Portfolio, Rev.4.0 by John Hu

Architectural Design Portfolio

Pasadena City College, 2011

Prologue As a student, i've always fascinated and interested in new ideas and design innovations that can be best described as the marriage between nature and structure. A significant increase in interest in sustanible and enivornmentally-friender design solutions surfaced as the human race moving steadily into the first few decades of the 21 century. The world that we live in has now faced many unprecendented challenges- social, economical and envirnomental issues are the few to come to mind. I share my mutual sentiments with Shigeru Ban's iconic saying "I don't like waste" and althrough simple, that phrase reasonates in myself very strongly. It is the main driving force behind me, as a student designer, to pursuit design solutions and innnovations that are not only unique, but also sensible and with due respect to its users and their experiences. The word "waste" can be viewed very subjectly, but as a architecture student i see it as the very reason to subconciously reminding myself to design with efficiency of space use and the harmony of environmental realities and structure. The two design studio projects in the portfolio would underake the challenge of spatial effiency. The main recurring theme from these two projects are the efficiency of space use, utilizing environmental conditions, site realities, and enhance user experience through design innovations. I also can't stress the importance that i want to give the users the freedom to choose to use the interior spaces the way they wanted, while embracing their personal needs and preferences, all without compromises and constraints. As a student, i aim to continouly and vigorously to improve and learn what lies before me.The path to success will only show itself when one try with all their might and do with all their hearts.

Acknowledgments Various people have made contributions in the making of my portfolio, both directly or indirectly. It is with my great pleasure to announce the name of people who offered help for valuable suggestions, recommendations, and to overcome my self-uncertainties. Special thanks to Joao Velazquez, personal friend and peer at PCC, for his courtesy and effort to work with me and improve the organization of the portfolio; Paul Tuason, another personal friend and peer, for offering suggestion and recommendations for content improvements; Qasem Baouni, of the teacher assiant at PCC, for his tremendous effort in helping the students in studio and offering consulations in the design process; Coleman Griffith, Director of PCC architecture program, as well as a porfessor in studio classes, for the program to shape me as a student as i am now. And finally, Liz and Miriam of the personal counselors at PCC psychological services for their emtional support. Also my parents, Ben and Mary, for their support on my education and devotion as loving parents; my siblings, Tom and Lisa, for helping me out when the need arises. And of course, all the great people i'm fortunate enough to have known and offered help, even if their names i cannot remembered or recalled. Nevertheless, they do deserve being mentioned.

"The success of the masterpieces seems to lie not so much in their freedom from faults-indeed we tolerate the grossest errors in them all-but in the immense persuasivenss of a mind which has completely mastered its perspective." Virginia Woolf, From "The Death of the Moth"

Contact Information: John Hu blugreen.design@gmail.com (626)222-4348 Education: 2nd year student designer Area of Interest: Sustainable, environmentally friendlier design, recycled building materials and home housing/civil design Software skills: Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Indesign, AutoCAD 2012, Rhinoceros 4, Maxwell Render 2 Personal Hobbies: Free-hand landscape sketches, marker rendering

Table Of Contents: 20B The Haven of Intergrity-Pan Pacific Regional Park......................Page 10-25

20B The Boiler House Core.................................................................Page 26-37

10B Sequence of Spatial Order...........................................................Page 40-43

10B The Found Space.........................................................................Page 46-49

12B The Eames House Case Study....................................................Page 52-53

Plywood Fabrication Design: The Tablair....................................Page 56-57

Art The Art Gallery: Personal Artworks..............................................Page 60-63

The Haven of Integrity - Pan Pacific Regional Park Arch. 20B Fall 2011 Instructor: Coleman Griffith

The Haven of Intergrity-Pan Pacific Park Description: The Pan Pacific Park, is located at a juncture between the Grove to the west and residental homes to the east. The park itself presents opportunities with the theme "transition" as it is a pulic park frequented by its local residents as well as visitors for various activities. Objective: Locate and enact a design solution for a place of transitional healing that best fits within exisitng site condition with the theme "transition" and "reunion." The architecture should accommodate the needs of program of choice and offers a place for troubled individuals to undergo transitional rehabiliation. Process: First Stage: Developing concept. The main idea of the word map is processed from the following words: transition, reunion, and halfway house. Compatibilitism is emerged from words during the transition, with bi-nuclear words repulsion and attraction. Second Stage: Site Analysis. The site is looked at the regional for existing circulation at the site. Existing conditions on the site are documentd, analyzed for known constraints (physical limitations) and realities (exisitng buildings and physical features)

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SITE PLAN

First Stage: Conceptual word development

Second Stage: Site analysis of exisitng conditions

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HEIGHT REFERENCE AT THE SITE 10

FRONTAL VIEW

Constraints

Realities

Site facilities

Circulation

Wind flow

Flood zone

Zoning

Grid 11

Third Stage: Design development. The site is further analyzed for potential concept application. The dimension of the site, the perimeter of the design placement are realized before proceeding to solving programmatic issues and its effect on exisitng conditions at the site.

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SQUARE FOOTAGE ON THE SITE Applying concept attract

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activity

existing conditions

site datum

PAN PACIFIC PARK SITE MODEL, GROUP MODEL Matrix diagram b

accessibility

access to parking a

temperature traffic/noise transition privacy vegetation

neighborhood context best

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bad

Final Stage: Design development. The site is analyzed at local scale for the effects of physical/environmental conditions. The diagrams below depicting the process of applying concept, manipluating form and surface and developing the parti.

SITE PLAN, REGIONAL SCALE

Perimeter development

Bounding box based from the matrix diagram 14

Bounding Box leveled to site datum

Site constraint: the flooding zone

SOUTH VIEW

Site conditon: sun light

Site conditon: wind tunnel

Attraction (red) vs. repulsion (blue) 15

Conceptal Sketches: concept drawings are invaluable tool in aiding proposed design to the problem. Drawing can can encourage designers to be free to express whatever design ideas in theri heads. This is different than computer-aided software as it is often used to propose a finalized solution rather than thinking about the problem.

Conceptual sketches of sectional development

LANDSCAPE AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS 16

FORM AND SPACE

MASSING MODEL FOR SPACE PLANNING

Conceptual Floor Plan Sketches

FIRST LEVEL

BOTTOM LEVEL 17

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BOTTOM LEVEL FLOOR PLAN

SECTION A 18

WEST ELEVATION

INTERIOR RENDER AT GROUND LEVEL 19

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   

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  

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GROUND LEVEL FLOOR PLAN

SECTION B 20

EAST ELEVATION

INTERIOR RENDER OF UPPER LEVEL 21

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 

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UPPER LEVEL FLOOR PLAN

SOUTH ELEVATION 22

INTERIOR RENDER FACING THE LIVING ROOM 23

PAN PACIFIC HAVE OF INTERGRITY NIGHT VIEW 25

The Boiler House Core Arch. 20B Fall 2011 Instructor: Coleman Griffith

The Boiler House Core Description: Reinventing and re-innovating architectural design soultions with transformable/flexible spaces as the primary goal. The Boiler House will house a new architecture school for students and faulty at Pasadena City College. The design will revolve around a cluster of support spaces or "core". Objective: Design an architecture school that will accommodate the needs from both students and faculty staffs. Efficiency of space usage and transformable spaces are key highlights. Design Process: First Stage: Concept Development and Diagramming. "Adaptability" emerged from external reference "chamelon's color change" and learning theme "operant conditioning", is chosen as the concept of the design. Second Stage: Site Analysis.The site is looked at the regional for existing circulation at the site. Lightning condition is an important factor here as it helps in determining the movment of the wall/roof panels throughout the course of the day. Concept: Chameleons are born with special cells that have a color, or pigment, and under the chameleon's outer skinthat is know as chromatophores. The top layers of chromatophores have red or yellow pigment and the lower layers have blue or white pigment. When these pigment cells change, the chameleon's skin color changes. Messages from the brain tell the cells to enlarge or to shrink, as well as letting cell pigments mix like paint. A chemical called melanin also helps chameleons turn color. Melanin fibers can spread like spiderwebs through layers of pigment cells. Their presence causes skin to darken. 

SITE PLAN

First stage: Research and Concept Development 

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 

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Color changing of a chameleon's skin 28

MAIN ENTRANCE

Second stage - Lightning Study

Circulation

Light studies - Dawn

Noon

Dusk 29

Final Stage: Fabricating transformable roof + wall panels, and with the core as the main control machanism. From concept "adaptability, the wall/roof panels manifest the idea of being able to adapt for various conditions throughtout the day. These panels can be controlled via the electric motor located a the core. Studi0 and class spaces are normally folded away and are expandable when need rises.

Exploded Axonometric Perspective

Roof and Wall

The Core

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     

Shell

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Platform 30

Interior Rendering: Ground Floor 31

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Bottom Level Floor Plan

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Ground Level Floor Plan

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Long Section A, showing sequence of transformation from (1)start to (3)end

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Interior Rendering: Bottom Level 33

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Upper Level Floor Plan

Roof Plan

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Short Section B, showing sequence of transformation from (1)start to (3)end

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Interior Rendering: Upper Level 35

Pasadena School of Architecture night view

Sequence of Spatial Order Arch. 10B Fall 2008 Instructor: Coleman Griffith

Spatial Sequence Model Description: Exploration of the interior spaces of modern home of choice and the study of spatial properties such as circulation, private and public spaces, as well as sequential acessibility of these spaces. Objective: Development of understanding of spatial relationships in a given common interior space and revealation of sequenial order through the use of both digital and physical model. Process: First Stage: Identifying Spaces. For the first part of the spatial study the circulation is examined critically since it's defining the experience of accessing spaces. Second Stage: 3D Model Diagramming Images of spatial diagrams in 3D solids of spaces of private, public and circulation, are shown for comparison.

The Mosewich House, located at British Columbia, Canada. Designed by D'Arcy Jones Design. Single-family dwelling, 2003-2004

THE MOSEWICH HOUSE DIGITAL MODEL REPLICA, AS SPATIAL BLOCKS

First Stage

Circulation and spatial diagrams

Mosewich House Floor Plans 40

Ground level

Basement level

Second level

EXPLODED AXONOMETRIC VIEW

Second Stage

Private only

Private + Circulation

Private + Public

All Spaces 41

Final Stage: Spatial Sequence Digital Model, the revelation of spatial sequence. Rendered images with dissembling diagrams below narrate how spaces are accessed sequentially. Notice that circulation block (in red) will be removed before public spaces (in blue) do so and how the users access spaces in a sequencial manner.

Final Stage

(1) Model with nothing removed

(2) Front courtyard is removed

(3) Kitchen, two story space and family room are re moved

(4) Living room+two story sapce and stairway are removed

(5) Second story hallway is removed

(6) Studio and Study are removed

(7) Basement hallway is removed

(8) Model with all spatial blocks removed

The Found Spaces Arch. 10B Fall 2008 Instructor: Coleman Griffith

The Found Spaces Description: Locating and identifying spaces that are often overlooked and ignored of their potential as functional spaces in their respective environment. The spaces are then documented and digitally constructed as three dimensional objects. Objective: Gather fogotten spaces and transform them into three-dimensional contour objects and subtract them from a cube. Process: First Stage: Gathering Fogotten Spaces. The site of chosen found spaces is located in Pasadena City College; the picture shows the view of Shatford library facing south. Mutliple pictures are made into a collage. Second Stage: Digital Documentation. Showing documented and illustrated found space objects in sequence, presenting the progression of objects being transformed.

PCC LIBRARY

First Stage

(1) Found spaces are documented

(2) Spatial obejcts selected

(3) Spatial objects rearranged

PERSPECTIVE VIEW

Second Stage

(3) Spatial obejects rotated

(4) Spatial objects placed

(5) Objects differenced

(6) Cube is contoured

Final Stage: The rendered interior view of the cube. After being subtracted and contoured, view of the cube interior is shown here. This view, in particular, effectively defines differences in spatial relationships such as postive vs. negative spaces and solid vs. void.

The Eames House Case Study Arch. 12B Spring 2007 Instructor: Peter DeMaria

The Eames House Case Study Description: This home is designed by Charles and Ray Eames, the landmark of modern architecture of the mid-20th century. The case study analyzes spatial properties of interior spaces. Objective: Constructing a 3-D replica model of the Eames House using digital software. The spatial relationships inside the house are closely examined. Process: First Stage: Plan and Section Drawings The drawings will become the foundation for building the 3-D digital model. Precision is important here as there are parts of the house that require attention to detail. Second Stage: Construction of the Digital Model Exhibiting the series of images of the model in sequential order of how the house would be built in actuality, as well as digitally. Final Stage: Digital Model Rendering The digital model is rendered with the aid of a computer software.

THE EAMES HOUSE, AXONOMETRIC NIGHT RENDER

First stage: drawings

Second stage: construction

Floor Plans 52

Eleavtions

(1)Building the trusses

THE EAMES HOUSE RHINO 3D MODEL

(2)Building ground floor pavement and rooftops

(3)Adding interior spaces, floors and walls

(4)Adding exterior window frames

(5)Adding exterior window glasses 53

Plywood Fabrication Design: The Tablair Arch. 14 Fall 2009 Instructor: Coleman Griffith & Dinicio Valdez

Plywood Fabrication Design: The Tablair Description: The design project focuses on creatiing a prefab object that can be a scrupture, a furniture piece or anything that cab be held together. There's a size constraint in which how big the plywood panel is used. Objective: Using no hardwares and glues, create a design with a 8'x4' plywood that can be self-substained structurally. *"Tablair" is a hybrid word of "table" and "chair" Design Process: First Stage: Exploring Design Ideas. The main goal of design focuses on being efficient without sacrificing functionality and dualibility. The pencil sketch shows the early stage of development of the furniture that is intended to be a dual-functioning piece. Second Stage: Planning and Configuring. The plan drawing shows how the design is being used on a 8'x4' plywood, with measurements included. Final Stage: Rendered Digital Model and Assembly The *Tablair is a dual-purpose piece in one sleek, sustainable design. The hybrid design of the Tablair pushes the boundaries between the desk and table to the limit. It's both decorative and functional, and while being very resource efficient at the same time.

First Stage: Conceptal sketch

Second Stage: Planning and measurement 96.0000 24.0000 23.0000 10.0000 15.0000 24.0000 5.3633

48.0000

12.2500

11.7500

12.2500

11.7500

4.0000

Measurement 56

Templates

The efficienicy of material use: During the fabrication process the tablair uses about 7.5 of all 8 2'x2' pieces, or about 93% usage in material.

Final Stage

Perspective view

Showing removable chair

Chair detached from the table

Chair in seating configuration 57

The Art Gallery: Artworks from 2006 to Present

Still Life- High Reflectivity Objects Completed in summer 2007 Medium used : charcoals, pencil

Still Life- High Contrast Objects Completed in summer 2007 Medium used : charcoals, pencil

Still Life- Landscape Sketch Completed in summer 2007 Medium used : charcoals, pencil

Still Life- Shiney objects Completed in summer 2007 Medium used : color charcoals, pencil

Still Life- High Reflectivity Metal Objects Art 18 Instructor: Joel Bell Medium used : Markers, fine tip pen and white gouache

Still Life- Wooden Objects Art 18 Instructor: Joel Bell Medium used : Markers, color pencils

Still Life- Assorted Objects Art 18 Instructor: Joel Bell Medium used : Markers, color pencils, fine tip pen and white gouache

FIN!