ARCHITECTURE PORTFOLIO
E M I LY Z . C H E N
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CONTENTS // Curriculum Vitae
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// Espy Library
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// Echo Theater
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// Detour
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// Oasis
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// Uncovered
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HELLO !
I’m Emily, a third-year architecture student at the University of Waterloo with a fascination towards the way architecture interacts with its surroundings - landscape and people alike, and how these elements formulate the spirit of a city. Having been lucky enough to be exposed to a variety of different cultures and landscapes travelling as a child has allowed me to be attuned to the little things that make a space feel the way it does, and a city the way it does. These are things that I hope can be communicated through all the work I produce - complex and meticulous in execution but with the simple intent of connecting architecture to people and the existing world we live in, to evoke the same happiness on every occupant walking through it that I experience while creating it.
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EXPERI ENC E 2020
D’Ambrosio Architecture + Urbanism — A rchitecture Assistant • Worked extensively on analysis and schematic design using digital models and diagrams based on city planning guidelines for several projects, varying from single family residential to high-rise commercial and masterplans. • Produced sets of presentation materials including sectional, perspective, axonometric drawings and renders for both internal and external use.
2020
Jon Hensley Architects — Architecture Intern • Acted as primary designer for a residential project, drafting existing conditions and produced multiple design options for client’s review. • Created building and detailed wall sections of a large residential project, as well as plans and elevations in AutoCAD and models in SketchUp. • Produced 2 permit sets with supervisor, with reflected ceiling plans, detail drawings, and window/door/finish schedules.
2017
Institute for China-America Studies — I ntern • Performed administrative tasks and operated office equipment. • Effectively utilized Adobe Suite software to design layout for reports and illustrations, and to maintain the website. • Dedicated to photographing and editing portraits during events and conferences. • Successfully coordinated an office-wide event.
ACHIEVEMENTS 2019 2019 2018 2015 2015 2014
CISC Architecture Student Design Competition Finalist Top 10 Excellent Academic Standing, 1A, 1B, 2A, 2B Placed in top 15 percentile in 2A University of Waterloo President’s Scholarship Entrance average of 90%+ Valedictorian (top academic standing) University of Waterloo Pascal Math Contest Top 10% Highest Academic Standing
E D U C AT I O N
2018-Present University of Waterloo Candidate for Bachelor of Architectural Studies Honours Co-op program 2015-2018
Old Scona Academic High School • First Class Honours (90%+) every semester • International Baccalaureate program in Math, Physics, Art
SKILLS Software Adobe Suite Illustrator Photoshop InDesign Lightroom Rhinoceros 3D SketchUp
V-ray Render Lumion Render AutoCAD Revit Vectorworks Grasshopper (beginner)
Analog Model building Laser cutting Hand drafting 3D Printing 3D Scanning CNC Mill
Languages English Mandarin French (beginner) German (beginner)
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June 7, 2020 To Whom It May Concern, I am pleased to provide this letter of recommendation for Zhixiao (Emily) Chen. Emily worked in our office as an architectural intern from January to May of 2020. During Emily’s time at my office, she primarily worked on the design of a single family high-end residential project in Deep Creek Lake, MD, and an addition and renovation to a single family home in Washington, DC. She was intricately involved in all phases of design. This includes documenting existing conditions and creating as-builts, schematic plans and elevations, and construction documents. Emily was also adept at updating our website and social media sites. Emily stands out to me with her professional conduct and intuitiveness at learning new design and technical skills. She is a quick learner, and performs all of her work skillfully and efficiently, always taking the initiative to ask questions so she had a clear understanding of each task. I remember all of her communications to be very clear and concise, and I believe her strong written communication skills to be an asset to any team she is a part of. During her time in my office, Emily also participated in various architecture-related lectures and building tours. She had the opportunity to sit in at a community meeting where upcoming construction projects for Arlington County are reviewed. In the twenty-three years in business, no intern has been more impressive than Emily. I feel confident that Emily will be a tremendous asset for your company, and she has my highest recommendation. If you have any further questions regarding her qualifications, please do not hesitate to call or email me. Sincerely,
Jon Hensley, AIA, LEED AP, Principal Jon Hensley Architects P: 703-685-7777 Email: JHensley@JonHensleyArchitects.com
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a r c h i t e c t u r e
S A C E R
u r b a n i s m
2960 Jutland Road Victoria.BC.Canada.V8T5K2 tel eml web
D' A M B R O S I O a r c h i t e c t u r e
u r b a n i s m
250.384.2400 mail@fdarc.ca w w w . fdarc.ca
P A C E R S A C E R
2960 Jutland Road Victoria.BC.Canada.V8T5K2 tel eml web
250.384.2400 mail@fdarc.ca w w w . fdarc.ca
Re: Letter of Recommendation for Emily Chen February 1, 2021 To Whom It May Concern, I’m of pleased to provide this reference Re: Letter Recommendation for Emily Chenletter for Emily Chen, who worked in our office as a student intern during the period of September through December of 2020. February 1, 2021 Emily is a confident and team-oriented person who contributed greatly to our practice in the short time she worked with us. Given the unusual circumstances of the pandemic, she demonstrated enthusiasm and To Whom It May Concern, resilience under testing circumstances. She was consistently reliable and diligent, taking direction well and implementing direction with focusletter and accuracy. I’m pleased to provide this reference for Emily Chen, who worked in our office as a student intern during the period of September through December of 2020. Emily has a fantastic attitude and work ethic, she adapts quickly to the demands of a busy practice and consistent, beautiful work. Shewho was contributed directly involved in the preparation of the presentation Emily isproduces a confident and team-oriented person greatly to our practice in short timedrawings, she analytical diagrams, and digital study models. She is an adept problem solver I felt confident asking her to worked with us. Given the unusual circumstances of the pandemic, she demonstrated enthusiasm and research information and to devise new ways of preparing presentation materials. resilience under testing circumstances. She was consistently reliable and diligent, taking direction well and
implementing direction with focus and accuracy. Emily would be a valuable addition to any architectural practice. I recommend her to your firm and would be happy to speakattitude with you if you have anyshe questions. Emily has a fantastic and work ethic, adapts quickly to the demands of a busy practice and produces consistent, beautiful work. She was directly involved in the preparation of presentation drawings, Sincerely, analytical diagrams, and digital study models. She is an adept problem solver - I felt confident asking her to research information and to devise new ways of preparing presentation materials. Emily would be a valuable addition to any architectural practice. I recommend her to your firm and would be happy to speak with you if you have any questions. Sincerely, Erica H. Sangster, Architect AIBC MRAIC Principal D’AMBROSIO architecture + urbanism
Erica H. Sangster, Architect AIBC MRAIC Principal D’AMBROSIO architecture + urbanism
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Located alongside the Toronto railpath and Wallace Pedestrian Bridge, the children’s library integrates fun and learning into a self-changing climbing wall that runs through the center of the building. As the slopes in the climbing wall change, different programs reveal themselves to the climber, including bookshelves and reading pods that allow kids to discover new books and genres as they play. EMERSON
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The library also features many areas for quiet study, relaxing and reading that circulate around the climbing wall in the form of walkways on each level in an open atrium, providing easy surveillance of the children as parents enjoy their own quiet time. At points in the walkway, the series of bookshelves lining the walls breaks and reveals scenic views outside the building through the corten steel fin façade, as occupants enjoy a coffee or book, and other sections protrude into the atrium forming a secluded reading area. R
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Project: Design Studio, Winter 2019 Program: Library/Community Centre Location: Toronto, ON
As the circulation of the walkway intersects with the climbing wall and heads behind it, the wall separates the active and playful atmosphere of the atrium and private, quiet programs such as study spaces, book stacks, and a small theater.
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BUILDING PL ANS
VIEW FROM DUNDAS STREET W
The corten fin faรงade complements the tones of the surrounding neighbourhood, and serves to screen east and west light in the active atrium areas while maintaining a series of selected external views. The resulting image viewed by passersby on the street is the glimpses of silhouetted movements as people pass between the bookshelves or children making their way up the climbing wall. The storefront glazing at the ground level reveals the dynamic structure of the library within.
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As occupants climb, they will discover different genres of books in the nooks, as well as reading pods hidden in the wall that give them a little more privacy to read on their own. Where the slope becomes too steep to climb, it is sectioned off by a green wall, with glazing on either side to allow sunlight into the quiet programs behind the wall.
SECTION AA
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SECTION BB
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I N T E R I O R V I E W O V E R LO O K I N G AT R I U M
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In a society that is increasingly fast-paced and obsessed with new advancements towards the future, the Echo Theatre is a reminder to the city to reflect on its historic culture and the intimate connections formed when we slow down and acknowledge the people around us. The four theatres formulated in the space echo each other in structure but exhibit various relations to the city and the people.
ECHO
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Project: Design Studio, Fall 2019 Program: Public Theatre
Accessing the building through an unassuming dark alley leads the theatre-goer through the darkness until they land in a spot of light, the open lobby drawing them in with a brilliant light cone at its centre. The semicircular steps lead upwards, converging below the sunlight, framed by frosted glass, giving them a view of the performances happening in the theatres above them. The inverse of a typical U-shaped theatre renders the lobby as a theatre in itself - a theatre of the people and a theatre of the city- where performers can glimpse a view of their audience from the balconies above before they proceed to their own stage. Their journey to the stage overlooks the space below the balcony and up the glass stairs through the light cone, where they are visible from below, and interlock with the circulation of the audience up to the theatre space.
LONGITUDINAL SECTION PERSPECTIVE
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Rooftop Theatre
Backstage 2 with Balcony
Main Theatre
Backstage 1 with Balcony
Lobby Level
Outdoor Public Theatre
EXPLODED AXONOMETRIC
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D E TA C H A B L E L A S E R C U T A N D 3-D P R I N T E D M O D E L
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VIEW OF LOBBY FROM BACKSTAGE BALCONY
Leading upwards from the lobby is the indoor theatre, which draws upon the Italian renaissance idea of framing the city as part of the set design, creating an arch-shaped opening behind the stage and cone of light, allowing the people a glimpse into their own city as part of the theatre. Just above is the rooftop theatre is a tribute to ancient Greek theaters that are open to the landscape, giving the audience the freedom of a full view beyond the stage, incorporating their surroundings into the performance. The ground theatre takes advantage of the enclosed space created by the surrounding buildings and is completely open to the outside city, incorporating the people into the theatre itself. Natural sunlight lights up the space, with openings in its ceiling concentrating the light from the light cone into a natural spotlight for the performer. It is a space that embodies endless artistic expression and performance.
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V I E W O F T H E AT R E F R O M S TA I R S
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DISASSEMBLED SECTION MODEL
DISASSEMBLED SECTION MODEL
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By the perimeter of one of Japan’s most popular tourist destinations, Mount Fuji, is a lush and dense forest. Also known as the infamous ‘suicide forest’, Aokigahara is one of the most popular sites for suicide worldwide. Over the years, the number of suicides in the area has only grown, with the last officially released document recording 105 corpses recovered in 2003. Detour is a pavilion serving as a memorial, remembering the departed souls of the forest, while encouraging those seeking an end to their life to reconsider such actions. The curved pathway is intended to encourage the idea that life will eventually improve and reverse into a better place for them, if occupants are willing to continue moving ahead and living. In addition, it suggests that the sufferings and tragedies that one may be experiencing in the current moment will eventually dissipate, leading them to a better place.
DETOUR
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Project: CISC Competition, 2019 finalist Program: Pavilion Location: Aokigahara Forest, Japan In collaboration with Nadia Cheng
Placed beside the main path of the Aokigahara forest, the pavilion is a symbol of hope for those who feel as if they have strayed from the order and happiness in their lives. It reminds occupants that it is normal to take detours in life. Ultimately,
Detour has been designed with the hopes of leading occupants to a better place in their lives. It is a pavilion to pause and rest at, but also an opportunity to turn around to choose an alternate fate.
corten (weathering steel)
polished stainless steel
tubular hollow steel section (HSS) members casted connection, welded and grinded hollow steel bench elliptical tube steel railing perforated steel deck hollow structural steel column
wide flange beams, bolted
hollow structural steel columns
hollow steel tube frame, bent steel cables HSS wide flange steel frame, bent
galvanized perforated steel
steel anchored foundation plate with fins hollow structural steel columns
EXPLODED STRUCTURAL AXONOMETRIC
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A. Foundation pin connection
B. Cable connection
C. Platform plate connection
D. Wide flange connection
E. Steel foundation
S T E E L C O N N E C T I O N D E TA I L S
N O R T H E A S T E L E VAT I O N
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CROSS SECTION AA
LONGITUDINAL SECTION BB
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V I E W O F D I V E R G I N G PAT H S
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Directly translating to ‘the source of the river‘, Heyuan (河源) is one of the many cities that the ‘East River’ (東江) passes through in Southern China. Branching off from the Pearl River, the East River serves as the water source for cities in the area, such as Hong Kong. Given that heavy metals from the untreated sewage system have been discharged directly into the river, the water quality has deteriorated significantly in recent years. Hence, OASIS has been established to monitor and maintain the standards of water resources, preventing the locals’ health from being compromised by the consumption of the East River’s water.
OASIS
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Project: Environmental Design, 2019 Program: Off-the-Grid Research Station Location: Heyuan, China In collaboration with Nadia Cheng
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The core of OASIS features a courtyard, through which freshwater can be accessed, allowing the water quality researchers to collect water samples, as well as sourcing water for their daily use. The design of the house references the courtyard structure of traditional Chinese houses, with their living and working spaces revolving around this pool of water.
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LEVEL 1 PLAN
LEVEL 2 PLAN
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LONGITUDINAL SECTION
V I E W O F W A T E R C O U R T YA R D
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D E TA I L E D WA L L S E C T I O N
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BASSWOOD MODEL
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1. Rainwater travels down to the gutter
1. Solar shingles convert sunlight/solar energy into direct current
3. Rainwater in storage tank is used throughout the building (eg. irrigation) No-flush composting toilet reduces need for water/ greywater
2. Direct current is converted into an alternating current via an inverter
3. Electricity is used for household appliances
2. Rainwater collected from roof travels down pipe into a rainwater storage tank
WAT E R C O L L E C T I O N D I A G R A M
SOLAR ELECTRICITY DIAGRAM
green roof and collection of rain water
optimal angle for collection of summer sun 8°
38°
optimal angel for collection of winter sun ROOF FUNCTIONS DIAGRAM
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C R O S S V E N T I L AT I O N D I A G R A M
direct gain during summer months
water cooling
concrete floor for thermal storage
evaporation of water cools the building
WAT E R C O O L I N G D I A G R A M
THERMAL MASSING DIAGRAM
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On the site of an urban waterfront and former industrial brown-field, a recreational re-use park is established across the Potomac River from Washington DC. An addition project within the park aims to reveal the complex history of the landscape while simultaneously healing the soil below using its integrated bio-venting technology. Although most of the soil in the park has been remediated through layering and treatment, an asphalt cap has been used to contain the toxic contaminants within one particular area.
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Project: Landscape Studio 2020 Program: Remediated Park Location: Arlington, VA
The wind turbine and bio-venting system creates a “line of action� on the boundary of the asphalt cap, connecting human programs to the remediation of the soil. This formulates the structure of the community library, and frames the expanse of the resulting playground situated above the remediation process. The man-made surface of the sculpted terrain is a reminder that a natural looking landscape may not be truly sustainable, whereas a constructed landscape specific to the needs and requirements of natural processes will maintain an appealing and healthier landscape.
Sculpted Playscape
Public Parking
Rain Garden
Public Gathering
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Athletic Field
Outline of Contaminated Soil and Asphalt Cap Below
Vertical Axis Wind Turbines
Overlook/ Sun
Community Center/ Library Residential Parking
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Residential
Elevated Esplanade Walkway
Rail Tracks Pedestrian Circulation Children Circulation Vehicle Circulation
The green roof is a transitional space between the esplanade and the park, and overlooks the sculpted play-space within the asphalt capped area.
Water Drainage Pathway
The railings following the tectonic movements of the landscape mounds become structure for climbing nets.
SITE AXONOMETRIC
Mini trampolines are weaved through a series of plantings that are embedded in the rise and dips of the landscape. 41
BUILDING PLAN
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A community library is developed in the space created by the peeling back of the artificial landscape. The structure of the building, along with the strips of landscape, follow the grid created by the turbine system. An open reading space continues the wave system of the play plaza in the interior flooring, blurring the lines as you enter the building. A line of machinery managing the turbine and bio-venting system separates two major areas of the building - public community space and quiet reading.
INTERIOR VIEWS
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SECTION AA
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N AT I V E S P E C I E S P L A N T I N G D I A G R A M
The soil mounds in the sculpted play-scape allow native trees to be brought back into the landscape without risk of their roots seeping into the contaminated soil. The height of each mound is determined by the amount of root space that is needed for each specific native species. The permeable material at the apex of the mounds allow for easy water delivery to the plants, and the sculpted design assists the drainage of water through the plaza and eventually into the nearby rain garden.
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VIEW FROM RAISED ESPLANADE
V I E W O F S C U L P T E D P L AY S C A P E I N R A I N
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Vertical axis wind turbine optimal array 2d 4m Rotor diameter d: 1.6m
Vertical axis wind turbine
6m
Centrifugal fan
Injection well
BIOVENTING SYSTEM AXONOMETRIC
The wind turbine and bioventing apparatus creates a line of action on the boundary of the asphalt cap, connecting the human programs above ground to the remediation of the soil below. Kinetic energy is collected from the wind turbine visible to all in the air, and it converted into electric energy that powers the blower, sending 02 into the soil for bioventing, encouraging native bacteria to break down hydrocarbons from PCBs and petroleum-based contaminants.
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P L AY S C A P E I L L U S T R A T I O N
LONGITUDINAL SITE SECTION
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that’s the end! thanks for your time.
# (780)807-8633 @ zhixiao.chen@uwaterloo.ca