GORDON CHENG design portfolio (2017 - 2021)
00. Curriculum Vitae resume
GORDON CHENG
University of Pennsylvania Stuart Weitzman School of Design Pratt Institute School of Architecture +886-3-558-9555 gordoncheng1231@gmail.com
unless otherwise noted, all drawings, images, videos, and animations are created by Gordon Cheng
Education
University of Pennsylvania l
Philadelphia, PA..............................................Sep. 2019 - Dec. 2020 Master of Science in Design - Advanced Architectural Design
Pratt Institute l Brooklyn, NY..............................................................................Sep. 2014 - May 2019 Bachelor of Architecture
Professional Experiences
Eppstein Uhen Architects l Milwaukee, WI......................................................May 2021 - Present Project Assistant Bay View High School: 3D scanned and documented 360 photos and dimensions of the existing building using Matterport and uploaded to the cloud for online and VR walkthrough. Reviewed existing construction documents and modeled existing buildings according to existing specifications in Revit, including but not limited to: floors, doors, toilets, accessories... etc. Set up and produced architectural sheets for the schematic design and design development. Modeled toilet fixtures and accessories and revised the toilet room layout according to ADA requirements. Conducted building safety research and modeled fire extinguishers in place according to the building safety code. Produced architectural drawings of the existing building, renovation, and building addition, including but not limited to: floor plans, ceiling plans, elevations, sections, and wall details... etc. Digitized architectural drawings and markups to the company server for company, consultant, and client use. Produced conceptual renderings used in client presentation for supervisor. Bio-Architecture Formosana l
Taipei, Taiwan..............................................Jul. 2020 - Aug. 2020 Intern Architect New Taipei City Tower eSports Arena: Conducted thorough programmatic research, produced schematic designs and design development, performed spatial organization planning, and consolidated extensive research and revised designs into a streamlined presentation for the supervisor with minimal guidance and supervision, and exceeded weekly targets. Macronix Innovation Center Title Block: Produced designs and renderings according to client requirements and addressed any concerns. National Cheng Kung University Future Venue: Produced and revised construction document elevations and floor plans after the design team has complete the facade extension and Southern Entry addition reconfiguration designs. Taisugar Circular Village Innovation Center: Produced conceptual renderings used in client presentation for supervisor. Taichung Arena Competition: Modeled arena seating area with Revit, recorded and edited Taichung Arena animation using Premiere Pro. Inspected National Taiwan University of Science and Technology (NTUST) freshmen dormitory construction site.
HBA Architecture & Interior Design l
Virginia Beach, VA......................Dec. 2019 - Jan. 2020 Intern Architect Produced 3D blueprint models for two military storage bays and two school projects using Revit. Produced presentation board with Adobe InDesign and Photoshop that was displayed at the company’s entrance. Organized construction documents and specification sheets. Updated and organized architectural product library.
Forward Work l
New York City, NY....................................................................Sep. 2017 - Dec. 2017 Intern Architect Drafted roofing details for construction documents. Revised building plans and sections based on newly produced roofing details.
StudioTeka l Brooklyn, NY.....................................................................................Jul. 2017 - Aug. 2017 Intern Architect Produced 3D models with Rhino, Animated Brazil project with Maya, and edited animations with Adobe Premiere & After Effects for publication Project: 2100: A Dystopian Utopia – The City After Climate Change Produced and edited animations for a video clip that StudioTeka used during negotiations with Discovery for a documentary on climate change. Learned and increased Maya, Adobe Premiere, Adobe After Effects knowledge/skills, which resulted in meeting strict deadlines.
00. Index selected works, professional, and others
INDEX
unless otherwise noted, all drawings, images, videos, and animations are created by Gordon Cheng
Selected Works
01. UPS Distribution Hub
convergence of human and machine
02. Museum of the Unpredictable excavating la brea tar pits
03. Opposum Cultivation Center (Case Study) rethinking human and nature
Professional & Others
04. Discrete Flux
carbon fiber weaving research
05. Hustle Hub
moscow incubator
06. New Taipei Tower
sanchong market urban renewal plan
01. UPS DISTRIBUTION HUB convergence of human and machine Location: New York, NY Year: Fall 2020 Project Type: Academic, Penn Design Critic: Nathen Hume In Collaboration with: Dani Zhang, Jean Yuan
The technique utilized in UPS Distribution Hub is a universal language that spaces are created; a petal-like geometry that fully realizes the potential of technology. Bringing the possibilities of technology upfront, human-occupied spaces are invented within the complex structure supporting machines. Embedded within the machines, the interactions between machines and humans are emphasized with the petal geRecognizing the potential of technology, UPS ometry, building up tension between the two Distribution Hub seeks to utilize technology’s drastically different users. capability of traveling liberally in-between spaces; breaks free from the restrictions of the X, Y, Z axis, UPS Distribution Hub developed a technique that allowed machines to travel in and out, top to bottom, side to side. Novelty and innovation in aesthetics are directly tied to technique and technology. To be influential and impactful in culture, architects must understand what technologies are at the forefront in their day, develop techniques that utilize these technologies for novel aesthetics, and find a way to make them architecturally useful and relevant.
1 unless otherwise noted, all drawings, images, videos, and animations are created by Gordon Cheng
aerial view figure 1
fig. 1:
rendering showcasing building on site. credit: dani zhang 2
01. UPS Distribution Hub convergence of human and machine
The “Chunk” The Chunk serves as an exploration prototype that explores the unique relationship between form and logistics. Embedding the knowledge from both the formal and logistical studies, the chunk realizes a rational convergence between form and function. It does not align with the conventional perception of form follows function or function follows form, instead, the chunk utilizes both form and function coherently to create a harmonious exchange between both distinctive identities. In contrast to the liberal movements of logistics, human users’ movements are strictly limited by the X, Y, Z-axis; therefore, adapting with the unusual formal language of the chunk, human user spaces are examined through a section cut both from the top and side. Thus, the Chunk reaches its potential to incorporate both logistics and humans under one roof. axonometric figure 1
formal components study figure 2
section
floor plan
figure 4
figure 3
3
fig. 1: “chunk” prototype produced by merging selected formal components, and re-connect edges seamlessly with each other.
fig. 2: a catalog of formal components that will accomodate with specific logistic systems. made in collaboration with dani zhang & jean yuan
fig. 3-4: “chunk” prototype section showing spatial strategy of logistic systems and human spaces. fig. 4 credit: jean yuan
unless otherwise noted, all drawings, images, videos, and animations are created by Gordon Cheng
sprial lift system
vertical sorting system
vertical storage system
conveyer system
distribution conveyer system logistic system study figure 1
fig. 1:
logistic systems of various functions that could be pieced togather and applied to existing formal components. made in collaboration with all studiomates
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01. UPS Distribution Hub convergence of human and machine
private office space
public garden space
figure 2
5
fig. 1: section drawing demonstrating the contrast between human and machine spaces and how they are designed to exist coherently. made in collaboration with jean yuan
figure 3
office leisure space
figure 4
fig. 2-6:
detail drawings highlighting different programs. made in collaboration with jean yuan unless otherwise noted, all drawings, images, videos, and animations are created by Gordon Cheng
long section figure 1
logistic system around office space figure 4
vertical logistic system
figure 5
micro amphitheater figure 6
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01. UPS Distribution Hub convergence of human and machine
Bringing the characteristics of the Chunk, UPS Distribution Hub heavily structures itself with form and logistics. Connecting the passage for logistics to circulate freely within, while creating volumes of space for human interaction, the petal-like structure gained a significant role in the project due to its nature of creating pockets of space and connecting seamlessly with one and another. From both the section and the plan, the petal-like structure promotes a formal language that can be efficiently utilized to satisfy the conventional needs in an unconventional method.
fig. 1: curated floor plan that connects all occupiable spaces. 7 unless otherwise noted, all drawings, images, videos, and animations are created by Gordon Cheng
floor plan figure 1
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01. UPS Distribution Hub convergence of human and machine 9
fig. 1: perspective short section demonstrating depth of each space, and the arrangement of human and machine space. credit: jean yuan unless otherwise noted, all drawings, images, videos, and animations are created by Gordon Cheng
short section figure 1
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01. UPS Distribution Hub convergence of human and machine
elevation figure 1
site plan figure 2
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fig. 1: elevation showing the material selection, conceal the complex system of the building. credit: dani zhang
fig. 2: site plan highlighting lobby,distribution zone, and delivery trucks parking, as well as response to the site condition. unless otherwise noted, all drawings, images, videos, and animations are created by Gordon Cheng
physical model figure 1
fig. 1: 1/16” = 1’ section model with 3D printed parts and spray paint. made in collaboration with dani zhang
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00. Santa Maria de Campitelli intermission 00. SANTA MARIA DE CAMPITELLI intermission
Year: Spring 2020 Project Type: Academic, Penn Design Critic: Andrew Saunders
Santa Maria de Campitelli in the form of an oblique flower. 13 unless otherwise noted, all drawings, images, videos, and animations are created by Gordon Cheng
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02. MUSEUM OF THE UNPREDICTABLE excavating la brea tar pits Location: Los Angeles, CA Year: Spring 2020 Project Type: Academic, Penn Design Critic: Marion Weiss In Collaboration with: Sherry Chen, Georgina Jiang
The Museum of the Unpredictable is situated in La Brea Tar Pits in Los Angeles, adjacent to various cultural sites such as Los Angeles County Museum of Art, Academy Museum of Motion Pictures, and Peter Zumthor’s LACMA Expansion. La Brea Tar Pits is a site full of surprises. People are uncertain of what is covered underneath the thick black tar, and such uncertainty is what makes the Tar Pit captivating. The excitement to discover the history of the Tar Pit is captured by lab research that slowly discovers the story behind each bone and informs us of the nature of the Tar Pit in the past, which demonstrated how the process of excavation, discovery, and preservation played a huge role in the site.
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Our programs are distributed across the site, ranging from office, storage, museum, excavation, labs, and institution. Each program is paired with each other and housed in their building, with different routes to access from different entries. With the ambition to uncover the uncertainty in the Tar Pit, active excavation played an important role to uncover the earth and reveal what is beneath. With each excavation site carefully planned and excavated in a grid layout. One may see a collection of bones from various animals, or find nothing in their excavation.
fly through animation credit: me unless otherwise noted, all drawings, images, videos, and animations are created by Gordon Cheng
night view figure 1
fig. 1: passage from entry to exhibition building, where visitors walk above the tar pit. credit: sherry chen
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02. Museum of the Unpredictable excavating la brea tar pits
site grid analysis figure 1
site axis concept figure 2
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fig. 1: site analysis demonstrating a language that is consistant in different scales. credit: georgina jiang
fig. 2: base on the site analysis, new axis are added to the existing site to expand view and increase circulation. unless otherwise noted, all drawings, images, videos, and animations are created by Gordon Cheng
site plan figure 1
We started by introducing three new axes (fig.2) on the site that create and focus on three different targets, Page Museum, La Brea Tar Pits, and excavation sites. To organize the site, we looked into the urban grid (fig.1) around the site and the site grid. We then used these to layout a microgrid on the site that will become the foundation of our active excavations. In the section below, you can see how each program is layout across the site, at the same time, see our design strategy of each building. From layered spaces on the right that transitions to stacking reversed arches that shelter exhibitions, then gradually deformed arches where excavation and lab research takes place.
fig. 1: the musuem has seperated its research, exhibition, and academic programs into seperate seperate buildings to facilitate user groups. credit: georgina jiang
fig. 2: section cut through the la brea tar pit site showing the new activities, programs, and excavations under each facility.
site section figure 2
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02. Museum of the Unpredictable excavating la brea tar pits
page museum canopy diagram
figure 1
We kept the old Page Museum canopy and emphasized it by having the tar water flow-through underneath, while new Page Museum platforms suspend over the tar water.
page museum canopy section figure 2
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fig. 1: old page museum’s canopy is maintained considering its representation as the extensive research histroy of la brea tar pits.
fig. 2: section showing the new activities taking place under the old page museum canopy.
unless otherwise noted, all drawings, images, videos, and animations are created by Gordon Cheng
formal diagram
figure 1
We also referenced fossil structures to design our facade and structure. Inspired by the mesmerizing mammoth, the facade and structure aim to capture the elegance of the giant skeletons of these ancient animals roaming on Earth.
excavation + lab section figure 2
fig. 1: formal language derived from mammoth skelatons, which symbolied the history of the site and magnified the scale of these prehistoric animals. credit: georgina jiang
fig. 2: section showing two different researchs taking place, where lab activities at the second level and active excavation at the ground level.
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02. Museum of the Unpredictable excavating la brea tar pits
The project emphasizes the experience of a journey through the site to grasp the fascinating history of La Brea Tar Pits. Because we have a canal cutting underneath the Page Museum, we can create gathering spaces under the iconic page museum canopy, which acts as an open door exhibition space for both exhibitions and gathers and start to introduce audiences through the site. In our excavation and lab research building, we can see the active excavations on the ground level, where people get a chance to witness the process of excavation. While lab research was taken at the second level. Each excavation site is connected to create a maze-like circulation between excavation sites. labs building ground level
fi
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fig. 1: main focus of the lab building was its active excavation, thus this render demonstrates the rigourious exccavation taking place outside of the labs.
fig. 2: occasionally excavation would run below the labs building, which this rendering shows another view overlooking the active excavation sites. credit: georgina jiang
fig. 3-4: both renderings showed the exhibition activities taking place under the old page museum canopy and above the tar pit canel. credit: sherry chen
unless otherwise noted, all drawings, images, videos, and animations are created by Gordon Cheng
labs building exterior view figure 1
view
figure 2
canopy gathering space exterior view
figure 3
old page museum canopy view figure 4
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02. Museum of the Unpredictable excavating la brea tar pits
The uncertainty within excavation triggers the excitement of discovery, allowing us to imagine what is beneath the thick black tar. While searching through these uncertainties, we need to read and uncover the stories behind them, so we can discover and re-tell these majestic stories in the future.
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fig. 1: frontal perspective view of the museum of the unpredictable. credit: sherry chen unless otherwise noted, all drawings, images, videos, and animations are created by Gordon Cheng
aerial view figure 1
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00. Axonometric Anatomy intermission 00. AXONOMETRIC ANATOMY intermission
Year: Fall 2019 Project Type: Academic, Penn Design Critic: Kutan Ayata
Axonometric representation to explore the spatial anatomy of the interior of a hybridized architectural project. 25 unless otherwise noted, all drawings, images, videos, and animations are created by Gordon Cheng
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03. OPOSSUM CULTIVATION CENTER (CASE STUDY) rethinking human and nature Location: Hudson City, NY Year: Fall 2017 Project Type: Academic, Pratt SOA Critic: Cathryn Dwyre Individual
Opossum Cultivation Center is a new ecosystem experiment, comprising a much-needed community compost operation, as well as a community and gathering place. It will be at the same time support an ecological experiment of sorts, instigated by non-human occupation providing for the propagation of an opossum community growth and associated species in the ecosystem. In this way, the architecture seeks to address a disease that’s rapidly spreading in Hudson, and in general, the Hudson River Valley; Lyme’s disease. In this community center that cultivates opossums to combat Lyme disease caused by ticks, the design begins to blur the boundary between architecture and landscape, inside
and outside, human and non-human programs. This “artificial” intervention aims to support an artificial ecosystem with opossums, and other species, such as mice, shrew, and rabbits, as the center and its artificial “ecologies” begins to take hold, and more understanding of local, opossum trails and migration habits as well as potentially supporting advantageous species in their ecosystem.
27 unless otherwise noted, all drawings, images, videos, and animations are created by Gordon Cheng
N
10'
20'
40'
80'
site plan figure 1
fig. 1: site plan of opossum cultivation center. demonstrating how the building itself conforms with the topography line to hide itself within the drawing.
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03. Opossum Cultivation Center rethinking human and nature
Opossum HABITATE:
Prefers habitats near streams or swamps, deciduous woodlands the best. However, opossums are very adaptable. The most important elements in a opossum's home range are food, water, and shelter. Opossums do not build their own dens, they shelter in tree cavities, brush piles, or abandon animal burrows.
SHELTER:
TREE CAVITY
BRUSH PILE
ANIMAL BURROW
FOOD:
INSECTS or Carrion
FRUITS & Grain
COMPOSITE PILES
TICK HABITAT
WOODLANDS
WEEDS & TALL GRASSES
SHRUBS
HOSTS
BIRDS
PETS
LIFE CYCLE
MAMMALS
EGGS
SPRING
In different life stages of a tick, it prefers different hosts. When it was in larva stage, it prefers smaler hosts such as mice or birds. In nymph stage, they prefer medium size hosts, such as dogs or humans. When it turns adult, it prefers large hosts like deers and humans.
HUMANS
LARVA
SUMMER
FALL
WINTER
Y E A R 1 ADULT
NYMPH
EGGS
SPRING
WINTER
FALL
SUMMER
Y e a r 2
To understand the ecosystem of opossums and how opossums can be utilized to combat Lyme disease, research about the opossum ecosystem and diet and tick life span and habits are conducted.
SPRING
Highest risk for human infection
habitat study
During the study of both creatures, more understanding of the ecosystem has resulted in the knowledge of how to construct an artificial habitat that not only serves as a breeding ground for opossums, but also a food source for other animals, such as mice, shrew, and rabbits. Moreover, the similarity of habitats between these creatures provided an insight into what vegetation is available and suitable for both the animals and Hudson City.
description
29
fig. 1: habitat study of both opossum and ticks to understand how their lifestyle overlaps and how opossum can combat lyme disease. unless otherwise noted, all drawings, images, videos, and animations are created by Gordon Cheng
The blurring of architecture and landscape begins with site orientation, characterized by steep slopes comprised of 2 hills with a slight saddle between, and a topography, largely taken over by vegetation. The two hills, currently occupied by successional forest, and lack defined human corridors or occupation. However, they are informally traversed, mostly by people walking dogs. Where the opossum occupation is suggested, the building forms a seamless connection between its profile and the topography of the landscape. As such, the buried and irregular contours of the landscape resurface, not as a topographic mimicry but as a tool for spatial organization. Peeling up the ground, the building sometimes conceals itself beneath the “skin” of the earth, establishing a sort of “edgeless” architecture with the landscape and its inhabitants (i.e., opossum). The “human” portion of the “building” sinks in relation to the existing hillside contours. In effect, creating a space beneath the existing surface while not interrupting the overall “lay of the land”. eidetic collage
figure 1
REVEAL
CONCEAL
INVADE
DIGEST
MERGE
NEST REVEAL
PUSH
REVEAL SKEW
DIGEST CONCEAL SPLIT
CARVE INVADE DIGEST
FRACTURE PENETRATE MERGE PUSH
TAPER PENETRATE NEST
EMBED PUNCTURE CONNECT SKEW
formal diagram
figure 2
REVEAL
REVEAL
CONCEAL DIGEST
CONNECT CONCEAL
SHEAR INVADE MERGE
PUSH
DIGEST
PUSH
CONNECT
MERGE PUSH
NEST SKEW
PUNCTURE CONNECT SPLIT
SHEAR CARVE LIFT
CONNECT SKEW
CARVE SPLIT
FRACTURE SHEAR LIFT
LEVEL TAPER
CARVE SHEAR
FRACTURE TAPER
LEVEL EMBED
ETCH
landscape intervention catalog figure 3
fig. 1: eideticSHEAR collage gave an insight to the current conditions in hudson city, and provided an emotional approach to resolve the issues spreading in the city.
TAPER
fig. 2: the formal diagram demonstrates how the EMBED architecture conforms with the topography, and how landscape is manipulated.
fig.ETCH 3: a catalog showcasing available operations to merge architecture and landscape. 30
03. Opossum Cultivation Center rethinking human and nature
S
S
MICE BEHAVIOR
OPOSSUM BEHAVIOR GROUND TRACK
1 ACRE
UNDERGROUND TRACK
SHELTER
S S S S
S
S
1 .5 ACRE
S S S
MICE BEHAVIOR MICE BEHAVIOR MICE MICE BEHAVIOR 1 ACREBEHAVIOR 1 ACRE 1 .5 ACRE 1 .5 ACRE
OPOSSUM OPOSSUM BEHAVIOR BEHAVIOR OPOSSUM OPOSSUM BEHAVIOR BEHAVIOR GROUND TRACK GROUND TRACK GROUND TRACK GROUND TRACK UNDERGROUND UNDERGROUND TRACK TRACK UNDERGROUND UNDERGROUND TRACK
SHREW BEHAVIOR 1 ACRE
TRACK
SHELTER
BEHAVIOR 1 ACRE 1 .5RABBIT ACRE 1 .5 ACRE SHELTER
SHELTER
SHELTER
S S S S
SPECIES SOURCE
VEGETATION PATCH
FOOD SOURCE
MAIN ROUTE
SPORADIC ROUTE
circulation diagram figure 2
Inspired by the movement diagrams by Wenche E. Dramstad, James D. Olson, and Richard T.T. Forman, from Landscape Ecology Principles in Landscape Architecture and Land-Use Planning, a similar diagram has been created to gain an understanding of how animals will circulate within the building and the site. Considering the site has a unique formation where forests ceased at the edge where the hill and saddle meets.
S S S S
From the diagram, the movements of the commonly seen animals are visualized, where opossums have a structured and never-ending movement, while shrew may occupy multiple nests at the same time and circulate between them. On the other hand, mice and rabbits tend to remain in their territory.
SHREW BEHAVIOR SHREW BEHAVIOR SHREW BEHAVIOR SHREW BEHAVIOR
The animals living on the site shared some similarities in the way they circulate around the site, yet they do not travel to the forest on the other side because of the exposing danger from the lack of shelter. The Opossum Cultivation Center provides an alternative to travel through the landscape by hiding the travel routes in between. Therefore, animals could safely travel RABBIT BEHAVIOR RABBIT BEHAVIOR RABBIT BEHAVIOR RABBIT BEHAVIOR or inhabit within the architecture. movement diagram figure 1
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fig. 1: the movement diagram provides an insight into how animals habit and move between lands and shelters.
fig. 2: a circulation diagram highlighting the potential circulation routes available for animals to travel between forests. unless otherwise noted, all drawings, images, videos, and animations are created by Gordon Cheng
ADDITIONAL PREP FOR PLANTING
BASE PREP
VARIABLE SOIL DEPTH 1'-0" - 3' -0" DRAINAGE LAYERS 1"
GROWING MEDIUM FILTER FABRIC DRAINAGE MAT ROOT BLOCKER
1/4" PRIMARY WATERPROOFING 1/2" 10"
ASPHALT PROTECTION BOARD HOT RUBBERIZED ASPHALT POLYESTER FABRIC HOT RUBBERIZED ASPHALT PRIMER EXISTING CONCRETE TUB
EDUCATIONAL CENTER
EDUCATINOAL SPACE TEACHING CHILDREN OR SCHOOLS KNOWLEDGE ABOUT COMPOST, THE TYPES OF COMPOST THERE ARE AND HOW COMPOST BRINGS BENEFITS TO THE ENVIRONMENT AND THE COMMUNITY.
COMPOST SIMULATION
INTRODUCING PEOPLE TO HOW TO MAKE COMPOST BY LEADING THEM THROUGH THE PROCESS OF COMPOST BY PHYSICALLY INVOLVING IN THE PROCESS
FARMERS MARKET
FARMERS MARKET SUPPLYING LOCAL GROWN FOOD GROWN WITH THE USE OF LOCAL COMPOST. NOT ONLY PROVIDES THE NEIGHBORHOOD WITH HEALTHY FOOD, BUT ALSO HELPS BOND THE COMMUNITY COMPOST WITH LOCAL FARMS
COMPOST SITE
MAIN SPACE FOR THE MAKING OF COMPOST. AFTER THE BICYCLES TAKING IN WASTES FROM THE TRUCKS, WASTES ARE SEPERATED INTO PILES FOR DECOMPOSITION AND RECYCLING. THE SPACE IS ALSO THE CENTER OF AN ARTIFICIAL ECOSYSTEM, PROVIDING FOOD RESOURCE FOR VARIOUS SPECIES
PARKING
PARKING FOR VISITORS, TRUCKS, AND BICYCLES. THIS IS THE PLACE WHERE TRUCKS BRING IN WASTES FROM THE NEIGHBORHOOD, THEN TRANSFER THEM ON TO THE BICYCLES, TAKING THEM TO COMPOST SITE
exploded diagram
figure 1
fig. 1: the exploded diagram shows how each layer of the building is utilized and occupied by either humans or animals.
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03. Opossum Cultivation Center rethinking human and nature
SUCCESSIONAL FOREST
MEADOW
33
NON-HUMAN CORRIDOR
PARKING SLOPE
HUMAN CORRIDOR
COMPOST NON-HUMAN CO
NON-HUMAN CORRIDOR
fig. 1-2: building section showing how humans utilize the building as a compost center and how animals shelter within. unless otherwise noted, all drawings, images, videos, and animations are created by Gordon Cheng
COMPO
ORRIDOR
OST
HUMAN CORRIDOR
HUMAN CORRIDOR
PARKING
NON-HUMAN CORRIDOR
MEADOW
west section
SUCCESSIONAL FOREST
east section
figure 1
figure 2
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00. Elegant Aesthetics intermission 00. ELEGANT AESTHETICS intermission
Year: Spring 2020 Project Type: Academic, Penn Design Critic: Hina Jamelle In Collaboration with: Nahye Shin
Architectural technique, structure, system, and aesthetic projection through the contemporary diagram. 35 unless otherwise noted, all drawings, images, videos, and animations are created by Gordon Cheng
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00. Index professional & others
PROFESSIONAL & OTHERS
37 unless otherwise noted, all drawings, images, videos, and animations are created by Gordon Cheng
Selected Works
01. UPS Distribution Hub
convergence of human and machine
02. Museum of the Unpredictable excavating la brea tar pits
03. Opposum Cultivation Center rethinking human and nature
Professional & Others
04. Discrete Flux
carbon fiber weaving research
05. Hustle Hub
moscow incubator
06. New Taipei Tower
sanchong market urban renewal plan
38
04. DISCRETE FLUX carbon fiber weaving research Location: Venice, Italy Year: Spring 2020 Project Type: Research, Penn Design Critic: Ezio Blasetti In Collaboration with: Jean Yuan
This research focuses on algorithmic generative methods and the use of carbon fiber in robotics for architectural design. The objective is to develop and document specific computational tools and material prototypes that span across design phases, from concept to fabrication. Discrete Flux explores techniques of advanced geometric operations for the design and robotic manufacturing of complex building components. The project will challenge traditional typologies of detailing and construction and will seek novel architectural applications in-between scale, assembly, and part-towhole relationships. The ‘Building Unit’ in this case operates as the synthetic module between the definition of space, the robotic material deposition, and the real-time data exchange. In this research, the module is defined as a condensed element that has embedded within it the possibility of the whole. Fibrous structures, complex nets with embedded processors and positioned in larger assemblies, will be tested for their structural stability, behavior, and architectural character.
surface module catalog
figure 1
initial weaving test
fig. 1: this catalog showcased a variety of surface module that was generated to meet the requirements to pack and ship effienctly to venice. made in collaboration with jean yuan
fig. 2: two molds were fabricated as the base of the weaving, and the second mold successfully dealt with the issue of mass fabrication through its capability to hold multiple modules.
fig. 3: the assembly diagram showcased the number of modules needed to be fabricated as well as the visibility of the carbon fiber weaved modules.
fig. 4:
process photo elevation of the assembled pavilion with human scale.
figure 2
39 unless otherwise noted, all drawings, images, videos, and animations are created by Gordon Cheng
module assembly diagram
figure 3
pavilion elevation figure 4
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05. HUSTLE HUB moscow incubator Location: Moscow, Russia Year: Spring 2019 Project Type: Competition Entry Individual
Hustle Hub explores new housing strategies for young populations in Moscow. Young populations usually have few to none connections when coming into Moscow, and the lack of network sets up a barrier for them to develop their career. Not to mention the difficulty of finding affordable housing in Moscow, when they are faced with challenges to afford their living. Therefore, this project aims to provide a space for young populations to interact, connect, and work toward their goals. The project defins two terms the “Hustle” and the “Hub”. The “Hustle” should be the actions of the residents getting out of their private dwellings and starting to engage with their communities around them, while the “Hub” should compliment the Hustle by providing a variety of spaces that support different functions and programs. The key feature is the operable walls that allow the residents to activate the corridor space. The operable walls enable the spaces to transition between public, semi-public, and private. Residents can encounter each other within the open public space created by the operable walls, by the time they find people who share similar goals with them, they can transform the open public space into an enclosed private space for them to work together. There is also furniture embedded in the walls that allows the residents access to readily available desks and chairs.
operable living module scene 1
By using the operable walls and embedded furniture, residents have the freedom to transform the public and private spaces based on their needs. fig. 1: typical modules are equipped with operable walls allowing residents to transform private space into public space. this diagrams shows different scenery of wall configuration.
fig. 2: section drawing demonstrating different unit configuration and interaction between residents to create the “hustle” environment for young professionals. 41 unless otherwise noted, all drawings, images, videos, and animations are created by Gordon Cheng
operable living module scene 2
operable living module scene 2
operable working module
unit configuration diagram
figure 1
90˚ oblique section figure 2
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06. NEW TAIPEI TOWER sanchong market urban renewal plan Location: Taipei, Taiwan Year: July 2020 - Aug 2020 Project Type: Professional Bio-Architecture Formosana Internship
When the New Taipei City government granted the development of the Sanchong Market Urban Renewal proposal, they approached Bio-Architecture Formosana to commission two projects adjacent to each other on the site. New Taipei Tower is one of the two commissioned projects and aims to provide office space and entertainment to the community. New Taipei Tower is a tower building that sits on a six-story podium that will be programmed not only as a commercial space, but also an eSports Arena that plans to house 500+ audiences. The surrounding spaces around the eSports Arena will be utilized to promote eSport events. In the duration of the development, I participated in the schematic design and design development and was responsible for the spatial programming of both the eSports Arena and its surrounding commercial spaces. During the development of the eSports Arena, the initial design has to be reconfigured to integrate an auditorium in both the third and fourth levels. The design process includes core reconfiguration, commercial program proposal and design, and eSports Arena auditorium and accomodating programs design and revision.
fig. 1: sanchong market urban renewal site plan. the highlighted area is the site for new taipei tower comissioned by bio-architecture formosana.
fig. 2:
tower.
re-configurations of the elevator core in new taipei city
fig. 3: re-configurations of the esports commercial level in new taipei city tower.
fig. 4: re-configurations of the esports arena level in new taipei city tower.
site plan figure 1
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ver. 3
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typical office plan (level 7+) figure 2
Over the span of the development of the eSports Arena, the elevator core has been revised to accommodate the necessary requirements of the eSports Arena in the six-story podium. Due to the Taiwanese coding requirements, the elevator core needs to house extra elevators, toilets, and additional emergency egresses. The revisions seek to explore the best solution to accommodate the strict coding requirements, while still providing maximum space for the offices above.
43 unless otherwise noted, all drawings, images, videos, and animations are created by Gordon Cheng
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esports commerical plan level 2 figure 3
During the design of the commercial plan at the second level, the New Taipei City government has requested Bio-Architecture Formosana to research potential commercial programs that complement the eSports Arena. In addition to the cafeteria, I proposed to incorporate internet cafes that have multiple group size services. The initial version emphasizes providing food services, while in the second version, internet cafes have gained much more attention. However, due to additional egress requirements, the programmatic planning has been redesigned significantly to emphasize internet cafes in the third version and organized different layouts to accommodate different groups of people that want either more privacy, more entertainment, or cheaper options.
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esports arena plan level 3 figure 4
After researching various eSport Arena requirements, necessities, expectations, and more importantly, what is eSports? I have utilized the knowledge I learned from my research and applied them to the design of the arena itself. The initial design of the eSports Arena focused on providing extra spaces for other programs at the same level. However, in the second version, I emphasized more on the Arena itself after consulting with an architect with eSports Arena design experience and revised the layout considering the large capacity of personals surrounding the operation of an eSports Arena. The Arena has revised again after the project architect decided to reconfigure the column layout and include additional egress after the client has requested more audience capacity. 44
00. Gordon Cheng Design Portfolio 2017 - 2021
GORDON CHENG
University of Pennsylvania Stuart Weitzman School of Design Pratt Institute School of Architecture +886-3-558-9555 gordoncheng1231@gmail.com
unless otherwise noted, all drawings, images, videos, and animations are created by Gordon Cheng