ARABELLA SUN
Tide Tunes Santurary
Concert Hall
Bomwambillee/Shark Island
Residential Alteration DA Terrace House
Narrabrri Student Accommodation Regenesis - [Student Housing] Memoir - (House of Celebration)
25 Gibbes Street, Newtown 2042
TIDE TUNES SANCTUARY
The floating concert hall opens by chance with the changing tides, where the splendid beauty of nature harmonizes with music, exploring how architecture not only preserves but also enhances the sanctity of an island...
Boowambillee/Shark Island, Sydney Harbour
Project: Individual Work
Tutor: CC Williams
Location Plan, Travelogue, Reflections & Concept Propel.
Geologically, shark island sits near the centre of Sydney’s harbour, located Some distance away from the mainland, it describes itself as “quite possibly the most precious jewel in the crown of the harbour.” The island offers stunning panoramic views of the Sydney Harbour, the Sydney Opera House, the Sydney Harbour Bridge. The island currently a reserve and part of the Sydney Harbour National Park, remaining undeveloped like an arcadia
Upon arriving at the solitary shores of Shark Island, I was captivated by its untouched serenity and natural beauty, which raised questions about its deserted state. Considering enhancements to the rustic concert hall to attract more visitors, I admired how the island’s five pavilions, each designed to blend seamlessly with the natural environment, exemplified architectural respect for nature. The semi-open structures allowed the island’s symphony of wind, waves, and wildlife to permeate effortlessly. Immersed in this tranquil escape from urban life, I realized the value of preserving its pristine condition while pondering ways to enhance its allure without disrupting its tranquility.
Inspired by the serene essence of a lighthouse, this design melds tranquility with minimalism, using light, concrete, and fluid, wave-like forms to mirror nature. Each element embodies the lighthouse’s calm, transforming structures into manifestations of serene strength in modern architecture. Rather than imitating, these designs capture the spirit of the lighthouse in a modern context.
The auxiliary buildings mimic crashing waves, engaging in a perpetual dialogue with the lighthouse. This deliberate interplay fosters a profound relationship, where dynamic waves converse with the unwavering stability of the lighthouse, blending strength and motion in an eternal dance.
Sectional Perspective + Plan:
At the concert hall’s entrance, a spiral staircase ascends like a lighthouse’s coil, guiding visitors upwards to a breathtaking panorama. More than just a passage, it’s a transformative ascent, blending seamlessly into the architectural narrative.
The design stretches from the east edge of Shark Island to the middle of the ocean. The concert hall is deliberately placed off-grid near the central axis of the entire landscape, and the auxiliary buildings are deliberately designed as a decentralized “settlement” hiding behind. This enhances the overall experience of the visitors, as their circulation path must go through the concert hall for an immersive musical experience or the atmosphere of this gateway.
To harmoniously match the island’s scale and visually balance out the spaces. This spatial dispersion enhances the sense of seclusion and the transitional experience during the journey here. This ‘settlement’ form reduces oppressiveness, allowing for a more open and breathable sensation for the visitors and audience.
SECTION aa
RHINO, AI, PS, LAYOUT
Double glazing + aluminium window frames + timber grid shell.
Opting for timber roof cladding over metal sheathing matches the auxiliary building’s timber facade, enhancing the structure’s natural and cohesive look. Timber purlins support the roof, effectively distributing its weight to the load-bearing walls.
Slabs are designed with gaps for efficient water runoff and ease of maintenance. Concrete piers before and within the concert hall contrast with auxiliary timber to enhance structure hierarchy while providing robust support.
Modular floating docks, each 1m³, form walkways beyond the concert hall, allowing visitors to enjoy the gentle sway of waves for an immersive aquatic experience.
Steel pontoons keep the auxiliary buildings afloat and are anchored to the ocean floor to reduce movement during turbulent waves, allowing a harmonious sway and adding a playful contrast.
VIEW FROM THE BOAT DURING THE NIGHT...
LUMION + PS + PROCREATE
STAFF OFFICES MEDITATION/LOOKOUT PAVILLION
INFORMATION CENTRE/ GIFT SHOP
MEDITATION/LOOKOUT PAVILLION
BAR/RESTAURANT
RESIDENTIAL ALTERATION-DA
The alteration of an R1General Residential Terrace House in a Heritage Conservation Area requires understanding the Local Environmental Plan (LEP), Development Control Plan (DCP), BASIX Certificate, client needs, and the specifics for a compliant Development Application (DA).
25 Gibbes Street, Newtown, 2042
Project: Group Work with Yuxuan Zeng
Tutor: Brett Lambie
The living area is separated from the courtyard space by folding doors. When these doors are folded open, the courtyard seamlessly merges with the living room, creating a larger space. This allows people in the living room to enjoy the natural scenery of the courtyard without any barriers.
Design Stragic & Concept.
The strategic design aims to create a lighter and more welcoming space by ensuring a clear, unobstructed line of sight from the moment one enters the dwelling. This approach is crucial in making a dense and compact area appear more open, inviting, and spacious. To achieve this, we incorporate design elements such as skylights and a generous central courtyard, filling the space with natural light and enhancing energy efficiency. Additionally, we focus on simplicity and straightforwardness while ensuring that each element serves multiple purposes to maximize the use of space.
The dining area and the backyard are connected by sliding doors. When these sliding doors are fully opened, the dining area blends seamlessly with the backyard, creating a more expansive gathering space. Simultaneously, the foldable clothes drying rack above the outdoor bathtub can be opened for use when no one is bathing.
MULTIFUNCTIONAL SPACES.
Response to Client‘s Brief:
The client’s specific needs—including an outdoor bath, weatherproof bike storage, a flexible workspace, and seating for four—have been effectively addressed with a versatile, multipurpose design strategy. In the backyard, the outdoor bath is ideally placed to allow residents a private and serene environment, surrounded by lush native vegetation. This bath’s placement in the most expansive and natural section of the yard is both thoughtful and strategic. Directly above, a retractable drying rack captures and reuses water, promoting sustainability. Under the backyard flowerbeds, we’ve incorporated concealed, yet easily accessible, storage for bicycles and waste bins. The living room bench extends to the backyard, blending indoor and outdoor spaces seamlessly through open sliding doors, accommodating gatherings larger than four people and fostering a seamless transition between the kitchen and outdoor areas, thus enhancing both functionality and aesthetic coherence. Additionally, we’ve converted the space under the staircase into a flexible workspace to fully utilize every potential area within the home.
EXTERNAL & INTERNAL RENDERS
MULTIFUNCTIONAL SPACES.
- Minimize demolition while achieving ES (Environmentally Sustainable Design).
- Achieving energy efficiency by incorporating design elements to fill the house with natural light.
- Simplify the house to maximize space utilization by giving multiple functions to most areas.
- Effectively distinguishing between public and private area.
[EDIBLE GARDEN + WATER POND + OUTDOOR
SEATING The internal courtyard garden is manageable and protected from external elements; the water pond aids in moisture retention and cools the area in summer. It doubles as a rainwater tank, collecting runoff from K gutters to support the building’s energy sustainability.
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[UNINTERRUPTED LINE OF SIGHT] - an uninterrupted line of sight within a space, enhancing spatial experience by creating a sense of openness, coherence, and tranquility.
[FOLDABLE GLASS DOORS] Merge the living room with the central courtyard, expanding guest seating and seamlessly connecting indoor and outdoor spaces.
[NATURAL LIGHTING] - The central courtyard and long pathway enhance natural lighting within the building, brightening internal spaces and reducing electricity costs for improved sustainability.
03 REGENESIS - STUDENT HOUSING
This student housing project seeks to adapt the traditional model to current needs, requiring 300 beds focusing on indigenous populations. The layout and communal spaces are cohesively designed to balance privacy and community, complemented by limited vehicle parking and extensive bicycle storage, creating a unified whole.
96 City Rd, Sydney NSW 2008
Project: Group Work
Tutor: Callum Andrews
Design Intent : Gradient Spaces.
Student housing at USYD Aboriginal College focuses on safety, affordability, and functionality while enhancing comfort and community, which is crucial for students away from home. Its urban location demands seamless integration with the environment, balancing public engagement and privacy.
“Regenesis” adapts the International House to accommodate more students and improve solar access. This includes demolishing parts to construct the “Twin” building, a modern extension with improved room configurations that maintain the original layout, fostering a vibrant, inclusive community.
“Regenesis” and “gradient spaces” emphasize a spectrum of privacy, creating community at various scales.
PRECEDENT STUDY:
Aquinas College, José María García de Paredes Barreda and Rafael de La-Hoz Arderiu, Madrid, Spain, 1957. The unique design features a single central staircase connecting continuous balconies on both facades, modernizing traditional corridor layouts. The accommodation units consist of paired rooms sharing a single toilet, designed as isolated spaces to enhance student focus and study.
INSPIRED & DEVELOPED DESIGN:
The unit layout at International House features two individual bedrooms, toilets, and a shared shower, aligning with the original building’s grid for a compact and efficient design. Each unit places the bed and study area on one side to maintain clear circulation, with custom furniture designed to fit seamlessly within the walls and window frames, optimizing space and enhancing functionality.
WILD FLOWER NURSERY
HOMELESS ACCOMMODATION
“Vive,” located in Sydney CBD, showcases coexistence by blending unrelated programs within a vertical building, exploring design dynamics deeply. It connects humans and nature, providing sanctuary for endangered plants and housing for people experiencing homelessness who rehabilitate through plant care. This initiative fosters hope, stability, and tranquility, enriching the urban landscape and community life.
Facade Approach and Solar Solution.
The facade design, inspired by conceptual model 02, uses steel wire and chipboard to balance manufactured elements with natural wood particles, reflecting a doubleskin facade with a protective triangular shape that aligns with the overall theme.
The building’s design is strategically tailored to environmental constraints, situated on an east-to-west axis among taller structures, which limits solar access. Given the critical need for substantial sunlight for its wildflower nurseries and homeless accommodations, ensuring adequate sunlight is paramount. This challenge and our strategies are discussed in detail in the following pages.
Clarence Street, Glebe, Sydney NSW 2037
Project: Individual Work
Tutor: Amir Taheri
COLLAGE
CONCEPTUAL MODELS:
Model 1 combines a flower and steel wire, designed to support and mimic the flower’s structure, influencing a design that merges two programs using principles of biomimicry and biophilic design. Model 2 pairs steel wire with chipboard sheets to represent human manufacturing and natural elements, introducing a protective, triangular double-skin facade that blends structural innovation with natural inspiration.
SERIES OF ITERATIVE MASSING MODELS:
Made in 1:200, exploring different form and distrbution of each program.
THE CONCEPT OF 9 SQUARE DIAGRAM:
The design initially already follows the template of the 9 square diagrams. Maybe minor changes could be made to rearrange some spaces. This template mainly shows a mix and match of materiality in future design and some sense of dimension.
Gutter at the end of roof slope to collect rainwater.
LEGEND:
Strategic Material Use and Innovative Spatial Configurations:
Vive strategically uses materials to establish a clear hierarchy. Near the façade, the voids are constructed with industrial materials like steel, glass, and concrete to reflect human craftsmanship and blend with the CBD’s atmosphere. In contrast, the interiors feature natural materials like timber and rammed earth to evoke a sense of purity and nature. The second floor introduces a merged program space, with a large rammed earth window/sitting area that creatively separates yet connects the interior and exterior, offering a unique spatial experience. Additionally, the concrete walls are innovatively transformed into functional and aesthetic wall plant pots. On the fourth floor, accommodations are set towards the back, with exclusive access to the rooftop greenhouse and entertainment area, offering privacy for those who prefer it. The fifth and sixth floors house the greenhouse, entertainment spaces, and public sales areas, including secondary spaces like tool houses and a small coffee bar, all accessible to the public via the elevator.
05 NARRABRI STUDENT HOUSING
The project designs accommodations for 30 people in Narrabri, emphasizing twin rooms, communal areas, and offgrid features. Key focuses include sustainability, regeneration, modularity and connecting with the local environment. Insights from local engagement inform the design to ensure comfort and seamless transitions between spaces.
12656 Newell Hwy, Narrabri NSW 2390
Project: Individual Work
Tutor: Chris Cole
Designing with Nature’s Inspiration in Narrabri.
Drawing inspiration from the captivating Mt Kapatur national park in Narrabri, the design concept harmoniously integrates the visual connection of small valleys and distant mountains. By incorporating a butterfly roof design mirroring the mountains and a central pathway symbolising the valleys, the residents experience a profound sense of safety and harmony through the visual connection brought by the design, while fostering a deep relationship with the surrounding natural environment.
A ll Potential Clients & Analysing Their Needs:
Most potential residents will spend most of their time outside in nature; hence creating a sense of enclosure is crucial in the design of the accommodation. Especially in private spaces like bedrooms, it should offer a sense of safety. All spaces in the accommodation should have a transition, from the most public to private, so residents could have options to choose from based on what kind of
Strategic Design Approaches for Expansive and Interactive Layouts.
SITE PLAN, CIRCULATION & BUILDING BLOCKS:
The plan drawing on the left shows a part of the site plan at a larger scale. Shows the relationship between man, groups, transitional spaces and nature. After a serioes of iterative development the site organisation has transferred from being centralised and rigid to decentralised and dynamic. All buildings are connected through a central path, branching outwards. When arriving at the platform, residents are also moving from open public space and moving to private space, which is their accommodations; they can experience a transition.
The site includes five twin and five double twin accommodations connected by a suspended timber pathway with integrated staircases and ramps, enhancing connectivity with the natural environment. Accommodations are strategically elevated for optimal mountain views and shielded by rapeseed flowers and small forests to mitigate cold southern winds. Off-grid windmills, oriented mostly southward at the site’s edge, harness strong winds to generate renewable electricity for the area.
Horizontal Dispersal: Site arrangement spreads out horizontally to accommodate future expansions and enhance resident views.
Interiority and Refuge: Maintains a dense, alley-like weaving concept within the site, offering a sense of refuge.
Extension Potential: Design allows for future growth, akin to tree branches, promoting diversification in site development.
Multiple Access Points: Features various access routes to the central path way, deck, enhancing connectivity.
Visual Connection: Accommodation layout facilitates visual links across intersecting pathways.
Design Idea Behind Twin Accommodations:
The internal organisation are arranged from public to private space. From understanding the client’s possible needs, we know that most residents would spend plenty of time outside in nature, so placing the bedroom in the most private space provides a sense of enclosure and more privacy. So they could take a break from the outside. Additionally the main entrance of the accommodation is designed delibrately to avoid any unblocked direct wind from the south, to provide a comfortable arrival to the accommodation. I believe this is desirable on a windy site in this specific case.
The rainwater harvesting system recycles rainwater and utilises filtered rainwater in indoor/outdoor water utilities. In this case, rainwater is pumped up to the house to use in the bathroom and sink. Narrabri has very favourable weather conditions to aid the rainwater harvesting system from continuous operation; hence from personal estimate, the rainwater harvesting system can cover 70-80% of two resident’s usual home water requirement. Saves water bill and saves environment.
Even though Narrabri has a significant rainfall rate, the intense sunshine will sometimes cause damage to the vegetation. So, in this case, the recycled greywater will be used as irrigation misting nozzles installed on the ground. It helps to cool down the vegetation in intense weather conditions and prevents overwatering, which causes plants to drown.
kwh (produced) > 23 KWH (usage)
BDESARCH - STUDIO 3A - TECH CENTRAL GATEWAY BUILDING “THE OSCILLATION” REDFERN @ REDFERN NORTH EVELEIGH
BDESARCH - ARCHITECTURAL TECHNOLOGIES 2 - HOUSE OF CELEBRATION “MEMOIRSTRUCTURAL MODEL” @ PARRAMATTA PARK
BDESARCH - STUDIO 3B - FLOATING CONCERT HALL - “TIDE TUNES SANCTUARY” @ SHARK ISLAND
MARCH - INDUCTION STUDIO - A HUGE HOUSE “REGENESIS” @ 96 CITY ROAD
BDESARCH - ART PROCESSES - PERFORMANCE ART “OVERPROTECTION” INSPIRED BY ‘RYTHYM 0’ BY MARINA ABRAMOVIC.
BDESARCH - ARCHITECTURAL SECTION USING STIPPLING
BDESARCH - STUDIO 3A -
GATEWAY BUILDING “THE OSCILLATION” REDFERN @ REDFERN NORTH EVELEIGH, HISTORY & DEMOGRAPHIC ANALYSIS, CROSSOVER ANALYSIS
BDESARCH - STUDIO 3A - TECH CENTRAL GATEWAY BUILDING “THE OSCILLATION” REDFERN @ REDFERN NORTH EVELEIGH, COLLAGE
THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME & CONSIDERATION