous interweaves withstructure itself (known created as the core by program) ing system B at two points and an adjacent triangle at the last point. -meant to wrap around the entirety of system B -layering effect created; density most prevalent in sections where the grids of system B intersect or interweaves with itself (known as the core program) System B -layering effect created; density most prevalent in sections where the grids of system

Skeleton/Frame Extrude Program: Grid frame utilizes “hinge”and “reflect”to create 7 variations of a grid oriented on different axis. Four grids make up the core program where the grid is raised and rotated on a corner -- the hinge. The 3 other variations are a reflection of the respective, rotated grid created from the hinge. -Core Program: defined by grid rotating on hinge Program: Grid frame utilizes “hinge”and moments “reflect”to create 7 variations density created by areas of intersection-creates of space non-density complements and integrates or bleeds into periphery program of a grid oriented on different axis. Four grids make up the core pro-Periphery Program: gram where the grid is raised and rotated on a corner -the hinge. defined by grid reflection (3) reflections are connected to adjacent grids to create a relationship/commentary The 3 other variations are a reflection of the respective, rotated grid interconnected and wraps around core program; parts bleed in

System B Skin/Membrane

created from the hinge. Overlap -Core Program: defined by Program X grid rotating on hinge Integration or Play between the 2of Systems density created by areas intersection-creates moments of space Program: Each system is rotated and at least 4 points, the corners of the system, are non-density complements andThe integrates oridentifies bleedsandinto connected between each rotation stage. curve created cuts periphery through different points of each stage. Then, the sliced pieces are coded for each system along program 4 with the curve created. The result of each system is overlayed to create a new system. -Periphery Program: search|meet defined by grid reflection (3) 33 hinge|conceal reflections are connected to adjacent grids to create a relationship 2 2 1

Montage

System A: Core Program

Curves connecing Grid

System B: Peripheral Program

Curves connecing at 3 Points

AUTOPOEITC SYSTEM: TIMEBANK

Relationship between who is being viewed and is the viewed space affecting our behavior unto the environment? Abstraction Fall 2014

TIME BANK: COMMUNITY CENTER

Arts and Design Center:

Artworks created are a collaboration between artists and storytellers. All works are hung on gallery spaces for community response

Gallery Panels:

Meant to encourage community gatherings and instigate conversations between community members and non-community members

Storage and Seating Area

Offers community users additional space to place their belongings as they freely walk around the space; Opposite side features eating and more storage space for games and personal belongings

mini studio

storage and and seating area

window

desk bookshelf read-aloud area

art and reading space

meeting area

bench table

open tabletop to access storage space

gallery viewing space

Storage & Seating Area

Gallery Panels

Arts and Design Center

Aâ€™

Eating Area

MOVABLE HOOK PANEL DESK created using Autodesk Maya Purpose: Ideal use in small rooms, such as dorm rooms or apartments Functions: Multi-purpose desk features hooks for clothing and storage space, available beneath table

swinging hook

used to hold panel in place

exploded diagram

wing nut

swinging hook sequence

RENDER WORK: MAYA

remote control

coffee machine

Fresh Killsâ€™ studio and wetlab spaces

bowling range

additional work in Inventor

Fresh Killsâ€™ community performance space

gear-styled stool

stress analysis of stool leg

Special Thanks to my baby brother whose kept me from going insane my family for everything B + C Architecture Department and Faculty for guiding me towards the path of architecture Professor Xose Bierd for teaching me the wonders of architecture and civil engineering and for teaching me about life my friends who have been with me since our first year of college for keeping me on my feet when times are unbearable Will for brightening up my days and simply being there