Johnathan Li - Edinburgh Architecture MArch Application

ARCHITECTURE PORTFOLIO

JOHNATHAN LI MU RONG EARLY 2024 SHEPPARD ROBSON / PART 1 ARCHITECTURAL ASSISTANT UNIVERSITY OF LIVERPOOL / BA ARCHITECTURE

2 ABOUT ME I am a Singaporean national residing in the UK under an indefinite leave to remain, having been considered settled since the early 2000s. I consider myself an effiicient and highly organised individual. I believe that architecture has the ability to benefit society through changing the way we interact with the built environment.

EDUCATION 2019-2022

University of Liverpool - Undergraduate BA Architecture - Overall grade (2:1)

2015-2017

Sutton Grammar School - A Levels

2010-2015

Sutton Grammar School - GCSEs

Mathematics (A), Art and Design (A), Physics (B) 12 GCSEs (A*-B)

PROJECTS AND EXPERIENCE 2022-

Sheppard Robson - Part 1 Architectural Assistant Projects include: Byron Quarter - Over 350 unit residential scheme under a joint venture between Harrrow Council and Wates Homes.

Clarendon Phase 4 - 377 unit residential scheme in partnership with St William Homes (as part of Berkeley Group) 51 Eastcheap - Dual scheme feasibility for a site witihin the City of London, one retrofit and one new build. New build scheme maximising lettable area, whilst the retrofit scheme minimising planning risk.

Project River - Retrofit feasibility project on an office building completed in 2009

by Fletcher Priest. Aiming at modernising dated elements of the buiding in an aim to keep an anchor tenancy. Specifically regarding end of trip, reception and office amenities, which have now fallen behind standards set by modern schemes in the city cluster.

2020

Design Competition, Tate Exchange, Tate Liverpool - Winner Designed a free standing temporary structure for “The Power of the Railway” exhibition (20/04/20 - 26/04/20). Structure containing display space and a viewing area.

2017-2019

Singapore Armed Forces (National Service) - Hub West Manpower Admin Lead a group of staff that dealt with manpower and training allocation in Hub West. Was also responsible for regimental and disciplinary procedure for servicemen within a Hub West Node. Towards the end of my service, trained a new group of staff. This role taught me to be organisationally proficient in a demanding environment and made me understand the responsibility I had as part of a team and to the team itself.

SKILLS Software

2D Drafting AutoCAD

3D + BIM

Rhino Sketchup Revit

Rendering V-ray Lumion Enscape

Post Production

Adobe Photoshop Adobe InDesign Adobe Illustrator Adobe Premier Pro

Personal Statement Since starting my undergraduate studies at the University of Liverpool in 2019, my understanding of the built environment has grown immensely. This has led me to the view of architecture as a context-driven entity, continually reacting, and adapting to the physical, socio-political, and typological constraints that surround the brief at the time. It represents a point in time and culture, as the context surrounding it will grow and leave it in the past. It is the architect’s responsibility to create something that navigates this transition gracefully.

As internationalism rapidly spreads through society, the built environment should adapt to echo this intertwining of culture. Therefore, I want to approach design as a parallel to modern society, constantly pushing and pulling through the vested interests of many parties. Often compromising as a result but remaining true as a collaborative collection of viewpoints.

In my final year at the University of Liverpool, I was part of Practice North. Within which I investigated Toxteth’s social, economic, and political context, using architecture as a mechanism for urban revitalisation. Toxteth is an ethnically diverse inner-city neighbourhood of Liverpool that underwent a social and economic downturn post war and into the last 20th century, lasting well into the modern day.

My projects aimed to revitalise the site of the 1981 Toxteth riots by using the deconstruction and modular reconstruction of typologies as a tool for regeneration and placemaking. This was done whilst ensuring the projects remained community focused. My initial project investigated the spatial adaptability of gallery spaces from rigid forms to mouldable community-centric spaces. The curation of an extroverted building was the ideology behind my thesis project. Through the inversion of a defensive form and blurring of the threshold between interior and exterior to create transition zones. These zones act as a welcoming counterpoint to the solidity of the worndown Georgian neighbourhood.

My experience at the University of Liverpool and my views on architecture led me to my first architectural role at Sheppard Robson, where I am employed as a Part 1 Architectural Assistant. Over the past 15 months, I have worked across residential and office typologies, ranging from a 350-unit council-backed housing scheme in Harrow to multiple office feasibility studies in sensitive locations within the City of London.

The elective studios and dual pathway system exemplify the University of Edinburgh’s breadth of teaching and presents a choice for the student. In particular, I am interested in the integrated pathway as it would allow me to develop a project at a larger scale to a level of detail and architectural depth that I have not yet attempted. I am confident that the research led and speculative teaching of MArch programme provide the ideal context to progress as a designer. I would greatly appreciate the opportunity to study at the University of Edinburgh, work with like-minded students and academics and contribute to a long-standing research-intensive faculty. Thank you for taking the time to read and consider my application.

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CONTENTS

01.

Subtraction Youth Zone

02.

Hybrid Retention Community Art Gallery

03.

Structure and Technology

04.

Typhoon 2087 Competition

05.

Professional work + Hobbies

P (6-16)

P (17-26)

P (27)

P (28)

P (29-35)

ARCH 352 (Individual Project) Semester 2 2021-2022

ARCH 302 (Individual Project) Semester 1 2021-2022

ARCH 361 (Group Project) Semester 1 2021-2022

Competition (Group Project) Summer 2021

SHEPPARD ROBSON October 2022 - Present

Inverting and subtracting from a defensive form to create transitional spaces that draw people in from a traditional urban block.

Restructuring typical art gallery circualtion for a community centre for functions relating to art.

Analysis and redrawing of a existing building to understand material buildup and construction methods

Modular and movable microhome idea in response to global climate change patterns.

Projects included: Byron Quarter 51 Eastcheap Watermark Place

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YEAR 3 OVERVIEW 02. HYBRID RETENTION

Project Type - Academic Project (Individual) Typological Brief - Community Art Gallery Year - 2021, 3rd Year Semester 1 Design Module

01. SUBTRACTION

Project Type - Academic Project (Individual) Typological Brief - Youth Centre Year - 2022, 3rd Year Semester 2 Design Module

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SITE LOCATION Toxteth, Liverpool

ADMINISTRATIVE WARD BOUNDARIES 1 SEMESTER 1 PROJECT ART GALLERY 2 SEMESTER 2 PROJECT YOUTH ZONE ART GALLERIES PRIMARY SCHOOLS

2 1

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01. SUBTRACTION Youth Zone By inverting and subtracting from a traditionally defensive and reserved form, you can create pockets of space that act as transition spaces between the building and wider city block. This helps to draw people in from street level by blurring the threshold between interior and exterior spaces. The subtractions are curved to allow meandering through the building, rather than just moving from point a to point b, encouraging exploration.

Courtyard

Split and Inverted

Smoothed Angles

Introduction of transition spaces

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SUBTRACTION

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FORM CREATION

SUBTRACTION

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OVERSPILL CAFE

ZONE USE

CLIMBING WALL

INTERIOR GARDEN

FORUM BLOCK

SKATEPARK

SUBTRACTION

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PUBLIC/PRIVATE SPLIT

SUBTRACTION

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GROUND FLOOR PLAN

SUBTRACTION

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FIRST

SECOND

1. ART STUDIO 2. STUDY SPACE 3. LINEAR STUDY SPACE 4. IT ZONE 5. ADVICE ROOM 6. FIRST AID ROOM 7. MALE WC 8. FEMALE WC 9. WAITING AREA 10. LIFT AND FIRE ESCAPE 11. FORUM 12. CLIMBING WALL

1. EXHIBTION SPACE 2. MUSIC PRACTICE ROOM 3. RECORDING STUDIO 4. VOCAL BOOTH 5. INSTRUMENT STORE 6. LIFT AND FIRE ESCAPE

PLANS

SUBTRACTION

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SECTION A

SECTION B

SECTIONS

SUBTRACTION

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UPPER STANHOPE STREET ELEVATION (A)

BERKLEY STREET ELEVATION (B)

ELEVATIONS

SUBTRACTION

GLULAM STRUCTURAL MODEL

STRUCTURAL ISOMETRIC

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TIMBER CONNECTION

1. STEEL KNIFE PLATE FOOTING FOR GLULAM COLUMN 2. STEEL PLATE CONNECTIONS 3. TENSION CABLE CROSS BRACING

PHYSICAL MODEL

SUBTRACTION

LESS SHADOWS + RENDER 16

EXTERNAL VISUALISATION

SUBTRACTION

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02. HYBRID RETENTION Community Art Gallery The Hybrid Retention scheme provides a highly flexible and memorable space for the community to modify and use for functions relating to art. The scheme takes concepts from the Japanese Ryokan (traditional hotel) and allows the community to divide a primary space into secondary volumes and allow for degrees of privacy.

CLOSED (SINGULAR)

OPEN (PLURAL)

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16 ART GALLERIES, 257 FUNCTIONALLY STATIC SPACES, 1 RIGID TYPOLOGY Dulwich Picture Gallery London, UK Sir John Soane 1817

Altes Museum Berlin, Germany Karl Friedrich Schinkel 1830

The National Gallery London, UK William Wilkins 1838

Victoria and Albert Museum London, UK Francis Fowke 1859

Royal Academy of Arts London, UK Charles Barry Jr 1873

Tate Britain London, UK Higgs and Hill 1897

The Wallace Collection London, UK Office of Works 1900

Serpentine Gallery London, UK James Grey West 1934

Neue Nationalgalerie Berlin, Germany Mies van der Rohe 1968

Tate St Ives St Ives, UK Eldred Evans and David Shalev 1993

Tate Modern London, UK Herzog & de Meuron 2000

Jewish Museum Berlin Berlin, Germany Daniel Libeskind 2001

Saatchi Gallery London, UK Allford Hall Monaghan Morris 2008

White Cube Bermondsey London, UK Casper Mueller Kneer 2011

The Photographers’ Gallery London, UK O’donnell + Tuomey 2012

James-Simon-Galerie Berlin, Germany David Chipperfield 2019

TYPOLOGICAL STUDY

HYBRID RETENTION

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Hybrid Space (Upper Ground Floor) The Hybrid space combines space allocations from the accomodation schedule that do not need to be strictly seperated. By creating a flexible space from movable walls, rather than just a gallery space, the hybrid space is the central part of a community building for functions related to art. This allows the community granular control over the functions within the space and the choice to change it daily/weekly/monthly. Below are example functions.

Individual Area allocations (m2) - Gallery (400) - Artist in residence studio (50) - Art studios: singular/communal (250) GALLERY

LECTURE/WORKSHOP

ART STUDIO

DIGITAL STUDIO

LECTURE HALL

MEETING ROOMS

POTTERY CLASS

SCULPTURE GALLERY

ANTIQUES SALE

AUCTION

LIBRARY/STUDY SPACE

HYBRID SPACE CONFIGURATIONS

LIFE DRAWING

HYBRID RETENTION

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Modular Space (Lower Ground Floor) Similar to the Hybrid Space, the below ground modular space works on the same principles, by combining space allocations designed to be the public core/welcome area of the scheme. Instead of moveable walls, 3 modules can be combined in multiple ways to create different furniture. Which in turn can be used to furnish the flexible space at the below ground entry point.

Individual Area allocations (m2) - Cafe (150) - Welcome area (100) - Reception/general office (20)

MODULAR SPACE CONFIGURATION

DESK

MEETING TABLE

BOOTH

A-1 B-2

A-2 B-1

A-6 C-6

LONG BENCH

CAFE BAR

RECEPTION DESK

A-10

B-2 C-3

C-3

MODULAR CONFIGURATIONS

HYBRID RETENTION

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LOWER GROUND FLOOR PLAN

HYBRID RETENTION

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RAISED GROUND FLOOR

FIRST FLOOR

1. HYBRID SPACE 2. CIRCULATION ATRIUM 3. FIRE ESCAPE 4. GALLERY STORE

1. SEMINAR ROOM 2. CIRCULATION ATRIUM 3. FIRE ESCAPE 4. WCs 5. SHOP 6. CURATOR’S OFFICE 7. WORKER’S OFFICE 8. PLANT ROOM

PLANS

HYBRID RETENTION

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ELEVATION A

SECTION B

DRAWINGS

HYBRID RETENTION

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DESIGN BREAKDOWN AND STRUCTURAL ISOMETRIC

HYBRID RETENTION

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EXTERNAL VISUALISATION

HYBRID RETENTION

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INTERNAL VISUALISATION

HYBRID RETENTION

03. STRUCTURE AND TECHNOLOGY

STRUCTURAL STUDY

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STRUCTURE AND TECHNOLOGY

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04. TYPHOON 2087 TYPHOON USAGI 2018

EVACUATION ROUTE

WATER DRAINAGE

The year is 2087, by extrapolating the current rate of climate change, we arrive in a world which is crippled by natural disasters, much more severe than we see today. In 60 years, the average global temperature is set to rise by 3 degrees. Fragile biomes will be most impacted by this, one of these being the typhoon ridden corridor of the South China Sea. Ho Chi Minh City, the largest and most densely populated in Vietnam, would be devastated by the increase in natural disasters.

To avoid a constant loss or damage to property, residents seek a more flexible living solution that allows relocation. The Mekong River acts as an international highway throughout southeast Asia creating an ideal means of migration. Relocatable off-grid boat housing provides a realistic solution for young couples living in the affected areas.

The boats will change locations during the year in response to incoming typhoons using pre-set GPS routes to travel further in land.

WATER COLLECTION SYSTEM

WASTE TANK WATER TANK BATTERY TURBINE/ ENERGY COLLECTION

PLAN COMPACT

SECTION Aa

The microhome consists of 2 identically shaped trapezoidal prisms visually separated by an adjustable blind system. One module contains fixed systems such as kitchen and bathroom, whilst the other is a more modular living space. The latter of the two can be further separated from the fixed module to reveal an open living dining space.

The boat contains off grid systems such as water collection tanks and energy collection via turbines located in the hull of the boat. In addition to this, the migration route is supported by recharge stations located in major cities and larger towns.

RECHARGE PUMP

TURBINES

CLOSED

COMPETITION BOARD

OPEN

CORE

MODULAR PRIVACY

OFF-GRID SERVICES

PLAN EXTENDED

SECTION Bb

COMPETITION TYPHOON ENTRY 2087

05. PROFESSIONAL WORK + HOBBIES

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A stage 3 scheme in Harrow, London. Working with Harrow council and Wates to deliver over 300 homes on a currently unused vehicle training lot adjacent to Harrow Leisure Centre.

Byron Quarter

ILLUSTRATIVE VIEWS

BYRON QUARTER

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Byron Quarter 9

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BYRON QUARTER

51 Eastcheap - New Build Option

Starting with no architectural expression, an extrusion of 20 storeys meets the key datums set by neighbouring buildings

VISUALISATION, TOWNSCAPE VIEWS AND DIAGRAMS

Dual scheme feasibility project on a site in the city of London. Focussing on NIA office area uplift whilst keeping viability townscape wise.

Two wings of the building are created by pivoting the massing around a point focussed on the neighbouring church

Amenity space is introduced by cutting a ‘break’ into the massing that aligns with the existing townscape of Eastcheap

Ground to Level 04 are cutaway to create a generous public realm and colonnade

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Wings of the building are articulated by inset terrace spaces that align with key views and points of address

51 EASTCHEAP

51 Eastcheap - Retrofit Option

A clear vertical expression to the base with extressed precast columns and colonnade

VISUALISATION, TOWNSCAPE VIEWS AND DIAGRAMS

Dual scheme feasibility project on a site in the city of London. Focussing on an adaptive reuse scheme which turns the site from co-working to a hub style hotel. Considerably lower planing risk.

An eroded south-west corner to form main point of addess onto Eastcheap

Infilled precast and aluminium panels behind primary precast grid

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Open routes for pedestrians and inset terraces focused on south-west corner

51 EASTCHEAP

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Project River Retrofit feasibility project on an office building completed in 2009 by Fletcher Priest. Aiming at modernising dated elements of the buiding in an aim to keep an anchor tenancy. Specifically regarding end of trip, reception and office amenities, which have now fallen behind standards set by modern schemes in the city cluster.

Cycle Entrance

Secondary Entrance

VISUALISATIONS AND RECEPTION OVERVIEW

Main Entrance

Portraiture

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PORTRAITURE

Portraiture Cont.

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PORTRAITURE