Undergraduate Portfolio Architecture

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Undergraduate Works Selected 2018 - 2020

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Haoyu Chen | 981016

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Bachelor of Architecture

Cover image:

The Light Monumentality This piece was inspired by Lina Bo Bardi, the easels consist of concrete pillars, wood and glass, displaying some of the museum’s most valuable paintings, spanning from the medieval to the modern. Lina Bo Bardi has invented a new way of displaying art. These easels created a sense of floating, transparency and lightness. Compared with the old fashioned way of displaying art, frames fixed on solid walls, this new way has minimised the existence of frames. It turned a sense of heaviness into lightness.

email: haoychen@student.unimelb.edu.au

Education:

2018 - current 2017 - 2018

Bachelor of Design, University of Melbourne Foundation Studies, Trinity College

This design is interesting. Can this “new way of experiencing art” also change people’s perspective on architecture? That’s why I played with a rhino model of an old facade, which represents heaviness, monumentality. And generated a new version of the facade: one with light white structures. I later 3d printed this to make a physical model. This new structure obscured the barrier between solid and void, also made a classic architecture into a post modern installation.

Work Experience: 2018 2019

Exhibitions: 2019 2020

Skills: Rhino Sketchup Grasshopper 3ds Max Vray Photoshop Illustrator Indesign Fabrication AutoCAD

Jiangsu Provincial Architectural Design and Research Institute LTD As Intern Kingdom Architecture Design As Intern

MSDx Virtual MSDx

Self-Portrait

Table of Contents 01

Exploring of Form

Analysing Architecture Architectural Communication 02

A Challenge to Featurism The Library in the City The Monumentality The Library and the City 03

The Opportunities Iterations “The Campfire�

Detailing 04

The Solution

Redefining Corridor Design Scenarios

Appendix

The stage

ground

Design Visualisation: Digital Techniques Construction Design Internship Works

The exhibition Work from Public Event Design

Module 1

EXPLORING THE FORM

Fig 1 Site model image

Design Studio Beta This studio is one of my earliest explorations on architectural forms. The focus of this project is understanding and shaping the architecture in a sculptural way. By manipulating the massing, I have explored some primary natures of architecture and its relationship between the landscape.

The starting point of the concept is the abstraction of form: by splitting the site into 2 axis. One has a more fluid language with a river, while the other one is formed by blocks. The design introduced porosity to the blocks, adding more circulation, open spaces and light, breaking the massing apart, and formed the “broken glass” shape.

The final goal of this project is to consider human scale. The variety of height in the spaces and ceilings created different uses and different feelings to people. The materiality varies along the site. However, this project is too “ideal” and remains a lot to be resolved.

Tutor: Stewart Wu email: stewart.wu@unimelb.edu.au

Fig 2 Concept sketches

Presidential suite

Fig 4 ideograms

Living Area Bathrooms Bookshop Leisure Area Cafe

Fig 5 Room diagram 1 Pub and Lounge

Another part of my exploration is communicating with people, and one major part is hand-sketch. This is to convey abstract ideas of the designer directly, and to easily deliver the iterations.

The diagrams, however, is to deliver the details of architecture professionally. The circulation diagram focuses not only on the functionality, but also the concepts.

The circulation focuses on the intersection of the two axes, which makes the intersecting point the most important and distinguishing area.

Fig 6 Room diagram 2

Gathering Area Dining Kitchen Laundry Greenhouse

Fig 9 Model image

Fig 7 Perspective 1

The sectional diagrams concentrates on the details of the building and the human scale. These are used to show the clients how the architecture would be experienced, as well as some interior spaces that are hard to see in the drawings.

The massing model concentrates on the overall form and space configuration of building. The massing are 3d printed and the terrain are assembled by laser cut sheets.

Fig 3 Explode diagram Fig 8 Perspective 2

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Site Plan

Student Name: Haoyu Chen - 981016

Tutor Name: Stewart Wu

Coordinators Name:

Date:

Leire Asensio-Villoria and David Mah

03 / May / 2019

Fig 12 Ground plan Comments

Scale 1 : 125@A3 (drawn in millimeters) 0m

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Student Name:

Tutor Name:

Haoyu Chen - 981016

Stewart Wu

Coordinators Name:

Date:

Leire Asensio-Villoria and David Mah

03 / May / 2019

Comments

Scale 1 : 125@A3 (drawn in millimeters) 0m

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One final and most important step is to document the architecture through professional drawings. This is a time-consuming process as a lot of details are determined at this step. The spaces, circulations also need to be arranged decently through the plans and sections. I have also been exploring some drafting techniques such as the use of line weights and hatches.

Some other diagrams documents the building abstractly. Such as the time diagram, considers how the building is experienced as the time changes.

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Fig 13 Time diagram

Module 2

A CHALLENGE TO FEATURISM Design Studio Delta In this module I explored the relationship between symbolism and the form in buildings, rather than the form itself. Each building is a monument that has its meanings and functions. The question is how the architecture present its symbolism to people. Through its appearance or its function? Learning from many contemporary buildings, which are too eager to present its uniqueness to people, the aim is to find the balance between the appearance and the symbolism.

Tutor: Heather Mitcheltree email: mhd@unimelb.edu.au

Fig 1 Conceptual Diagrams

Fig 3 Isometric view

A - Public reading / studying space B - Children activity centre C - Lobby D - Youth activity centre E - Gallery F - Youth collection G - Adult collection H - Archive

G

The idea is to redefine the “featurism’ seen on many Australian buildings – an out-of-context imitation of some exaggerated forms in cities like Las Vegas.

My concept is to keep the sense of featurism while softening it - to make it more relatable, and more about function, rather than form.

To achieve this, I explored the relationship between form and function; private and public. The “feature” in this library became a continuous element through the building: an atrium, a void. By manipulating the space inside, the atrium not only defined the overall position of spaces, but also introduced light, giving it porosity. The shifting and skewing of the blocks separated the public spaces and private space. Public spaces also work as flexible space of connection different programs. The atrium in this building is visible, however not exaggerated. Its only shown on the roof from outside, as an extension of the stairs. The library becomes a monument whose functions and form united together to achieve the New Featurism.

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Fig 2 Explode diagram

1 Main entrance 2 Side entrance 3 Help desk 4 Cafe 5 Public lounge 6 Bookshop 7 Book return & Sorting centre 8 Loading bay 9 Storage room A 10 Female toilet 11 Male toilet 12 Disabled toilet 13 Fire command centre 14 Electricity/water supply

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Fig 4 Ground plan

Fig 6 Perspective 1

The shifting of double high spaces and normal spaces established the outside language of the building. The double high spaces and the void part together formed the “negative spaces”. These spaces add a sense of openness and transparency. Making the space vary from ground to the top of the building.

Fig 7 Perspective 2

The circulation of the building, which is the void part, flows through all levels, bring this unique “feature” to all the spaces in the building. And all the spaces are connected by the staircases. The staircases are also visible from the outside through the curtain walls. Its is a space experienced by the users, but also a visible feature in the city, like a monument of void. The combination between spaces and negative spaces of the building formed the overall composition.

The curved “curtain” on the interior of the building utilises features from parametric design, introducing more complexity and some uncertainty to it. This feature, again, explores the idea of symbolism and functionalism, making the library a monument.

Fig 5 Section

Fig 8 Perspective 3

Fig 10 The mappings

Fig 9 Perspective 4

The inspiration of my library came from the researches of the site and precedent libraries. The mappings have visualised the researches in an abstract way.

The library is a combination of duck and decorated shed. Its symbolism is expressed through its external frontality and internal meanings. It is a monument as a whole while can also be broken down into smaller spaces, each of which has its own meaning. Map 1 examines monumentality and openness etc. of different spaces in a library. To explore a library is about a journey through the spaces, from open to close, from public to private. The precedent I studied, Bibliotheca Alexandrina, is a monument because of its history and its form, which adopted the round shape of Alexandrian Harbor. This shows the library try to evolve itself into to city. Even the spaces in the library became the spaces in the city.

The Library and the City Mappings

Fig 2 Iterational diagram 1.2

1.3

Key

1.4

{0,0,0}

Attractor / Control Points (X,Y,Z) Attractor / Control Curves Grid Points

{139,41,197}

{132,227,0}

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{212,-53,0} {-78,25,-24}

on}

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{Attractor Point Location}

{Attractor Point Location}

{Index Selection}

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THE OPPORTUNITIES Module 3 - With Digital Design Fig 1 Model image 1

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This module contains the most creative and “abstract” or “artistic” works in the portfolio. By using parametric designing tools, I have been exploring the possibilities in architecture. The shapes I have created, such as a cube or a structure, have no symbolistic meanings.

However, they can be understood as a piece of furniture, an installation or a building. The free of scale gives me more opportunities to explore and to manipulate the shape.

The iderations are an important process. To give the design more complexity, more uniqueness. In the last work of the module, I have utilised the forms and iterations I have learnt and designed a pavilion. A pavilion has no symbolism, but purely based on the manipulation of shapes using parametric design.

Tutor: Tony Yu email: tony.yu@unimelb.edu.au

Lofts

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{150,150,90} {0,120,0}

{15,150,0} {0,105,0} {0,90,0}

{45,150,0} {120,150,0}

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Attractor / Control Curves

Fig 3 Model images

{0,0,75}

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Attractor / Control Points (X,Y,Z)

{150,0,105} {0,0,0} {45,0,0}

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Paneling Patterns Pattern Distribution Selection

{Index Selection}

{Index Selection}

{Index Selection}

{Index Selection}

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{Attractor Point Location}

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Fig 4 Iterations In this task I have used different surfaces and different methods of transformation. By adjusting different parameters in grasshopper gives me completely different results. The above matrix shows the design results under different algorithms. I have chosen 4.3 as the final result because in this model I have played with rotation, size and orientation of surfaces. And a continuity can still be seen in the final result.

The model helps me explore the functionality of this structure as a pavilion. The images at left half shows its feature of shadows. Its inclining surfaces not only provide shelters but also used as a feature to attract people. Other uses such as seating areas are also shown.

The top-right image shows the waffle structure.

From this view is seems to be twisted from bottom to top, which makes it looks flexible.

Iterations

Fig 5 Model image

Fig 6 Grasshopper algorithms

This project is a “result” of what I have learnt in the iteration process. I have designed my own “algorithm” in grasshopper and designed the pavilion. The concept of my pavilion comes from Japanese Origami, the folding and overlapping of geometries is interesting.

Therefore I used several folded triangular shapes as the columns of the pavilion. And the shapes are overlapped and intersected at top to form a complex geometry.

This project also used interactive rendering skills using unreal 4. These photos shows the physical model of the pavilion. The models are made out of mountboards. With the notches cut in the boards, I can intersect them together and made it self-standing.

The other photos show the pavilion with light in the night. The lights are installed at the bottom of the columns so that they lighten the pavilion and the coloured light interacts with the reflective materials on the structure.

“CAMPFIRE”

Fig 8 Sectional model 2

Fig 7 Sectional model

Fig 9 Sectional model 3

Fig 10 Rendered perspective 1

Fig 11 Rendered perspective 2

Cleats and welding are used in the binding of the steel structures. The cleats are installed in the center areas where they cannot be easily seen. While welding is used widely to ensure the pavilion is stable.

Fig 12 Circulation diagram

The final outcome is a combination of the triangular form and the cubist seats. Some triangles are deleted so it looks like the cubist seats are exposed from the inside. I also adjusted the scales of the cubes in order to form different functions, and also made it more variable from appearance.

Detailing

This is the script that defines one of the columns. All the columns use the same parameters, however, their sizes are different due to their distances to the centre.

In the input section of the script, there are three parameters controlling the shape of each column and the degree of folding in each column.

Fig 13 Grasshopper algorithms

Fig 14 Design process

Fig 1 Main perspective

Module 4 - City-Edge House

THE SOLUTION Design Studio Epsilon In this module, I’m aimed to find a balance between the symbolism and functionality, a compromise.

People have gained opportunity, convenience in the urban lifestyle, however, it also give them instability, solitude and anonymity. My design is to utilise the uniqueness of the site location to solve this conflict between changing and unchanging lifestyles. Located beside Merri Creek, the building will adopt the fluid language of the river, and make it become a feature of connecting all the apartment units. And the apartments, will be divided into several blocks, each of which has their own characteristics, giving people a sense of belongings and community, bonded by the “river”. The building shape, will also be an continuation of the existing building on the site, adopting the curvy language and the rationalism of windows, but has more variety.

Tutor: Mark Ng ng.m1@unimelb.edu.au

ANONYMITY

Roof Garden

Maximal View

COUNTRY

UNCHANGING

LANDSCAPE

STABILITY

City-Edge

Workshops

Connection to Landscape

CITY

CHANGING

RIVER

FLUID

Large Floor Area

GreenHouses

Fig 2 Conceptual diagrams

Studios

Fig 4 Floor plans Eliza Hemming 3-5 Members 2 children

Eduardo Belles 2 Members No children

Fig 5 Bird’s view

Rika Kim 1 Member No children

CITY-EDGE HOUSE

1F Tristan 2 Members No children Fenna Jansen 2 Members No children

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3F

Eduardo Belles 2 Members No children

4F Henry Pigna 1 Member No children

Jedediah James 1 Member No children

Redefining Corridor

In old apartments corridors are often dark and cold. But I want to change this and have communal spaces and scenarios happing on the corridors. There will be bridges connecting all part of the building, sometimes going inside the apartment and sometimes become a balcony or a green house. Has light and openness, ups and downs, just like a river. At the gaps between the blocks, the corridors will become different spaces, having strong adaptability. From left to right, the blocks and the transparent structures varies, rapidly changing. Thera are plants, or sometimes coffee tables all around the bridges. The towers being the transparent, and allows air flow. While the apartments being the solid.

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Fig 3 Explode diagram

Fig 6 Elevation

Section A Corridor View

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Design Scenarios

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Detailing the Project

Fig 13 Ground plan

Retaining Wall

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This project is one of the most “realistic” ones among my works, as I have given a lot of considerations on the residents’ profiles and the constructability. Each units are unique according to the needs of the clients.

These unit diagram shows the relationship between private apartments and communal spaces. The apartment is next to some lounges and leisure rooms, so it’s allocated to a family with 2 kids. And this one is close to a small workshop, so I’ve given it to a client who has no child and prefers to work at home. And these ones are small studios, which are allocated to clients who live alone. Following similar rules I have made the diagram that show the units allocations.

The ground floor plan has a corridor breaking the volumn, making the inviting gesture to attract people going inside the complex. Also with a slop going up, connecting the bridges to the g floor. The g floor are mainly commercial spaces and multifunctional rooms.

Fig 12 Unit diagrams

Fig 14 Perspective

Design Visualisation: Digital Techniques These are selected renderings from Design Visualisation.

The module is to develop an atmosphere, or a way of life into a scene. By adding a lot of details to the scene would fulfill the story as well as make the scene more real, and creating the intended feeling.

These works are a showcase of my skills in 3ds Max modelling, Vray as well as conveying the architecture to the clients. The final work is a rendered animation that is developed from the scenes.

Appendix

SELECTED WORKS

Fig 2 Vignettes

Rendered Animation:

Fig 1 Interior render

Fig 3 Animation scene

Fig 2 Details

Fig 3 Details Fig 4 Details

Internship Works: Drafting Fig 1 Perspective of model

Appendix

Construction Design Models