Speculating U(Dys)topia YEUNG Man-Ki // Portfolio MArch. University of Hong Kong BA(AS) University of Hong Kong Email// cymk615@gmail.com Tel// +852 9441 0732
Utopia is oxymoron. It is unity and individuality. It is where contrasts exist and coexist. It is freedom and empowerment. It is Architecture that goes beyond architecture.
Curriculum Vitae YEUNG Man-Ki Born// Jun 15, 1995 Hong Kong Email// cymk615@gmail.com Tel// +852 9441 0732
EDUCATION
The University of Hong Kong
2019 - Jun 2021
The University of Hong Kong
2013 - 2017
MLKK Studio
Aug 2018 - Jul 2019
DLN Architects
Aug 2017 - May 2018
SHADOW Design Studio
2020 summer
Hong Kong Architectural Services Department
2016 summer
TINY HOUSE COMPETITION: 2020
Dec 2020
HKU Centre of Applied English Studies
Sept - Dec 2020
Build a Music School Project, Kengtung, Myanmar
2018 - 2020
Master of Architecture, Department of Architecture
2:1 Bachelor of Arts in Architectural Studies, Department of Architecture
WORK EXPERIENCE
Architectural Assistant
Architectural Trainee (Design Team)
Summer Intern
Summer Intern
COMPETITION, OTHER WORK & VOLUNTEERING
Peer Writing Consultant (Part-time)
Architectural Design Volunteer, Music Volunteer
SKILLS
Drafting/ Modelling Software
AutoCad, Enscape, Sketchup, Rhinoceros, Vray
Graphic/ Video Editing Software
Illustrator, Indesign, Photoshop, Premiere Pro Simulation Software
Autodesk CFD
LANGUAGE
Chinese English
IELTS overall: 8.5 (Oct 2018 L:9.0, R:9.0, W:7.0, S: 8.0)
Basic Japanese
JLPT N5
Contents
Station Exits as Urban Joints
04-15
Palimpsest (Group Project)
16-25
Road between Prince Edward and MongKok Stations, Hong Kong
Chun Yeung Street/ Belcher Bay Promenade, Hong Kong
Tear Gas |Lethality and the City (In co-operation with Forensic Architecture) A flat in Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong
South Pole Growth Chamber
26-31
Amundsen Scott South Pole Station, Antarctica
32-37
Production Line Housing
38-44
Plug-in Facade
45-47
Changsin-Dong, Seoul, Korea
Chai Wan Factory Housing Estate, Hong Kong
Competition and Other Work Professional Work
48-51 52- 55
I experience myself in the city, and the city exists through my embodied experience. Juhani Pallasmaa
STATION EXITS AS URBAN JOINTS
Road between Prince Edward and MongKok Stations, Hong Kong When the underground of the city is well-connected by the mass transit infrastructural system, what does the ground mean? If traffic were disrupted between two MTR stations, who would the ground become?
DRAWING OF THE SITE While the current urban planning remains primarily planar and diagrammatic, this drawing attempts to contest such reading of the site by relating the plan, elevation and section. As a gradual process of accumulating observed, researched and experienced information, the drawing also study and exhibit the site as interdependent networks of elements.
GROUND AS A MULTI-LEVEL NETWORK
GROUND AS THE COMMON GROUND
GROUND AS THE GREEN CORRIDOR
SPECULATION SCENARIOS Three scenarios were chosen and further developed to speculate who would the ground become when traffic is disrupted between Prince Edward and MongKok stations. Each one embodies a set of value that could become a utopia or, arguably, a dystopia.
GROUND AS A MULTI-LEVEL NETWORK
DRAWING AS TESTING Drawings were produced to test ideas of each scenario. The speculation is an on-going process as each test only opens up more questions and possibilities. In this scenario, a mega-structure is tested to connect the underground, the ground and above-ground, such that they become inseparable.
GROUND AS THE COMMON GROUND
While the ground floor of the podium towers were intended to be ‘public’, the managament of malls and shops have ‘privatised’ the public space by enclosing the ground floor. This scenario contests the the ‘public’ and ‘private’ notion of the ground. The resultant intervention is to remove the non-essential facade and partitions of buildings, as a way to re-open and connect the ground public space. The speculation reveals the arcades and connections that could be allowed, as well as the ground for gatherings and spontaneous activities.
GROUND AS THE GREEN CORRIDOR
This scenario speculates the ground as part of a larger greenery network. The approach contests the current design that tends to treat greenery as ‘residual space fillers’. Based on the constraints of soil depth and clashing with other infrastructure such as drainage and foundations, the speculation suggests the possibility of planting in the cracks and gaps of the ground. The speculation also tests the possibility of treating existing cracks on ground as incision points to replace concrete patches with greenery.
THE BEGINNING OF ANOTHER SET OF SPECULATION As the scenarios continue to be developed, it becomes undeniable that the site is also a part of a larger urban network. Therefore, a new set of speculation looking at a larger scale is needed. This drawing marks the start of more questions and experiments.
PALIMPSEST
Chun Yeung Street/ Belcher Bay Promenade, Hong Kong To design is to choreograph the interactions and networks between elements. To design is to choreograph the process of design.
What we film is what we see. What we see is what we film. The camera is our eyes. Underneath the apparent chaos, there lies hidden systems of order. The ‘ding ding’. The passing of trams. People moving away, clearing the street. Movements evolve. One triggers another. Space folds and unfolds. Here we present you our Chun Yeung Street. Here we tell you four stories of Chun Yeung Street.
0s
2s
4s
6s
8s
10s
12s
14s
16s
18s
20s
22s
24s
26s
28s
CHUN YEUNG CHOREOGRAPHY A total of 6 cameras, fixed and moving, were set up in the site. By scrutinising, dissecting and editing the 28 seconds footages captured, the perceived site was recomposed and reinterpreted. Four characters and their domino interactions were translated into and exhibited through scores of movements.
00s 00s
03s
04s
05s 25 - 28s 24s
05s
06s
06s
22s
07s
07s
08s 20 - 22s
09s 09s
11 - 18s 10s
09s
10s
08s
10s
11s
09s
09s 08s
12s
02s
05s
11s
12s
04s 02s
13s 04s
00s
DELIVERY MAN
CLEANING LADY
00s
00s
00s
05s 04s
05s 06s
07s 07s
00 - 19s 15s
09s
00s 05s
19s
09s
05s
HAND IN HAND
UNCLE’S ROMANCE
JOINT | MEASURING TOOL | ASSEMBLY PARTS A structural joint that enabled crucifix extensions was developed to allow different assemblage configurations. Uses were tested and assigned to the configurations. They could be a measuring tool, a performative device, an interactive installation, a column, a beam and many more.
MEASURING TOOL | DRAWN PROXIMITY TO EXPERIENCED PROXIMITY Using the mesauring tool assembled from the designed parts, the sequences of movements in Chun Yeung choreography were re-understood through performance. The drawn, time and distance-based proximity were translated into experienced, trigger-based proximity. With the new findings, the original score was amended.
ASSEMBLY PARTS | SUGGESTING MOVEMENTS OR SUGGESTED BY MOVEMENTS The designed parts were deployed on site multiple times to test how people react to them. As changes and improvements were made upon the testing result everytime, the kits of parts were gradually developed into a configuration that suggest movments resembling that in Chun Yeung Street. However, people were still free to interpret and disassemble the parts in ways that they want.
ROOM OF INTERACTION
Mom gazing at daughter
Daughter dancing
Daughter sitting on bench Mom walking away
Going through
Straightening up Walking away
ROOM OF COMPRESSION
Bending down
ROOM OF JOURNEY
Step on beam Testing stability
Grandma approaches
Grandma offers hand
Walking hand in hand
Going through the frames
Looking at bench
ROOM OF SUPPORT
Riding on scooter
ROOMS OF MOVEMENTS 4 ‘rooms’ of that resemble the movements of the 4 characters selected in Chun Yeung Street were designed. The configurations were deployed on site to test how people react to it. Each time after the deployment, the design was evaluated and changed accordingly. An iterative process that gradually optimize the design was established.
TEAR GAS | LETHALITY AND THE CITY A Flat in Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong
In 2019, thousands of rounds of tear gas have been deployed by the Police. On 18 Nov 2019, a flat in Tsim Sha Tsui was on fire. Afterwards, the firefighters recovered 2 tear gas capsules in the scene. In co-operation with Forensic Architecture, this project works with multi-disciplinary professionals, including forensic scientists and astrophysicists. The study questions the impact and lethality of tear gas from individual to that of the city’s public health. The method employed challenges the role of Architect, testing if we can contribute with our knowledge beyond the scope of physical construction.
TEAR GAS | THE CITY | POLITICAL POWER The study of tear gas impact revelas the collateral damages it brings to the city. Understanding the properties of CS gas exposes the vulnerability of everyone places such as markets and shopfronts. Unable to avoid or escape from its impact, people’s fear and discontentment was reflected in the district council election.
THE UNREACHABLE
- Space that is hard for hands to reach - CS Residue is hard to be thoroughly cleaned - There may be prolonged impact after the deployment of Tear Gas
THE UNAVOIDABLE
- Space that is part of the everyday lives (e.g. Transit stations, markets, streets) - CS residue may be consumed through other means (e.g. Through contaminated food) - Everyone can be impacted
THE INESCAPABLE
- (Temporary) Confined space that is hard to escape within a short period of time - CS Concentration may exceed non-lethal threshold
FLAT
BUILDING
STREET
DISTRICT
TEAR GAS | LETHALITY The safety and lethality of tear gas can be affected by many factors, including where and how it was deployed. 3 types of space at different scales were identified as the space that was prone to tear gas in the city.
Heat Map
SMOKE SIMULATION AND FIRE ANALYSIS A series of study were conducted to analyse the possibility of several key elements of the case: 1. The entrance of tear gas capsules through the window grilles 2. The temperature of tear gas capsules and their landing materials’ temperature to be set on fire 3. The spread of the fire and smoke in accordance to the videos and witnesses’ statements
TIMELINE RECONSTRUCTION
06:45
~10:30
Young daughter and her boyfriend left home Cecilia left home with her elder daughter Cecilia’s housemaid - Anna remained in the house
Shadow analysis confirms that the photo was taken at around 10:30. The photo shows that the tear gas was employed and possibility entered the flat at around that time.
10:30
The housemaid, Anna, was cleaning in the house She was working between the living room and the son’s bedroom
10:33
The housemaid saw white smoke coming into the house and heard the sound of explosion, as well as a sound of glass breaking. This confirms the photo showing the entrance of tear gas at around 10:30.
10:48
The housemaid called Cecilia at around 10:48.
10:52 - 10:59
Multiple photos showing the state of fire in Cecilia’s flat and the progression of the smoke
11:05
A brick was thrown into the flat by the Police The Police claimed that it was an attempt to fight the fire
11:18
The Fire truck arrived at the scene This was the last photographic evidence that could be found at the scene
South Pole Growth Chamber
Amundsen Scott South Pole Station, Antarctica the Antarctica Treaty, signed by countries that build on the land of Antarctica, forbidden permanent marks. Yet, a thorough research on the South Pole Station reveals the vast underground Rodwells that were created to provide water. These Rodwell, once reached a certain depth, would be turned into wastewells for collecting all liquid wastes produced. Although Rodwells are not built ‘masses’, their ‘voids’ are arguly permanent scars to the underground of Antartica. This project questions whether we should build in Antarctica at all and, if we were to build, what does the architecture embody other than being a research center?
VASTNESS through CONTRAST VASTNESS through EXPERIENCE
FORM-FINDING The design aims at providing an experience for the visitors to “see” the vastness of the Rodwell as well as the “man-made” in the harsh environment of Antarctica. With this comes the questions of how to provide supplies and energy, as well as how to structurally support the design. These questions constitutes to the form-finding explorations. The outcome is a core and ramp that penetrates into the ice to provide structural support, as well as a spherical mass that references the old Buckminster-structured Amundsen Scott Station.
Composite
Composite
STRUCTURAL UTILITY CORE & PREFABRICATION Void in the core enables an elevator to bring people down, as well as service space for pipes and other supplies. Taking advantage of the environment, the ramp penetrating into the ice not only provides circulation but also allows the melting of ice to provide freshwater for the growth chamber. In addition, the Buckminster structure and aluminium claddings are divided into smaller prefabricated components to allow easier transportation and construction in the Rodwell.
PRODUCTION LINE HOUSING Changsin Dong, Seoul, Korea
A housing is a reflection of the lifestyles of the residents. To design a housing is to understand the everyday lives of the people who will be living in there, then to choreograph the existing networks and relations. Instead of preserving the physical site, preserving the way of living is more crucial.
AM
main factory
subcontractory factory
restaurant finishing factory
finishing factory
play
finishing factory
work
live
shop | eat
market
kitchen
living
gaming centre
PM
community centre
market
CHANGSIN DONG 24-HOUR The design starts from the research of the garment production line in Changsin-Dong, with the study of the garment factories at different scales, Aside from work, residents’ lives are also consisted of live, play, and eat. Thus, the research expands to the restaurants, gaming centres, markets and the delivery men who act as important links within the site.
Day of a factory worker
Cuurent
1. Arrange programme according to routines of workers main factories subcontractory factories finishing factories canteen food and grocery markets community centre
Day of a deliveryman
Proposed
2. Reducing footprint of housing
Projected
3. Creating gaps for light entrance and ventilation
9:00 pm
X5 X5 factories workers factories may workers go to computer may go to computer centres or community centres or community centre for centre for afterwork leisure afterwork leisure
9:00 pm
9:00 pm
factories workers factories head workers to community head to community centre for afterwork centre forleisure afterwork leisure
9:00 pm
dinner, housework dinner, housework and family and timefamily time
X 200 X 200 dinner, housework dinner, housework and family and timefamily time 8:00 pm
8:00 pm
8:00 pm
8:00 pm factories workers factories leave workers workleave and go work and go to the markets to the markets
X 10 X 10 factories workers factories leave workers workleave and go work and go to the markets to the markets 7:00 pm
7:00 pm
7:00 pm
X5 X5 subcontractory subcontractory factories pass factories work pass work 5:00 pm
5:00 pm
5:00 pm
X 80
11:00 am 11:00 am
X 80
3:00 pm
X 32 X 32 restaurantsrestaurants deliver food deliver to factories food to factories
1:00 pm
11:00 am 11:00 am
X160
pattern factories patternsend factories their work send their to work to main factories main factories 9:00 am
9:00 am
X1
X160
pattern factories patternsend factories their work send their to work to main factories main factories 9:00 am
Current
X 176
main factories mainoutsource factories work outsource to work to subcontractory subcontractory factories factories
1:00 pm
1:00 pm
X 176
5:00 pm
X 10 X 10 restaurantsrestaurants deliver food deliver to factories food to factories 1:00 pm
X 176
X 176
3:00 pm
3:00 pm
X 96
subcontractory subcontractory factories pass factories work pass work
X 10 X 10 main factories mainoutsource factories work outsource to work to subcontractory subcontractory factories factories 3:00 pm
X 96 7:00 pm
9:00 am
X2
X1
X2
pattern factories pattern factories main factoriesmain factories subcontractorysubcontractory factories factories restaurants restaurants food and grocery foodmarkets and grocery markets residential units residential units community centre/ community centre/ computer centre computer centre
+
= 326+
= 80X8 = 642 = 80X8 = 642
= 326
Proposed
plot area: 3130 m2 3130 m2 plot area:
plot ratio: 21000/3130 plot ratio: 21000/3130 m2 = 6.71 m2 = 6.71 density: 3130/642 density:=3130/642 4.87 m2/=person 4.87 m2/ person
plot ratio: 10000/3130 m2 = 3.20 m2 = 3.20 plot ratio: 10000/3130 density: 3130/326 9.60 m2/=person density:=3130/326 9.60 m2/ person
Current
4. Addition of community centre as the focal point of the housing
plot area: 3130 plot area: m2 3130 m2
Proposed
5. Increasing capacity to maximize density of the housing
6. Inter-linked bridges and staircase core act as communal space of the housing
MASSING DEVELOPMENT While the current production line is scattered, the proposed model reorganizes the spatial arrangement according to the garment production line and the residents’ daily routines. This proposed model will facilitate the transition to the projected model in which corporate companies take over the entire production. A massing is then developed based on the proposed model with considerations of lighting, ventilation and capacity.
ENCLOSURE AND URBAN CONNECTION The folding language of the enclosure design provides the privacy requested by garment factory workers while still allowing light and ventilation. The housing, situated along the main road of Changsin Dong and the artery of garment production line, forms a production line on its own.
a.m.
7 p.m.
PLUG-IN FACADE
Chai Wan Factory Housing Estate, Hong Kong The enclosure acts as an interface between the outside and inside but it can be more. The housing renovation project explores the potential of enclosure to promote the sense of community and transforming circulation space into space with additional programmes. The concept of ‘plug-in’ and modularization is tested to design the prefabricated bricks.
TYPICAL
215X102X65 mm
TYPE A
600X300X150 mm
CONNECTION I
TYPE B
TYPE C
500X300X300 mm
CONNECTION II
500X300X300 mm
CONNECTION III
BRICK CONFIGURATIONS
OPENING
FRAMES
SCREENS
ENCLOSURE BEYOND AN INTERFACE If functions can be plugged into the enclosure, the enclosure can activate a space with the different functions it offers. A brick can be a planter, a window, a fixture, a ventilator, and many more. With these functions, a corridor or a staircase can transform into a place where people have a reason and incentive to stay, thus, increasing the chance of social interactions.
COMPETITIONS & OTHER WORK A collection of work, exercises and experiments produced for competitions, side projects and other courses.
.21 HSA HSA = 12°= BUILD A MUSIC SCHOOL Keng Tung, Myanmar
HSA = 22° FACA As a non-profitable project built for children affected by the drug industry, the design emphasized sustainability and close coordination with the local workers. Bamboo is chose as one of the main materials to develop a facade system that is easy, fast and cost effective to construct. Sun shading analysis were conducted to ensure energy-efficiency.
Classif ication
NORTHEAST FACADE
1
SHADING
Window Glazing
54°
Social Empowerment
LIGHT BEAM
*Partially Covered Bamboo Panel
C1
FACA FACADE C Drop Bamboo Panel
HSA = 54° DEPTH : WIDTH = 1 : 1.30 50 : 65 = 1 : 1.30
50 mm
54°
65 mm
*Partially Covered Bamboo Panel
MODULE C1
Classif ication
NORTHEAST FACADE
1
SHADING
Window Glazing
54°
C1
*Partially Covered Bamboo Panel
LIGHT BEAM
50 : 45 =1 : 0.9 46° 45 mm
MODULE C1
SOUTHWEST FACADE
Window Glazing
SHADING
Drop Bamboo Panel
*Partially Covered Bamboo Panel
46°
*Partially Covered Bamboo Panel
LIGHT BEAM
Drop Bamboo Panel
HSA = 46° DEPTH:WIDTH =1 : 0.9 50 : 45 =1 : 0.9 50 mm
SHADING
HSA = 46° DEPTH:WIDTH =1 : 0.9
50 mm
50 mm
65 mm
MODULE C1
C1
C1
FACADE D Drop Bamboo Panel
*Partially Covered Bamboo Panel
2
Window Glazing
46°
*Partially Covered Bamboo Panel
HSA = 54° DEPTH : WIDTH = 1 : 1.30 50 : 65 = 1 : 1.30 54°
SOUTHWEST FACADE
Social Empowerment
LIGHT BEAM
2
46° 45 mm
*Partially Covered Bamboo Panel
MODULE C1
CHOW SANG SANG FLAGSHIP STORE Xi’an Glorious Plaza, China
Facade renovation for the Chow Sang Sang Retail Store in Glorious Plaza, Xi’an. Reusing the original facade panels but with the means of painting and rotating, a more revealing and dynamic facade is created.
AESOP SIGNATURE STORE Garosugil, Seoul, Korea
Occupying the entire building, this Aesop store stand outs among other beauty stores in Garosugil. Working with a simplistic yet classic approach, the design articulates with proportion and materiality carefully to obtain a chic and modern look.
AESOP HOUSTON GALLERIA Houston Galleria, USA
Inspired by Houston’s ‘space city’ identity, the design uses pink plaster to create a continuous curved surface.