LEE MATTHEW C.F. MCGILL UNIVERSITY – SCHOOL OF ARCHITECTURE | LI PO CHUN UNITED WORLD COLLEGE OF HONG KONG | ST. PAUL'S CO-EDUCAITONAL COLLEGE
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| McGill University School of Architecture
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CONTENT CENTRE D’HISTOIRE DE MONTREAL
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GOURMET D’ENGRENAGES
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ASSOCIATION SPORTIVE ET COMMUNAUTAIRE DU CENTRE-SUD
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THE RING CYCLE
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CULTIVALE ROOT
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TECTONIC GARDEN
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| McGill University School of Architecture
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CENTRE D’HISTOIRE DE MONTREAL
| Matthew Lee
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CENTRE D’HISTOIRE DE MONTREAL WATER IS A DEFINING FEATURE OF MONTREAL. The first settlers to North America arrived by the Saint-Lawrence River. From that point on, a port was established on Montreal’s southern shore, and from the water a city emerged. Water is reflective not only of the Old Port, but of the heritage of the Centre d’Histoire de Montreal in particular. Before it became a historical centre, the Central Fire Station (Serne Centrale Pompiers) served as a necessity to the community because of the frequent fires that plagued the wooden structures. Water was an essential item to the function of the building. The power of water delivered from the station left an imprint on each aflame house, salvaging the structure from destruction. To approach the question of using hydraulic as a force in the study of the façade, a parameter including a set of arches representing the fluidity of water was created. Using the loft function, a wavelike double curved structure is produced. The most dominant feature in the façade was the central roof lantern. Therefore, in response to the bricks on the façade, the lantern is reduced and repeated in a modular of thirteen by four units. The lanterns are distorted according to the curve of the surface. The quality of the highly geometrical façade is maintained, yet the transmutation establishes a historical connection with the building’s original purpose. LINK: http://lmatthewcf.wordpress.com/2014/01/05/centre-dhistoire-de-montreal-2/
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| McGill University School of Architecture
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CENTRE D’HISTOIRE DE MONTREAL
| Matthew Lee
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| McGill University School of Architecture
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GOURMET D’ENGRENAG
GOURMET D’ENGRENAGES
| Matthew Lee
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GES
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ears derive from a rather simple form; a circular washer with teeth. However, through the amalgamation of this simple form, gears are able to transform into multifaceted structures capable of undertaking complex tasks. Through this vein, our building echoes the complexity found within the simple form of the gear. In Gourmet d,engrenages, abstracted gears become simple floor plates, meanwhile the duplication of these floor plates along different axis creates a more complex, and resultantly more dynamic and interactive space. Furthermore, the mirroring affect present in both Phase 1 and Phase 2 of Architectural Modelling 512 project, is translated within our complex; the upper pods hang from the structure, meanwhile the lower pods are held up by steel posts (which dually function as elevators). The mirrored pods create a constant tension between one another as they constantly tend towards each other, emblematic of the movement of gears. The program of these continuous spaces is to be exhibition space for restaurants. Each pod houses a different type of cuisine. In that, the entire complex becomes a rotary of restaurants and bars equipped to satisfy the most eclectic of palettes. LINK: http://lmatthewcf.wordpress.com/2014/01/05/gourmet-dengrenages-2/
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| McGill University School of Architecture
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GOURMET D’ENGRENAGES
| Matthew Lee
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| McGill University School of Architecture
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ASSOCIATION SPORTIVE ET COMMUNAUTAIRE DU CENTRE-SUD (ASCCS)
| Matthew Lee
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ASSOCIATION SPORTIVE ET COMMUNAUTAIRE DU CENTRE-SUD
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he Sports and Community Association of the South-Center of Montreal is a home away from home for this particular group of children. They came into the facility with their home key hanging around their neck after school. They receive personal tutorial care from volunteers who were once users of this service from the neighbourhood. Children can also get involved with extracurricular activities after studying. Throughout the past 40 years, the association has grown from the phase 1 (high-lighted in green) to phase 2 & 3 (high-lighted in yellow and blue) with a standard 25m swimming pool to satisfy the need of the current community. Since it is a non-profit organization, majority of the activities are free of charge. The association is financially supported with the membership charges of the fitness centre integrated in the facility. In 2006, the association collaborated with the city of Montreal to build an integrated public library on the 3rd floor of the complex. The entire library was independently funded by the government. In 2013, the current association collaborated with Professor Vikram Bhatt’s U2 studio from McGill University School of Architecture to initiate the forth phase of extension. This set another mile-stone of the coming stage of development. LINK: http://lmatthewcf.wordpress. com/2013/02/21/association-sportive-etcommunautaire-du-centre-sud-asccs/
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| McGill University School of Architecture Architecture
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ASSOCIATION SPORTIVE ET COMMUNAUTAIRE DU CENTRE-SUD (ASCCS)
| Matthew Lee
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| McGill University School of Architecture
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THE RING CYCLE
| Matthew Lee
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THE RING CYCLE Meditation | Wagner | Intellect | Community | Myth
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his project is a reinterpretation of Wagner’s famous opera, the Ring Cycle and primary respond to some of the pragmatic request from the client. I divided the house programme into three layers similar to the background of Ring. They are Mythical, Mortal and Hell respectively. I visualize one was driven to navigate among the three world and I also imagining how the higher power communicate the three layers mediated using architectural language, triple stairs and ceiling high respectively. At 6 feet below ground is the thinking space representing the the origin One is driven to seek for a higher power. Inhabiting the space underneath the stairs which represent Power in my earlier conceptual model. right next to this reflective space is a long hallway leading down to this spiritual, the sky light with the high wall conditioned the inhabitant at the stage of humility with the light shining through the steps. in contrast to the stairs divide in to three levels, this represent the direct radiant from the higher power above At the excavation is the performance space inspired by the Devil’s Violin. It is a string theatre performance speaking of a solider selling his soul to the devil for a violin. The audience are seated in rows on the steps. the backdrop of the performance is a series of curved used to caustic purpose. It also convey the idea of looking the earth beneath in a section. With the steps floating above and a thin slit of light shiny from the half-floor library sinking in from the ceiling, one is put a position of curiosity. Jutting out between the dining area and the theatre is the library. It represent the intellect which is a medium of communication or understanding between the mortal and the upper power. Layers of shelves made of a variety of hardwood are arranged according to the colour gradient spectrum. Ascending from dark to light toward the third floor of the house. Dining area is designed as a place of gathering. This is the clearest layer of the three in terms of lighting. Sunlight is allowed to enter the room directly. The dining area is connected with the library in a cliff and trough relationship. Guests are allowed to overlook into the library at the perimeter of the dinning area. The mythical area was depicted with the photograph of my personal friends and roommates in my conceptual stage of study. Similar to fabric which represent the impression/ imprint of the subject it is covering over. The familiarity of the people in the picture is estrange to the viewer. Mythical character share the same essence. The private layer of the house is arranged as an assemble of partition and curtain in respond to such mythical nature. The architectural quality of such level will further be refined in plan. LINK: http://lmatthewcf.wordpress.com/2012/12/11/housing-project/
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| McGill University School of Architecture
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THE RING CYCLE
| Matthew Lee
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| McGill University School of Architecture
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HOUSE OF A BAKER
he focus of this study is the cultivation of roots. Roots can be understood as one’s origin. For me, personally, my ethnic root is Chinese. This is the reason why I wrote “cultivate root” in traditional Chinese on the concept panel. As you may know, Chinese is a figurative language where a character is an abstraction of culture and visualization of the value. The Chinese character of “cultivate” is composed of two words. On the left is “wheat” and on the right is “heavy”. The character “heavy” can also be understood as “worthy”. Therefore, the understanding of cultivation in Chinese culture originates and centre on the value of grain. This is the reason why I have chosen wheat as my cultivation. I also see root as a convertor. It transforms the richness of the death into the fullness of life. Despite we figuratively say that the mature wheat field as a golden field; in the harvest season, wheat that is ready to be harvest is dry and brittle. It looks almost dead. Yet, we grind these grains into flour and make living bread. Hence, my project is a house of a baker. Bakeries originated from the home-based bakery where the bakery is nothing more than an elaborated kitchen. However, according to the by-law, new construction of bakery ought to isolate from the living and sleeping space. This project takes on the challenge of integrating the working area into the living area without violating the by-law. We can understand this house as a cross intersection of a bakery and a house. I attempt to draw parallels of the process of breadmaking corresponding to different ways of living. From the plan, I put contrast of bedroom against the thawing preparation space of the bakery, where the dough is raised. I pair up the living space and the displaying space of the bakery. The intersection happens in the domestic kitchen and the baking area. It is exaggerated at the kitchen counter where the two working space share the same working table. It is separated with nothing more than a glass panel in between. One can distinguish the two by the width of the table in plan where the domestic kitchenette table is 60cm while the professional baking counter is 1m wide. Nevertheless, the oven is the heart of the house and the bakery can be viewed from both inside the house and from the exterior without interruption. Similar to my conceptual suitcase used for the site study, this house can be understood as layers of rooms where one can understand the interior programme from the clarity expressed from the exterior. It is best represented form the southwest fascia where elevated steps are designed as part of the living space where the couple can sit casually around the kitchen. In contrast to the solid wall located at the kitchen which is anchored into the ground, the living area and the sleeping area cantilevering on the left and right, the house looks like as if it is floating on the wheat field. The difference in the levelling of the house and the bakery allow natural sunlight coming in from the north. LINK: http://lmatthewcf.wordpress.com/2012/04/12/house-of-abaker-cultivate-root/
CULTIVALE ROOT
CULTIVATE ROOT
| Matthew Lee
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| McGill University School of Architecture
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CULTIVALE ROOT
| Matthew Lee
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| McGill University School of Architecture Architecture
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| TECTONIC GARDEN
Jessica Do | Shi-Yang Jia | Matthew Lee
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TECTONIC GARDEN
We propose an architecture of proliferating concrete columns and petals spread
freely over the downtown campus of Concordia University. It is a monumental tectonic garden which provides unprescribed areas for play, learning, and communal activities as well as areas of personal reflection and rest. Our five massive column modules convey a strong sense of compression from above and of tension from below. They transform into circulation shafts binding together the floor plates which support public and private programs, alternating every floor. The columns pull away from their receptacle capitals, their spokes stretched to reveal a set of curious interiors within the ground - small sanctuaries amidst the looming mega-structure. The network of openings gives porosity and light to the different levels of the building. Light penetrates from both above and under, directing the gaze both skywards and downwards much like the two-way mirror experience of our early sketches. LINK: http://lmatthewcf.wordpress.com/2014/01/05/tectonic-garden-2/
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| McGill University School of Architecture
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| TECTONIC GARDEN
Jessica Do | Shi-Yang Jia | Matthew Lee
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| McGill University School of Architecture
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| TECTONIC GARDEN
Jessica Do | Shi-Yang Jia | Matthew Lee
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TENSION X COMPRESSION Two qualities permeates our selected image: a sense of compression when the image is viewed right side up and a feeling of mass in tension when viewed upside down. The curious forbidden space in-between became one of the key focus of our exploration. In our rendering, we expanded the field and consequentially revealed the inhabitation potential of that forbidden space within the columns and their crown. We discovered a way to integrate the crowns with the plate, while the columns pierce through multiple layers in order to generate a labyrinth. In response to the site conditions, we studied three variations of the column-and-crown relationship at different scales. First, we proposed a single tower. At ground, the shaft adapts to the typography and then rise up in the air, the bundles meeting mid-way and detaching from each other. Second, we reduced the scale to create an urban oasis, the building pulling up, as it were, the ground into layers and creating clearings on the North, East and West respectively. Finally, a third and definitive version synthesized the first two.
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Long Section
| McGill University School of Architecture
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| TECTONIC GARDEN
Jessica Do | Shi-Yang Jia | Matthew Lee
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Ground Floor Site Plan
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| McGill University School of Architecture
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| TECTONIC GARDEN
Jessica Do | Shi-Yang Jia | Matthew Lee
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Private Floor Plan: Floor Systems: Concrete Flat Slab 40cm Thickness Drop Panel 20cm Thickness 13cm in dimension Resting Pod 1: 1.9kPa 10m span from core Resting Pod 2: 1.9kPa 12m span from core Resting Pod3: 1.9 kPa 10m span from core
Private Area Plan Detail
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| McGill University School of Architecture
Public Floor Plan: Floor Systems: Concrete Flat Slab 48cm Thickness Drop Panel 24cm Thickness 16cm in dimension Library: 3.6kPa 12m span from core Common room:1.9kPa 10m span from core Lecture Hall: 4.8 kPa 12m span from core
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Jessica Do | Shi-Yang Jia | Matthew Lee
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| TECTONIC GARDEN
Public Area Plan Detail
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| McGill University School of Architecture
Vertical Systems: Concrete Walls in cylindrical form 200m wall = 150m2/m length Thickness: 300mm Concrete Columns on the ground level in 500mm size Lateral Systems: 1.Concrete Base Shear Wall on the ground level in 500mm in thickness 2. Moment Frame
Entrance Detail in Section
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Irregularities to be considered: Torsional Irregularity Re-entrant Corners Non-parallel Lateral Systems Vertical Irregularity Geometric Irregularity Soft Storey Mass Irregularity
| TECTONIC GARDEN
Jessica Do | Shi-Yang Jia | Matthew Lee
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Structure Composite Diagram
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| McGill University School of Architecture
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| TECTONIC GARDEN
Jessica Do | Shi-Yang Jia | Matthew Lee
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| McGill University School of Architecture
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| TECTONIC GARDEN
Jessica Do | Shi-Yang Jia | Matthew Lee
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| McGill University School of Architecture
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LEE MATTHEW C.F. As a grandson of a tailor and a son of a watchmaker, Matthew was brought up with the sensitivity of an artist and the skillfulness of a craftsman. Although he was born in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada, he was raised and educated in Hong Kong SAR, China since the age of five. Matt was exposed to the world of music through piano, percussion, and mixed-voice choir, and his further training as a budding trilingual musician at St. Paul’s Co-educational College consisted of majoring in mathematical science. While retaining roots in the rich soil of Chinese cultural tradition, Matthew has craved participation in the multiethnic cosmopolitan world ever since opening his eyes to the effects of globalization. At the age of 16, he pursued his International Baccalaureate Bilingual Diploma in Li Po Chun United World College of Hong Kong (LPCUWC). With a strong emphasis on celebrating cultural diversity, he has put personal ideals into motion, working to grow diverse communities via International Service Projects, where Matt was encouraged to initiate conversations and become personally involved with social justice issues. In 2008, along with Chishio Furukawa, Matthew founded and organized the Sino-Japan Youth Conference, aiming to reconcile the Sino-Japanese relationship through educating youth with the potential of becoming ambassadors of new generations. Pursuing his passion and curiosity while embracing multiculturalism, Matthew was drawn to the avantgarde ideas and the activist spirit of the city of Montreal. He entered McGill University, in Montreal, Canada as a Biochemistry student, but became unsettled with the pursuit of the natural sciences in his initial years of study. In 2010, Matthew took the risk of transferring from the sciences to a faculty where he glimpsed the promise that his whole gifts and passions might be utilized: Architecture. His hopes came true. Through phenomenal discourse on the interaction between sensation and thought, Architecture students at McGill have the opportunity to explore similar relationships of dynamic poetry, and work to achieve synthetic relationships between the practical, metaphysical, subliminal and tangible, thereby transposing buildings from mere commodities to true architecture. In addition to being inspired by his studies, Matthew became highly involved in a cross-cultural, grassroots publication, Independent Skies Magazine, during the course of being enrolled in his last year of architectural studies, at the same time, achieving 3.96 GPA in the 2013 Fall semester.