I am a 24 year old Singaporean aspiring architect and urban designer seeking to learn and expand my references in the architectural and design field. I am passionate about the manipulation of forms to create unique spatial experiences.
I am a 20 year old Singaporean aspiring architect and urban designer seeking to learn and expand my references in this architectural and design field. I am passionate about the manipulation of form to create unique spatial experiences.
I started my architecture journey in the Interior Architecture and Design course in Temasek Polytechnic, Singapore, where I graduated with a Diploma with Merit and the Best Major Project in Graphic Design. I continued to pursue a Bachelor of Arts in Architecture and Master of Architecture in the National University of Singapore.
I started my architecture journey in Temasek Polytechnic, Singapore where i graduated with a Diploma with Merit in the Interior Architecture and Design course. I continued to pursue a Bachelor of Arts in Architecture in the National University of Singapore.
I have a strong interest in design development on an urban scale, real estate and infracstructure, graphics and modelmaking. I am a fast and adaptable learner, always seeking the best solution for a project.
I am passionate about community driven projects, civic projects, woodworking and model making. I actively volunteered in re-construction projects in Pulau Ubin where I help with the tender drawings, models and construction. I hope to participate in other disaster relief projects with sustainable and vernacular methods.
I am glad to share with you my past works.
I am glad to share with you my past works.
TEO RUI ZHI RACHEL
ARCHITECTURE GRADUATE
ABOUT ME
I am an aspiring architect and urban designer seeking to learn and expand my references in this architectural and design field. My passion for the built industry started from my hobby of making paper models. I have a strong interest in urban design development, real estate and infrastructure, graphics and model-making. I am a fast and adaptable learner, and constantly striving for the best creative solutions. I am passionate, hardworking and extremely driven. It will be my great honour to learn and leverage off your expertises.
EDUCATION
Master in Architecture | National University of Singapore (NUS) | August 2024 - April 2025
Advanced Architecture Studio, Architectural Design Research Report, Topics in Urbanism 6, Topis in Urbanism 12, Architectural Design Thesis
Bachelor of Arts in Architecture (Hons) | National University of Singapore (NUS) | August 2021 - April 2024
Exchanged at Bachelor of Arts in Architecture | Technische Universität München (Technical University of Munich) | September 2023 - Jan 2023
Design 3, Architectural Construction & Tectonics, Design and Make, Design 4, History & Theory of Architecture I, Climate, Ecology & Architecture, Spatial Coputional Thinking, Design 5, History & Theory of Architecture II, Introduction to Urbanism, Design 6, Sustainable Environmental System, AI for Design, Liveable Cities, Project Restauration, Urban and Regional Dynamics, Architecture and its representation, Lecture Series 1: Urban and Landscape Transportation, Architecture Internship Programme, Architectural Practice, Metropolis: The City in World History
Diploma in Interior Architecture and Design | Temasek Polytechnic (TP) | April 2018 - February 2021
Graduated with Merit, CGPA: 3.69
Director’s List October 2019
Form & Space Exploration, Architecture Design Studies, Form & Space Exploration 2, Architectural Drawing 1 & 2, Design Fundamentals, Digital Visualisation 1, 2, & 3, Sustainable Design, GlobalStudies, Space Planning, Collaborative Design, Materials & Finishes, Spatial Design Studies, Interior Design Issues & Trends, Interior Building Systems, Construction & Detailing 1, 2, Integrated Studio Project 1, 2, 3, Industry Studio Project, Major Project: IAD
Pei Hwa Secondary School | January 2014 - December 2017
GCE ‘O’ Level
SKILLS AND EXPERTISE
AutoCAD drafting, construction and detailing tender drawings
3D Modelling in Sketchup, Rhino Renders in Photoshop, Vray, Enscape, Podium, Lumion
RELEVANT WORK EXPERIENCE
Plystudio Architects
Internship - Junior Architectural Designer | Jan 2024 - July 2024
Under the Guidance of Ar. Victor Lee and Ar. Jacqueline Yeo
AutoCAD tender residential construction drawings, involved in the conceptualisation phase for a healthcare facility, site visits and liasing with suppliers for an interior residential project, used Autodesk Flow and CFD in Rhino to generate wind analysis data for a facade design, making 1:150 and 1:75 scale physical models
WY-TO Architeccture and Planning
Under the Guidance of Ar. Jonathan Poh
Architectural Designer | March 2021 - May 2021
AutoCAD tender construction drawinigs, conceptualise and propose ideas with mood boards, 3D visualisation on Sketchup and rendering on Photoshop, prepare presentation slides
Provolk Architects
Internship - Junior Architectural Designer | July 2020 - October 2020
Under the Guidance of Ar. Jonathan Poh
AutoCAD Drafting, construction drawings, 3D visualisation on Sketchup with Podium renderer and Photoshop editing, tender presentation slides, making physical models
PROJECT EXPERIENCES/ ACHEIVEMENTS
141 Neil Road (Model) - Conservation | November 2022
Documentation for Opening Ceremony of ArClab, DOA
House 286 - Ting Hai Xuan - Kampong Restoration | May 2022 (proposed), June 2023 (built)
Design Proposal, Documentation and Construction
Haiki Village - An Elderly Kampong | October 2020 - February 2021
Gold | Best in Pandemic Design Solutions (Youth) | Singapore Interior Design Awards (SIDA) 2021
Bronze | Best Public Design | Design Excellence Award 2021
Model display at Tzu Chi Humanistic Centre | Sustainable Design | July - August 2021
Model display at the Singapore Design Centre | June - July 2021
Finalist - BDC Sustainability Design Award 2021
Model Display at Temasek Polytechnic School of Design Open Housee 2021
Die Leere - Co-working Office | October 2019 - February 2020
Finalist | Dream Big Designathon Competition (Internal)
Registry of Marriages | April 2019 - October 2020
Finalist | Presented to the panel from ROM and the Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF)
SANDBOX Project - Informal Learning Space | May 2019
Winning Proposal, Built Project
p. 7 | Exhibition | SANDBOX - 450^3
p. 9 | Discretization | The Nomadic Village
p. 15 | Restoration | House 286 - Ting Hai Xuan
p. 27 | Public Space | Tanjong Pagar Library
p. 33 | Conservation | 141 Neil Road (Model)
p. 37 | Restoration | A Monument For The People
SANDBOX - 450^3
Location: School of Design, Temasek Polytechnic, Singapore Year: 2019 (proposal), 2021 (construction) Category: Exhibition
450^3 is an informal learning space, designed for design students to learn about, share and celebrate design ideas. We envisioned an informal learning space to constantly change with different needs. A single block (450mm) is a seating height. Taking inspiration from a mirror cube and the concept of modularity, we wanted to use modular square blocks of 450mm to create various learning settings. Two blocks stacked on top of one another is around a standing table height. Blocks put together side by side can create a bench. As it will be considered for construction, modular blocks would be more cost-efficient.
In our given one week’s time, we were tasked to make a physical board, using perspectives to explain our concept and also produce a physical model. We did our visualization in Minecraft and our physical model with foam cubes. While the proposal was conceptualized in May 2019, it was eventually built in 2021.
“Nomads would be constantly on the move in order to find food and water. They would resettle their camp in different areas within the blackness of the desert. The organization of their dwellings and village prompts to change each time.” -- The Quasi Nomadic Cell
The lack of privacy and self-expression is positively associated with the rising cost of living in the cities. This has, in one way or another, hindered numerous individuals from their long-term goals. Minimalists are now advocating for “tiny living” as a modern-day solution to psychological, social, and economic societal problems.
As extended research on the “minimum dwelling” concept, the project aims to counter modes of extensive appropriation and privatization. The liveable sculpture is seen as an extension of the park. It is a place for social rehabilitation where users of different lifestyles and forms of life grow through accidental encounters and continuously varying social settings. The building comes alive as systems are constantly transforming to engage the users.
HOUSE 286 - TING HAI XUAN
Location: Pulau Ubin, Singapore
Proposed: May 2022
Constructed: June 2023
Category: Restoration
House 286 is a timber restoration project in Pulau Ubin. The deteriorating timber structure is badly infested with termites which resulted in the rotting of the structure. Ah Di has been living in this house for the past 30-40years and have done many reapir works on his own. However, the shed opposit his main living quarters is so badly damaged, it cannot be occupied anymore. Because of the condition of the shed, it is barely used for storage.
This project is a community-led restoration initiative project to preserve the built heritage and retain the rural living lifestyle of Pulau Ubin. Most of the timber used for construction are reused from old “Black and White” houses, and other new timber materials are treated to prevent future infestations. This house provides volunteers, especially architecture students, to participate in learning and designing timber joinery, taught by local social worker, Mr Phillip.
The name “Ting Hai Xuan” is given by the locals to celebrate the carefree lifestyle by the southern coast of Pulau Ubin. It directly translates to a timber house listening to the waters. The house is proposed to be used by the public when they camp overnight, for bird watching and a social spot for movie screenings and karoke sessions. The house has been restored to its original two storey floor plan, with the bottom level being a garage and storage, while the upper floor has 1 living, 1 kitchen, 1 master and 3 other bedrooms.
Volunteer work
Levelling the lower storey ground with a Line Laser
A villager teaching us how to fabricate the window frame with hand tools
A timber column fabrication with a chiseled and hammer
Floor structure joinery detail
Cantilevered beams hoisted up by one man with the support of a ladder
Coating the internal wall cladding with paint as one of the termite preventive measures
View from the Living/Kitchen counter top; being up close with nature makes it a popular bird watching spot
Left - new construction, Right
Installation of the external wall cladding - arranged horizontally,
TANJONG PAGAR LIBRARY
Location: Tras Link, Singapore Year: 2022, Y3S1 Category: Public Space
As Tajong Pagar is largely occupied by the commercial sector, especialy office towers, there has been a growing need for solidarity in the ever busy city centre. As more public ammenities make way for commercial buildings, residents are restricted to the ammenities wihin their blocks.
The Tanjong Pagar Library is an inclusive public library and co-working space that act as a transitional space where the residents and office workers come together to socialise, celebrate and learn about Tanjong Pagar.
141 NEIL ROAD (MODEL)
Location: 141 Neil Road
Year: November 2022
Category: Conservation
In celebration of the opening of the Architectural Conservation Laboratory (ArClab) by the Department of Architecture (DOA), a closed door exhibition was held. A team of Architecture and Architecture Conservation students volunteered to document, organise and planned the opening ceremony. This involved the creation of a 3D digital twin model, 2D drawings, lab tests and perservation of artefacts, planning for a gallery of photowalls, a 2m timber physical model as well as to coordinate the event planning.
Together with 4 other students, I was a part of the modelling team who is in charge of creating the 3D model and building the physical model. The model is built to be at 1:25scale, 2000mm L x 450mm W x 600mm H. We used a combination of plywood and 3D printing in white. Plywood as the main material for all the architectural elements while the oranaments, tiles, spiral staircase and facade are 3D printed in white.
A MONUMENT FOR THE PEOPLE
Location: Villa Jovis, Capri, Italy
Year: Winter Semester (TUM) 2023
Category: Restoration
Villa Jovis, being the most prominent out of the twelve villas constructed during the reign of Emperor Tiberius, stands 330 metres above Sea Level in disrepair. It was the symbol and residence of the reign of Emperor Tiberius, being paranoid of assassination attempts, he ruled the Roman empire from this residence. The history was once fraught with indulgence into wild debauchery, and the entire architecture of the Villa is structured to have a strong ruler over servant relationship. Located on the secluded East on the island of Capri, the ruins are a far cry to the state and wellness of citizens on Capri, living prosperous lifestyles funded by tourism.
How then should conservation help a dilapidated site be given new life, and undo the stigma of its past? Our intervention aims to dismantle the power dynamics belonging to bygone ways, and contribute back more value to serve the needs of various groups of locals and tourists that frequent Capri and Villa Jovis, subverting its previous relationship.
Volunteer work
Monument For The People | Villa Jovis, Capri, Italy
Part of this subversion involves injecting a new spa program, a new visitors’ centre, chalets, ampitheatre structure, and connecting disused ruins, in bringing regular, communitarian social activity. We believe that injecting spas is a symbolic subversion of past ways, as the spa is used only for the emperor and his nobility. The new shelter designed over the ruins is designated not only to shield the existing elements from sun and rain, but to also provide more hospitable space for visitors to circulate. The design also enables the shelter to play another role - to be a canvas for participatory design.
Customisable ceiling panels and arrangements provide hope that the local community and artisans have ownership in their creations displayed, while hanging above the ruins provides a stark contrast to the decadent ways of the Roman past. Therefore it is important, that the design gestures echo the communitarian intentions and welcome people into the site, so that this once monument can be a monument rebirthed for the common use of the people.
