portfolio
ariel chen
Hallo! I am an architect/graphic designer based in Berlin, Germany. I hold a Masters of Arts in Architecture after graduating from Hochschule Anhalt in the Summer Semester of 2021. The following is a curated booklet of my architectural, design and personal work throughout my academic and professional journey.
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ariel chen eedong
work
experience
2021-2022 Meuser Architekten / DOM Publishers Intern Architect/Graphic Designer • 3D-Modelling, design drawings and renderings for preliminary design stages with a focus in interior and zoo architecture. • Lead cartographer and graphic designer in all publishing projects.
2021 Magdeburg Zoo Masterplan Proposal Designed and produced visual materials for a masterplan proposal for Magdeburg Zoo on behalf of Institut für Zooarchitektur
2017-2018 SA Architects Assistant Project Architect • Coordinated first BIM-integrated project in the country using Revit as primary software to manage design drawings and development of the project. • Co-lead and coordinated key project and delivery elements with senior engineers and client-side project manager with <5% delay on key milestones.
2020-2021 Interior Architecture Teaching Assistant • Conducted weekly tutorials • Conducted masterclass in Photoshop and SketchUp to Bachelor students for Innenraumplannung module at Hochschule Anhalt 2017 Unilever Future Leader‘s League Anchor Designer Top 5 winning product marketing proposals in Nationals 2016 PAM Architecture Workshop Top 3 best proposals for placemaking strategies
2017 Archicentre Intern • Assisted facade solutions department in creative solutions for high-rise apartments. • Detail drawing and 3D-Modelling.
English Chinese German
education
software
2019-2021 Hochschule Anhalt Masters in Architecture (DIA)
2021 DAAD STIBET Scholarship 2014 Tertiary Merit Scholarship 2012 International Baccalaureate Full Scholarship
Autocad Archicad Revit Sketchup + Vray Rhino Adobe Photoshop Adobe Illustrator Adobe InDesign Lumion Vectorworks Microsoft Office
publications
extras
2021 Geschichte der Innenarchitektur Graphic contribution
Freelance English Translator > 5 years experience in creative writing
2021 Zoo Magdeburg Graphic contribution, design drawings
Freelance Cartographer for Architectural Guides series by DOM Publishers
languages native/bilingual native/bilingual B1
t +491782633551 e eedongchen@gmail.com
Malaysian Based in Berlin, Germany
2014-2017 Taylors University Bachelors in Science (Hons) Architecture
2021 Private Shelters: Teaching Architecture During A Pandemic Featured project
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projects
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Curriculum Vitae
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Magdeburg Makerspace Bridging Borders Tigerhaus Zoo Magdeburg Home for the Elderly
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mini projects Kita in Tunisia 51 Rooms Villa Lehmpfuhl
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Magdeburg Makerspace design studio titled "behind the scenes" by prof. ralf niebergall 2020 | adaptive reuse, brownfield regeneration
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As one of the six beacons introduced to the former brownfield, Magdeburg Makerspace is a community space for all things creative. Inspired by the informal activities happening behind the scenes of this factory’s shell, the space celebrates the need for a creative and performative outlet for artists, dancers, musicians and performers who were seen carrying out their craft in this abandoned area. In the general masterplan, this community building will serve as one of the many new beacons introduced to this area — a creative incubator that acts as a catalyst to stimulate social exchanges between different community groups.
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Massing First, the large 16,300 sqm former steel factory area is broken down into smaller volumes. Using the factory’s former massing and structure as a gridding system, the spaces are designed and organized. The L-shape arrangement envelopes a courtyard. To
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Foyer Exhibition Hall Breakout rooms Management office Storage Bookshop Plaza Cafe Pre-event Exhibition Back-of-house Studios Catwalk Co-working space 11
Spaces The building hosts two main multipurpose halls, which can be used for various community events like bookfairs, markets and bazaars, which can even extend into the plaza. With the original catwalk preserved, Hall 2 hence serves as a double-volume space ideal for semipermanent installations and exhibitions.
With the studio theme being ‘Behind the Scenes’, it was apt to provide ‘backstage’ spaces — spaces that support the conception and development of ideas. Rows of studios and a co-working area is introduced to support creative pursuits and act as a node that brings like-minded individuals together.
original facade
updated facade
section
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magdeburg makerspace POLYCARBONATE ROOF
ORIGINAL STRUCTURE
HALL 02 Multipurpose exhibition space with suspended catwalk
L2
CO-WORKING SPACE
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STUDIOS ORIGINAL FACADE
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BOOKSHOP
HALL 01 Multipurpose event space with breakout rooms PLAZA Bazaars, markets and open-air events
RIVERFRONT CAFE GREENHOUSE
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Bridging Borders 14
transit architecture at the malaysia-singapore border design studio, prof. vesta nele zareh 2021 | master thesis
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“Territories are not simply static spatial classificatory containers. The life of territory is to be seen in the crossings-over, into and out of these meaningful spaces.” David Delaney, Territory: A Short Introduction
洀愀 氀愀礀 猀椀 愀 猀椀 渀 最 愀瀀 漀 爀攀
琀栀 攀
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Johor-Singapore Causeway, existing condition 16
The Johor-Singapore Causeway is one of busiest border crossings in the world, connecting two culturally and economically dependent territories, Malaysia and Singapore, which are separated by a maritime border. The hostile and utilitarian method of crossing the border inspired critical rethinking on the architecture of transit - to both vehicular users, cyclists, pedestrians, or just any border crosser to combat the mundane and capture the poetic urban dailiness that is symbolic of the codependent nature between the two nations.
The Bridge is a 1-kilometre network of public spaces and gardens embedded into the daily rhythms across the Malaysia-Singapore border. Both an elevated and at-grade(sea) walkway, with programming split across various levels, the Bridge activates spaces above and below to provide a layered network of recreation, culture, and wellness. The Bridge is both fast and slow. It is simultaneously a highway, a cycling track, a walking promenade, a network of eateries and simply an architectural translation that captures the urban rhythms that occur across the border.
Bridging Borders, sectional narratives
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Can a bridge evolve beyond its function as a piece of static infrastructure that merely takes one from Point A to Point B? The concept of mobility is explored in this intermediate space. By introducing various levels, the proposed design allows opportunities to meander and discover the spaces within. The project is a circulation-led design inspired by the ways people move across the border/numerous modes of transport they take to cross the border. With circulation as the driving concept behind the design, the bridge is layered into different levels, and paths are separated according to the pace of different user groups. Public spaces are embedded within the kilometre-long bridge, making one’s journey across the border into an interesting crossing.
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Tigerhaus Concept proposal for Zoologischergarten Magdeburg GmbH On behalf of Institut für Zooarchitektur 2022 | graphic contribution, design drawings
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Entrance foyer Courtyard Exhibition zone Enclosure Hotel units Bathroom Terrace
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Roof Plan
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Ground Level (Exhibition)
A concept proposal for the new tiger enclosure of Magdeburg Zoo, featuring an unprecedented design for a tiger hotel, giving visitors a whole new experience of “living with the wild”. The idea behind the hotel starts with a single module, which is arrayed in a circular motion, forming a pawshaped structure.
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The inwards points to a common courtyard that doubles as a visitor reception area, while the outwards overlooks the animal enclosures. The ground floor is a general exhibition and viewing area overlooking the enclosure, while the first floor is a hotel. Structurally, the modules are supported by glulam timber frames. Materially, the shell-like facade is covered with thatch to conceive a fur-like appearance.
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Linger Elderly Community Housing PJS 7, Malaysia 2018 | design studio, nominated project
In Malaysia, there is often a negative stigma surrounding the idea of an elderly care centre, which are often pictured to be sterile, inconducive and unwelcoming environments. Old folks are often coaxed to move into one for they simply do not want to be a burden to their families. As this becomes a growing trend, the elderly are slowly marginalized by society with their living conditions ambiguous and unknown to most. Situated in a suburban site, this project explores the role of the elderlys and their relationship with the community in PJS 7. The idea of this project is to reintegrate the elderly into the society by providing them a comfortable living arrangement with subtle opportunities to reconnect with the comunity.
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The concept of interdependence is translated into interlocking forms
Rooms for the residents are elevated to minimize noise and disturbances
Open ground floor allows the local community to wander into the compound seamlessly
Butterfly roof unifies the structure and creates a homey, village like appearance
To promote this idea, the concept of interdependence is born. Reflecting idea into form, the concept of interdependence is translated into two interlocking masses, reflected by the unique relationship between the elderly and the local community. Formerly a vacant ground, the ground floor is kept public to maintain the routines and rhythms of the existing community. while the first floor is the private domain for the elderly residents.
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Foyer and reception Drop-off Open-concept canteen Prayer room Physiotherapy and wellness Clinic Garden courtyard
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Resident kitchen Living room Laundry area Nurse room Management office Meditation Room
The borderless design meant that the compound is essentially fenceless. The open design prompts interaction between the elderly residents and the local community, passively fostering meaningful and casual encounters between the two groups. Instead of a large, general area, communal zones are designed to be small, intimate nodes interspersed throughout the resident’s floor, encouraging the elderly to meander around these little corners for meeting, playing and conducting daily activities.
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mini projects
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Kita in Tunisia For Nani S.A.R.L. In collaboration with UNICEF 2021 | design proposal
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ative 1
plémentaire
Kita in Tunisia is a kindergarten project commissioned by Meuser Architekten. The kindergarten in Sidi Toumi, Tunisia calls for a fresh proposal fit for the Mediterranean climate. In collaboration with UNICEF, the kindergarten is designed in a cluster typology, where the focus is on central courtyard, designed with vibrant colours and geometric forms as the communal area for outdoor play. The design also contextually includes Tunisian motifs and elements such as arched corridors, sheltered walkways, tiled doorframes and features an outdoor play area at the courtyard.
Variation des modules
Le village des e Sidi Toumi, Tun
Alternative 2
The project is now under construction.
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Option préférée Alternative 1
Alternative 1 * Module complémentaire
Alternative 2 Alternative 1
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Maître Nani S.A.R.L. Rue Sadok Guerbouj 8010 Menzel Bouzelfa, Tu
Planificateur Meuser Architekten Gmb Caroline-von-Humboldt-W 10117 Berlin, Allemagne T +49. 30. 20 69 69 20 info@meuser-architekten www.meuser-architekten 6 mai 2021 Alternative 1
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51 Rooms Geschichte der Innenarchitektur DOM Publishers 2021 | graphic contribution, publication
50+ famous projects in modern architecture history were studied and reintepreted into isometric models. Each room and their accompanying atmosphere is selected carefully and modelled from scratch. The illustrations were published in Geschichte der Innenarchitektur, allowing a closer glimpse into the details and story behind these classic interiors.
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Villa Lehmpfuhl Concept proposal 2021 | private commission
Located in the Austrian mountains, Villa Lehmpfuhl is a concept design of an artist retreat for Christopher Lehmpfuhl, a Berlin-based painter. Gently cutting into the steep slope, the design behind Villa Lehmpfuhl strives to find a balance between the concepts of work, live and play. The artist studio is located on the top most floor, maximizing the incredible vantage point with views of the mountain peaks.
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