PORTFOLIO
UNDERGRADUATE 2024
UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA AT CHARLOTTE
SCHOOL OF ARCHITECTURE SYDNEY LY
SYDNEY LY
+1 (980) 205 - 1899 sydneytranly@gmail.com
OBJECTIVE SKILLS
An upcoming architecture graduate from UNC Charlotte with a passion for creative design and community empowerment. My artistic vision and global experience drive me to create impactful projects that foster connections. I’m seeking a full-time position where I can contribute to innovative, inclusive design solutions.
EDUCATION
University of North Carolina at Charlotte 2019-2024
Bachelor of Arts in Architecture
Minor in Urban Studies & Geography | 3.92 GPA
International Studies: Tokyo, Japan (2023) Rome, Italy (2024) Bangkok, Thailand (2024)
EXPERIENCE
Summer Research Assistant | National Science Foundation & UNC Charlotte Geological Sciences
May 2024 - Present
- Investigated the effects of the pandemic and climate change on farmer decision-making and land use within tropical agricultural systems in Eastern Thailand.
- Conducted stakeholder interviews and collected comprehensive data for analysis.
- Coded and analyzed qualitative data using NVivo software, and wrote detailed reports on findings.
Architectural Intern | Perkins Eastman DPC
May 2022 - Dec 2023
Total AXP Hours Gain: 1392 Hours
- Assisted in developing project documents across all project phrases.
- Produced graphical drawings and renderings for award journals and publications.
- Conducted designs studies for patient room layouts to adhere to FGI and ADA standards.
- Created monthly newsletter aimed at enhancing work culture within the office
Student Building Manager | UNC Charlotte Popp
Martin Student Union & Cone University Center Nov 2021 - Dec 2022
- Facilitated events with student organizations, providing direct support and customer service.
- Coordinated over 100 room setups with Operations and Building Services.
- Conducted building inspections, promptly addressing mechanical issues and leaks.
3D Modeling: REVIT, RHINO 3D
Content Creating & Post-Production: Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, Lightroom, Premiere Pro, InDesign), Affinity Programs
Rendering: Enscape
HONORS & AWARDS
Other: Bluebeam, NVIVO, Microsoft Suite, Model-Making Golden Globetrotter Award 2024
Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Summer 2023
Dalton F. Halton International Scholarship Summer 2023
Leonard J. Vogel Jr. Architecture Scholarship 2022-2023
HDR Inc. Endowed Architecture Scholarship 2021-2022
UNC Charlotte Chancellor’s and Dean’s List 2019-2024
INVOLVEMENT
CLT Education Abroad Office 2023 | Study Abroad Ambassador
American Institute for Architecture Students 2020 - 2022 | Historian, Member
Office of Undergraduate Research, Architecture 2021 - 2022 | Research Scholar
MIDAS Magazine 2020 - 2021 | Photographer
Emerging Leaders 2019 - 2020 | Member
Vietnamese Student Association 2019 - 2020 | Member, Volunteer
01. AMORE STELLARE.
YEAR: 2024 pg. 6-13
03. RE.GEN.
YEAR: 2022 pg. 24-33
05. THE SERPENTINE.
YEAR: 2022 pg. 42-45
01 AMORE STELLARE
UPLIFTING
BEYOND TREVI
CAFE + BOOKSTORE | ROME, ITALY
CONTRIBUTING MEMBERS: SAMANTHA BRENNAN & FERNANDA ADRI LIMA
“Amore Stellare” cafe bookstore, drawing inspiration from Rome’s iconic Trevi Fountain, aligns with its surroundings by replicating its topography. Situated facing the fountain, the bookstore embodies its essence, with a focus on Romantic and Poetry books. Emulating the fountain’s steps, the interior design fosters a sense of spaciousness, illuminated by natural light pouring in from above. This strategic layout entices visitors to transition seamlessly from the bustling piazza to the tranquil atmosphere within. Key design elements include uplifting forms, maximizing light penetration, and fluidly integrating architectural features. By harmonizing with the Trevi Fountain’s aesthetic and ambiance, “Amore Stellare” not only pays homage to its inspiration but also creates an inviting space for book enthusiasts and café-goers alike to immerse themselves in literature and leisure.
piazza di trevi
Parti Diagram
PARTI DIAGRAM
Parti Diagram
The building’s program spans four floors, each offering a unique experience. Upon entry, guests encounter a recessed seating area resembling the Trevi Fountain’s steps, leading to a mini amphitheater. From there, they can explore the bookstore or ascend to the lounge for a more intimate setting. The aroma of coffee and pastries lures patrons to the cafe, where they can enjoy a snack and conversation. A balcony provides a tantalizing glimpse of the fountain, while the roof terrace offers a panoramic view, allowing visitors to behold the piazza from a new perspective.
piazza di trevi ly | brennan | adri lima
Figure Ground Plan
Site Analysis Diagrams
Boundary Montage of Piazza
02 FIRST WARD REVITALIZING URBAN CORRIDORS
NEXT GEN INTEGRATED LEARNING RESIDENCE | CHARLOTTE, NC
This projects represents a strategic initiative to redefine the integration of student residences and educational spaces. This innovative concept envisions a seamless blend of living and learning environments with direct access to an evolving transit hub. Placing student residences in Uptown Charlotte strategically enhances the university’s urban presence, contributing to the city’s academic and economic vitality. This model transcends conventional boundaries, fostering an enriched, interconnected ecosystem that revitalizes the student experience by harmonizing living, learning, and transit elements. The targeted focus on student living and educational spaces aims to provide a professional and academically enriching environment, enhancing not only the direct access to the transit station but also create a connection to UNC Charlotte Main Campus.
NORTHTRYONST
This development plan aims to reconnect the community by establishing a vibrant and welcoming district for the First Ward Neighborhood. This plan focuses on developing green spaces, educational institutions, and public amenity areas that complement one another in order to foster better integration between the current residential sector and the larger First Ward neighborhood. Underutilized parking spaces and dead zones are remodeled as parks and gathering places for recreational activities, as well as a link between public and private regions.
WHITEWHITEWHITEWHITEWHITEWHITEWHITEWHITE WHITE
DEMOGRAPHICS
WHITEWHITEBLACKHISPANICASIANWHITEBLACKHISPANIC BLACKHISPANICASIANWHITEBLACKHISPANIC
BLOCK PLAN | 1/256” = 1’-0”
WHITEWHITEWHITEWHITE WHITEWHITEWHITEWHITE WHITEWHITEWHITEWHITE WHITEWHITEWHITEWHITE WHITEWHITEWHITEWHITE BLACKBLACKBLACKBLACKBLACK BLACKBLACKBLACKBLACKBLACKBLACK
WHITEWHITEWHITEWHITE WHITEWHITEWHITEWHITE WHITEWHITEWHITEWHITE WHITEWHITEWHITEWHITE WHITEWHITEWHITEWHITE WHITEWHITEWHITEWHITE WHITEWHITEWHITEWHITE WHITE WHITEWHITEWHITEWHITE BLACKBLACKBLACKBLACKBLACK BLACKBLACKBLACK BLACKBLACKBLACKBLACK BLACKBLACKBLACKBLACKBLACKBLACKBLACKBLACK BLACK BLACKBLACKBLACKBLACKBLACKBLACKBLACKBLACK WHITEWHITEWHITEWHITEWHITEWHITEWHITEWHITEWHITE WHITEWHITEWHITEWHITEWHITEWHITEWHITE WHITEWHITEWHITEWHITEWHITEWHITEWHITEWHITEWHITE WHITEWHITEWHITEWHITEWHITEWHITEWHITE
PARKING
9THSTREETSTATION
E.9THSTREET
BUILDING TYPES
DESIGN BEHAVIOR
SW ELEVATION | 1/32” - 1’-0”
SE ELEVATION | 1/32” - 1’-0”
SOUTHWEST ELEVATION
03 RE. GEN A NEW BEGINNING
FARMER’S MARKET & RESOURCE CENTER | SEATTLE, WA
RE.GEN is a 45,000-square-foot social creative resource center symbolizing re-growth, seeks to transform a pier site into a vibrant gathering space for diverse users. The project aims to unite Ballard’s communities and support Seattle residents transitioning from homelessness, offering a fresh start. Like a Farmer’s Market, it features permanent and temporary stalls for small businesses, providing financial consulting services and a diverse learning center. This convergence fosters educational advancement. The use of Mass Timber Construction establishes a warm, atmospheric connection to the existing site, encouraging casual and lively movement. Together, these elements cultivate a sense of community among those contributing to the structure’s vitality.
BALLARD NEIGHBORHOOD
SITE
SEATTLE
Located on a pier in Ballard, northwest Seattle, the design is shaped by considerations of circulation, emphasizing access from the main street and directing attention to scenic views of the lake and islands. A crucial factor is the integration of existing pier columns into the building’s structure. These columns serve as a foundational element, informing the overall architectural composition. The concept prioritizes seamless movement and appreciation of the natural surroundings, creating a harmonious connection between the site and the proposed building.
DESIGN BEHAVIOR
DESIGN BEHAVIORS
DESIGN BEHAVIOR
The incorporation of an open floor plan on the ground level profoundly influences the creation of an inviting spatial atmosphere. This design not only attracts existing residents to partake in shopping for produce but also encourages them to share the pier’s offerings and panoramic views with others. Positioned above, resource services provide direct accessibility for those in need, adding a layer of convenience to the overall experience.
ROOF PANELS
RAFTERS & PURLINS
COLUMN GRID
AUDITORIUM & CONSULTING OFFICES
CULINARY LEARNING SPACE & ADMIN OFFICES
MARKET HALL
By elongating the concept, diverse spatial experiences unfold, enabling occupants to encounter various businesses and culminate their journey with a scenic view.
LONGITUDINAL SECTION | 1/24” = 1’-0”
Atrium Center Panels
Street View of the Entry
Terrace spaces opens up views
STRUCTURAL MODEL 1/16” SCALE
WALL SECTION 1/8” = 1’-0”
PLYWOOD SHEATHING SHOU SUGI BAN WOOD CLADDING
RIGID INSULATION NLT ROOF PANELS
2x_ PURLINS WITH STEEL ANGLE CONNECTOR PLATE
GLULAM BEAM WITH STEEL ANGLE CONNECTOR PLATE
GLULAM COLUMN
ALUMINUM PERFORATED LOUVERS ATTACHED WITH STEEL CONNECTORS
CUSTOMIZE STEEL PLATE CONNECTOR
DOUBLE PANE GLASS MULLION
HORIZONTAL BATTENS
2x6 HEADER
3-PLY CLT WALL PANEL (NON-STRUCTURAL)
5-PLY CLT FLOOR PANEL WITH ACOUSTIC MAT AND CONCRETE TOPPING
T-SHAPE STEEL PLATE CONNECTOR
WOOL MINERAL INSULATION SIBERIAN WOOD CLADDING
WALL SECTION
SCALE 1’ = 1/4”
CLOSE UP DETAIL 1/4” = 1’-0”
04
D I V E R G E
UNVEILING THE LANDSCAPE
WILDLIFE & RESEARCH CENTER | ASHEVILLE, NC
DIVERGE goes beyond a traditional public corridor, centering on a building intricately designed around the site’s optimal conditions. The project prioritizes seamless integration with the natural surroundings, transforming the structure into a harmonious element that enhances the overall environmental quality. Through thoughtful orientation, the building interacts synergistically with the landscape, creating a holistic and symbiotic relationship. This approach not only fosters dynamic views from the main street to the French Broad River but also emphasizes sustainability and coexistence. DIVERGE stands as a liason between architecture and nature, enriching the environment and inviting a heightened appreciation for the fusion of built forms with the natural world.
INTERIOR VIEW OF CAFE MARKET & SHOPS
PROJECT SITE PLAN
&
PROGRAM DIAGRAM
This plan unveils a public corridor, featuring landscaping and a grand staircase, leading seamlessly to an open landscape and plaza—an inviting space for people to gather and enjoy the scenery. The primary elevations are purposefully designed to face the landscape, ensuring a commanding presence for viewers below.
MAIN STREET
VISUAL ACCESS TO LANDSCAPE
B-B
1/24” = 1’-0”
SECTION
SECTION A-A
1/16” = 1’-0”
SYDNEY LY | UNDERGRADUATE
Opening terrace spaces invite outdoor engagement, offering panoramic landscape views. Clestory windows introduce additional daylight and cross-ventilation into the building. A spacious open floor plan accommodates cafes and seating, with expansive curtain walls primarily oriented toward the landscape and French Broad River, ensuring an immersive connection with the scenic surroundings.
SOUTH VIEW PERSPECTIVE
BREEZEWAY
05 THE SERPENTINE A VERTICAL PAVILION
Celestial chords, timeless journey
The SERPENTINE Pavilion stand as a centralized vertical structure, strives for tranquility and peace by exploring innovative structural systems. The project investigates hybrid systems, focusing on curvilinear and surface elements. Surface textures, inspired by repetition and the pushpull effect, complement the curvilinear form. This dynamic interplay creates a monumental moment within the pavilion. Unlike traditional shelters, the verticality adds a delicate touch, influencing the view and lighting. The structure harmoniously balances order and arithmetic, akin to a zither producing a calming atmosphere. Beyond a mere pavilion, it becomes a space for interaction, gathering, and a profound sense of tranquility.
AGGREGATION
MODULE
CENTRALIZATION
DIVIDE
MODULE DIVIDE PROGRESSION DESIGN PROCESS
CENTRALIZATION
CENTRALIZATION
PIXELATION
AGGREGATION
AGGREGATION MODULE DIVIDE
CENTRALIZATION
FORCE DIAGRAM
1/8” = 1’-0” PHYSICAL MODEL
1/8” = 1’-0” PHYSICAL MODEL
SMALL PROJECTS + PERSONAL WORKS
SIMPLICITY
SIMPLICITY
GEOLOGICAL VS MODERN TYPOLOGIES
COMPLEXITY
COMPLEXITY
RE-IMAGINING BOUNDARIES
WATERFRONT INTERACTION
MERGING THE DIFFERENCES
RE-IMAGINING BOUNDARIES in Asheville, North Carolina, transforms a park by integrating public and private spaces. Initially exploring separation, the project evolved to blend the two through strategic landscaping, influenced by existing conditions like the waterfront and a public bus station. Designed with flood levels in mind, a research post near the bus station serves as a unique meeting point. Careful placement of vegetation ensures unity while maintaining privacy. Subtle landscape carvings on the greenway provide a distinct experience, and an elevated curvilinear pathway expands views and interaction opportunities, allowing public and private spaces to coexist harmoniously.
YEAR 3 UNDERGRAD | INSTRUCTOR: DAVID HARRISON
