Megan Dang Spring 2023 Portfolio

Table of Contents

In the Design Studio

Professional Work

Mission District Art Incubator UCSB Performance/Lecture Hall The Urban Institute Oakland Community Center Two Family Duplex Orthographic Drawings

Architectural Designer Gelfand Partner Architects Multimedia Associate Othering and Belonging Institute Berkeley Law School UC Berkeley College of L&S

Other Schoolwork

Personal Work

Cantilivered Camping Structure Wooden Hall Organizer Design Proposal: Walk/Bikeable Streets A Greener City: Graphic Storyboard PSA

YouTube and Blog Hand Drafting Sketches Object Sketches

Mission District Art Incubator and Community Based Collaboration Space San Francisco, CA | Nastaran Mousavi Architectural Design III | Fall 2022 This class project focuses on creating an art incubator and community-based collaboration space in the Mission District of San Francisco, with the aim to support diverse artist communities who have been impacted by the rising cost of living in the Bay Area. The art incubator will provide a place for artists to create, showcase, and sell their work while living within a community of like-minded individuals and utilizing common and shared resources, recognizing the importance of art and creativity in our cities.

My project specifically focuses on a museum building that embraces impermanence and uses the technique of collaging to redefine its spaces. By building with randomness, diversity of design, versatility, and variation, the museum blends into the current skyline of Mission District and allows itself to disappear in a sense. The project is based on the fact that nothing is permanent in Mission District, and the museum’s design reflects this truth.

Above: Perspective cut through alleyway Right: Alleyway renders: (Top) third floor, (Middle) second floor, (Bottom) ground floor

Top: Entrance renderings: (Left) Treat Avenue entrance, (Right) 22nd St. entrance Bottom: Plans

Top: Circulation diagram, (Right) final physical model Right: Elevations

University of California, Santa Barbara Performance Venue and Lecture Hall Santa Barbara, CA | Ryan Keern Architectural Design IV | Spring 2023 In the class, (per)forming arts: order and uncertainty, I developed a catalog of figures, seams, and patterns that create a tension between the standard and the specific / the stable and the unstable in art practices.

For the project iself, I was tasked to design a new 850 seat performing arts and lecture venue on a gateway site to the University of California, Santa Barbara campus, utilizing the catalog of affects developed in the first part of the studio. The learning objectives of the studio include developing logics for the flow of people, institutional identity, complex spatial experience, natural daylighting, and exploring novel drawing techniques to see and evaluate the work differently.

Above: Plan subdivision diagram Right: (Top) Ariel exterior render, (Bottom) approach exterior render

Top: Interior renders Bottom: (Left) Plan oblique massing wireframe, (Middle) plan subdivision diagram, (Right) section

The Urban Institute San Francisco, CA | Keith Plymale Fundementals of Architectural Design | Spring 2022 The Urban Institute is a building constructed by programs with a common set of interests: improving architecture and urban design in the Bay Area. Through interwoven tracks of research, education, and advocacy, the premise of this project is that a better quality of urban life can be supported through design. The institute relies an economic model that is an increasingly popular and necessary tool to support non-profit ventures, which is to use various parts of the building as flexible rental space for social events and business purposes, both creating and celebrating an urban tableau of continually varied users, constituencies, needs and expectations.

The productive merger and interaction of different programs and their particular spatial conditions was a central agenda for the project. The precedent I studied for this project - the Shanghai Modern Art Museum in China - heavily influences and inspired my building design which was to draw users’ focus toward the street corner. The interlocking shapes created a dynamic design which provides outdoor spaces and shade.

Above: Corner exterior render Right: interior render, (Bottom) bird’s eye view

Left and Middle: Plans Right: Section cut elevations

Top: Final physical model Right: (Top) Conceptural premise/primary intent diagram, (Bottom) programmatic strategy of the project

DIAGRAM 1: CONCEPTUAL PREMISE/PRIMARY INTENT

The mass concept was created with the intention of drawing the visitors eyes and attention towards the street (corner) and away from the alley.

The long rows of windows evoke the industrial nature of the other buildings flanking the intersection. The overhangs created provide shade to the lower levels and add spatial depth.

The windowless spaces create for quite and dark spaces for programs that require that (ex: lecture hall where prpjections will be made and exhibition halls where art is preserved).

The circulation hall (generous public stair and elevator) acts as an intersitial space, providing flexible infrastructure design options for building services/maintenance.

The building concept design created many outdoor terrace spaces that can be used as green spaces (beneficial as there is a lack of trees in the area).

The structure itself was designed simply with extractions to maximize the site space, to fit all of the programs comfortably in the museum, and complement surrounding buildings.

DIAGRAM 4 - PROGRAMMATIC STRATEGY OF THE PROJECT 4TH FLOOR: RESEARCH AND POLICY CENTER This floor has an outdoor space for workers to use. There is also a lot of natural light being let in, but walled off space on the other side for quiet. All of the owrk being on the top floor creates a focused environment.

CIRCULATION: The circulation of the musem is condensed into one area to make traveing between floors simple.

2ND FLOOR: FLEXIBLE MEETING/ EVENT SPACE The event space is divided into two rooms facing 3rd street with a large overhang window letting light in.

1ST FLOOR: ENTRANCE The entrance of the museum is on the corner of Bryant and 3rd St. This space invites users to enter.

3RD FLOOR: PUBLIC ASSEMBLY/LECTURE HALL The lecture hall is sandwiched between the event space and workers as it can easily be used by the public or professionals.

1ST - 3RD FLOOR: EXHIBITION - DOUBLE HEIGHT BETWEEN 2ND/3RD The exhbition space is all placed on the right side of the museum for visitors to travel through. By making it three floors, it encourages visitors to travel throughout the museum.

The darkness on the first floor can be used for artwork that needs to be preserved. The second and third floors are connected with a double height space that will be used to keep the model of SF on display.

Oakland Community Center Oakland, CA | Jasmit Rangr Fundementals of Architectural Design | Fall 2021 This project was my first attempt at designing a museum, attempting to incorporate design concepts at the intersection of material, program and form while introducing issues of site, order, color, and circulation. I also had to consider questions such as: what is a museum? What should a museum be? What does “part museum” mean? What about “part something else”?

I began with an analysis of the program and site of the Taizhou Museum. I then combined that analysis with the results of my precedent models to design a new museum in an open lot in Oakland to serve the community. When first assigned this museum project, I immediately thought of artwork and exhibits. But when I saw the requirements included spaces like community meeting rooms and a library, I realized that this space needed to be much more than just a place to display art - it would need to act as a community center. I catered my design to appeal to the broad visitor audience consisting of both outside visitors and members of the local community.

Top: Corner render Right: (Top) interior render, (Bottom) exterior render

Top: Plans Bottom: Site plan, (Right) Section cut elevations

Top: Final physical model Right: Circulation diagram

Two Family Duplex Los Angeles, CA | Maria Paz Gutierrez Introduction to Design | Spring 2021 The requirements of this duplex included a duplex to accomodate two seperate units for two different families: Unit 1 is for a young couple with two young children and Unit 2 is for a couple and one older relative. This was my first studio course creating a space with given space and program requirements. The main focus of my design was to create an exterior circulation so that the different families would be able to move around the duplex without bothering one another to maintain privacy for themselves. I also wanted to work within the context of the site - Los Angeles - and create a sleek and modern design.

Top right: Section elevation Middle: Plans Bottom: Model

Orthographic Drawings Berkeley, CA | Maria Paz Gutierrez Introduction to Visualization & Architectural Representation | Fall 2020 For my first studio, I learned how to rigorously describe and analyze spaces through architectural orthographic representation. The lessons learned from this course helped me better understand how to critically calibrate the hierarchies and time-based donations within a given representational media.

Above: Surveying of intricate geometry in the form of a body fragment and its transcription Right: Drawing of an unfolded mechnical object (bike lock) and its movement

Cantilivered Camping Structure Berkeley, CA | Andrew Rastetter Introduction to Structures | Fall 2022 The purpose of this project was to create a structure to support a luxury adventure camping experience on a cliff face. The structure must enclose a sleeping space large enough for a queen bed (80” x 60”), a bathroom space to accommodate a dry toilet and water basin, and a space to store backpacks, safety gear and other supplies. The top of the structure must accommodate a 8’ x 8’ observation deck. The physical model was to be made at a 1½” = 1’ scale.

Through this prohect, I gained a better understanding of structural behavior through a combination of digital and physical modeling and testing and to investigate relationships between architectural design and structure. Through the design of a camping pod cantilevered from the side of a cliff, I learned to translate an architectural concept into a structural model which can be manipulated to meet programmatic and structural performance criteria.

Above: Testing of structure (held 65 pounds) Right: Final structure. This structure was porduced as a group project of three students.

Wooden Hall Organizer Berkeley, CA | Dana Buntrock Introduction to Construction | Spring 2022 For this assignment, students were asked to build a simple, elegant, free-standing structure in wood, one that is both an entrance hall organizer or coatrack. The organizer was to be made to be able to hold at least one coat, a hat, and a pair of shoes.

My partner and I first modeled the structure out in Rhino. We used dowel joints and half lap joints to join the pieces together as we found that was the most efficient and effective way to do so with our wooden long pieces. Throgh the construction of this hall organizer, I learned more about how to make strong connections and work with wood.

Above: Final project being displayed with materials, (Right) construction of structure in woodshop Right: Close up images of joints

Design Proposal: Walkable/Bikeable Cities Berkeley, CA | Kimberlee Stryker Sustainable Landscapes and Cities | Spring 2021 Walking and biking are popular modes of transportation in Berkeley. In fact, almost fifteen percent of employed Berkeley residents commute by foot and roughly ten percent by bicycle. Nevertheless, there are a plethora of safety problems for those who travel these ways in Berkeley. For that reason, it is important to start designing safer streets and making significant improvements to existing street access for those who walk and bike in Berkeley. By doing so, we can create a culture that makes biking and walking easier, more accessible, and a part of everyday life.

For this project, my group and I selected the intersection of Shattuck and University to focus on, where many accidents occur. Through our research and design, we proposed a design solution to make this intersection of Berkeley more walkable and bikeable, helping pedestrians and cyclists feel safer, and encouraging more people to choose to walk and bike.

Above: Final production image of idealized intersection Right: Renders and drawings to showcase proposed intersection

A Greener City: Graphic Storyboard PSA Berkeley, CA | Greg Castillo Design and Activism | Fall 2020 America’s rapidly growing population and overcrowding has led to a decrease of green space in many cities. The Garden City Movement responded to the problem of overcrowding and congestion. This new design methodology fought to bring greenery into cities, fostering a healthier and more humane urban environment. For this project, I was asked to create a storyboard urging public action - I contrasted images of New York City with and without added green space to show how they can improve the city for its residents to convey the importance and necessity of green spaces in the city, motivating viewers to push officials to support green space initiatives.

1: New York city is currently failing to provide its residents with adequate green spaces.

2: Apartments are desperately close.

3: Residents are seriously deprived of outdoor space.

4: And children are sadly forced to play inside.

Above: Storybaord pages 1-4 Right: Storyboard pages 5-10

5: The Garden City movement is a method of design with the purpose to improve quality of life by incorporating green spaces into cities. It is time for NYC adopts this design.

6: This is what present day NYC could be with the proper incorporation of green space...

7: Residents are now able to go outside to com8: And kids can actually play and congregate plete their activities while connecting with nature. outdoors.

9: Petition, protest, and plant to build a greener, 10: Fight for your green city. clearer New York City.

Architectural Designer San Francisco, CA | Gelfand Partners Architect May 2022 - Present In May 2021, I was hired as an Architectural Intern to work at Gelfand Partner Architects. After the summer, I was brought on to continue working as an Architectural Designer at the firm. I am invovled with projects for public and nonprofit clients in the Bay Area (TIs and K-12 schools rehabilitations). Additionally, I am part of marketing efforts, branding, social media, and qualification packaages for RFQs and clients, as well as community outreach initiatives and workshops.

Above: Client workshop design feedback presentation boards Right: RFQ proposal pages

Multimedia Associate Berkeley, CA | Othering and Belonging Institute, Berkeley Law School, UC Berkeley College of L&S February 2020 - August 2022 With my roles as the Digital Content Manager at UC Berkeley Law School, Multimedia Associate at the Othering and Belonging Institute, and Digital Content Strategist for UC berkeley Letters & Science Media Studies Department, I design and layout many promotional materials. This includes marketing flyers, event programs, and informational guides. The graphic programs I use to create these matrials include Photoshop and Illustrator.

Above: Berkeley Law flyers Right: Othering and Belonging Institute flyers

YouTube and Blog YouTube: youtube.com/c/MeganDang Blog: type1mind.blogspot.com Diagnosed at age three, diabetes has always been a big part of my life. Diabetes opened my eyes to new possibilities, new friends, and new experiences. Nevertheless, it has also shown me the bad that can come from an unwanted and undeserved disease - from causing me to go low during an important soccer game, to shooting up my blood sugar during an important test! As a diabetic of seventeen years, I feel that I have a lot of experience with this disease and want to share my story with non-diabetics, as well as connect with my fellow diabetics out there. Dealing with a 24/7 condition that occupies the most part of my life, I found that one of my main goals is to help other like me, as well as educate others willing to learn more about it!.

Since high school, I have managed and produced diabetic content for my personal YouTube and blog. On these platforms, I share informational guides, tutorials, and advice to fellow diabetics to help them with any concerns and obstacles they come across dealing with this disease.

Above: Blog Right: YouTube channel

Hand Drafting Sketches

Object Sketches