PORTFOLIO DONGWEI CHEN
I am a 5th year architecture student at Tulane University in New Orleans, LA. I am also pursuing an Urban Studies Minor. A native of China, I have received architecture education in United States and Denmark.
2
Dongwei Chen
ACADEMIC MEILLE-FEUILLE Aquatic Center MAS HEADQUARTER Cultural NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF LINGUISTIC STUDIES Education DRYADES APARTMENT Multi-family Housing MARDI GRAS INDIANS INSTITUTE Cultural MUSEUM OF THE CITY Museum BRION CEMETERY VISITOR CENTER Visitor Center VESTERBRO CONCERT HALL Cultural
OTHERS SUKKA 10.0 Design-build SCHOOL MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCES STUDY Public Interest Design | Graphic TRAVEL SKETCHES Fellowship | Sketches
3
MILLE-FEUILLE Named after the famous French pastry, this project can be seen as a formal exploration of the dynamic tension between rigid girds and organic forms through the vessel of an aquatic center. We starts the project by asking a simple question: what are the potential relationship between surface and ground? From one single surface, to layered programmatic elements, our proposal attempts to distill these tensions both formally and experientially. The coherent form provides dynamic spatial experiences. The visitors’ circulation is composed of vertical and horizontal movements through the two layers of occupiable surfaces. From the ground-floor Olympic pool, through second floor spa and hotel rooms, to roof-top garden, light and water become spatial quality that threat the sequence together. 5th Year Option Studio Advisor: Ammar Eloueini Partner: Maria Espinoza
view by the Olympic pool 4
5
1a
2a
3a
1b
2b
3b
1c
4a
4b
4c
4d
5b
5a
6
7a
9
8a
8b
7b
8c
7d
2c
3b
8d
7c
4c
(A) sectional moments above / between / below the surface
4a
9
2a
8a
7d
3a 5a
1a 5b
5a
3b 2c
7c
6
8d
7d
3b
2b 4d 1b
4b
4b 7a
6
3c
9
7d
2b 4b 6
2a
8d
5a
7b
9
3b
4c 2c 1c
3b
(B-1) 3x1 sectional collage 6
5a
5a
8b
7d
8a
(B-2) 1x3 sectional collage
4a
4c
4b
4d
5b
We start the project through a set of diagrams exploring the relationship between a surface and the ground, and how the in-between space could be occupied (A) . The moments are composed either vertically or horizontally to create a sectional moment (B-1&B-2). In the end, a 3x3 sectional collage can be created by combining the previous set (C). This part-whole approach allows us to explore sectional qualities of the surface through an iterative process. 2b
1b
3c
2c
SURFACE ABOVE GROUND
SURFACE BELOW GROUND
6
5a
1a
3b
9
7a
8a
8b
7b
4c
5b
5a
6
8d
7d
8c
7c
4c
5a
5a
4a
9
2a
7d
8a
3a
5a
7b
8d
9
7a
7d
9
1a 5b
5a
3b
We start the project with a sense of structured playfulness. An alternative path we take is through a “game box” where each programmatic element was assigned a form: blurb, wall, grid and rigid form. The “game box” informs our organizational strategy later in the project. 2c
IN SURFACE
ABOVE SURFACE
BELOWSURFACE
ABOVE SURFACE
7c
6
7d
8d
3b
OLYMPIC POOL
HOTEL
AQUATIC CENTER
4b
2b
4d
1b
4b
LEISURE POOL
3c
LOUNGE
6
CHANGING ROOMS
RESTAURANT
GUEST ROOMS TYPE B
4b
KITCHEN STORAGE
DAYCARE CENTER 6
2a
OLYMPIC SIZE SWIMMING POOL 7d
CHANGING ROOM
LOUNGE
CHILDRENS POOL 2b
9
GUEST ROOMS TYPE A
CHANGING ROOMS
diagram: relationship between surface and ground
7a
5a
8d
3b
SOLARIUM
7b
9
LOUNGE
DINING AREA
GUEST ROOMS TYPE C
BAR
BLURB
CHANGING ROOMS
1a 3b
BLURB
4c
2c
2c 1c
LINE 5a
3b
RIGID FORM FIELD
5a
SPA
CHANGING ROOMS
8b
RECEPTIONS
POOL RECEPTION
8a
PARKING / CIRC
CAR PARKING BIKE PARKING
JACUZZI STEAM ROOM
7d
HOTEL RECEPTION HOTEL STORAGE & SECURITY SPA RECEPTION STAFF OFFICE
CIRCULATION
RETAIL RETAIL FOOD COURT
FIELD
BLURB
LINE
CONTROL POIN TS
FIELD
(C) 3x3 sectional collage
RIGID VOLUME
BLURB FORM
4 systems for the “game box” 7
8
OCCUPIABLE ROOF
WAFFLE STRUCTURE
HOTEL AND SPA
AQUATIC CENTER
PLAZA
left top | 2nd floor plan left bottom | long section through the olympic pool center | exploded axon right top |1/32” scale structure model right bottom | 1/32” scale physical model with roof exploded axon 9
1
10
2
4
5
top left | 1/16� scale physical model
3
1 2 3 4 5
hotel room entry guest swimming pool roof garden inside the spa
11
left | model details bottom | 1/16� scale model elevation
roof / 2nd floor plan
12
The reflective material for the hotel floor changes color based on the angle. Beyond the effects of estrangement, it also implies programmatic arrangement. From above through the roof, the green reveals courtyards surround by hotel rooms. Visitors could ascend to the roof top for a better view of the city. The plaza in front the Olympic pool serves a public space where food trucks could park
view into courtyard
hotel room detail
spa detail
13
MAS HEADQUARTER As a non-profit advocacy organization, MAS (Municipal Art Society) celebrated its 125th anniversary in 2018. From sidewalk to skyline, MAS has played a critical in urban policy of New York City. The project propose a new headquarter for MAS at the triangular site across the historic flat iron building. Reflecting upon its initial location at Villard House. the new MAS headquarter intends to regain the organization’s street presence through carving out a vertical promenade connecting critical MAS programs from the dense floor plates for rent office spaces. The building facade consists of paneled mullions with varied orientations, allowing lgiht
4th Year Option Studio Advisor: Richard Olcott Wendy Redfield
1/32� scale model in site context
14
15
16
CROSS SECTION A-A’
1’0”=1/32”
CROSS SECTION B-B’
1’0”=1/32”
left | site axon showing MAS headquarter across from flatiron buiding middle | sections right | sectional perspective highlighting critical MAS programs : Jane Jacobs Forum/Auditorium / Libyrary 17
left top | interior view of Jane Jacobs Forum left middle | interiro view of cafe / gallery left bottom | exterior night render across from madison square park top | facade studies right | street view of MAS headquarter from madison square park 18
19
NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF LINGUISTIC STUDIES In directly adjacency to the Washington Monument and National Museum of African American History and Culture, the National Institute of Linguistic Studies functions as a vessel to promote understanding of different culture and language systems in the United States through research and public exhibitions. Formal strategy of the institute draws inspiration from and responds to the Hirshorn Museum. The spiral massing creates a spiral promenade for visitors, surrounding an elevated core containing the research labs. The dynamic sectional relationship allows visitors and researchers to be visually connected.
3rd Year Comprehensive Studio Advisor: Benjamin J. Smith
20
21
left top | massing development left | site axon with key circulation path right | exterior rendering of the research institute 22
23
left page | ground floor plan right top | roof plan right middle | 2nd floor plan right bottom | basement plan 24
top | interior rendering of research labs middle | interior rendering of gallery space bottom | interior rendering of entry ram
25
26
top | 1/32 sectional model left| massing model placed on site model showing facade details
27
DRYADES APARTMENT Dryades Apartment is a mixed-use multifamily housing complex on O.C. Hayley Boulevard in central city, New Orleans. Taking cues from the urban fabric around the historic site of Dryades Market in the 1900s, the project aims to provide affordable housing to young professionals working in the neighborhood. A central shared space is situated on the 2nd and 3rd floor to provide the residents with gathering space and view to downtown New Orleans. Illuminated at night, it will also create a sense of home and safety for the pedestrians. Inspired by the dynamic relationship between pedestrians and the residential streetscape in the neighborhood, gathering space of varying sizes are designed along circulation path in the apartment. 3rd Year Design Studio Advisor: Bruce Goodwin
left | analytical diagrams right | sectional perspective 28
29
30
UNIT AXON
top | exploded axon showing program distribution left | street view from O.C. Haley and Terpsichore EXPLODED AXON
31
32
left | axon of typical unit layout right top| interior of a typical unit right middle| view from mezzanine into 2nd floor lobby right bottom| ground floor co-working space 33
34
left top | O.C. Haley elevation left bottom| terpsichore st. elevation bachground | night view from terpsichore 35
MARDI GRAS INDIANS INSTITUTE Can architecture be inspired by cultural garments? This project starts with a set of drawings analyzing the arm piece of a Mardi Gras Indian suit and its relationship to human body. Taking cues from the folding and unfold , the, a private circulation is a folded path that connect important spatial nodes in the Indians’ daily routine. Visitors have visual connection with the Mardi Gras Indians as they move around the building, but can only have physical contact with them at very specific location such as the performance space. The Mardi Gras Indians Institute creates a place in the city for the special community as well as the general public who are interested in the Mardi Gras Indian culture.
2nd Year Spring Design Studio Advisor: Marcella Del Signore
right | exploded axon studying the relationship between human body and the Mardi Gras Indian suit (arm piece
36
37
top | analytical diagram of Mardi Gras Indians’ parade route bottom | unfolded elevation of the arm piece right | section perspective
38
39
MUSEUM OF THE CITY The proposal for Museum of the City of New Orleans started with a series of hand-drawn diagrams studying the topography, natural landform and urban fabric of New Orleans at three different scales. By generating synthesis between the natural and human conditions, the unique pattern of urban development become the initial concept of the project. The juxtaposition of diagonal orientation of Bayou Road, where the site is located at, and the vieux carre grid extended from French Quarter informs the primary geometry of museum plan. Sectionally, a series of spatial transition connect the three major programs, including a library in the front, exhibition space in the middle, and meeting space at the back, through which visitors could physically experience the undulating history and topography of New Orleans through the main circulation. 2nd Year Fall Design Studio Advisor: Cordula Roser-Gray
top | site diagrams left | diagrammatic site model
40
41
42
top row | urban fabric diagrams second row | topography diagrams third row | sythesis diagrams 43
BRION CEMETERY VISITOR CENTER This proposal integrates Peter Eisenman’s 9-square grid with Scarpa’s poetic landscape to create a dialogue with the existing cemetery. The visitor center is positioned at the most celebrated corner by Scarpa. The path between the cemetery and visitor center takes cues from Maya Lin’s design for Vietnam Veterans Memorial, repsonding to Scarpa’s narrative of the underground world. This project also inspired my travel fellowship on funerary architecture in Italy.
1st Year Spring Design Studio Advisor: Tiffany Lin
44
45
top left | roof plan top bottom | ground floor plan bottom | sections
A
C
46
B
top | model in site context left | drafted plan right | model details 47
VESTERBRO CONCERT HALL In response to the vibrant history of Vesterbro neighborhood in Copenhagen, this unconventional concert hall welcomes audience beyond typical classical music fans through macro and micro scale. Adjacent to a skating ground for local teenagers and gathering spots for homeless community, this concert hall aims at attracting potential audience through integrating the structure with existing urban conditions. Practice rooms in the periphery with curved roof allows “imperfect sounds� blended with urban activity. Through flexible partitions, the project also challenges conventional spatial relationship between audience and performers, and the boundaries between formal performance and informal practice.
4th Year Copenhagen Design Studio Advisor: Maja Popovic top to bottom |section/plan of practice space / cafe / concert hall
48
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14
Entrance Ticket Office Coat Check Foyer Men’s Toilet Women’s Toilet Cafe / Bar Music Hall Entrance to Backstage Backstage Rehearsal Practice Room Storage for Practice Outdoor Seating
A Open Practice: Passersby could grab a coffee and enjoy the weather-proof outdoor seating. B Two-story Cafe: On the ground floor, the cafe is open to the public; on the level of the music hall, the cafe serves the audience as a bar. C Concert Hall: A conventional concert hall serve as space for more formal performances.
49
SUKKAH 10.0 Sukkah 10.0 is a student-led design/ build project in collaboration with Tulane Hillel for the Sukkot holiday. The biblical definition of Sukkah require a fixed structure with roof constructed of natural material. The design of Sukkah 10.0 incorporates Udukuri, a traditional Japanese wood craft technique that involves painting over plywood and polishing off the paint to reveal wood grain. Two sides of each wood panel are treated with colors in opposite sequence. The spatial arrangement follows a nine-square-grid. One “wall� is rotated to create entry, inverting the inside/outside relationship. The design and fabrication process is documente and exhibited within the Sukkah.
Design/Build Project Faculty Advisor: Carrie Norman Udukuri Avisor: Adam Modesitt Team:
50
Diego Schubb Elisa Bernstein Dongwei Chen Maria Espinoza Jared Faske Andres Hartman Emily Kanner Andras Kozicz Bela Lotozo Jack Morris
Ethan Shaw Reed Smith Maggie Swinford Ross Garfield Caroline Garfield Ryan Shaaban Leah Bohatch Seth Laskin Ethan Lewis Jacob Taylor
51
SCHOOL MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCES STUDY Commissioned by the Recovery School District of New Orleans, the School Mental Health Resources Study aims to facilitate conversations between mental health professionals and school officials in NOLA. The initial investigations focuse on geographical relationship between locations of behavioral health facilities and schools. The study used GIS to examine spatial relationships between the two decentralized systems. After a series of quantitative research and mapping, we discovered the underlying issues such as under qualified mental health professionals and lack of communication between education and health departments contribute more to the current conditions.
Public Interest Design Fellowship 2016 The Albert Jr. & Tina Small City Center Collaborator: Alvin David ( Recovery School District ) Project Manager: Jody Towers Design Lead: Nick Jenisch Student Fellows: Javior Gonzalez & Dongwei Chen
top right | cover of the final report bottom right | an analysis of stakeholders involved in process 52
NATIONAL DATA Overview of Children Mental Health Disorders Mental Health Disorders are common for children and youth in the U.S.
AGE
14 1
IN
5
ADHD and Gender Boys are twice as likely to be diagnosed of ADHD as girls between age 4 and 17.
AGE
24
Age 6
Age 11
Age 13
median age of onset for Anxiety Disorder
median age of onset for ADHD and Behavioral Disorders
median age of onset for Mood Disorders
12.1%
boys currently diagnosed of ADHD
8.4%
3.7%
girls currently taking ADHD medication
boys currently taking ADHD medication
The Gap between Need and Care
Mental Health at School
40% of kids with diagnosable ADHD are not getting treatment; 60% of kids with diagnosable depression are not getting treatment; 80% of kids with diagnosable anxiety disorder are not getting treatment.
Mental Health Disorders are closely associated with lower academic performances, suspensions and expulsions and higher dropout rate at school.
5%
40%
ADHD
60%
Depression
80%
Anxiety
12600
8300
estimated number of practising child psychiatrists needed
approximate number of practising child psychiatrists
Being at risk for mental health problems in first grade leads to a 5% drop in academic performances in 2 years.
Dropout rate due to learning, attention or emotional problems for school age children are as high as 40% among those enrolled in special education program.
77,000
40%
More than 77,000 children in special education receive suspensions or expulsions for 10 cumulative days in a year.
Young people with access to mental health services in school-based health center are 10 times more likely to seek care for mental health or substance abuse.
The shortage of mental health professionals is one of the leading factors that cause the gap between need and care.
10 x
Mental Illness in Youth in the Juvenile Justice System
4300
High-school dropouts are 63 times more likely to be jailed than four-year college graduates.
gap between existing and needed child psychiatrists
70.4%
Source: 2016 Child Mind Institute Children’s Mental Health Report.
6
5.5%
girls currently diagnosed of ADHD
50% of mental health disorders begin before age 14
75% of mental health disorders begin before age 24
young people in the U.S. have had a diagnosable psychiatric disorder
Median Age of Onsets Anxiety Disorder, ADHD and Mood Disorders are among the most common mental health disorders for children.
of youth in the juvenile justice settings meet criteria for a psychiatric diagnosis.
Source: 2015 Child Mind Institute Children’s Mental Health Report.
68 %
of state prison inmates have not completed high school
7
THE PROCESS OF BEING REFERRED DIAGNOSE/ TREATMENT
SCHOOL NURSE
· Working parents · might not have the time to go to an initial appointment.
STUDENT
· There is a shortage of staff to support students with mental health needs · There is confusion as to which providers offer which services, and if they are qualified to do so.
IDENTIFY
COUNSELOR
SOCIAL WORKER
· Schools might identify behavioral issues as discipline problems · School staff does not have control of what happens after giving a referall
MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONALS
PARENTS/ GUARDIANS
SCHOOL · Some staff lack institutional and inter peer support for mental health related issues.
PSYCHIATRIST
· Geographical barriers parents to take their kids to clinics.
SUGGEST REFERRAL PARENTS/GUARDIANS
· Families may have challenges to keep up with appointments to support the students’ needs.
· Stigmatizing beliefs or bias could stop parents from seeking the help.
MENTAL HEALTH SPECIALISTS · Mental Health Rehabilitation Clinics will go to locations convenient for the student or parent MENTORS
· There are concerns that the minimum requirements for clinicians might not be sufficient for the therapy they are giving. There are . various levels of
· Mental health professionals are scarce in New Orleans. Several clinics might share one psychiatrist,
CONTACT
COMMUNICATE
· Most well-recognized clinics have waiting periods as long as a month for appointments with mental health professionals to give diagnoses.
PSYCHOLOGIST
see one.
practicioners. THERAPISTS
· Concerns about therapeutic practices that are done to minimum standards but has a large return through medicaid.
· The meetings with psychiatrists could be as short as 15 minutes to provide a diagnosis OTHER MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONALS
COUNSELORS
Our interviews revealed a series of concerns about the process that students undergo when going through the referral process. This infographic tries to capture the process and limitations that it presents.
28
Graphic elements from freepik.com
29
top | national mental health data infographics bottom | infographic about difficulties in the process of youth seeking mental health support 53
TRAVEL SKETCHES During my four-month study at Danish Institute for Study Abroad in Denmark, I took time to travel around Europe and sketched during those trips. Some of them were made for my travel fellowship studying funerary architecture in southern Europe; others were of places I visited on personal or school trips. A Professor I respected a lot once said, “Real observation is an active form of seeing that is much closer to knowledge acquisition.” Sketching acts as a medium of active seeing for me. Through sketching, I observed Carlo Scarpa’s brilliant detailing at Tomba Brion , Le Corbuiser’s magnificent vision for Ronchamp and Peter Zumthor’s genius materialization of Bruder Klaus Field Chapel.
right | sketches of interior and exterior of Ronchamp oottom | sketches of interior detial of chapel at Tomba Brion
54
top right | sketches of exterior, interior and bench details of VitraHaus right top | sketches of entry sequence and interior details of Beyeler Foundation right bottom | sketches of staircase at kunst museum basel
55
PORTFOLIO DONGWEI CHEN