Architectural Portfolio

DORIS LAU

RESUME & PORTFOLIO

2014-2024 SELECTED WORK

ARCHITECTURE

GRAPHICS

ARTS IMAGINATIONS

Timeline

Qualification

Education

Architecture &Design Work Experience

Design Competition

UNDERGRADUATION (2014-2018)

I completed my bachelor studies in Hong Kong. The courses focused a lot on tools, software learning, and critical and design thinking. It helped me to have a good foundation in architectural design mindset.

Bachelor of Arts in Architecture Studies

The University of Hong Kong (HKU)

ShangHai Study Centre

Bridge to China Foundation (HKU Team)

chairperson

Studio Jae Lim Rick Lui & Ass. Taiwan

Exchange

Other Work Experience

Portfolio

Field of Study & Interester

Li

Shenzhen Cultural

3rd Place Volume Zero, House of Santa Architecture

ThesisThe Rings of Square

Throughout the 2 year of working in ar

chitecture and

industry, I realised that I like working a lot in design field and with people. It equipped me with good communication and organisation skills.

Led by Prof. David Garcia, AEE has given me more than just a qualification but eye-opening experiences in design practices. It has trained me to observe and be in nature to polish design skills and thinking.

(KADK)

Shenzhen Baoan Cultural Complex Devices for Elderly

Positive (I) & (II)

Thesis - Behind the Skin Unique Cafe Schmidt Hammer Lassen Architects

infrastrucutre, cultural complex

/ beautiful country side in Hong Kong /

“Allow nature’s peace to flow into you as sunshine flows into trees.”

John Muir

Academic Work

Content

Professional Work

/ selected work from 2014 to 2024 / o1 / 02/ 03/ 04/ 05/ Behind the Skin Net Positive (I) Net Positive (II) Rings of Square 《里》 Li 6-13 14-15 16-23 24-29 30-33 06/ 07/ Shenzhen Baoan Cultural Complex Unique By Grace Cafe

Self-initiated work

08/ Bridge to China Foundation, “WeConnect” Pavilion 40-41

01

Behind the Skin

21/22

The Royal Danish Academy (KADK) / Masters in Architecture and Extreme Environment

Advisor Daivd A. Garcia Tutor Will Lambeth

Fes, Morocco

B

ehind the Skin (II) studies industrial space in urban context. By looking into the traditional tanneries in Fes, Morocco, it investigates ways to intertwine tourism, industrial space and waste handling. While many of the industrial spaces are moved to the outskirts of cities, the project wants to find solutions and possibilities of keeping them inside a city and become part of a community. The site is located in Fes next to an existing tannery, the Chouara Tannery.

hide (n.) the strong, thick skin of an animal, used for making leather. tannery (n.) the place where leather is made. vessel (n.) a curved container that is used to hold liquid.

Project profile: https://royaldanishacademy.com/project/hide-and-seek

Vocabulary of vessels

design /

Definitions and Vocabularies of Vessels

The design is driven by 2 ways : the connection of vessels in traditional tanneries and the programme relationships. From the diagrammatic exercise of vessel vocabulary to the sectional drawing, it is aimed to make use of the vocabulary to arrange the programmes.

In the vocabulary exercise, construction methods, structure, material and relationships of traditional vessels are studied. “vessels” are defined as a space with definite wall but organic formation of the exterior facade to embed structure and connect to the surroundings. The exercise translates the observations and findings into spatial elements. Openings and wall thickness are the main design elements formed for the design stage. The vocabularies aim to facilitate the functional programme as well as the aestheticity.

Longitudinal section

design / story

Fluid Geometry

Sketching is one of the main design processes in this project. The fascination of traditional vessels in the tanneries allowed me to design the set of vocabulary of vessels and use them as a set of components in the design.

The definition and vocabularies of vessels allow the design to explore more possibilities in terms of the geometry and the relationship between programmes. The programmes include both tourism and industrial function, which require the design to drive a balance in them.

Overlay of multiple sketches on section

Overlay of multiple sketches on plan

design / programmes

Curvy Flows

The design includes 3 main flows for different groups of users and 1 system for effluent handling. The targeted group of users are tanners, tourists, and students and local people who would enter or pass through the building. The programme arrangement aims to echo the flow for the users and make use of the vessel vocabulary to form the specific type of space for the programme and the flow.

The system handling effluent is embedded underground. The effluent, referring to the one coming from the existing tannery, goes through the underground filtering facilities, goes to the pool in the central courtyard, and enters the building for new tanning purposes. This design aims to explore possibilities of recycling effluent into new use.

Flow of users

visualization /

Experience of Being in a Vessel

The asthetic part of the design aims to give users an experience of being in a vessel as an echo to the tanners standing inside a vessel to work on the tanning. It, therefore, has a smooth facade and curvy language in the design.

1:400 massing model

Central courtyard / Water filtration

Zone 2.1 Tanneries - Salt dehydration

Zone 2.4 Dry and Finish

Transition from old tannery to new Mint tunnet

Net Positive (I) 02

2021 Spring

The Royal Danish Academy / Masters in Architecture and Extreme Environment

Advisor Daivd A. Garcia

Tutor Michael Leef

N ET POSITIVE aims at raising social awareness in upcycling abandoned fishing nets and ocean protection. It collaborates with local recycling company as well as a high school for education. It is also a project re-imagining the future recycling industry upcycling resources.

Stage I (semester 1) focuses on site research and device building to upcycle fishing nets as a new material used in design and architecture. The device is a tool for me to connect to the local high school, community and recycling industry. Stage II (semester 2) focused on designing architectural program as a recycling factory and research hub.

During the 1 month site visit in the Faroe Islands, I visited one of the largest fishing nets production factory, the local nets recycling facilities and some fishing ports to form my statement.

Project video : https://youtu.be/Vsy0I9plja8

Faroe Islands

project background/ site Investigation /

Twist / Knit / Education

The device is designed to be a hand-held tool which could be installed and carried by users in different spots as long as there are fishing nets. The used fishing nets were twisted to form new ropes. By twisting and interlocking different types of nets, new strength of the material is discovered.

The device and material were brought to the high school in Vestmanna for a sharing session, hoping to inspire the younger generation to be aware of the issue.

Shairng session in high school in Vestmanna

Testing out the device in an old fishing port

Procedure

Environment and Health Issues Narrative - Infographic

Net Positive (II)

Vestmanna, Faroe Islands

“What is the role of architecture in the recycling industry?”

T he project is phase 2 for the research in the Faroe Islands. Based on personal interest in the waste handling industry and the local fishing industry, Net Positive (II) is a hybrid use of a resource recycling factory and a research hub which allow the public to be part of and see the whole process.

As fishing nets waste is always a hidden ocean problem, the project hopes to arouse people’s awareness. It also hopes to explore the future direction of resource upcycling. It is believed that upcycling is the best way for reducing the use of resources.

2021 Spring

KADK / Masters in Architecture and Extreme Environment

Advisor / Daivd A. Garcia

Tutor / Michael Leef

project background/ site Investigation /

The Old Fishing Port

Vestmanna, Faroe Islands

Present

Located on the west of the island Streymoy, Vestmanna is a “tourist village” with steep cliffs and landscape. The cliffs on the north of the towns are home to thousands of seabirds. It is also a past ferry port.

The village in Vestmanna is mainly residential houses. There is one high school, Miðnám í Vestmanna, and one tourist cente in between the village and the main road to Torshavn.

Vestmanna is also one of the salmon farming spot in the Faroe Islands currently. However, it is expected to be moved to indoor factory in the near future.

Invetigation Direction

wind / population / fishing industry

1:20000 Vestmanna site map

Wind rose in Vestmanna, generated by Ladybug

design / programme and zoning

The Walls of Twisting Nets

New Materials and Spatial Connection

The design concept came from upcycling fishing nets and integrating the upcycling process into daily social life. Therefore, the walls for net twisting aims to create space for people to use as social activities, while the machines will twist the nets and create new materials.

Isometric diagram

design / spatial elements

Interlocking Recyling and Socialising Space

The design proposes a hybrid use of industrial and public space. Such a proposal aims to reduce the rejection of people to the recycling industry. It is always classified as a “dirty industry”. Yet, waste handling is believed to be part of the cities where the public should be allowed to see the process and understand the possibilities and limitations in resource handling.

Mix use of Industrial & public space Section

elements

The spatial elements are translated from the sketches and the device design at Stage 1. Solid and void creations are the main driving directions here to match the functions.

Spatial quality aims to draw connections to public use and industrial uses.

Design

design /

The Open Factory

One of the concepts is to play with and utilise the characteristic and flexibility of walls to create space. Walls create openness in a building, as well as the transition and enclosure. By removing parts of the walls and inserting machineries, the form of the architecture and space is altered.

Rope twisting

Transitional space from the pier

Semi-open factory space

The Rings of Squares

2018 Spring

University of Hong Kong / BA(AS) IV

Advisor John Lin

Morocco

T his is a research-based prototype design project. It aims to re-design the original 3-rings spatial structure of riads to create collaborative living spaces for Muslim and newcomers in Marrakech.

As most of the traditional riads are designed based on the religion rules Muslim uphold, privacy and family bondings are major concerns. Newcomers rebuild the riads violate the rules and conflicts between the two groups occur. It is hoped to strike a balance between the economic development, religion, humanities and living standard by introducing new designs on local houses.

“Hello,what can i help you?”

“Honey, the weather is fantastic.”

“This antique ring looks good. How much is it?”

Non-Muslim/ Non-Moroccan

Muslim/ Moroccan

“How can I avoid seeing him planting? It’s embarrassing”

“OhNo! Our neighbour is naked sunbathing! This is Guilty!”

“Look! Here’s The best view from the Observatory Deck”

“Want some authentic dim-sum? We serve the best Chinese cuisine in town!”

“Want a Cup of Moroccan Coffee or Indian Tea?”

“Let’s go,we aren’t eating pork.”

“Hey,what is he doing in his courtyard?”

You want to go back home now?

“Hurray! Journey begins!”

Site study: Dialogue between new and tradition

Walls and Arches

The design stage starts from the study of layout in traditional riads in Morocco. The plan is divided into 3 rings, which is read as the exterior wall, the rooms and the veranda. The study is an exploration for rearrangements of the partitions and rooms to form new designs according to the new user groups. The design targets 3 prototypes which are based on the family size, functional programme and religion and gender.

Designs for 3 new user groups

Prototyping of arches

design /

Walls, Privacy and Belongings

In this prototype design, the main focus is the concept between religion and gender. Hence, walls, privacy and belongings to the living place drive the whole design. The thickness of the walls create pockets and rearrangement of the partition creates moving space as well as shared space to allow both women who follow traditional rules and newcomers who do not.

Prototype 03: Religion design /

LI

2017 Spring University of Hong Kong / BA(AS) III

Advisor Oscar Ko Groupmate Gavin Ng Chun Yip

Shanghai, China

L i-Long 里弄 is the most Traditional Chinese and Shanghaiese Housing Community found in Old Shanghai District. Houses are alligned on the two sides of the allyways and form lines of regular patterned communual space. As the city develops, high-rises are built on the surrouondings of these communities or simply replace some communities.

Hoping to sustain the communual spirit we experienced in Li-long, shared spaces are designed as plug-ins to high-rises. It is a sanguine concepts and experimental project that applicable to residential towers.

The design uses partitions to create space, and according to the partitions, structure is placed and tested to draw the connection between each module.

SHANGHAI, CHINA

project development/

Vertical Li-Long

The project development started from cube studies as housing units and public space as in traditional Li-Long. By rearranging their order, vertical relationships are formed. Such a relationship is hoped to be used as a common space similar to the public space in Li-Long. Playground facilities are proposed as the linkage for entertainment and resting space.

Units study

Playground facilities study

Sectional perspective

design /

Modules and Structures

The model demonstrates the connection and structure of the units. The units contain different playground facilities. 1:100

SHANGHAI, CHINA

Baoan Cultural Complex

To be completed in 2022

BAOAN, SHENZHEN, CHINA

S henzhen Theatre is my first project at Rocco Design Architects Associates Ltd. It is also the first project that I learn to use grasshopper to generate facade pattern and curvy form.

The design beings with a simple, rectangular mass to start with, the buildings are subjected to different morphing operations: the theatre’s flutters like stage curtains against the gentle breeze from the shore.

Tectonically speaking, the buildings’ façades take cues from wood and ivory carving techniques that are indigenous to Southern China: The delicately perforated skins provide not only efficient shading for the interior, but also rich, dramatic visual effects on the exterior. Moreover, the skins’ opacity varies according to the functions they serve at different parts of the building. While formally pioneering, the design inherits its subtleties from a long oriental tradition.

Each curvy facade panel is different in its size and angle aligning with the wall in order to create shades. They are drawn by grasshopper scripting. Numbers and data are then generated in the scripting as a setting out for the contractor.

Rocco Design Architects Associates Ltd.

BAOAN, CHINA

Elevation for facade construction

facade design/ grasshopper script

Facade Panel Layout

Tender drawing

Facade setting out of system CL1A of the Northern Tower

Tender drawing 1:10 Setting out of alumnium panels

Tender drawing 1:5

BAOAN, CHINA

Section of aluminium facade panel

Unique By Grace

project manager / volunteers coordinator / publication

I t is non-profit store in Copenhagen under Blå Kors Denmark which sustains purchase-with-purpose and supports the shelter project for homeless people. In April 2023, our team was granted funding to expand the project from a store into a coffee shop which will be launched in March 2024.

My role in the project grew from volunteering to becoming a part-time staff member in charge of the coordinations of volunteers, publishing and marketing, and collaborations with donation partners. As the store underwent refurnishment and rearrangement, I took the oppportunity to help with the interior design with 3D modelling and visualisation skills.

design / re-furnishing

From Unique Store to Unique Cafe

Visualisation & Actual Cafe

Logo of Unique Store

Logo of Unique Cafe

graphic design / re-branding

Digital Graphic for Social Media

Social Media Layout

Product Mock-up

WeConnet Pavilion

The pavilion is named 連心亭 which means connecting everyone’s hearts. It is located in the middle of a long path connecting the main road and the village. We hope that it could provide a resting and gathering space for villagers during their long journey back to the village.

Also, we studied the building structure of the traditional temple in the village and used the method in this pavilion as a tribute to the historical architecture. The pavilion is built by volunteers and villagers collaboratively so that we could exchange ideas in the process. We shared our knowledge of modern design and construction while they demonstrated to us the traditional building method by manpower.

1 foundation

The procedure of the construction is direct and simple. The project aims to include local villagers so the procedure referenced from the local hosue construction method. The use of local materials such as wood, bamboo, concrete and roof bricks reduce the costs of the projects as well as giving economic benefit to the local small shops. Villagers are happy to engage in the project and the colleboration was really a nice experience for both students and locals.

2015 Summer Wu Zhi Qiao Charitable Foundation (Bridge to China) Pavilion for Undeveloped village in ChongQing, China

Construction procedure

laudoris@connect.hku.hk (+45) 5268 9549

https://www.linkedin.com/in/doris-lau-8b61b916a/

@doriodoodoll (Instagram artwork) @doriohiker (Instagram nature)