Email: Suntracey@gmail.com - Telephone: +1 859-536-5754 - Portfolio - https://traceysun.com/ New York City, USA - Auckland, NZ
EDUCATION
University of Kentucky
Bachelor of Arts in Architecture
Teaching Assistant, Peer Instructor, School Ambassador, Student Cohort Leader
Columbia University Of New York GSAPP
Masters of Architecture
WORK EXPERIENCE
Gensler NYC Research Institute Fellow
One of 16 graduate level students selected for research-focused intensive program aimed at unlocking innovative solutions and addressing challenges as we seek to redefine the future of cities, learning from Subject Matter Experts across the globe, and working directly with Practice Area leaders on active, cutting-edge research projects at the firm.
ARCGIS, QGIS, R-STUDIO, REVIT, RHINO, Grasshopper, ADOBE Suite
Concord Homes New Zealand Intern Architect
Project assistant, aiding senior architects with design drawings, floor plans, section details and elevations for Auckland, New Zealand residential projects, editing architectural diagrams and renderings. Oversaw worksites with project managers to ensure everything went as planned and ensure compliances of council building codes and standards. The role asked to develope preliminary 3D conceptual designs to meet client requirements and needs based on notes taken and observations made during initial client consultation meetings with the sales team and the lead architect.
University of Kentucky’s College of Public Health Lead Graphic Designer
AUG 2019 - MAY 2023
AUG 2023- MAY 2026
JUNE 2024- AUG 2024
MAY 2022-AUG 2022
Part/full time Graphic designer tasked to Create compelling, original works for logos, brochures, magazines, social media graphics and more, such as the college’s spring and fall t-shirts, main entrance banner, and inside illustrations and cover for Magazine issues. The role entailed contributing creative ideas to the college’s Marketing and Communications team from the perspectives of a designer and student, and assist the team in designing effective and communicative advertisements for target audiences, Collaborating with a marketing team to revise concept drawings based on outside feedback, and modify existing designs to meet specific and updated design requirements
University of Kentucky College of Public Health 2023 Magazine https://issuu.com/ukycollegeofpublichealth/docs/packaged_catalyst_1213_updated?fr=sYTkzODQ3NTQ4NjU
University of Kentucky Dr. Matthew S. Gentry Laboratory Research Assistant Researched Lafora Epilepsy Disease as a research assistant at the University of Kentucky, with practised profiency in a variety of laboratory techniques including aseptic technique, DNA extraction, PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction), gel electrophoresis, Western blotting, ELISA (Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay), and microscopy.
ACTIVITIES
Independent Game Development/Computation: Unity and Unreal Engine
Independent Portfolio Mentor : Provide constructive feedback and ideas for aspiring architects. Organisations: AIAUKY member, AIAGSAPP member, NOMASUKY member, NOMASGSAPP member, Red Cross member
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
2021-2023
2019-2020
Languages: English (Fluent), Mandarin (Fluent), Te Reo Maori (Conversational) and Japanese (Conversational) Software Skills: Revit, Adobe (Ps, Ai, Id, Pr, Lr), Rhino, V-Ray, Twinmotion, AutoCAD, Lumion, Sketchup, Maya, Blender, Grasshopper, 3DS-Max, Unity3D, Unreal Engine 4,5, MATLAB, ARDUINO, ClimateStudio Arts: Oil painting, Acrylic, Digital, Watercolor, Gouache, Sculpturing, Woodworking, Upcycling used clothes and Model building
AWARDS
Recipient of the Dean’s List Awards International Ambassador Scholarship Award Bluegrass Merit Award Merit Award
Graduate Teaching Research Specialist Award Director's Merit award
TABLE OF CONTENTS
[1] LANTERN MARKET
[2] PARK WEST PLAYGROUND
[3] TANGO THE NIGHT AWAY
[4] NGONGOTAHA HOT SPRINGS
LANTERN MARKET
COMMUNITY AND SAFETY INTERVENTION PUBLIC MARKET
SITE: CHINATOWN,MANHATTAN, NYC
GSAPP GRADUATE WORK
AUGUST 2023
Night markets, with their kaleidoscope of colors, aromas, and activities, have become emblematic of vibrant city life. Beyond their role as cultural hubs, night markets have the potential to serve as catalysts for promoting nighttime safety and reducing crime rates while simultaneously providing valuable economic opportunities for the community.
LANTERN MARKET
AUG 2023
TRANSFORMING THE URBAN CONTEXT: The Dual Impact of Night Markets: Fostering Safety and Economic Prosperity
Night markets serve as a bustling marketplace for local businesses and entrepreneurs. The diverse array of stalls, from food vendors to artisans, provides a platform for individuals to showcase their talents and products. The economic opportunities generated by night markets contribute to local development by boosting small businesses. Entrepreneurs, especially those from marginalized communities, find a platform to showcase their skills and products, creating a sustainable source of income that reduces the likelihood of resorting to criminal activities due to economic desperation.
Night markets contribute significantly to building community cohesion. As individuals gather to explore the stalls and engage in various activities, a palpable sense of shared identity and responsibility emerges. This unity discourages criminal activities, as the increased social cohesion creates a vigilant and watchful community. The sheer number of people navigating through the market acts as an informal surveillance system, dissuading potential criminals and fostering a safer environment.The bustling nature of night markets naturally draws large crowds, resulting in increased foot traffic in the surrounding areas. This heightened activity makes the vicinity less attractive to criminals seeking isolated spaces for illegal activities. The presence of a vibrant night market contributes to urban vitality, making the area more dynamic and less prone to criminal behavior.
LANTERN MARKET
12:00pm
COLLAPSED: SEATING AND TABLE
3:00pm
OPEN: OPEN STALLS AND SHADED SEATING AREAS FOR GATHERING AREA
Night markets, with their vibrant atmosphere and diverse offerings, have long been integral to the cultural and social fabric of many communities. Beyond their role as hubs of entertainment and commerce, night markets can play a crucial role in promoting nighttime safety and reducing crime rates.
One of the key ways in which night markets enhance nighttime safety is by fostering community engagement. When people gather at these markets, a sense of shared identity and responsibility develops among community members. This increased social cohesion often results in a community that is more vigilant and watchful, discouraging potential criminal activities.
This sense of safety and viginance aims to enhance the buidness traffic in the area
6:00pm
OPEN: OPEN STALLS AND SHADED SEATING AREAS FOR GATHERING AREA. MORE OPEN STALLS TO LIGHT
9:00pm
OPEN: LARGE STREET MARKET CANOPIES ARE OPENED TO PROVIDE SHADED WALKEDWAY FROM SUBWAY STATIONS AND AREAS OF CIRCULATION
FOLDED CANOPY CONFGURATION 1: SHADING
Night markets naturally attract large crowds, resulting in increased foot traffic in the surrounding areas. This heightened activity makes the area less attractive to criminals seeking isolated spaces for illegal activities. The bustling nature of the night market contributes to a dynamic urban environment, discouraging criminal behavior.
LARGE SCALE
CONFIGURATIONS
BUILDING SCALE INSTALLATION
INTERVENTIONS IN THE PARK WEST
VILLAGE SITE. THESE INTERVENTIONS
ARE A COMBINATION OF TEMPORARY AND PERMANENT. THE SCAFFOLDING
STRUCTURES ARE INTENDED FOR PLACEMENT AND ALSO STORAGE FOR THE STAIR
AGGREGATIONS
ST WHOLEFOODS
97TH
public use facade attachment above ground public park
NYCHA PUBLIC HOUSING
Convert a public parking area between NYCHA (New York City Housing Authority) public housing buildings into a vibrant public park using scaffolding structures. This innovative project aims to address the lack of green space in urban environments while repurposing underutilized spaces for community benefit.
Byerectingthese structuresadjacentto privately-ownedbuildings, communities asserttheirrighttoshapethe environmenttheyinhabit.Throughart,activism, and education within these installations, residents assert their collective voice, demanding a seat at the table in urban development discussions. Activist campaigns leverage the visibility of scaffolding installations to protest encroachments on public space and advocate for community-driven development. Throughlegaladvocacyandmediaoutreach, communitiesamplifytheirmessage, mobilizing public support and holding property owners accountable. Erect modularscaffoldingonWholefoods'facadetocreateadynamicpublicspace. This initiative aims to foster community interaction and creativity by providing a platform for diverse activities such as markets, performances, and art installations.By repurposing scaffoldingtoactivateafacade,citiescanbreathe life into underutilized areas, fostering community interaction and cultural exchange. These scaffolded spaces offer opportunities for art performances,installations, markets, and gatherings, enriching the urbanexperience.
DeKalb Avenue and Manhattan Bridge stations. Establish a captivating moving image art installation, bridging the historical narrative of Park West Village to the 91st Street Station through innovative scaffolding design. This project aims to celebrate the vibrant past of Park West Village while creating a dynamic connection between two vital community hubs. Utilizing LED screens and scaffolding structures, the installation will showcase archival footage, artistic interpretations, and cultural anecdotes, servingasalivingtributetothe neighborhood'sevolution.Collaborations with local historians, artists, and residents will ensure authenticity and inclusivity, enriching the commuter experience and fostering a deeper appreciation for the neighborhood'sheritage
Theparkwillfeature landscapedgardens,seating areas, recreational facilities, and community gathering spaces. Scaffolding will provide the framework for elevated walkways, observation decks, and shaded areas. Collaborationswithlocalresidents, community organizations, and city agencies will ensure the park meets the needs and preferences of the surrounding community, fostering social cohesion and well-being.
ABOVE GROUND BELOW GROUND
[1] The front stoop holds significant cultural and social importance for African Americans in NYC, serving as a communal space where neighbors gather, share stories, and forge connections. The stoop became a central feature of Harlem brownstones and apartment buildings during the Great Migration.
[2] Urban renewal erases the historic charm and communal gathering spots integral to traditional brownstone apartments in Manhattantown.
This issue is addressed by introducing stair modules that are mobile and can be arranged in multiple configurations, mirroring the social spaces once found on front stoops.
archival galley - limited use lift
Thedecommissioned91stStreetstationoffersaunique opportunityfortransformation into a multifaceted space that combines functionality with cultural enrichment.By incorporating aggregatedstairmodulesandalift,thestation can be reimagined as both a functional transportation hub and an engaging museum gallery. The aggregated stair modules provide efficient vertical circulation within the station while also serving as platforms for artistic expressionandcommunity interaction. Additionally,theinclusionofaliftensures accessibility for individuals of all abilities, promoting inclusivity and equal accesstothespace.Asamuseumgallery,thestationcanshowcasecurated exhibitions that celebrate the rich history, culture, and innovation of the surrounding area. This adaptive reuse project not only revitalizes disused infrastructure but also creates a dynamic and vibrant space that enhances the urban landscape and fosters a sense of community pride and engagement.
Throughthisadaptivereuseproject,the decommissioned91stStreetstation emerges as a symbol of urban renewal, breathing new life into forgotten infrastructure and creating a space that inspires imagination, fosters connection, and enriches the fabric of the city.
Scaffolding is highly abundant in NYC. I propose the reuse of decommissioned scaffolding from nearby housing projects. This is a sustainable way to reinstate the often used metal structures that are discarded after use. Scaffolding can be used as a way for Manhattantown residents or the (public) to reclaim power to privatised property in Park west
It is also temporary and Modular in nature as a critique the irreversible damage and displacement caused by urban renewal
Theplatformshouldserve multiple purposes, performancesfunctioningbothasastagefor and as space for activism anddiscourse.This versatilityallowsfor arangeofspeechesactivitiestotakeplace,from and rallies to artistic showcasesand demonstrations.By combining activism with performance on a stairplatform,youcreateadynamicand engaging space where ideas are exchanged,voicesare amplified,and positive change is catalyzed.
PROTEST SPACE
Theopposingstairscansymbolizedifferent viewpoints, ideologies,or perspectivesonaparticularissue.This design encourages dialogue and exchange between opposingsides, fostering understandingand empathy. Theopposingstairscansymbolizedifferent viewpoints, ideologies,or perspectivesonaparticularissue.This design encourages dialogue and exchange between opposingsides, fostering understandingand empathy.By creatingaspacefordebateandactivism wheretwostairsfaceeachother,youprovideaunique environmentfor dialogue, collaboration,andsocial change.
booknook/LIBRARY
Bycreatinga
fostersliteracy,
library,youprovidea
connection.a
layouts, allowingforeasy
theframeworkforthelibrary.Thissystemshouldbe customizable and
To address the diverse needs of the community, I propose a series of interventions aimed at fostering engagement, visibility, and expression.
[1] A structured vendor market will replace the makeshift marketplaces currently hidden behind scaffolding along the large 50-foot sidewalks, creating a more organized and accessible space for commerce.
[2] An archival gallery within the open park area will serve as a dual-purpose space for remembrance and memorializing the history of Manhattantown, while also showcasing art displays.
[3] Outside the school, an outdoor reading library will encourage public interaction with both the library and the school, creating a shared educational resource.
[4] Additionally, a mobile protestation and debate platform will provide a raised stage for residents and users to speak out and protest, addressing the many years of unacknowledged voices in the area.
Together, these configurations aim to revitalize the public realm and create spaces that support visibility, interaction, and expression.
