Cheolwon Yeom Portfolio Architectural Designer
Architecture is a process of rediscovery, unveiling meaning within what already exists. I seek to reinterpret the familiar and shift perception in search for depth in the familiar, and creating experiences that quietly enrich everyday life while suggesting new possibilities within the ordinary.
Exploring new possibilities through reinterpretation of the existing
Carved-In
UPENN MSDAAD Spring Studio
Vector Envelope
UPENN MSDAAD Summer Studio
Academic Thesis
2D - 3D - 4D
Thesis Develop 2D - 3D - 4D
Blockchain Reef
UPENN MSDAAD Fall Studio
Contoured Academic 4th year Over
Vibrant Artifact
University of Pennsylvania, Master of Science in Design Advanced Architectural Design
GPA 3.78/4.0 Graduated with Design Award for Excellence in Design
Pusan Natinoal University
GPA 3.81/4.5 Graduated with Dean’s Award for Excellence in Design (2014,2019,2020)
Teaching Assistant, MSD-AAD Studio, UPENN
Critique for Design Studio 6 hours per week
Construction Project
Design Assistant for Church Terrace Project in Bundang, South Korea
Yacademy Workshop
Selected 35 Participant Workshop from Portfolio Applications
Jo-Jinman Architects
Design Assistant, Model Making for Construction Project
BAUU (Busan Architecture University Union)
Conducting Design Conferences
Presenter for Design Workshop, Youtube Interview
HABITAT
Voluteer in 1 month HABITAT house building activity
UPENN MSD-AAD Design Award
Received Award for Excellence in Design among 3 out of 43 students
Beebreeder Hospice for Terminally-ill Children Competition
Finalist, Team of 2
Korea Military Service, KATUSA(Korean Augmentation to the United States Army)
Served as Interepter, Translator and Event Coordinator for US Army Officers
Team Leader of 6 soldiers as Non-commisioned officer
Received Honor Coins, Badges for Excellence in Performance and Leadership
Graduation Exhibition Coordinator
Hosted and supervised Architecture Exhibition for 50 Projects
Design
Fabrication
Rhinoceros, Revit, Sketchup, Vray, Lumion, Keyshot, Adobe Suits, Autocad, Houdini
3d Printing, Wood Craft, Robotic Fabrication
Language
Korean
English
UPENN MSDAAD Spring Studio 2025 2025.01 ~ 2025.04
Team of 2 Role: Concept, Drawings, Render Prof. Hina Jamelle Islamic Art Museum
Rhino/Vray
Can 2D carving techniques translate into 3D space?
Arabesque work consists of stucco carving in different depths, density and angle creating different effects despite its flatness. Carving techniques of this arabesque work applied for architectural detail creates multiple layers, spatial conditions and structural components. Carving out forms in different depths and axis allows them to be layered on top of each other with various depth and shadow effects.
Arabesque work is located in Court of Lions, Alhanbra Palace located in Granada, Spain. This piece of work is relatively planar placed on a wall with carving of stucco demonstrating different depth and angulation. Analysis of the arabesque piece are used as one of the resourses for AI generating for design research in translating the unique technique into architectural language.
Translated carving techniques form variations in facade depending on the depth and anglulation from the design research. The techniques and inspirations observed from the design research phase translate them into forms, assemblies, seams and details that creates architecture. The unfolded facade displays 5 techniques of carving derived from the design research.
3D Detail Render
Design research of the arabesque carving technique is translated to architectural design language creating . Seams, structure, space and assembly of components.
Surrounding Nature
Program Allocation
Carving Space
Connection
Project site is sits on the boundary between massive green space of Imperial Palace and cultural, commercial district of Ginza, Tokyo. The transportation hubs in the area provide high accessibility and the adjacent green space allows possibilty for more integration with the public. Access
Site Strategy
Green
Techniques
Hybrid Model - 2D Technique to Plan Transition
Top view of the hybrid model displays the transition from 2d carving technique analysis to spatial qualities in plan. Sectional and plannar transition from the technique are same resulting in the blend of section, elevation and section.
Basement - Public connection for accessibility
Upper Floor - Gallery and green space
Carving techniques applied in architecture translates into various architectural language in the facade. Depending on the depth of carving, terrace, enterance and semi outdoor is formed.
Section - Museum with Maximum Public
The New Aga Khan museum in Tokyo is designed for the public to integrate with the space. The enterance and the connection from the subway leads visitors directly to the basement park. Space for gallery and auditorium is formed with deep carving for high ceilings and dramatic spatial experience.
Auditorium Ceiling System
Ceiling System is planned out accordingly to the carved shape of the concrete. The ceiling of the auditorium is split up to fit the mechanical system.
Auditorium
Intense carved depth of space creates 2 floor height space for auditorium in the museum. Curved form made from translated carving technique forms unique stage and seating.
Depth of carving from the facade forms a semi outdoor space which translates into a terrace. These spaces add more publicness to the museum overall.
Terrace Gallery
Depending on the depth and size of the carving detail translated into 3d space, various gallery is formed. This adds constantly changing spatial experience as visitors flow though the gallery.
Indoor Park
Underground is open to the public. Public transportation is connected directly to basement and the green space is inserted into the public underground space.
Storage
Artifact storage is allocated in the basement along with mechanical supporting system for the green space is formed accordingly to the form of space.
2DAnalysis
The model displays the carving technique starting The hybrid model transition from 2D to 3D from left to right to
CarvingTechnique
starting from 2D analysis to three dimenionsional spaces. to represent the emergence of spatiality from carving studies.
UPENN MSDAAD Fabrication Studio
2025.05 ~ 2025.08
Team of 2 Role: Concept, Drawing, Fabrication
Prof. Nate Hume
Boat House
Rhino/Vray
Can the shift of vector deviate from the surroundings?
The project focuses on the interaction of geometric directionality. Thinkening the envelope with braces running in diagonal distinct directionality and effect. Diagonal vector seperates the boat house from the verticality of trees in the site. The distinct directionality provide the visitors a unique spatial experience as diagonal wood frames and ceramics directionality continue and shift on edges of the form.
Conventional shingles are composed of flat geometry overlapping to one another creating a repetitive pattern. Shingle gometry follows overlapping methodology of the conventional shingles but with 3 dimensional depth . deviating from flatness using certain degree of curvature allow shingles to hook on to each other.
Shingle Composition - Horizontal & Vertical
Articulated shingle modules are vertically and horizontally. Vertical composition forms unique effect and depth. Horizontal composition forms panels with anomolies adding texture and variation to the whole.
Shingles composition with 4 different geometry creates variation to the overall composition. Shifting direction of the shingles adds more depth their modular geometry. Colorization of the pieces were tested to form a subtle color that blends with the surroundings while gradiently changing among one another.
Mock Up Test - Shingle Composition & Color Pallette
Envelope of wood structure buildings are mainly consisted of vertical elements and arrays of them. Thickening the enveloe with a distinct vector allows the wood structure to deviate from the verticality.
Distinct diagonal vector in the thickened envelope requires strong connection to the vertical envelope underneath it. Heavy wood strips to be held in diagonal, assembled, L-shaped construction joint are used perpendicular to the vector for connection. The thickening happens as the diagonal members rotate in certain angle to assemble with the doagonal wood in the outer layer.
Assembly of the diagonal vector is supported by the strong layering of vertical envelope. Additional member between two vertical members allows the structural envelope to hold the thickened envelope with distinct vector.
Unique texture are added using robot arm 3d clay printing. The nature of dripping down clay being 3d printed not with mold, allows for a unpredicted effect on shingles
Wood structure is formed in a conventional manner with real life construction joints despite the experimental diagonal assembly. The mock-up shows the possiblity of real construction for this experimental project.
Thinkened Envelope Section
Boat house sits in a lake forest site full of tall vertical woods. As the vector of this architecture deviates itself from its surroundings, it sits at the boundary of two environments that are different but harmonizing at the same time. This distinct vector not only separates it from the verticality but also functions as a bridge from one enviroment to the other. The lake flow directly to the boat house for it programatic and architectural pruposes.
Water insertion into Boat House
Lake in the site runs into the boat house. The wooden structure that deviates from the surrounding invites people into it’s unique space directly from the lake. Opening to the water is created from diagonal vectors hitting the edge. Diagonal vector meeting vertical vector allows for an opening that almost seems like an illusion. As people enter the boat house, they encounter the emergence of harmony between verticality, diagonals and circularity.
phase 1
phase 2
Academic Thesis Spring/Summer 2022
2022.03 ~ 2022.08
Prof. Eun Jung Park
Sports / Leisure / Culture Complex
Revit/Rhino/Lumion
Can composition of program change perception?
Arrangement of forms and programs of sports facilities are conducted in a conventional manner of stacking. Stacking up massive sports programs results in a enclosed architecture specifically for designated purposes. This project experiements the horizontal rearrangement of sports program accordingly to the shift in society due to COVID-19. Change in the arrangement, inverting the conventional vertical stacking method to 2d distributtion creates a possibilty for more openness
[A]: Residental Area Green Connection
[B]: Commercial Area
[C]: Educational Area
[D]: R&D Area
Site - New Eco Delta City with Green & Water Connection
Project site is sits on the boundary between massive green space of Imperial Palace and cultural, commercial district of Ginza, Tokyo. The transportation hubs in the area provide high accessibility and the adjacent green space allows possibilty of introducing green space to the site.
In the era of COVID-19, society shifted to requiring more openness from space. Sports facilities are enclosed box with massive sports program stacked on top of one another. Sports complex in the new era requires space of it to be separated and apart for maximum openess and connectivity to the surrounding. New typology of the facility will alow people to flow into the architecture with less purpose and intention of using the space. Spaces of the facility are distributed all around the complex with running track interwining the space. Vertical sports space and separated spaces are visible from people enjoying daily run.
Ground floor of the sports complex is open, connected with running track flowing in from the surrounding park. Space is full of voids from sports space of the basement. Openness and smooth flow into the facility allow people to enter the architecture with minimizing the perception of noticing the shift from outdoors to architecture.
THK30 urethane rubber
THK50 cement mortar
THK70 PVC plate
THK7 mosaic tiles slate stone
THK23 mortar type1 waterproof
THK50 concrete
THK130 concrete(#8-150X150wiremesh)
THK7 mosaic tiles slate stone
THK23 mortar
type1 waterproof
THK50 concrete
Plan
Tennis courts, basket ball courts, swimming pools are all seprated and allocated all across the facility for maximum openness of the complex. The running track coming in from the surrounding park passed by the sports space, interconnecting the entire space while also providing constant change in views as people enjoy their daily run.
Tennis Court
Ceiling System is planned out accordingly to the carved shape of the concrete. The ceiling of the auditorium is split up to fit the mechanical system.
Indoor Garden
Ceiling System is planned out accordingly to the carved shape of the concrete. The ceiling of the auditorium is split up to fit the mechanical system.
Semi-Outdoor Garden
Ceiling System is planned out accordingly to the carved shape of the concrete. The ceiling of the auditorium is split up to fit the mechanical system.
Running Track
Ceiling System is planned out accordingly to the carved shape of the concrete. The ceiling of the auditorium is split up to fit the mechanical system.
Project site is sits on the boundary between massive green space of Imperial Palace and cultural, commercial district of Ginza, Tokyo. The transportation hubs in the area provide high accessibility and the adjacent green space allows possibilty of introducing green space to the site.
Connection of the green surrounding the building connects to various points of the building. Leading people into the sports complex during a daily walk in the park smoothly allows for an escpae from daily life.
1:200 Physical Model Acrylic Plate, Spray Paint
phase 1
phase 2
Thesis Develop Summer 2022 2022.08 ~ 2022.10
Prof. Eun Jung Park
Sports / Leisure / Culture
Rhino
Can program arrangement trigger abnormality?
Arrangement of architectural forms and its programs are conducted in a conventional manner; stacking. This project challenges the conventional arranging order of sports program in the means of creating an abnormal spatial experience for people.
Change in the arrangement, inverting the conventional vertical stacking method to 2d distributtion, large to small, heavy to light will create an illusion of space escaping the ‘daily’ gravitational force and spatial experience . Illusion of ‘nondaily’ spatial experience against the spatial stereotype will constantly provide a ‘escape from mundane’
Unfolded Elevation
Arrangement of the sport program is shifted in a more drastic method. Massive sports spaces are allocated on higher level and supporting spaces are distributed in the lower level. This shift allows people to experience architecture deviating from the conservative matter, deviating from gravity, providing unique spatial experience.
UPENN MSDAAD Fall Studio 2024 2024.08 ~ 2024.12
Team of 2 Role: Concept, Drawings, Model Prof. Fabian Llonch
Aquarium/Crypto Mining Center
Rhino
Can merging duality emerge the possiblity of new?
Blockchain Reef imagines a combination of a future infrastructure under the development of computational technology and rising environmental awareness. Blockchain reef aims on merging this duality as a proposal for new typology for the near future. An aquarium in manhattan as an attraction visible to the public in the heart of New York City and combining with data center creates the sense of duality that reflects the competitiveness of natural and artificial. Maximizing the merging of this duality decentralizes human’s role in the near future by minimizing the human space within. This contrast is also creating a unique attraction and spatial experience.
Fulton Center is one of the tranportation hubs of New Yrok City that connects thw whole city. Flows into this site is also increased due to the architecture attraction points in the adjacent area, allowing the site a possibility for a massive attraction point. Central Park in NYC serves not only as local park but a massive non-human attraction
Fulton Center is one of the tranportation hubs of New Yrok City that connects thw whole city. Flows into this site is also increased due to the architecture attraction points in the adjacent area, allowing the site a possibility for a massive attraction point. Central Park in NYC serves not only as local park but a massive non-human attraction
Section - Circulation Integration with Site
3/16 Scale Physical Assembly Model
Physical model displays the merging of existing building facade, the new cascade and the exposed aquarium. Assembly of the model demonstrates the consideration of possible assembly of elements in reality.
Academic 4th year Fall 2021
2021.09 ~ 2021.12
Prof. Myung Keon Kim Social Housing
Rhino/Sketch up/Lumion
How can architecture resolve disconnected steep context?
[Contoured] focus on creating a continuous enviroment of the housing and surroundings to improve living conditions of this area. As an extension of the contour of the steep landscape, the conventional box housing is reformed by contouring forming a naturally connective form with the steep site. Connectivity of the architecture and the surroundings will blur boundary between the two. People in the region will flow into their residents without realizing they are shifting from outdoors to indoors, landscape to architecture.
Steepness of Site
Massing on Levels
Need of Public Space Interconnection Public Space for Steepness Continuous Public Space
Public Space in the Steep
The steep sites of residence in Busan lack of public green space. Characteristics of housing in the site, using roof of lower level houses as front yard for upper level houses are utilized as the approach to meet the needs. Connecting the roof of the massive
Housing in the steep mountain area, apart from downtown, are composed of units for the potential young generation who will be moving in with the new astonishing public space. The continuous green space swirling up the steepness will provide new daily experience for the residents.
UPENN ARCH 7220 Fall 2024
2024.08 ~ 2024.12
Team of 3 Role: Concept, Design, Digram
Prof. Barry Wark
Elcological Design_Facade
Houdini/Rhino/Keyshot
Facade as a vibrant matter
The project designs architecture through the lens of time , embracing the dynamic effect of weathering. Metal plates and their complementary structures are designed to fall off and decolor by the corrosion of rainwater and water tides, revealing structures, inner walls, and apertures. Unlike mass production’s uniform approach that treats architecture as perfect permanent machines, this small portion of the facade is designed specifically for its weathering condition and designed for a limited time span. By integrating the interaction of opposing matters . The designed wall brings a possibility of a coexisting binary, buildings that protect humans and buildings that deeply connect its surroundings
UPENN ARCH 7420 Spring 2025
Function of Fashion in Architecture
2025.01 ~ 2025.05
Team of 3 Role: Design, Fabrication
Prof. Danielle Williams
Rhino/Runway ML/Clo 3d/3D Printing
The project designs architecture through the lens of time, embracing the dynamic effect of weathering. Metal plates and their complementary structures are designed to fall off and decolor by the corrosion of rainwater and water tides, revealing structures, inner walls, and apertures. Unlike mass production’s uniform approach that treats architecture as perfect permanent machines, this small portion of the facade is designed specifically for its weathering condition and designed for a limited time span. By integrating the interaction of opposing matters – water, which
09. Manna Agora
Built Project
01.2024-07.2024
Role: Designer Assistant
Outdoor Terrace Space
Constructed 2025
Agora infront of a church in Bundang, South Korea requires a system that reduces the sound from area to area. The stepping method used in ophera auditoriums are applied with green partitions to reduce sound. The soundscape in this agora allows calm and comforting gathering for people visiting the church.
Sound disruption in the same levelSound disruption with differnet levels
Change in sound disruption for outdoor terrace space
Outdoor terrace space will allow for less sound disruption for people using the space. This method, inspired by the Elbphilharmony Hamburg allows a quite outdoor talking space for people visiting the church and daily visitors.
Height difference of the floors let the sound to interfere less with sound from the different level. Green is added as a screen and enviroment friendly purpose allowing the visitors to be in space that is surrounded with green.
39,750
5,000 5,000 5,000
2,246 2,300 3,100
15,246
7,600
Jo-Jinman Architects Internship
Role: Design Assistant & Model making
01.2021-02.2021
Creative Bunker for Youth Constructed 2023
Original bunker space is divided into three floors. Program for the youth is allocated from the bottom floor up to the upper floors with various voids and overhangs creating a dynamic and unique spatial experience in the new underground bunker youth center.
B2 Floor Plan
YAC Competition Desert Accomodation 2021
2021.03 ~ 2021.05
Team of 5 Role: Design, Drawing, Rendering
Advisor_Prof. Keojin Jin
Rhino/Grasshopper
Desert is the one and only region with constantly changing landscape. Constant change of the landscape of harsh nature is an unique experience. This project proposes a accomodation in desert that captures constantly changing surrounding. Weathered form will provide numerous range of views toward the surroundings as well as the providing spatial experience alike the change of the desert canyons. The contrast of the eternity and temporary features of the desert is forged into architectural form with the view hotel provides and the natural canyon-ilke form.
Upper Floor - Gallery and green space
Hotel forms sight angles for visitors to observe the surrounding desert. Constant change of thesurrounding landscape is captured from every location inside the facility. Irregularity of the interior form forms a in-nature canyon-like space providing a consistent shift in sptial experience as well as the surroundings
Section - Exoskeleton structure with filter system
Hotel forms sight angles for visitors to observe the surrounding desert. Constant change of thesurrounding landscape is captured from every location inside the facility. Irregularity of the interior form forms a in-nature canyon-like space providing a consistent shift in sptial experience as well as the surroundings
Exterior - Contrast of architecture and constantly changing surrounding
Beebreeder Competition 2022
Finalist
2025.01 ~ 2025.05
Team of 2 Role: Concept, Design, Rendering
Rhino/Sketch-up/Lumion
Can architecture forms serve as a healing tool?
A hospice designed for terminally ill children should be a daily refuge where they can rediscover the joy and freedom of childhood . Spheres come together to form a bubble-like environment creating a fantastical, non-daily space that invites creativity and wonder, giving children moments of play and delight.
Conventional space for hospitals are rigid rectangular forms with hard edges. Deviating from this rigid form to sphere with no edge will allow the terminally ill to get away from the daily space they are staying in.
The choosen site for this facility has massive park, ocean and the city surrounding it. Considering all the access from different environments, sphere form are situated accordingly. Circulation will allow the children to integrate with the nature surrounding the facility.
