Donald Leung MA (Hons) Architectural Design University of Edinburgh 2011 m: (+44) 7725746596 e: donald.leung6988@gmail.com
Herein you will find an array of projects from my academic and professional experience within the design world - most of which is architectural, but is not restricted as such. I hope you will enjoy browsing and at the same time learn of my own styles and philosophies throughout.
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6 The final year project of situating an urban venue works on the assumption that the creation of architecture is a result of the sum of its parts. Because of this, the process was piecemeal to begin with. A study of the Casa Frigerio by Terragni gave an inital conceptual driving factor to which the urban venue will rely on - namely a language of Proportions, Solid/Void relationships, absences and presences.
The final outcome can be seen as a mere building construction that is flexible and functional - significant aims of the design brief. However, the tectonic language behind the architecture gives the construction greater depth and purpose in the everyday world - even if it is not immediately evident. There are many instances within and around the building (in plans and sections as well as interior and exterior views) which communicate feelings of absence or unjustified aestheticism. The frame is an obvious example which seems like an architectural flourish. Translated into conceptual terms, it holds a myriad of details that could indicate more purpose, yet does not fill any practical means. It does, however, create certain viewpoints that captures a perfectly cubic building when it most certainly is not. The effort here is to reinvigorate Edinburgh with an enigmatic entity and relieve whatever mundanity and decrepitude that may be lurking in the [sub]urban realms of the city.
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10 An index showing proportions, absences and presences
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The focus of this unit in my Junior Honours year was the creation of an art gallery in Edinburgh. As architecture is typically seen as being simply a container for art, the design project aims to break away from this assumed position. Instead, the students are asked to expand the knowledge and understanding of art production and the accommodation of art through a number of catalysts - art, space and network.
Through this rigorous process of working and re-working, art galleries were created that were more that just simple buildings that housed art.
To arrive at a rich and resolved design proposal, we were asked to engage ourselves in seminars that corresponded to art - analysis of selected contemporary artists, space exploring the specific oeuvre of an artist and network - documentation of existing art galleries within the city.
Learning between seminars and the design studio helped me obtain a working method which hovered between “working by thinking” and “working by doing”. I was able to grasp an understanding of producing architecture where there is a fine line between concept and reality. Each of
Site: Waverley East Art: David Hockney Space: Kirchner Museum, Gigon and Guyer Network: Ingleby Gallery
these informs the other, but are both inherently within a design proposal.
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General Post Office Building
Waverley Station
Waverley Station Footbridge
Railway Platform Wall
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Submitted projects and design concepts should show a sensitive, unusual, new or unexpected use of natural light and highlight its influence on structures of architectural space. Sustainability, design quality, user needs and positive effects on the environment should also be considered. My design proposal abstracted daylight to a conceptual level. What resulted was a building with 3 distinct sections, each corresponding to different times of the day, thus carrying differing functions. The top part (morning sector) is used as a coffee bar for business workers walking past. The middle part (afternoon sector) is a cafe for lunch hour. Finally, the lowest piece (evening sector) can be used as a bar or chillout zone for people winding down after a day of work. This was a competition that I submitted independently out-with academic studies. This was to challenege my own initiative and to work within my own parameters. I took it upon myself to learn new programs such as AutoCAD and manage my time efficiently.
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Photography has become a really important part of my life, not only because of my vocational pursuit of architecture, but also as an artistic outlet. The pictures here have been taken with a variety of media namely a Canon 1000D DSLR, a Canon IXUS 100 IS and an iPhone 4. Each of these machines may denote a certain level of professionalism, however I feel photography is about capturing a moment - any moment - that can inspire.If anything, photography has helped me input my own personality to my work. There is something special about taking a photo - it’s impossible for a picture to be impersonal.
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1. Edinburgh Park Office Building 2. Waverley East Entrance 3. HSBC, Edinburgh Park facade 4. Timber Wave by Amanda Levete, V and A Museum, London
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5. View down Royal Mile, Edinburgh 6. View up Royal Mile towards Edinburgh Castle 7. Hong Kong skyline, from TST 8. Hong Kong view from The Peak 9. Cramond Island, Edinburgh
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10. Goldfish, Ocean Park, Hong Kong 11. Along the Thames, London 12. Cramond beach, Edinburgh 13. HSBC building, Statue Square, Central, Hong Kong 14. Edinburgh Park Station view
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30 The opportunity to work on some freelance graphic design work emerged when a friend decided on starting up a mobile beauty business. I took it upon myself to create a brand identity that spoke of elegance, affordable and professional quality. I managed to experience an in depth engagement with client relations - this allowed me to fully understand their needs and visions and to incorporate my own style of design as well.
FORMULATION
EXPERIMENTATION
BRANDING
RESOLUTION