digital portfolio
by Dan Liu Welsh School of Architecture Year 2
This portfolio is produced for an assignment of Digital Technology module in the second year of Architectural Studies course at Welsh School of Architecture at Cardiff University. The selection contains my digital works created for Architectural Design projects in the first Term. Cover page: physical model of the individual dwelling Background image: final crit exhibition Welsh School of Architecture, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK Dan Liu
2011
#2
contents #1
Pontypridd: urban conditions
sustainable housing project
#3
digital sessions works
#1 sustainable housing project
site analysis
The site is situated at the edge of Grangetown beside Taff River, relatively close to central Cardiff, with major access points to transportation (bus and trains stations) maximum 15 minutes away. The graph on the left side shows the level of pollution and sources of biodiversity in the neighbourhood. The graph on the right sides is a Nolli plan indicating volumes and voids (built elements and empty spaces) around the site.
During the design process simple 3D computer modells were used to see the spatial relationship between the proposed scheme and the existing surrounding. Media type: Google SketchUp
creating a common masterplan The first task was to create a common masterplan in groups of 4 which took 5 weeks out of 8.
Like a giant monolith smashed to pieces with a hammer, the arrangement of the four building blocks suggest the idea that they belong together but set apart in order to provide space and access.
The four buildings create a central courtyard sheltered from the outer world yet connected to the main routes of traffic and accessible by the public.
conceptual board
Media tools: Adobe Photoshop and Adobe Illustrator
Controlled Chaos Beauty lies in creating acute contrasts by stimulating unpredictability. It’s a perception of pleasure, satisfaction, but most importantly, an experience of difference. Differences between hectic rushing and tranquillity. Between verticality and horizontality. The new housing block enters the peaceful neighbourhood of Grangetown in an unpredicted way. Its cracked outlines break the monotony of the terrace houses but its internal rhythm reflects their essence. The shattered fragments occupy the site inattentively, but the chaos is controlled by a delicate sense of balance and harmony which comes from a deep understanding of Nature.
orientation and solar considerations The height of the four blocks were designed so that the central courtyard gets as much sunlight as possible. The image on the top shows the shadows in the afternoon and the bottom one shows the morning.
tunnel toTaff
One of the main features of the masteplan is the gentle slope crossing the whole site and ends in a wide tunnel that attract people to the river.
the backyard of the site
Under the top end of the elevated platform a small cafĂŠ faces a junior sized basketball court.
designing the individual dwelling After the completion of the common masterplan an individual dwelling has to be chosen and to be worked out in details. Media type: ArchiCAD PhotoRender Projection
The flat is located at the southern end of the northwestern block. Media type: ArchiCAD PhotoRender Projection
exploded view
The exploded view is a really powerful representational tool in terms of showing the height of spaces and their relationship to each other. Media tool: ArchiCAD 3D Document
live/work double space
The ground floor contains a double space accommodating a living-working multifunctional space. The mezzanine level can be extended and a small elevator can be inserted into the storage room so that an extra bedroom (for disabled person) can be created.
Wet area 15 x 0.167 = 2.500 m
1 2
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3
2
5
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7
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9
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8
11
10
3
4
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13
12
1
3
2
5
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14
15 x 0.167 = 2.500 m
13 x 0.192 = 2.500 m
Dining/Living
Lift F
Void Disabled bedroom
5 x 0.060 = 0.300 m
Ground floor 1:100
Mezzanine floor 1:100
East elevation 1:200
plans, sections, elevations
13 x 0.192 = 2.500 m
W
12
9
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DR
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16 x 0.188 = 3.000 m
2
4
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Access to the roof
Lift F
Dining/Living
First floor 1:100
Second floor 1:100
Section 1:200
These plans, sections and elevations were created using ArchiCAD, which furthermore can render 3D models and produce exploded views.
dining/living space
Media tool: ArchiCAD PhotoRender Projection
#2 Pontypridd: urban conditions
historical layering
In a group of 3, the task was to collect architecturally relevant information (photographs, old maps, newspaper articles, text) about the development of Pontypridd and significant historical events. Photographs: various pictures taken of the Old Bridge Background on previous page: map of Pontypridd from 1870; this page: map from 1960 Media tool used for the following posters: Adobe Illustrator
START OF COAL INDUSTRY 1850
1870 William Edwards the engineer and builder of the New Bridge The single span Old Bridge built in 1756 Paintings by two artists: The Old Bridge today
Waiting for the ‘Iron Horse’ 1840’s
Pontypridd Train Station today
Isambard Kingdom Brunel, the designer of the Great Eastern. The cables were manufactured by Brown Lenox & Co. Ltd., Pontypridd, 1856
Welsh National Anthem Memorial: ‘Old Land of My Fathers’, the national anthem of Wales was written by Evan James and composed by James James in 1856
Group 1A Historical Layering Frank/Will/Dan
Pontypridd in 1870
Metropolitan Police put on a show of strength in Taff Street during the December 1910 trial
Gelliwastad Road Today
Rail disaster at Hopkinstown, January 1911
The same part of Taff Street today
Gelliwastad Road Late 19th century
1890
1910 Market Place 1905
The opening of electric tramways in 1905
Pontypridd Station 1907
Market Place today
The Old Bridge and the Victoria Bridge completed in 1897 in a photo taken in 1899 and in a contemporary picture
Pontypridd Train Station today
Group 1A Historical Layering Frank/Will/Dan
Pontypridd in 1910
The Old Bridge and the Victoria Bridge in 1950’s
Wartime posters urging everyone to grow more vegetables. These posters greeted you at all railway station booking halls and platforms.
‘A’ Company, 2nd Battalion Home Guard from Pontypridd, 17 May 1941 Special Constable Albert Hogart and his wife Nurse Hilda Hogart, who helped nurse some of the Dunkirk wounded treated at Pontypridd Cottage Hospital in 1940
American locomotives stockpiled on the line from Tonteg to the Graig in readiness for the D-Day invasion, 1944
THE GREAT WAR 1930
GREAT DEPRESSION
SECOND WORLD WAR 1960
Richard Street 1957
Electric trams during heavy floods in 1929
Same street today
Group 1A Historical Layering Frank/Will/Dan
Pontypridd in 1960
Group 1A Historical Layering Frank/Will/Dan
Change of vehicles: Taff street 100 years ago and nowadays
Pontypridd today and 100 years ago
The Monument, photographed in 1994, erected in memory of men of the 5th Battalion of The Welsh Regiment killed in the Great War
DECLINE OF COAL MINING
1980
2010
Pontypridd today
#3 digital
sessions works
using 3D Studio Max By first modelling a simple room with windows and then applying various materials and finally creating light conditions, high quality rendered images can be produced.
3D modelling and transformationsWith the help of 3D Studio Max not only architectural forms can be modelled but any other shapes can also be created. The 3D forms can be twisted, bent, merged together and transformed in hundreds of ways
Thank you for viewing
the end
This booklet was created by using Adobe InDesign Welsh School of Architecture, Cardiff Dan Liu 2011