Undergraduate Architecture Portfolio Truman Ng

T R U M AN N G

MASTER IN ARCHITECTURE

P ORT FOLI O SELECTED WORKS 2017-2019

A B OUT ME

Truman is an aspiring architect and MArch student at Singapore Univer sity of Technology and Design (SUTD).

I believe in consistent learning through daily obser vation of my surround ings. To me, the euphoria of materializing an idea is immensely fulfilling; which fuels me during late nights at the studio.

Aside from aca demic curriculum, I challenge myself to take on external projects during school term to fur ther develop my per spective on architecture more than what school offer s.

SE LE C TE D W ORKS

CO R E S TUDIO

INTEGRATED TRANSPORT & PRODUCTION HUB

EROSION

LE ARNING TOWER OF ARSENALE

3-GEN LIVING

LIGHT CONCRE TE

BIO-FORM FINDING

ST RUCTUR E & CO M P UTATIO N

PHOSPHENE

SPLIT BRIDGE

IN T E G RAT E D T R AN SP O RT & PROD UC TI ON H UB CORE STUDIO 9, 2019 AIRPORT & PRODUCTION HUB, VIE TNAM, HANOI S TUDIO LE A D: S HI RL A TS E

INTERNATIONAL FREIGHT ROUTES ROADS

RAILWAYS

PORTS & WATERWAYS

HIGHWAY

NORTH-SOUTH RAILWAY

HAI PHONG SEAPORT

AVIATION

NOI BAI AIRPORT

TRANSPORT NETWORK

MAIN ROAD NETWORK

CONTEXT The industry sector and international trades are key economic drivers of Hanoi. In the past two decades, the Doi Moi economic reform has made Vietnam one of the fastest economies in Asia, with close to 30,000 private enterprises established.

URBAN ISSUES However, the nation’s growth is not without its challenges. The laxed regulation of private enterprise has resulted in unregulated expansion of industries and overpopulation in city areas due to influx of immigrants. Hanoi’s rapid urbanization sees the appearance of informal settlements, illegal buildings as well as overloaded roads due to insufficient infrastructure.

AGENDA The proposal calls for the development of a manufacturing base in the agriculture area across the red river to the east of Hanoi. The project aims to concentrate the city’s production units into a singular base which will in turn become the main economic driver of Hanoi. The base will double as an inter-modal transport hub that offers water and air transport.

Apart from serving as Hanoi’s international airport, the airbase will provide air-freight services for international export of goods from the manufacturing sectors. Likewise, the river port will complement the new Lach Huyen International Gateway Port to streamline sea-freight services from Hanoi.

The hub reveals the identity of Hanoi as a production city, where production, transportation and transaction occurs at a high pace. Passengers are able to see the production, packaging and movement of goods as they travel through the complex.. Workshops and factory outlets will also allow tourists to learn more about the process of production.

TRAFFIC CONDITIONS

INTERCITY RAILWAYS / FUTURE METRO LINE

2008

2016

BUILT UP AREAS

2000

INDUSTRIAL & MANUFACTURING AREAS

SITE PLAN 1:15,000

200m 100m

500m

SITE DIAGRAMS

CURRENT LAND USE

PRESERVING MAIN CIRCULATION AXIS AND EXISTING MILITARY RUNWAY

ADDITION OF NEW RUNWAYS AND EXTENSION OF CURRENT RUNWAY

MAIN PROGRAM ZONING

AIRPORT RIVERPORT

SECONDARY PROGRAM ZONING

CARGO AREA AIRCRAFT HOLDING HANGAR AND TOWER

FUTURE EXPANSION

FUTURE AIRPORT EXPANSION

MODULE EXPLORATION SPANNING STRUCTURE (SINGLE MODULE) GEOMETRY EXPLORATION | BASE MODULE

STACKING ASSEMBLY GEOMETRY EXPLORATION | STACKING ASSEMBLY

SPANNING STRUCTURE (LINEAR AGGLOMERATION)

GEOMETRY EXPLORATION | LINEAR ASSEMBLY

STACKING ASSEMBLY WITH VARIABLE MODULE

GEOMETRY EXPLORATION | STACKING ASSEMBLY + VARIABLE MODULE

INITIAL GEOMETRY EXPLORATION SPANNING STRUCTURE

(LINEAR AGGLOMERATION)

NON-LINEAR TESSELLATION

ROOF MODULES

STRUCTURE MODULES

C1 ETFE PANELS

C3

C5

R1

ALUMINUM ROOF PANELS

TRUSS RODS

ETFE PANELS

ALUMINUM ROOF PANELS

SECTIONAL PERSPECTIVE

R2

C2

C4

EXPLODED AXONOMETRIC

LIGHT STUDIES

PLANS

ALUMINUM ROOF PANELS ETFE PANELS ALUMINUM CEILING PANELS STRUCTURAL STEEL MEMBERS

VIEW OF BOARDING GATES

IRON MULLIONS

L2M | DEPARTURE (BOARDING GATES) L2 | DEPARTURE HALL ARRIVAL GATES LOUNGE AREAS TRANSIT (LINKBRIDGE)

VIEW FROM LINKBRIDGE

STRUCTURAL STEEL MEMBERS IRON MULLIONS

L1 | ARRIVAL HALL FERRY TICKETING PRODUCTION UNITS

VIEW FROM DEPARTURE HALL ENTRANCE

INFRASTRUCTURE | HIGHWAY FERRY PIER RIVERPORT SERVICE ROADS

L1 | ARRIVAL HALL FERRY TICKETING PRODUCTION UNITS

BASEMENT | CARPARKING LOGISTICS EQUIPMENTS

+2.5m

VIEW FROM PRODUCTION UNIT

SCALE 1:1,250

100m 50m

200m

L2M | DEPARTURE (BOARDING GATES)

+15.5m

ROOF PLAN

+35.0m

SCALE 1:1,250

50m

SCALE 1:1,250

100m

100m 200m

50m

200m

VIEW OF BOARDING GATES

VIEW OF DEPARTURE HALL ENTRANCE

VIEW FROM LINKBRIDGE

VIEW FROM PRODUCTION UNIT

EROSIO N CORE STUDIO 7, 2018 OFFICE BUILDING, SINGAPORE, GENTING LN STU DI O LE A D: JA S ON LIM

service lift core

stair core

grid structure

Situated in the heart of an industrial estate, the Genting Warehouse Complex is but another regular office building amongst many others. The dense mid-rise block and slab typology of the infrastructures often result in buildings being in close proximity to one another. Flanked by neighboring buildings on three sides, the office building lacks natural daylighting on most levels. ‘Erosion’ introduces an analytical design approach to guide the creation of meaningful and habitable spaces in industrial districts where buildings are densely clustered. Through an investigative and computational approach, this project injects life and enhances the working environment of the office by introducing optimal amount of daylight into the building.

The initial exploration of volumetric and sectional studies coupled with daylighting simulations helped set up an informed design strategy of optimizing daylighting of the building through the erosion of cube modules derived from the building structure.

This erosion carves a continuous void in the office block to create a series of terraced balconies that promotes interaction across different departments.

A'

B

A'

B

B'

A

B'

A

BB'

BB'

SITE CONTEXT SUNPATH STUDY

SECTION AA’

9 AM

1 PM

6 PM

1 PM

6 PM

SECTION BB’

9 AM

9 AM

1 PM

6 PM

INITIAL EXPLORATIONS

ORIGINAL

FRONT RECESS

CENTRAL ATRIUM

VOID 1

BACK RECESS

VOID 2

0 DA (% Time > 300 lux)

100

PARAMETRIC CARVING ITERATIONS

node 2 position:

1

node density:

5

blocks removed:

40

0 1

node 1 position

0

mean cda: 0.739

0.2

mean cda: 0.745

0.4

mean cda: 0.747

0.6

mean cda: 0.750

0.8

mean cda: 0.746

1

mean cda: 0.736

0

mean cda: 0.759

0.2

mean cda: 0.745

0.4

mean cda: 0.742

0.6

mean cda: 0.738

0.8

mean cda: 0.752

1

mean cda: 0.741

2

mean cda: 0.730

3

mean cda: 0.739

4

mean cda: 0.740

5

mean cda: 0.743

6

mean cda: 0.745

7

mean cda: 0.745

0

mean cda: 0.745

0.2

mean cda: 0.738

0.4

mean cda: 0.734

0.6

mean cda: 0.748

0.8

mean cda: 0.751

1

mean cda: 0.753

0.2

mean cda: 0.750

0.4

mean cda: 0.752

0.6

mean cda: 0.752

0.8

mean cda: 0.750

1

mean cda: 0.754

0 1

node 1 position:

0.6

node density:

5

blocks removed:

40

node 2 position

node 1 position:

0.6

node 2 position:

0.8

blocks removed:

40

node density 0

node density:

7

biased weight:

0.8

blocks removed:

40

1

biased node position

node density: biased position blocks removed:

biased node weight

7 0.8 40

0

mean cda: 0.744

DAYLIGHTING STUDIES

ORIGINAL MASSING

FINAL MASSING

FINAL MASSING WITH FULL HEIGHT GLASS

100

0

100

0

UDI Underlit (% Time < 300 lux)

100

0

UDI Underlit (% Time < 300 lux)

UDI Underlit (% Time < 300 lux)

SECTION AA’

9 AM

1 PM

6 PM

9 AM

1 PM

6 PM

9 AM

1 PM

6 PM

1 PM

6 PM

9 AM

1 PM

6 PM

9 AM

1 PM

6 PM

SECTION BB’

9 AM

LE A RNI NG TO WER OF ARSEN ALE CORE STUDIO 8, 2018 LIBRARY & LE ARNING HUB, VENICE, ARSENALE STU DI O L E AD: R E NE TA N

CAMPANILE PROPORTION STUDY

ST MARC CAMPANILE

Sited within the courtyard of a typical low rise cluster along the Arsenale canal, this building is a reinterpretation of the Campanile’s bell-tower typology in Venice. The learning tower of Arsenale is envisioned to be a beacon of knowledge, a common-ground for learning, reflection and sharing of knowledge. The insertion of the tower respects the scale of Venice’s fabric while referencing the proportion of bell towers and classical palladian architecture.

Contrast with the site is expressed through the building’s materiality; the light appearance of the glass facade and thin, industrial steel mullions contrast the heavy and warm traditional brick facade of Venetian architecture. Removal of the facade cladding gives emphasis to the program spaces as well as clarity to the circulation.

PROPOSED LEARNING HUB

PALLADIAN ARCHITECTURE PROPORTION STUDY

PALAZZO CHIERICATI

Programmetrically, the small floor areas rethink the need for large, open-plan typology in libraries. Structurally, a transfer-core system was chosen to increase the efficiency of the small footprint. The structural lift cores doubles as a continuous bookshelf which is experienced by a spiraling staircase that connects every level. Instead of large cavernous spaces in most libraries, well-proportionate rooms are placed around the off-centered lift core with double and triple volume height.

The experience of looking for a book is a curated journey where the one ascends through a series of programmetrically different boxes. The expansion and compression of room heights and rhythmic expression of light and shadow through the vertical fins cladding enhances the spatial perception as one traverses through the building.

SAN GIORGIO MARGGOIRE CAMPANILE

VILLA ROTONDA

LEVEL 2

LEVEL 7

LEVEL 4

LEVEL 10

LEVEL 13

STRUCTURE & CIRCULATION

PROGRAMS

TRUSSED SLAB trussedFLOOR floor slab waffle grid shelf

VIEWING DECK viewing deck

media room MEDIA ROOM

EXHIBITION SPACE exhibit READING/STUDY reading/study area AREA green deck GREEN DECK auditorium AUDITORIUM outdoor cafeCAFE OUTDOOR

steel mullion STEEL MULLION

ALUMINUM FIN fin vertical aluminum

TRANSFER LIFT CORES transfer lift cores

indoor cafe INDOOR CAFE

temporary exhibit TEMPORARY EXHIBIT lobby area LOBBY AREA

3-GE N L I V IN G CORE STUDIO 6, 2017 RESIDENTIAL UNIT, SINGAPORE, JAL AN BASAH STU DI O LE A D: EVA C A S T RO

CIRULATION DIAGRAMS

The design brief for the 2-weeks residential unit design calls for an alternative dwelling model which responds to changing societies.

The proposed residential unit addresses the lack of social interaction in a multi-generation family. The hypothetical family of interest is a 3-generation nuclear family of grandparents, parents and 2 children.

The unit is separated into halves to accommodate different sleeping schedules and social activities. Grandparents, who tend to stay home, spend the greatest amount of time at home. In addition, these elderly lack opportunity to interact with their grandchildren who usually enjoy privacy and personal space in their rooms.

As such, the design intent is to create a flexible residential unit which allows different circulations, connects different spaces while allowing privacy and lastly, places more emphasis on the needs and lifestyle of the elderly.

The resultant design assumes a porous layout that divides the unit using soft boundaries of shared spaces and split levels. Overlapping walls replace doors to create unenclosed spaces that retain privacy while shared spaces such as dining area and kitchen are placed adjacent to the grandparentsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; room to create chances for interaction.

Material and platform level demarcate different zones while split levels ensures privacy for the parents and children.

PLANS

SECTIONS

SECTION AA’

LEVEL 2

SECTION BB’

LEVEL 1

SECTION CC’

P H O SP H E NE LIGHT INSTALL ATION, 2017 NIGHT FESTIVAL 2017, SINGAPORE, NATIONAL DESIGN CENTER P RA XI S + (S E L F -I NI TI AT E D T E AM P ROJE C T )

LIGHTING SEQUENCE

The visitor is drawn into the mouth of the installation by twinkling sparkles of lights round the bend.

Phosphene is a light installation for Singapore Night Festival 2017. The 13m-long winding faceted tunnel of dazzling lights aims to bring wonder, joy, curiosity and surprise to visitors at every magical turn as they wander through the faceted and reflective interior.

Phosphene is the biological phenomenon of seeing speckles of light without light being physically present or entering your eye. We sometimes experience this when we close or rub our eyes; a small magical moment which that transports you to another dimension.

There are magical moments at every turn of our daily lives that we can so easily miss unless we slow down, explore and appreciate the beauty of things around us. We would venture to bet that some people do not know that this phenomenon even exists, despite the number of times they have closed their eyes!

Traversing through the dark and winding envelope, brilliant lights dance sporadically on the cavernous walls to surround the moving visitor.

As the visitor exits, the playful lights trail behind and fade into gradual darkness.

SCALED PROTOTYPE & MODEL

1:1 FACETED INTERIOR

STRUCTURAL DESIGN

FABRICATION PROCESS

SPLI T B RIDG E ADVANCED DIGITAL FABRICATION, 2017 3 ME TER-LONG TIMBER BRIDGE, SINGAPORE E L E C T I V E L E AD: S T YLIA NOS DR ITS A S

DESIGN PROCESS

STRUCTURAL OPIMIZATION

DETAILED AXONOMETRIC

LOADING TEST RESULTS OVERALL WEIGHT:

28.9 KG

DEFLECTION @ 50KG:

10MM

DEFLECTION @ 100KG:

13MM

TH IN CO N CR E TE ADVANCED DIGITAL FABRICATION, 2018 RESE ARCH PAPER PUBLISHED IN CAADRIA 2019 PUBLICATION ELECT IVE LE A D: S T Y LIA NOS DR I TS A S

RETHINKING CONCRETE

Concrete is widely used in construction of architecture for its low-cost and structural strength. It is often used in compression and is synonymous with massive and heavy structures.

THIN CONCRETE challenges the predominant & conventional use of concrete as a compression material often coupled with geometrically massive and heavy-weight artifacts.

The broader domain within this research project is situated in digital fabrication. It aims to investigate how programmable methods of production such as CNC and robotic machinery can assist us creatively to develop new methods of materializing architecture or improve current construction methods.

MATERIAL EXPLORATION

Initial series of casting explores inherent unique and unexpected characteristics of concrete such as intense fabric-like wrinkling and high resolution texturing.

CASTING TECHNIQUES

A casting process was developed to create thin concrete components.

The process involves the use of plastic films between which premixed glass-fiber reinforced concrete is poured, followed immediately by pin rolling to conform its thickness before casting.

Study of different texturing resultant from various casting techniques such as twisting, draping and pinning of plastic film envelope.

PINNING OPERATIONS

Of the different casting techniques, pinning and hanging bagged concrete efficiently produced geometries that required no additional objects to conform against and smooth doubly-curved geometries with form-finding characteristics.

Different pinning configurations were tested to understand component geometry as well as part-assembly design.

CONFORMAL CASTING

material composition & dimensions

preparation of bagged GFRC concrete

digital fabrication

pinning

dragging

flipping

DESIGN PARAMETERS

component angle

tiling configuration

FINAL ARTEFACT DESIGN

FINAL ARTEFACT

Envisioned applications includes rain screens and general cladding as well as public artwork.

The use of lighting within the artifact produced beautiful shadows while accentuating the subtle fabric-like texture of the concrete.

B IO-F O R M FI N I DI N G DIGITAL BIOMIME TICS, 2019 MATERIAL RESE ARCH ON CHITOSAN ELECT IVE LE A D: S T Y LIA NOS DR I TS A S

FORM FINDING WITH CHITOSAN

BIO-FORM FINDING is an experimental form-finding framework involving the use of biomaterial that engages the shape-changing bioproperties in the form-finding process.

The objective is to utilize the natural shrinkage of hygroscopic materials during drying for rapid, controlled and replicable form-finding.

A casting technique of pouring sheets of Chitosan combined with the use of a robot arm for precise and repeatable 2D placement of compliant bracing material was used to achieve this.

FORM FINDING EXPLORATION

An initial series of prototyping explores the geometric relationship between the placement of compliant strip members and the shrinkage of Chitosan.

A spectrum of different 2D pattern groups revealed certain trends, from which several general rules can be formed.

These observations provided the basis of which digital fabrication methods can be fused with traditional form-finding techniques to achieve consistent results that evoke architectural form-finding qualities.

DESIGN EXPLORATION

From previous explorations, nodes with multiple ends tend to warp upwards and free edges transform more compared to shared edges due to a higher degree of freedom.

As such, an upscaling pattern was designed to maximize the number of free edges in order to achieve more transformation of the material. shared edges free edges

DIGITAL FABRICATION

In preparation for larger scale and more complex 2D strip arrangements, a robotic pick and place process was develoepd to aid in design exploration.

The robot flange is fitted with a pneumatic vacuum. The robot picks up the strips at a fixed point and proceeds to place them at instructed points and orientations.

location to pick strip members point to prevent robot singularity

boundary of robot arm end effector suction plate

FINAL ARTEFACTS

TRUMAN NG truman_ng@mymail.sutd.edu.sg +65 94550121