Vanessa Elizabeth Chew

VANESSA . CHEW

ARCHITECTURE + COMPUTATION PORTFOLIO

BARTLETT SCHOOL OF ARCHITECTURE van.chew0207@gmail.com

+44 7367505665

https://www.linkedin.com/in/vanessa-elizabeth-chew/

00 THE CONTENTS

00 THE CV

Who am I?

I am a graduate from the Bartlett School of Architecture with a strong interest in integrating computational strategies into architecture. In recent years, I have also gained hands-on experience in real projects, working on RIBA stages 3 - 5 to build confidence my professional duties. From such experiences, I have developed a passion of using my multidisciplinary abilities to innovate and enhance built environments. Hence, I am seeking opportunities to join an organization that values creative design and technology-driven approaches.

EDUCATION

University College London

Msc Architectural Computation | 2023 - 2024

Investigated how to reduce thermal gain on facades using Ladybug and Signed-Distance fielda algorithms. The performance of the facades were analysed via a self-customed made code in Grasshopper using C# programming. The project achieved a 72% grade.

Developed algorithms using swarm intelligence to simulate the ‘Spread of Disease’ in an urban context. The code was developed using Grasshopper C# and Rhinoceros. This code achieved an 80% grade.

Thesis: Developed a program which focused on using agent-based modeling to predict theft crime in London neighbourhoods using Grasshopper. The algorithm translated psychological features of thieves into the movement of agents.

University College London

BSc Architecture | 2019 - 2022

Core Project: ‘The Intergenerational Office’ - The project focused on incorporating the design routines between different age groups. These included architects, children & the elderly. The outcome produced a colorful community which allowed each group to learn from one another to create more inclusive designs. This project achieved a 72% grade.

Core Modules: Design Projects, Environmental & Structural Design, Design Technology, History of Architecture.

EXPERIENCE

Ben Adams Architects

Architectural Assistant | London, United Kingdom | 2022 - 2024

Coordinated with external consultants and architects to deliver stage 4 - 5 drawings needed for contractor’s use and tender packages, showcasing confidence in understanding building procedures and technical competence.

Developed presentations and reports for Design Team meetings (DTMs) essential for effective communication between architects, stakeholders and clients to ensure the team’s design decisions were conveyed swiftly. Resulted in productive & healthy conversations amongst multiple teams.

Collaborated with senior architects to respond to RFIs and specification queries in a timely manner, which allowed me to gain extensive knowledge into construction workflows and tailor quick responses to external consultants.

Editecture Summer Internship

Design Intern | Hong Kong, China | 2021

Collaborated with a team to organise a student’s 3 month summer program that focused on designing sustainable structures for the homeless, demonstrating strong teamwork.

Independently organised and designed modelling resources for students to design from. The quick independent production of models improved efficiency of the student’s program.

Taught students within the program to design structures in an engaging manner, showcasing adept verbal communication abilities, which received positive feedback.

RIBA STAGE EXPERIENCE

01 SELF-SHADING FACADES

By using computational methods within LLMs, Sign Distance Fields & 3D Printing techniques

This project focuses on finding the optimal shapes of facade bricks to reduce thermal exposure using a technique called ‘Signed-Distance Field’. In collaboration with two other members, a unique workflow was tried and tested. This workflow challenged itself to use Large Language Models to create the brick’s base shape, where a LadyBug simulation was conducted to discern the

percentage of shaded areas of the brick. This information was fed into the Sign-Distance Field algorithm to create a 3D proposal. Ultimately, the shape produced was 3D printed and compared to regular bricks to ascertain if the design performed better. Although, this portfolio showcases only my contribution to the workflow - finding optimal facade shapes for different orientations.

[ SIGN - DISTANCE - FIELD ]

A signed distance function/field (SDF) as a 3D shape description is one of the most effective approaches to represent 3D geometry for rendering and reconstruction. The algorithmic method consists of two planes (top & bottom) where a simple set of lines drawn by a user can create complex 3D contoured shapes.

SDF FIELD

3D BLENDED MODEL

SDF FIELD – BOTTOM FIELD

3D PRINTING FROM CONTOURS

CHANGING LENGTH X & Y

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CHANGING LENGTH MIN & MAX

CHANGING CONTOUR THICKNESS CHANGING HEIGHT

[ TESTING VIA PARAMETERS

]

A series of tests were conducted via LadyBug (Grasshopper) to see how well each brick design performed. Certain parameters that could alter the graph line shape were tested. These parameters included - length, width, angle, plane rotation, protrusion length and thickness.

The best performing brick designs achieved the highest percentage of blue areas (shaded areas). X Y

RESULTS

RESULTS :

[ SOUTH EAST/WEST & SOUTH FACADE DESIGNS ]

These two orientations were chosen to focus on as they recieve the most intensive lighting during the day. The results below showcase the percentage of shading per block. Hence, the higher the score, the better.

SHADED AREAS

UNSHADED AREAS

SHADED AREAS LESS SHADED AREAS

UNSHADED AREAS

[ SOUTH WEST DESIGN PERFORMS

27% BETTER THAN REGULAR BRICKS OF THE SAME ORIENTATION ] [ SOUTH DESIGN PERFORMS 23% BETTER THAN REGULAR BRICKS OF THE SAME ORIENTATION ]

Architectural Layout Generation using computational methods

This project explored the idea of using ‘Agent-Based Modeling’ to create unique floorplans based on preferences from users. The initial brief of the project was an office located in central London. Initially, a general shape was produced by a user, and the project wanted to work out how the arrangement of different plans changed based on view and sun qualities. Next, a custom made plugin was created

to calculate the thermal hotspots and view quality within the floorplan in which this analysis informed the rules of the agents. Such agents were assigned a ‘target’ to find, whether it would be a cold, visually less appealing areas for toilets or warmer, visually stunning areas for meeting rooms. The result was an unique office design which allows a designer to explain positional choices of rooms.

INTERSECTIONS WITH GREEN PARKS

INITIAL ASSIGNED SCORE INITIAL ASSIGNED SCORE

INTERSECTIONS WITH BUILDINGS

CELL SCORE

USING ISOVISTS TO CALCULATE THERMAL QUALITY

[ ITERATIVE RESULTS BY PARAMETERS ]

PERCENTAGE

user may choose this floor plan as there visual score is high, meaning this plan provides the most nice views

user may choose this floor plan as there thermal score is close to 0, meaning it is not too hot or too cold

USING AGENTS TO FIND CERTAIN THERMAL / VISUAL PARAMETERS

HIGHER THE WARMER TA SCORE

REMAP THE SCORES TO A 0.0 – 1.0 BRIGHTNESS VALUE.

APPLY THIS VALUE TO AGENT’S BEHAVIOR

TARGET SCORE SELECTION REMAP TARGET SCORE

AGENTS SEARCHING FOR THE

03 THESIS : CRIMINAL AGENTS

Investigating the validity & application of the ‘Theory of Visual Access & Exposure’ in Theft Spot identification using multiple agents

Many studies of theft crime have been addressed for several years. Still to this day, the main challenge has been understanding fully the movements of offenders when considering their next victims. Recent research has included a focus on ‘hot spot/street detection’ where there has been a surge in interest in gaining a higher precision of where theft occurs. In doing so, law enforcement could better organize their resources for a higher payoff.

Agent-based modeling has been one method in destecting theft and it has been used in many crime prediction studies. The methodology used in computer simulation that concentrates on individual-level behaviors and is ideally suited to modelling crime. This is particularly true of crimes, such as burglary or street crime, which are heavily influenced by environmental factors and by the behavior of individual people.

When looking into the realm of space and criminal behavior, one key study has theorized and tested how offenders behave in enclosed spaces. John C. Archea (an architecture professor at State University of New York) theorized the concept of ‘Visual Access & Exposure’, arguing and proving that offenders in enclosed spaces position themselves to have maximum access and minimum exposure. The study was conducted in bank lobbies and by interviewing/simulating the movements of ex-robbers.

Although such studies have rarely implemented this specific theory on a larger scale, outside of an enclosed area such as a bank lobby or a small group of apartment blocks. Therefore, there are opportunities to investigate how Archea’s theory hold up in a larger urban environment. In doing so, the study would draw up the effectiveness and validity of the theory, providing any insight of any gaps in the theory if necessary.

Also as of now, Archea’s theory does not explicitly mention the role of bystanders/other pedestrians as guardians and variables in visual access & exposure.

how many cells can the

if each line was drawn from every cell to every other

This agent blocks view

Offender more exposed

Field of View:

The area in which an agent can see

Visual Access:

The ratio of how many people the offender can see & how many people it can’t see velocity

Visual Exposure:

The ratio of how many people can see the offender & how many people it can’t see

External Awareness: Agents check surrounding agent movements

Offender has different movement from others

Others have similar movements to each other

Routine: Agents would have a routine encoded

e.g going to a station External

Longest Line of Sight:

Offender has different movement from others

Others have similar movements to each other

Routine:

External Awareness: Agents check surrounding agent movements

External Awareness:

Agents check surrounding agent movements

Field of View measures

[ HOW A CRIME SPOT IS MADE ]

Aside from encoding agent’s movements, as an offender moves through space, the visual access (VA) and visual exposure (VE) values are calculated. As per Archea’s theories, if the VA is greater than VE, it indicates a suitable crime spot. If the offender is close to a pedestrian, a crime spot is inserted.

ISLE OF DOGS - RESULTS ]

[ WESTMINSER - RESULTS ]

[ CONCLUSIONS + RESULTS ]

Having extsablished the rules of the agents, a series of urban simulations were conducted on the specific sites within each neighbourhood. The general results concluded that Archea’s theories of visual access & exposure can replicate the same results of Space Syntax and other popular crime theories. However, the model revealed that areas such as open squares can skew the positional accuracy of crime spots. This could be considered in future works.

04 SPREAD OF DISEASE

Simulating the spread of disease of in an urban en vironment

In a more interconnected society, there has been a need for hygienic regulations for growing populations. However, to understand how to implement such regulations, a series of observations and tests should be conducted to visualise the interactions of the population and how contact-based diseases can spread. This project aims to ‘emulate’ the spread of a sickness in a hypothetical urban

landscape using algorithmic concepts like ‘swarms’ and ‘space syntax’. Several classes and components were required. These include - establishing the movement, interactions and responses of each agent (a civilian). Additionally, as the simulation is running, the program will also aim to record the times of infection and recovery.

front vector

right vector left vector

Agent properties :

double speed

Boolean is_infected

Boolean is_vaccinated

Boolean is_inHospital

1 2 3 a voxel contains an infection rating

a mesh from nurbs is created to make contour

[ THE INPUTS + RULES ]

The code only requires two inputs. These are - a 2D polyline city map & a 2D polyline street map.

To create the simulation, a series of rules were encoded. Firstly, each agent is to move towards a contour area with the closest vertical distance to the agent. Secondly, each agent must follow the longest line of sight, making it its front direction. Finally, each agent must rotate in accordance to the length of the front, left & right sight lines using vector addition. Subsequently, each agent has an infection rating and when infected, leaves a trail of ‘germs’ for other agents to be infected.

[ THE OUTPUTS + DATA ]

The output of the program will firstly produce the movement of agents within a city, displaying how one agent initially can infect a whole population. Additionally, a visual table is generated alongside the simulation. This includes when each agent had been infected, how long each agent stayed in a hospital and when they were vaccinated.

[ DATA COLLECTION ]

Above is a timeline of the simulation at each major step. For instance, 100 agents are released into a hypothetical city map. One agent was chosen as infected and unknowingly spreads to other agents and onto surfaces.

05 THE INTERGENERATIONAL OFFICE

Designing an Architectural Office for all ages for cooperative design

Today, architecture firms in general are seen as the ‘gifted few that design for the whole’ and are usually designed by firms consisting of similar ages. Children and the elderly are the minority and are often unheard in the design world. The project aims to combine the minds of children and elderly, which can benefit and dispel the need for ‘homogonous practices’.

OFFICES

DRAWING/MODELLING ROOMS

KITCHEN

GARDENING

LIBRARY

DINING ROOM

LIVING SPACES

OUTDOOR COMMUNAL SPACES

INTERGENERATION DESIGN DESIGN THROUGH PLAY

THE SOCIAL LIFE

EXEMPLAR OF INTERGENERATIONAL PRACTICE

The project explores how an architectural practice can create spaces that improves the interactions between architects, children and the elderly. The programme flowers into a playful landscape which utilises colour theory, landscaping and natural materials to enhance the user experience and intergenerational interaction within the practice. This approach creates a series of spaces that encourage architects to engage with the building and its other occupants, which in turn allow architects make more meaningful and well thought out projects for children and elderly.

NURSERY SCHOOL

LANSCAPE CHILDREN SPACES ELDERLY DOMESTIC SPACES ARCHITECT SPACES

PRIMARY SCHOOL DESIGN CENTRE

The scheme consists of a gradual landscape which integrates flora to surround users with different color tones, moods and levels of

On one half, is predominately meant for children’s classrooms. The other half is for office workers. The Drawing Room sits in the middle to allow both users to collaborate together on design and meal times.

Diffused Yellow Light for MORNING Happy Morning mood

COLOURED PANEL FOR NOON LIGHT

At lunch time, red light suggests users to leave the room to eat

Diffused Light

- Children & Adults can see each other on the same eye level -

CHILDREN’S CLASSROOMS

THE DRAWING ROOM

KITCHEN

[ THE DRAWING ROOM ]

The central hub for all age groups to colaborate & design together. Uses colour of materials & coloured glass to induce certain behaviours throughout the day. COPPER ROOF

OUTSIDE THE DRAWING ROOM AT NOON

THE DRAWING ROOM IN MORNING

THE DINING ROOM IN AFTERNOON

OUTSIDE AT SUNSET

Design and Access Statement

06 ALFRED PLACE - BEN ADAMS ARCHITECTS

An office refurbishment project set in the heart of Bloomsbury

[ PROJECT BRIEF ]

Located in the heart of Bloomsbury, Alfred Place was a project that aimed to transform an existing office into a high end and sustainably accredited scheme. The project consisted on 7 floors, including the basement and a new roof extension to replace the empty roof. Following a previous refurbishment in 2016, the project aims to update the building to meet the requirements of Great Portland Estates.

[ MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES ]

Developing construction details for mainly interior bespoke designs

Coordinating roof arrangements and sections with structural engineers / external consultants

Producing presentations for Design Team Meetings for smooth communication and documentation

Executed layout designs for all floor in conjunction with RCPs ( reflected ceiling plans )

[ CLIENT ] Great Portland Estates

[ LOCATION ] London WC1E 7EU

Tottenham Court Road

Alfred Place

[ CONTEXT + FEATURES ]

The project specifically aimed to achieve these features - [1] creating a better link the basement and ground floor office levels, maximising daylight at basement level. [2] Provide a stronger connection with the gardens adjacent to the building. [3] Add modifications to ground floor facade to open up building. [4] Provide a more efficient use of existing roof terraces to allow tenants to use these areas as breakout space.

Whilst I was involved in all aspects of the project, I mainly focused on the internal joinery and roof.

[ FROM RENDER TO INTERIOR JOINERY ]

A major part of this project relied on translating interior design renders into RIBA stage 4 drawings. One of the most complex joinery was the central staircase which was designed to ‘float’ between two columns. An added complexity also came from a balustrade that surrounded the stairs, which planned to have a counter top. The task to draw up all the structural detials was an invaluable experience.

[ THE ROOF + STRUCTURAL ENGINEERING]

After finishing the interior joinery, the roof design was the next major task. The roof invovled a series of meetings between myself and the structural engineer. Since the roof was a new extension, careful coordination and placement of the steel beams, balustrades and parapets was essential. This involved a thorough search for the appropriate beam types and lengths.

]

[ NEW FEATURE STAIRS

[ ROOF BEAM + FLOOR SECTIONS]

[ JOINERY PACKAGE

[ ROOF PACKAGE