Sze Chun Liu Design Portfolio 2023

SZE CHUN LIU DESIGN PORTFOLIO 2023 Selected works produced at the Bartlett School of Architecture, UCL and beyond

Email: liuszechun1031@gmail.com Instagram: @liuszechun

CONTENTS 3

A HUMANE TOILET Individual design project, 2023 Personal project

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A COMPULSORILY COLLABORATIVE FOOSBALL MACHINE Individual design project, 2022 BSc Archtiecture, Bartlett School of Architecture

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THE SOCIAL IMPETUS Individual building project, 2023 BSc Archtiecture, Bartlett School of Architecture

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HIGH RISE Individual building project, 2022 BSc Archtiecture, Bartlett School of Architecture

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UG9 BARTLETT SUMMER SHOW 2023 Group design project, 2023 BSc Archtiecture, Bartlett School of Architecture

A HUMANE TOILET PERSONAL DESIGN PROJECT

(2 weeks)

Skills: Rhino, Keyshot, hand drawing, sensitivity of human emotional needs, Photoshop, Illustrator, Indesign

What could one do if one clogged a public toilet? Nothing, absolutely nothing.

This is a personal project that was born out of a

‘A Humane Toilet’ is designed specifically for frequent

personal frustration, toilet clogging.

toilet cloggers, that aims to return some sense of control to them.

For some reason, I keep clogging the toilet in school, clogging a toilet is annoying, but if it was in a public

The bowl is detached from the ceramic rim, connected

toilet, it could get really embarrising, especially when

by a bespoke flexible joint, the bowl-to-floor joint has

you know someone might be outside queuing for your

also been replaced by a flexible connector, which

cubicle.

allow minor ‘bowl’ movement, assisting the flushing process.

No matter how different some toilet design might be, they all become the same after they are clogged, the

Other design features: lid and seat handles, water

same useless thing. And there is nothing you could

tank refilling indicator, etc.

do about it apart from waiting, waiting and waiting,

until you finally decide to confront your biggest fear – confess your sin to those in the queue.

Initial concept sketch iterations of the idea of a humane toilet, for frequent toilet cloggers.

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//DIMENSIONS OF FINAL DESIGN//

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<FRONT ELEVATON>

IDEATION -> WHY CAN’T TOILET BE ...

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<PLAN>

<SECTION> A

B C

D

E

<DETAIL SECTION>

“By separating the bowl and the rim, the bowl is free from unnecessary fixation to the ground, allowing movements to assist flushing”

A - TRANSPARENT POLYCARBONATE SEAT B - CERAMIC RIM

FLOATING?

C - WATER CHANNEL D - RUBBER CUSHIONING (WITH AIR POCKETS) E - TRANSLUCENT POLYCARBONATE BOWL

//ITERATIVE PROCESS//

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CLOSE-UP -> 01 Padding for kicking + handles to lift the seat

CLOSE-UP -> 02

CLOSE-UP -> 03

Water tank refilling indicator + Lid handles

Flexible draining pipe connetion

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R S E G C LO G T E O IL

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T LP

LE

SS

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D

E

A R

HE

KICK IT DOWN THE DRAIN!

THE EVERYDAY STRUGGLES -> 01

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THE COMPULSORILY COLLABORATIVE FOOSBALL MACHINE THIRD YEAR INDIVIDUAL DESIGN PROJECT

Software: Rhino, Keyshot, Illustrator, Indesign, Arduino, Pycharm IDE, Open CV (Computer vision), Premiere Pro. Hardware: 3D printing, Laser cutting, Wood carving, Sanding,

1st Class Honours

electrical + mechanical,

Football is a great sport for making friends, but the barriers to entry is too high.

This device explores how physical computation could

By intergrating sports like football with physical

augment football (sports), making it more accessible

computation,

to a wider audience, after recognising the social

customised to suit each individual users, leveling the

benefits that football (sports) offer.

playing field as well as lowering the bar of entry.

Sports like football is great, but the bar of entry

In this project, foosball has been chosen as the

is really high, it usually take someone months of

‘sports’ being altered, due to its small scale nature.

difficulty

of

the

sports

could

be

training , before one can become good enough to experience the join and social benefits it brings. This

A video is made to show the working of the device,

could potentially deter beginners.

see @liuszechun at Instagram.

Plan Drawing Initial sketch of the foosball machine Aerial view of the entire sports complex, showing its location within the park and its relationship with the neighbouring residential buildings.

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DESIGN PROTOTYPE -> 02 MACHINE AUGMENTED DEFENDER

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A - Clockwise/ Anti-Clockwise Switch

I - Moving Obstacle

B - 9V Alkaline Battery

G - Structural Arch

C - Variable Voltage Regulator

H - Retracting Mechanism

D - Miro DC Motor, 1.5V-6V

J - Sliding Track

E - Primary Gear Wheel (Small 10mm dia)

K - Base

F - Secondary/ Tertiary (Large 25mm/Medium 20mm)

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Inspired by foosball’s ability to bring people with varying abilities and skill levels together.

Vertical (linear) motion is converted to rotational motion through this mechanism.

Elastic band is used to return all components back to original position.

Rotational motion is amplified by reducing the diameter of the secondary gear wheel.

DESIGN PROTOTYPE -> 01 EXPLORING THE ‘KICK’

Final hinge joint that convert rotational motion back to linear motion (horizontal).

The output (horizontal motion) is precisely controlled using a precision ring.

The horizontal “kicking” motion would trigger a chain reaction.

Representing the motion of a kicked football.

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FINAL DESIGN -> COMPONENTS

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Photos showing the making process. (3D printing, circuit building, coding, laser cutting, metal work, etc.)

The device is made through a

allow parts to be produced in a

numebr of step, CAD modelling,

relatively short time frame while

3D printing, laser cutting, wood

also being low costs, leaving

carving, sanding, Stepper motors

room

programming, and assembly.

I could also working on other

for

iterative

reprinting.

tasks while the parts are being As

a

student,

extrememly

the

limited,

budget

is

printed.

therefore,

the manufacturig process had

Components

to be streamlined where ever

require absolute precision are

that

does

not

possible, in order to minimise

made using laser cut plywood,

costs.

stacked to give 3D form.

For example, components that require more precision are 3D SCLIU

printed with PLA, this method

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Compulsorily Collaborative Foosball Machine T h e m a c h i n e i s r u n b y a n u m b e r o f l i n e s o f p y t h o n a n d a r d u i n o co d e s th a t ca p tu r e d a ta fr o m b o d y p o se s th r o u g h th e b u i l t - i n w e b c a m o f t h e l a p t o p , a n d t r a n s f e r t h a t d a ta i n to a se r i e s o f co m m a n d s th r o u g h se r i a l co m m u n i ca ti o n s th a t u l t i m a t e l y c o n t r o l s t h a t m o v e m e n t o f t h e m a c h i n e . Th e co d e s a r e w r i tte n i n a w a y su ch th a t a t l e a st tw o p e o p l e a r e r e q u i r e t o a cti va te th e co m m a n d s.

Arduino UNO Board

CNC Shield, for stepper motors coordination Arduino codes (convert pose input into motor movements)

2 x DRV8825 Stepper motor Driver

DRV8825, stepper motor driver, up to 1/32 step.

L298N, DC motor driver module.

DC motor (to kick)

Multi-person pose classification Python scripts

Cooling Fan

5mm G20 Timing Belt

L298N DC motor driver module

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9V Power supply for DC motor Inputs (Commands)

Arduino UNO

Serial Communication

12 - 20V Power Supply

Multimeter

CNC Shield

Nema 17 Stepper motor 1

Full set up of the foosball machine. Full video, see @liuszechun at Instagram 10

8mm Timber rod

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Built-in Webcam

Nema 17 Stepper motor 2

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CLOSE-UP -> 01

CLOSE-UP -> 02

CLOSE-UP -> 03

Final design of the foosball machine details. Full video, see @liuszechun at Instagram 11

The

device

supported

is

by

of

and

4

timber

base

ensures

made a

belts

rotational

movements

motors are efficiently transferred

printed PLA joints.

to the ‘leg’.

mechanical of

3D

generated

by

the

is

also

The device has been designed

printed

PLA

in

‘leg’

such

way

that

completely

components and a DC motor.

eliminate the need for glue,

It can be controlled to move

separate components are joined

forward and backward/ left and

together either by screws for

right, along the x and y axis.

simply friction.

This movement is powered by two stepper motors, therefore the movement can be incredibly precise.

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timing the

is connected to a series of 3D

made

CLOSE-UP -> 04

that

and four timber columns, which

The

Final design of the mechanical ‘leg’ of the foosball machine. Full video, see @liuszechun at Instagram

closed-loop

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Elevational sketch of a conceptual mechanical ‘leg’

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DESIGN PROTOTYPE -> FINAL

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Screenshot of me and nathan playing

Final design of the mechanical ‘leg’ of the foosball machine, in action. Full video, see @liuszechun at Instagram 14

THE SOCIAL IMPETUS: MULTI-SPORTS COMPLEX FOR THE NON-SPORTY THIRD YEAR INDIVIDUAL DESIGN THESIS Software: Rhino, Grasshopper, Keyshot, Arduino, Photoshop Hardware: 3D printing, Laser cutting, electrical + mechanical, etc.

1st Class Honours

Sports are great but what is the point of a sports complex if no one uses it?

becomes

designed with the integration of existing social and

increasingly segregated, loneliness is slowly rising as

behavioural theories such as the proxemic theory, as

one of the most prominent issues of our time.

well as the utilisation of an agent-based pedestrian

As

people

of

contemporary

societies

simulation model developed in Grasshopper.

Sports have long been acknowledged as an effective medium

that

creates

relational

bonds

between

individuals, not only do they lead to physical health,

In Hopes that, through sports, the people of Berlin could become united.

but through the inseparable social aspect, also lead to great mental health.

A physical model has been made to illustrate the conceptual kinetic components of the proposal, full

This project is a multisport facility located in Southern Berlin that aims to create environments intended to introduce and encourage the participation of sporting activities, especially to those who are not already familiar with them. Spaces and circulations are

User movement simulation model using Grasshopper 15

video, see @liuszechun at Instagram.

//SITE AND PEDESTRIAN TRAFFIC STUDY//

N

Residential Neighbourhood 545m

Hermannstrabe (main Road)

Tempelhof Field

125m 555m

pelh

Existing Tree Locations Existing Entrances

The chosen site is located

My

in Southen Berlin, a garden

complex

that

the

pedestrian

connects

with

locating on

my such

traffic

sports a

site,

through

the

the site is guaranteed, not to

famous Tempelhof Field, an

mention it is one of the main

abandoned air field, currently

entrances

a public park.

residents on the east side of

south-east

entrance

of

to

the

park

for

the park.

This site is chosen for its tempelhof

The heat map further confirms

field, a park that serves up

the speculation from on site

to 10,000 visitors per day.

observations.

proximity

to

the

Locals and tourists.

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Linden (Tilia) 33% Maple (Acer) 20% Oak (Quercus) 10% Plane (Platanus) 7% Chestnut (Aesculus) 5% Unknown 25%

Surveying of site (entrances, trees, dimensions)

<Tem

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of F

led>

Anita-Berber-Park

//CIRCULATION OPTIMISATION EXERCISE//

B

C

D

E

F

G

H

I

B

C

D

E

F

G

H

I

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<SIMULATION>

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<MASSING DIAGRAM>

<SKETCH>

A

Ideally, on site experiments and study should be carried out, but due to physical and time constraints, on site study was not feasible. Therefore, Grasshopper is used in this case to create a simulation model, that simulates and predicts the movements of people under different environmental influences, for the optimisation of users circulation.

ITERATIVE PROCESS WITH GRASSHOPPER SIMULATION MODEL-> A - I

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SZE CHUN LIU PORTFOLIO //ITERATIVE MODELLING PROCESS//

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SZE CHUN LIU PORTFOLIO Aerial view of the entire sports complex, showing its location within the park and its relationship with the neighbouring residential buildings.

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//PLAN 1:200//

Diagram of learnings from simulations

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//SHORT SECTION 1:200//

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SZE CHUN LIU PORTFOLIO Exterior view, showing the relationship between the outdoor sports court, private viewing pods and a public roof garden.

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<KINETIC ROOF>

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<DETAIL SECTION>

1 2 3 4 5 6 7

8 9

1. Roof Glazing 2. Synthetic Roofing Foil

Interior view of kinetic sports hall.

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3. Spruce Cross Laminated Timber

6. Timing Belt (Rack and Pinion Drive System) 7. Electric Motor ((Rack and Pinion Drive System)

Thermal Insulation

4. Rack (Rack and Pinion Drive System)

8. Inflated Seal (Gasket)

Vapour Barrier

5. Gear Wheel (Rack and Pinion Drive System)

9. Deflated Gasket

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<ROOF SECTION>

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Initial 3D sectional sketch of the sports hall

Initial sketches of ground rotation mechanism

In this design, the wall of

The ideal speed of rotation is

the sports hall rotates, along

0.1 degree/ sec.

with the football goals and basketball hoops attached to

At this speed, it is slow enough

it.

to be hardly noticeable by the users, but fast enough to

so that people from the inside

bring about an effect within a

and outside would eventually

reasonable time frame. Given

be

‘mixing’,

interesting

creating

an

a standard football game is

negotiation

of

only 90min, and baseketball

space between users.

Exterior view of kinetic sports hall, showing how users would be mixed by the kinetic components of the sports hall.

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game 40 min.

5

6

7

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1

8

2

3

4

1. Precast concrete panels, offers robustness for basketball or

5. Sky light, timber framed (o.5x1m)

football to be bounced around.

6. Timber cladding

2. Basketball backboard and hoops

7. Internal timber finishing with LED light tubes

3. Elastic net for football passing accuracy training

8. Precast concrete modules

4. Timber window frame (3x3.5m) with reinforced glass

Exploded axo diagram of the private practice pods, showing its components and materiality.

Interior view of the private practice pods, in here, people who wish to practice alone can do just that.

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A series of photos illustrating the making process of the physical model.

Initial sketches of the kinetic model.

Image of myself setting up the kinetic model of the sports complex and landscape design. Full video see @liuszechun at Instagram.

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//PHYSICAL KINETIC MODEL//

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CLOSE-UP -> 01 Interactive walkway

CLOSE-UP -> 02

CLOSE-UP -> 03

Interactive Landscaping

Interactive Sports Hall

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HIGH-RISE: GLASGOW’S REDEMPTION OF MODERN LIVING SECOND YEAR INDIVIDUAL DESIGN THESIS

Software: Rhino, Grasshopper, Keyshot, Illustrator, Indesign, Photoshop Hardware:

1st Class Honours

3D printing Rapid prototyping

Its not about how many people you know, its about how good you know them.

A plan enforced by the Glasgow Housing Association

Applying concepts in biology, psychology, sociology,

(GHA) will see the majority of its 120+ remaining

and anthropology, the project reimagines how people

post-war residential high-rise buildings demolished

are organised in housing developments and analyses

in the next few decades. The project attempts to

the ways in which the word ‘community’ has come to

prevent this unnecessary demolition and recalibrate

be abused and exploited over time.

the space to combat urban loneliness and alienation.

Designs have been heavily iterated through 3D While residents of Glasgow are physically closer

printing. The speculative design language aims to

to one another than ever before, and as the city

question the notion of minimalistic living, exploring

continues to increase in population, more people

how design could bring ‘life’ to a building.

report experiences of loneliness.

Initial sketch of a residential floor plan study.

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//SECTION 1:200//

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Diagramatic representation of the psychology of friendships (time vs strength)

‘Its not about how many people

of close friends far out weighs

you know, but its about how well

that of many acquantances.

you know them’ As well as suggesting that the the

psychology

total amount of time spent with

inter-personal

relationship,

someone is positively correlated

any one person could only have

with the strength of relationship

roughly 15 close friends at any

with that person.

According of

to

one point in time, this has taken into the account of factors such

The design of the tower takes

as, average emotional capactity,

these

time available for connection,

account, e.g. by focusing on

physical separation etc.

creating smaller neighbourhoods

research

findings

into

rather than purly looking at the Studies

also

show

that

the

psychological

and

physical

benefit of having a small number

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tower at a macro scale.

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Diagramatic representation of the psychology of friendships (number of people)

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//THE CREATION OF COMMUNAL SPACE BY RECONFIGURING APARTMENT UNITS//

ITERATIVE PROCESS -> 01 - 08

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SZE CHUN LIU PORTFOLIO The Bluevale tower was first

The

surveyed,

the

project was to reimagine the

dimensions and layouts of the

design of the tower, to suit

flats on each floor, as well as

contemporary social needs.

to

find

the

load-bearing

and

non

out

main

concept

of

this

structures

load-bearing

One of the main social issues identified

elements.

during

research

was urban loneliness.

The above drawings are based on the original architectural

This

drawings produced before its

alternative

project

explores

an

approach

construction in the 1960’s,

highrise apartments design,

to

which

the

focusing on the reduction of

architectural archive of the

living spaces for the creative

Mitchell Library, glasgow.

of communal spaces.

was

found

in

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DESIGN PROTOTYPE -> 14

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Iterative design process using 3D printed prototypes and digital drawing.

DESIGN PROTOTYPES COLLECTIONS

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Photo of 3D printed design prototypes.

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Design exploration of external staircase. When man meets nature.

//PLANS OF A SINGLE NEIGHBORHOOD 1:100//

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<1/F>

<2/F>

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1

Axo fragment of a single 3-storey neighbourhood 7

7

8

8 2

6

3

4

5

FLAT A

FLAT B

FLAT D

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FLAT E

FLAT C 1. Fire Staircase 2. Communal Dinning 3. Multi-purpose Space 4. Central Stair 5. Central Slide 6. Communal Toilet 7. Study pods Stairs 8. Study pods 9. Elevators 10. Communal Garden Flat A,B,D,E - Capacity 4-5 Flat C,F - Capacity 1-2

6

FLAT F

10

Flats Circulation Communal space

<G/F>

Semi-Private Working pods

Exploded Axo fragment of a single 3-storey neighbourhood

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SZE CHUN LIU PORTFOLIO View from twin tower, showing external of the residential tower.

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SZE CHUN LIU PORTFOLIO Interior view of the communal area of one single neighbourhood within the high-rise.

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UG9 BARTLETT SUMMER SHOW 2023 STUDENT-LED PUBLIC EXHIBITION

(2.5 weeks)

Software: Rhino, Keyshot, Photoshop, Illustrator, Indesign Hardware:

Role: Project lead, Co-designer, Frabricator

3D printing, Laser cutting, WaterJetting, CNC milling, Bandsaw, Timber filling machine, Sander, etc.

How to optimise viewing experience of student work?

Every year, the Barteltt School of Architecture holds

Each unit is given a small sum of funding, depending

a two-week summer exhibition at 22 Gordon street for

on the number of students within the unit.

students to showcase their work to the public. The Bartlett Summer Show is regarded as the biggest

As the project lead, I have gained valuable experience

exhibition of student works in the world.

in a number of important skills, crucial to guiding a project from start to finish, e.g. cost management,

Each unit, generally consist of two tutors and around

people management, production and installation.

15 students, are allocated a space, an empty area and a few blank walls.

Students are responsible for designing their own show space, as well as making and installing every components.

Initial sketch of show space design and plan drawings of the given exhibition space, drawn in CAD

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Photo by project partner Sean Ow

Drawing frames were designed

The idea is that the top frame

to convey a sense of visual

would be hang at a specific

continuity,

the

angle using two strings cut at a

vertical elements to the back of

specific length. This is to reduce

the drawings, only showing the

the number of support having to

top and bottom horizontal timber

be made.

by

relocating

frames.

The frames are also designed to come off the wall at and angle, creating a gradient from 0 degree to 4 degree. This not onlt makes it easier for viewers to look at drawings, but also enhance the 3 dimensionality of the frames.

Photo by project partner Sean Ow

Photo illustrating the ‘fanning’ effect created by changing length of the support elements.

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Initial concept sketch of the drawing frames design, and the angle relative to the wall.

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Photos showing the process, on-site and in workshop.

Every

components

(timber

+

Each frame is made of 4 pine

aluminium) has been made in

wood

strip

(9mm

house,

600m)

with

four

the

entire

frabrication

x

20mm

20mm

x M5

screws at each corner, tighted

process was led by myself.

with wing nuts.

All

timber

components

were

precisely cut and processed to

Each

the exact size and shapes, using

a

frame

a combination of laser cutter,

corresponding

band saw, sander etc.

are made of 3 layers of 3mm

specific

is

held

angle ‘arm’,

by

up

to four

Which

plywood, a L bracket, and a 3mm While all of the metal components were

cut

using

a

water

aluminium hook.

jet

machine. Aluminium was chosen for its soft nature.

Photo by project partner Sean Ow

Detial close-up shot of the support element, each made up of 1 steel L bracket, 4 M5 screws, laser cut plywood, waterjet cut aluminium.

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Photo by project partner Sean Ow

THE MONEY SHOT -> UG9 SHOW SPACE

BARTLETT SUMMER SHOW 2023

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