Architecture+Urbanism Portfolio

Architecture + Urbanism

KENG SHU JAO

Selected Work 2017-2020

B.Arch. of Chung Yuan Christian University

PROLOGUE About Me

Architectural and urban design is not just about accommodation. It is a combination of theories and user experiences while simultaneously relating to its environment. Throughout my time as an architecture student, I have always tried my best to maintain my knowledge and dedicated as much as possible in every project to demonstrate ideas and creativity. It honestly has been an enjoyable and insightful journey.

Redefine TOD Project

Individual Work

SOCIAL HOUSING

A melting-pot of characteristics

Individual Work

2018, 3rd year of B.Arch.

Innovative life by the river

Individual Work

2017, 3rd year of B.Arch.

NOSTALGIA : REBRITH

Redefine TOD Project

Located on the west side of Shinjuku Station, Omoide Yokocho is a commercial district that still retains a nostalgic atmosphere. It has its roots in the black market formed in the aftermath of WWII. Today, approximately 150 izakayas and restaurants are crowded in this strip of land, giving the district its unique texture and creating a spot popular with overseas tourists and locals.

The project intended to develop a solution to maintain different use of space while preserving the local values and sense of place in downtown Tokyo. The idea behind this proposal was to create a new type of Transit-oriented development focused on transformation and integration. This mix-used complex will serve as a significant node in this high-density area while acting as a reminder and the continuation of local history.

LOCATION / Shinjuku, Tokyo

CATEGORY / Commercial & Offices, Refurbishment

SITE AREA / 2218.37 m2

YEAR / 2019-2020, Final Thesis of BA

REGIONAL ANALYSIS

OFFICE BUILDING COMMERCIAL BUILDING

ACCOMMODATION DAILY TRAFFIC PERFORMANCE BY STATION

FLOOR-AREA RATIO

HIGH-RISE BUILDING

EXPLODED VIEW OF SHINJUKU STATION

ANNUAL REVENUE OF BUSINESS & RETAIL AREA

NUMBER OF WORKERS

NUMBER OF OFFICE BUILDINGS

NUMBER OF PASSENGERS

SKYLINE ANALYSIS

NUMBER OF BUS ROUTES MOST VISITED PLACES BY TRAVELERS

ACCOMMODATION PREFERENCES BY LOCATION PREFERENCES OR ACTIVITIES

TRAVEL TIME FROM SHINJUKU

SITE HISTORY & ANALYSIS

EVOLUTION OF OMOIDE YOKOCHO

STORE TYPE ANALYSIS

PROGRAM & DESIGN PROCESS

The core of the architectural concept was the idea of a neighborhood, a social place where interaction between people was encouraged by means of scale. Under this mindset, 50% of the existing storefronts will be preserved, and the other 50% of the original street will be relocated to the upper floor. The newly designed shopping street will be divided into two parts; each will share a platform that functions as a stopover and social place.

In order to maintain a visual experience similar to those when strolling down a narrow street in urban japan. The regenerated shopping street, along with the original stores, will be connected by a series of ramp systems while providing panorama views of the city.

This diagram demonstrated the analysis process on both physical and psychological levels, exploring the possibility of creating a nostalgic future while maintaining a similar sense of scale. In the space mainly determined by the layout of counters and bearing walls, the frequency of interaction between people will gradually increase due to the slightly crowded physical environment. By breaking up and rearranging such spatial sequences, the user experience from the past can adapt and integrate into a new environment.

SOCIAL HOUSING

A melting-pot of characteristics

Located in the heart of a historic district of Taipei, the site lies on one of the city’s famous revitalized areas, which has experienced the urgency of mix-used office spaces and new housing projects in recent years. This project aims to design a scheme encouraging an active urban life with affordable apartments for young couples and families while dealing with the complexity of the urban context.

LOCATION / Dadaocheng, Taipei City

CATEGORY / Housing

SITE AREA / 471.85 m2

YEAR / 2018, 3rd year of BA

REGIONAL ANALYSIS

VOID MASS

The surrounding area known as "Dadaocheng" was established in the late 1860s. Throughout the rest of the 19th century, this area has been an important center for commerce in Taiwanese products such as Chinese medicinal herbs, fabrics, and oolong tea. During the Japanese colonial period, the authority introduced the concept of western urban planning, building modern infrastructure and drainage systems, laying the foundation of the cityscape we know today.

From the 1960s to the late 1980s, Taiwan experienced rapid economic growth. Many historical neighborhoods in this area were demolished and turned into large commercial complexes. After the protests from local residents, the surrounding area was finally designated as Taipei's first historic preservation zone in 1995. Although many colonialstyle houses were lost forever under the bulldozer, around 70% of Dihua Street-the oldest shopping street on the island, was preserved.

DADAOCHENG, 1938

DADAOCHENG, 2018

Textile & Clothes Shop

Teahouse & Tea Shop

Herbal Medicine Store

YEAR

SITE ANALYSIS

ZONING

AVERAGE TRAVEL SPEED IN DAYTIME

AVERAGE TRAVEL SPEED AT NIGHT

Being one of the earliest developed neighborhoods in the city, the Dadaocheng area suffered from ineffective public spaces and severe traffic congestion. Despite the fact that aging infrastructure and lack of public transport plague this area, unlike other districts, this part of Taipei has experienced a population influx since 2010. Most newcomers were young people and newly married couples who benefited the most from the relatively low rent in the old town.

AGE DEMOGRAPHICS OF DATONG DISTRICT

PROGRAM & DESIGN PROCESS

VENTILATION MASS

Divide the mass in half allows sunlight and air to pass through, improving living quality at the same time.

PUSH & PULL FINAL FORM

Placing balconies inside the building to reduce the visual impact on the alley. Adding balconies on the other side facing the main street provides more characteristics.

The core of the concept was to create a sense of intimacy, a social place where contact between people was promoted. During the design process, an office and a co-working space were added to explore how the local community can participate in local business.

The ground floor was designed as a multipurpose space suitable for a wide range of activities created and defined by the locals. The open space also functions as a corridor, allowing people to access the back alley from the main street, bringing life into the inner courtyard. The facade design reflected its surroundings. It consisted of various types of bricks following the same color scheme as colonial-style buildings. The roman arches and classic window niches created a vivid expression and added depth to the facade.

Adding a green roof and communal space on the ground floor.

APARTMENT LAYOUTS

EXPLODED VIEW

VISITOR CENTER

Innovative life by the river

Tamsui is an old urban district in northern Taipei, a place with rich history and a thriving neighborhood. Located at the edge of the old town, the site is surrounded by public service buildings and city-owned land. The project aimed to enhance the riverside's characteristics and, at the same time, introduce new community services and open spaces toward the city.

LOCATION / Tamsui, New Taipei City

CATEGORY / Cultural Architecture

SITE AREA / 5853.61 m2

YEAR / 2017, 3rd year of BA

REGIONAL ANALYSIS

The old town of Tamsui developed alongside the Tamsui Harbor. Located at the northern tip of Taipei, it became a focal point for trade on the island. By the 1900s, most of Tamsui Harbor's operations had moved to the newlybuilt Keelung Harbor. Regardless, with a growing population, Tamsui rose as a local administrative and cultural center, granted township in 1920.

With the completion of the Taipei Metro Red Line in 1999, Tamsui has become a trendy tourist destination since then. While the influx in tourism created the demand for businesses leading to a local economic boom, the increase in commerce put enormous pressure on the existing infrastructure of surrounding areas. In 2017, the municipal government published a strategic plan focused on improving the urban environment. According to this plan, vehicles will be banned from entering the town center, and a new tram light was introduced, constructed from 2027 to 2030.

SITE ANALYSIS

Tamsui Presbyterian Church

SATELLITE IMAGE

Mackay Park

Tamsui Art Center

Chunghwa Telecom

Tamsui Service Center

Tamsui Police Department

National Taxation Bureau

Tamsui Branch

Taiwan Power Company

Tamsui Service Center

Mixed-use (Commercial / Residential)

Government Building / Public Service

SITE (Former Post Office)

Building Area Green Space / Plaza

REBIRTH

The existing building will be demolished after the new post office is completed on the other side of town.

REPURPOSE

At the beginning of the design process, it was decided that the building should be placed on the southern part of the block, allowing green space to connect the waterfront and Tamsui Art Center.

REDESIGN

Building Area Green Space / Plaza Quay

The current quay will be redesigned to open the block toward the river. This act will generate an inviting and permissive urban space.

PROGRAM & DESIGN PROCESS

BUILDING SETBACK

Setbacks from both sides create more urban space and increase flexibility.

DYNAMIC STRUCTURE

Using trusses brings more characteristics to the building, making the visitor center itself a tourist spot and a local icon.

FUNCTION LANDSCAPE

Besides a visitor center, an art gallery with a cafe and a restaurant were added, along with some community services such as a public gym and a local kayak club.

Reshaping the waterfront and creating a new plaza for the community.

BIRD’S EYE VIEW

Throughout the design's development process, the view from the riverside and the surrounding came first. Thus, the staircases function as spectator seating with a direct connection to the river. At the side of the building, a semipublic courtyard is protected from wind and has good sun conditions allowing recreational activities. By reshaping the layout of the pier, a small inner harbor was created for the local kayak club and water-related activities.

Aimed to create a new tourist hub and encourage the residents to participate more in local business and activity, a cafe overlooking the plaza was designed to coexist with the gallery and the visitor center. A local gym runs by the local government and a restaurant was placed facing the river, promoting the community at both city and neighborhood levels.

EXPLODED VIEW

11. Restaurant

4TH FLOOR

9. Public Gym

8. Yoga Room

10. Terrace

3RD FLOOR

7. Exhibition Space

6. Cafe

2ND FLOOR

1. Visitor Center

4. Plaza

3. Office

2. Classroom

GROUND FLOOR

5. Local Kayak Club

THANK YOU