Statement of Originality and Confidentiality The contents of this portfolio belong to James Tran and may not be copied without permission. Permission has been granted for these to be used as a demonstration of my work and related skills.
647.822.5722 james.tran@utoronto.ca MArch|Daniels Faculty of Architecture|University of Toronto
78 Pembroke Street Apt. 301 Toronto, Ontario M5A 2N8 Canada
Statement of Originality and Confidentiality| James Tran
What are the limits of containment? How does one re-establish a severed connection? How does conveyance of space translate into movement? How does configuration establish balance?
Architecture through the lens of Journey.
In a past life I was (and still am) a marine biologist. Rationality and ecology came hand in hand. Questions of how humanity contributes to our overall ecology led me to pursue responsibilities and the built environment. Architecture was a natural progression. My ideologies are constantly refined and they adapt like species that undergo natural selection. The design process itself is a phenomenon to behold, an iterative dialogue I have come to appreciate and enjoy. As you browse through my compilation, please feel free to join me in my exploration to understand what architecture has been, what it is currently, and what possibilities are out there.
Sketch of limpet gill, Fall 2007 647.822.5722 james.tran@utoronto.ca MArch|Daniels Faculty of Architecture|University of Toronto
78 Pembroke Street Apt. 301 Toronto, Ontario M5A 2N8 Canada
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CV + Creative Works| James Tran
Education Master of Architecture | University of Toronto Bachelor of Science | University of California, Davis Associate of Science | Sacramento City College
Qualifications 2008 - 2011 2004 - 2006 2001 - 2004
Thesis Title: Sea Link|Architecture of Connection|2011|Advisor P. Petricone This thesis looks for the emerging architectural opportunities, as anti-tourist constructs, afforded by the capture of this region’s inexhaustible tidal energy, and asks: What are the impacts on the physical environment and the implications of a cultural identity for the Bay of Fundy.
Work Experience Infranet Lab Intern Researcher | Toronto, ON Summer 2010 Developed transportation infrastructure diagrams including flight, skidoo, naval and road. Incorporated transportation diagrammatic maps with ecology and sociological maps.
Model Building Skills:
Computer Assisted Drawing:
Sheet metal folding | Millboard | Chipboard | Clay | Paper Wood (Basswood, Balsawood, Bamboo, MDF) Acrylic | Metal Wire | Piping | Foam/Foamcore
AutoCAD (2010-12) | Revit Architecture | Rhinoceros 3D Adobe Photoshop (CS3 - 5.5) | Adobe Illustrator | Adobe InDesign | ESRI ArcGIS | Google Sketchup
Volunteer Experience
Competitions
Habitat for Humanity
OnePrize | Water as the 6th Borough
Project Leader | Sacramento, CA 2006 - 2008 + Provided leadership to over 20 volunteers at a time. + Assisted Head Foreman with advanced building techniques that were taught to volunteers. + Mediated between local agencies to create volunteer opportunities.
Annual Design and Science Award to Promote Green Design in Cities NYC, NY Summer 2011 Semi - finalists out of over 80 design teams. Panels included in portfolio.
Conferences “Water Rocks!” Professional Symposium Aquatic Sciences Meeting 2007, Santa Fe, New Mexico, United States Present research findings from my undergraduate thesis to the scientific community of Limnology and Oceanography. The sketch of the limpet was part of my presentation; there were comments on my creativity of representation and the clarity of the subject matter from my diagrams, which helped lead me to a more graphically oriented field. Link to abstract: https://www.sgmeet.com/aslo/santafe2007/viewabstract2.asp?AbstractID=497&SessionID=CS03 647.822.5722 james.tran@utoronto.ca MArch|Daniels Faculty of Architecture|University of Toronto
+ Possess advanced proficiency in the English language from academic and instructional employment experience, which led to sophisticated oral, reading, research and valued critical writing skills. + Have developed theoretical and critical thinking evaluation resulting from my academic background in Biological Science and Mathematics at the University of California. + Substantial interpersonal experience coupled with leadership and teamwork skills acquired through my diverse studio and educational history. + Modeling in Materials (from scales including 1:1000, 1:200, 1:50, 1:10) including experience with laser cutting and 3d printing. Skills: Hard: Design|Hand sketching|Rendering|Schematics|Research and Development Soft: Customer Service|Communication|Team Building|Leadership
78 Pembroke Street Apt. 301 Toronto, Ontario M5A 2N8 Canada
Intellectual and Creative Pursuits Amateur Photographer
Wonder, Inc. Guide | Sacramento, CA 2004 - 2008 + Maintained a positive nuturing relationship with a child of foster care. + Responsible for life coaching as well as academic tutoring. + Provided affirmation and introduced new experiences to foster children such as fishing, refined arts and various cultural experiences.
Home Cooking
+ Experienced developing black and white film and photographs. + Curry enthusiast, specializing in Pan - Asian curries. + Experienced using both film and digital Single Lens Reflex + Avid Pickler/Preserver. + Enjoy creative cooking (SLR) cameras.
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CV + Creative Works| James Tran
David Lieberman|Academic Associate Professor John H Daniels Faculty of Architecture Landscape & Design, University of Toronto 416.535.0165 djlieberman.architect@sympatico.ca David was my professor for the Halcrow Yolles Option Studio involving the collaboration between the disciplines of Architecture and Engineering. He is able to speak intelligently about my passion for architecture. Pina Petricone|Academic Principle Giannone Petricone Associates/University of Toronto 416.929.5356 p.petricone@daniels.utoronto.ca Pina was my thesis advisor. She is able to speak about my process and development and my enthusiasm for architecture. Erik Hallen|Employment Assistant Facilities Manager. Staff Research Associate II Center for Aquatic Biology and Aquaculture (CABA), Aquaculture & Fisheries Program 1.530.752.1097 efhallen@ucdavis.edu Erik was the primary manager I worked with during my undergraduate work-study as a CABA assistant. He is able to speak about my work ethic. 647.822.5722 james.tran@utoronto.ca MArch|Daniels Faculty of Architecture|University of Toronto
78 Pembroke Street Apt. 301 Toronto, Ontario M5A 2N8 Canada
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References| James Tran
Creative Works
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Containment Christie Pits Natatorium | Winter 2011
Permeable Connection | Winter 2008
Eduvarium Village School | Winter 2010
Thesis: Sea Link_Architecture of Connection | Fall 2011
Primary Ramp | Winter 2009
Photographic Works | Fall 2006
The Interstitium | Fall 2010
Water Urbanism: Passive Filtration | Fall 2009
Complete Resurfacing | Fall 2008
One System | Summer 2011
Water Urbanism: Crisis | Fall 2009
Programmatic Phylum | Fall 2008
Space Captivator| Fall 2008
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647.822.5722 james.tran@utoronto.ca MArch|Daniels Faculty of Architecture|University of Toronto
78 Pembroke Street Apt. 301 Toronto, Ontario M5A 2N8 Canada
Table of Contents| James Tran
How does one walk on water? How does structure play a role in overall enclosure. What is the structural logic of the system? How can one maximize experience and optimize structure simulaneously?
Structural Logic as Spatial Definer Christie Pits has a very politically heated history. Currently there is a swimming facility as well as a skating rink during the cold months. Our objective was to provide a comprehensive solution to redefining Christie Pits as a public area that included 2 olympic sized pools, one lap pool, the other a diving pool. This was a collaborative studio between 2 architects and 2 engineers and the emphasis was to resolve structure. Structure dictates spatial qualities. This project explores the use of water as a filter that divides two unique spaces. Olympic sized pools on the upper half, and the steam chambers and thermal baths below. The wood slats of the truss provide acoustic separation; the truss extends outside to create additional public space.
james tran master of architecture Halcrow Yolles Option Studio|al&d|2011 d. lieberman, n. ordovich, advisors
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Christie Pits | Natatorium
+ 21.3 m
+ 15.0 m
+ 8.0 m
+ 4.0 m
+ 0.0 m - 1.5 m - 2.5 m - 3.1 m
james tran master of architecture Halcrow Yolles Option Studio|al&d|2011 d. lieberman, n. ordovich, advisors
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Christie Pits | Natatorium
This thesis looks for the emerging architectural opportunities, as anti-tourist constructs, afforded by the capture of this region’s inexhaustible tidal energy; and, asks “what are the impacts on the physical environment and the implications of cultural identity for the Bay of Fundy.� Architecture of Connection The site, Minas Passage, has potential to revolutionize responsible energy practice and be a shining example to the entire world. Conflated with its rich geological history of columnar basalt and ever eroding Jurassic sandstone, this area of Nova Scotia is alive and is waiting individuals to experience its presence. The tides around this area are on average 13 metres in amplitude, which occur twice a day, during ebb tide and flood tide. My desire to utilize the infrastructure for underwater tidal energy capture as a way to create links to the environment and the rest of the communities throughout the Bay of Fundy was a primary driver for my architectural intervention, hence a tidal bridge that linked society to the rich history of the Bay of Fundy as well as the environment.
james tran master of architecture thesis|al&d|2011 p. petricone, s. williamson, d. lieberman, advisors
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Sea Link | Architecture of Connection
james tran master of architecture thesis|al&d|2011 p. petricone, s. williamson, d. lieberman, advisors
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Sea Link | Architecture of Connection
What happens to those weird, passive urban, in-between spaces? Who do they belong to? How welcoming are they? This project investigates how to re-establish a sense of ownership in a so called no-man’s land.
Restoring Architectural Thresholds This project deals with re-envisioning the passive urban space that results from zoning by-laws. Initial observations were the heights of these interstitial spaces as well as how isolated and abandoned they felt. Taking that as a design prompt, I sought to capture the vertical real estate as well as provide a means for the tenants of 1592 and 1594 to interact. Inverting the circulation of the buildings yielded a couple of results. One was that the interior circulation now became exterior circulation, an opportunity to connect the two buildings in order for dialog between the tenants. Another result was that the tenants of 1592 and 1594 how could have more living space because of the removal of interior circulation. The problem of threshold was still there though; which was that there was no transitional space that separated the public realm from the private, hence no sense of ownership. This was solved by creating glass façade loggias that lined the interstitium, providing a transparent feel that implied inclusion versus exclusion, as well as more opportunities for tenant to tenant interaction, establishing a sense of community within the two apartment complexes. james tran domestic engineering option studio|al&d|2010 m. graham, advisor
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The Interstitium | Restoring Architectural Thresholds
LIVING AREA: 10 SQ. M KITCHEN: 15 SQ. M DINING AREA: 6 SQ. M LOGGIA/PORCH: 8 SQ. M OFFICE/STUDY: 9 SQ. M POWDER ROOM: 4.5 SQ. M MASTER BEDROOM: 17 SQ. M SECOND BDRM: 15 SQ. M
UP P
STORAGE: 5 SQ. M
Public Amenity Space
UNIT PLAN NTS
47 james tran domestic engineering option studio|al&d|2010 m. graham, advisor
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Circulation Typical Double Height Unit
The Interstitium | Restoring Architectural Thresholds
This competition looks at the notion of water as the 6th borough for NYC. At stake is a new identity for NYC and how cities begin to reincorporate their waterfront as a space once again.
The Blue Network of Tomorrow, TODAY The competition deals with NYC in 2014 and how the city begins to be reorganized for the CleanTech Expo, which will accomodate over a million visitors over a period of 3 months. A cohesive system of digital interface based upon smart technologies integrates transportation with the existing city’s infrastructure while energy harvesting technologies are housed in the aquatic hubs that are dispersed throughout the water network of NYC. These hubs are not only social condensers, but they also harvest energy and provide a framework for new ecological systems to be established.
james tran NYC Water as the 6th borough competition h. teng, m. lavrato, j. atkinson, Chapter|4 architects.
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1_System| The Blue Network of Tomorrow, TODAY
james tran NYC Water as the 6th borough competition h. teng, m. lavrato, j. atkinson, Chapter|4 architects.
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1_System| The Blue Network of Tomorrow, TODAY
Thank You!
Contact James Tran 78 Pembroke Street Suite 301 Toronto, ON M5A 2N8 M: 647.822.5722 H: 416.929.9775 E: ja.tran@gmail.com
647.822.5722 james.tran@utoronto.ca MArch|Daniels Faculty of Architecture|University of Toronto
78 Pembroke Street Apt. 301 Toronto, Ontario M5A 2N8 Canada
Fin| James Tran