Re: Letter of Reference for Jiadi Dai – UoW Co-op term January - April 2022
To whom it may concern,
It is with great pleasure we provide this letter of reference for Jiadi Dai, who completed her 4-month co-op term with us on April 30th 2022.
Jiadi is an intelligent and motivated individual. She is more than capable of learning quickly and has shown her eagerness to excel in any aspect of our profession. It was a delight to witness. With concentration and joy, she was taking direction from senior staff and worked on several different tasks, while building friendly relationships with coworkers in the office.
Jiadi managed her time well and juggled multiple projects at once. This organizational skill is serving her well to meet deadlines, while not jeopardizing her high quality of work. She worked on presentation drawings, concept designs, and contract administration tasks including site visits, area plans, 3D visualizations, graphic designs for our employee handbook and construction documents.
Our main drafting tool in the office is Revit BIM, a software Jiadi had to learn at the start of her co-op term. After only 4 months, she is now proficient in Revit, in addition to Enscape, Rhino, Grasshopper, Adobe Suite, 3D Ultimaker and Miro. Jiadi is quick to use these digital tools and, through her applied effort, found ways to save many days of work for the team.
Jiadi will be a wonderful architect. Her adaptability and strong desire for knowledge will propel her into a successful career. We wish Jiadi all the best in her future endeavors, whether with us as an employee, or any firm or organization she chooses.
Sincerely,
CASCADIA ARCHITECTS INC.
Gregory Damant, Architect
Peter Johannknecht, Architect AIBC, RAIC, LEED AP AIBC, RAIC, LEED AP Principal Architekt+Innenarchitekt AKNW (GER), cert. Passive House Consultant, Principal
Student Recommendation Letter for Jiadi Dai
University of Waterloo Co-op (January 6th - August 16th, 2024)
To Whom It May Concern,
I worked with Jiadi Dai as her Project Architect for her 8-month coop at Zeidler Architecture Inc. During her time here, Jiadi has proven to have great facility for time management, independent work, and handling instructions expeditiously. Our office heavily focuses on software such as Revit, AutoCAD, Rhino, Enscape, Bluebeam, and Microsoft, all which Jiadi has comfortably navigated through.
We have been fortunate to have Jiadi on several complex projects and she has far exceeded our expectations. For instance, the BMO Academy at the CF Toronto Eaton Centre was a 4 -storey renovation of approximately 320,000 sq.ft. Jiadi undertook 3D modelling in Revit and produced visual renders, drawing revision packages, and construction details in response to design changes from the client and site conditions to push forward the design of the atrium and terrace spaces.
For the CF TEC 20 Queen Street Recladding project, Jiadi helped prepare the Issued for Construction (IFC) package to replace the 30-storey office tower curtain wall system. In AutoCAD, she drafted demolition and proposed details for spandrel and IGU connections with the Eaton Centre Galleria skylight, doors, columns, and louvres. She referred to original hand-drawn Eaton Centre drawings to understand the existing built condition.
Finally, Jiadi assisted with the Nordstrom Backfill project for the re-demise of 3 floors previously occupied by Nordstrom in CF Toronto Eaton Centre into 3 separate tenancies. She played a heavy role in responding to RFI’s, preparing CCN’s, reviewing shop drawings, and looking through Electrical, Structural, and Mechanical IFC coordination packages. Jiadi also helped finalize the design of baffled ceilings in the North and South Mall by coordinating meeti ngs with and requesting physical samples from local companies that provided aluminum baffles and powered coating finishes.
Jiadi has demonstrated constant initiative to assist her coworkers through the revision of drawings, write-ups and other Construction Admin documents to be issued. We had a wonderful time with her addition to the team, and I have no hesitation in recommending Jiadi Dai as a fit for the requirements of her future employers.
Bob Mindara
30 Sept 2024
Date
I’M JIADI
(Pronounced as Jay - dee)
I believe that as a designer, the beauty of fabrication starts first and foremost with the message, whether this is a particular feeling I want to evoke within the occupants, or a statement I want to make on society. During my creation process, I often ask myself questions like:
How do passive design strategies play an important role in a building’s daily operation? How do our bodies contribute to our awareness of space? How can we accelerate or prolong moments in time?
By exploring these artistic boundaries of perception versus presentation, architecture is thus given meaning.
6. Re-root/Re-route
18. Entwine
30. Rippling Radiance
36. Pockets of Sunshine
22. Tiny Home
44. Additional Works
R R O E O O - U T T E
APRIL 2023
Type: Residential High-rise on Transit Station
Site: Pinebush Rd., Cambridge, ON
Partners: Edward Wu and Gracey Zhong
Re-root/Re-route is an affordable rental highrise that incorporates the future ION light rail station on its ground floor. It is situated at the intersection of Hespeler and the new ION rail. The area as it stands is a flat car-centric concrete desert right off the highway occupied by strip plazas, surface parking lots and automotive shops. To introduce residents into the site, Reroot/Re-route targets young professionals and immigrant families entering Canada to look for work.
The building’s main geometry is dictated by terracing: interior terracing provides natural lighting at the underground parking so that it can be adaptable for future programs, and exterior terracing provides resident amenities including community kitchens and gardens, recreation rooms, and daycare services.
HESPELERRD.
PHASE 1:
ST. N.
a. Groff Mill Creek expansion with natural embankment for flood prevention
b. Stacked townhouses used as transitional housing typology from Lang’s neighborhood at bottom left)
c. Mixed use commercial mid-rise district for local business opportunities
d. Indigenous Land-Back to honor the original Peoples of this land
PROPOSED SITE ISOMETRIC
PINEBUSH RD.
prevention and recreational activities
Lang’s Farm (closest residential
opportunities and pedestrian boulevard
PHASE 2:
e. Collective transit station with affordable residential tower that reroutes buses and LRT to decrease traffic from the north highway
PHASE 3:
f. High-rise development to meet intensification requirements from Region of Waterloo
g. Institutional services including community center, library, police station, fire station, high school, etc.
Ian is a 23 year old mechatronics student who takes the LRT everyday to get to his part-time job. He enjoys spending time in the building’s gym and study rooms and inviting his 2 close friends over for video games.
NEWLY WED COUPLE W/ CHILD
Lease duration: 5 years
Salary: $35k
Charles and Katty drop their daughter off at the in-building daycare every day before work. On their days off, they teach their child how to ride a bike along the Groff Creek Trail and shop at the Commercial District using the pedestrian bridge. Their Sedan is parked in the underground parkade when it is not in use.
MULTI-GENERATIONAL FAMILY
Lease duration: +10 years
Salary: $45k+
This family is looking for work within walking distance after immigrating to Canada 6 months ago. Nearby services related to language, currency conversion, and health care help them familiarize themselves to the area. Their unit is wheelchair accessible for Grandpa GongGong, who likes to play mahjong in the recreation room and interacting with other immigrant families through the community kitchen and gardens. They are considering to stay long term if the rent remains low.
MAIN CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS
Structure
• Structural steel
• Brick for podium
• Concrete
• ACM for residential tower
Brick and long-spanning steel from demolition of unoccupied factory buildings around the area to be reused in new site and transit station proposal
FLOOR ASSEMBLY
• WOOD FLOORING
• RADIANT HEATING DIMPLE BOARD
• 76.0mm CONCRETE ON 76.0mm WIDE RIB COMPOSITE STEEL DECK
• 300.0mm WIDE I-BEAM
• 15.0mm CEILING DRYWALL
TERRACE ROOF ASSEMBLY WALL ASSEMBLY
• SQUARE PAVERS ON SPACER PADS
• FILTER FABRIC
• ROOFING MEMBRANE
• 254.0mm R-50 XPS RIGID INSULATION
• FULLY-ADHERED AIR AND VAPOUR BARRIER
• 2.0% CONCRETE TOPPING
• 76.0mm CONCRETE ON 76.0mm WIDE RIB COMPOSITE STEEL DECK
• 300.0mm WIDE I-BEAM
• 15.0mm GYPSUM DRYWALL W/ LATEX FINISH
• 51.0mm DEEP, 100.0mm LONG PRE-FINISHED ALUMINUM COMPOSITE PANELS
• AIR GAP
• 101.6mm R-20 XPS RIGID INSULATION W/ NON-CONDUCTIVE CLIP AND RAIL SYSTEM
Entwine was designed to improve pedestrian accessibility to the Vancouver downtown core, since the existing bridges that cross the False Creek are primarily used for vehicular transit. Inspired by the form of flowing waves and the mountainous backdrop that defines Vancouver’s landscape, the tied arch of the bridge weaves over the main circulation deck in an undulating pattern. A 12m underpass height is achieved to preserve waterfront access for boats, yachts, and more.
Along the bridge, there are two viewing platforms that act as resting spots which allow visitors to pause and appreciate the presence of the water. These pockets provide opportunities for visitors to discover a new horizon as they walk along the pathway. Through its design elements, Entwine intends to nurture new relationships to and across the water through an unobstructed and pleasant experience over False Creek.
Galvanized Steel Stainless Steel
Carbon Steel
High Performance Salmon Red Paint
PALETTE
Vanier Park
False Creek
Sunset Beach
• Main doubly curved arch (AESS 4: custom showcase element)
• Custom casting member (AESS 4: showcase element)
• Support arches (AESS 3: feature element <6m)
• Underneath all typical connections (AESS 2: feature element >6m)
• Stainless steel hex bolts
• Galvanized steel with paint coat
• Wood decking
• Top connection to arch (AESS 2: feature element >6m)
• Stainless steel clevis connector
• Connection to deck, visible (AESS 3: feature element <6m)
• High performance coating on arches, high gloss - shop applied
• Stainless steel hex bolts
Steel Arch To Concrete Pier
Deck Structure
Clevis Connection
TINY HOME PROJECT
SEPT 2023
Type:
Flexible Tiny Home Module
Recognitions:
OAA Award and Riverside Gallery Exhibition
Site:
University of Waterloo, Cambridge, ON
Partners:
Tiny Home Studio Class led by John McMin
This studio was funded by the City of Cambridge to design and build a prototype tiny home suitable for large-scale production. The objective was to improve the quality of life for those facing homelessness, which has become a major concern as multiple shelters are closing or reducing operations.
The class visited A Better Tent City in Kitchener to better illustrate the needs of the homeless community, along with conducting design charettes and research that built on the work completed by Elizabeth Antczak. The class split into smaller groups: Envelope, Interiors, Cabinetry, and Systems. I was a part of the Envelope division. The completed tiny home took 21 days to complete by inexperienced labor, The ease of construction means this prototype may hopefully provide a viable solution for communities in the Waterloo Region.
View the full report: Here
BATHROOM
KITCHEN
LIVING AREA
PARAMETERS
SPACE-EFFICIENT
MULTI-FUCTIONAL
CLEANSING IN PRIVATE
Flexible bedding for 1-4
Self care ritual for 1-2
STRUCTURAL INSULATED PANELS (SIP)
STRAPPING + BARRIERS
WOOD SIDING
6.5" SIPs NON ADHESIVE TAR PAPER 1x3" STRAPPING @24" OFF CENTER DRIP EDGE AT EAVE TUFF RIB METAL SHEET
TYP. FLOOR SECTION
FLOOR SIP TO SIP
FLOOR SIP TO EXTERIOR FACADE
CONSTRUCTION DETAILS
ROOFING
Axonometric Fragment of Roofing Layers 1/4” = 1’ 9" 36"
Conceived as an expressive re-imagining of a typical masonry wall system, Rippling Radiance is designed to enhance and interact with the light of urban environments while adding a sense of dynamic movement through reconstructions of shape, shadow, and form. Each individual ceramic unit is 3D printed on its side, capitalizing on the gravity-dependent properties of wet-clay fabrication to create droops and gaps in the brick face, resulting in a “screen” that allows for the passage of light at night, and dramatic shadows during the day. Inspired by the ornamental stonework of European Gothic architecture, and more modern methods of brick corbelling, Rippling Radiance intervenes at the junctions between brick wall and architectural element, adorning sills, heads, entrances, entablatures and parapets to enhance the experience of moving through and beneath in a shifting show of sparkling light and mesmerizing parallax.
Centipede leg motion
Ornamentation of cathedrals INSPIRATION
Ability to clasp onto objects
3D PRINTING PROCESS
The ceramic brick is designed to use standard masonry dimensions, which allows the installation to weave seamlessly into existing brick systems, bringing a sense of craft that is both radical, and familiar.
Digital Tool Path Section
Actual 3D Printed Section
EXTERIOR DROOPING INTERIOR DROOPING
Contouring Language
Speed: 60%
Thickness: 3mm
Consistency: Very Wet
3D Clay Printing Horizontal Rotation and Assemble with Mortar
Speed: 90%
Thickness: 3mm
Consistency: Wet
Speed: 120%
Thickness: 3mm
Consistency: Dry
3D MODELING PROCESS
FINAL MODULES
[3] Large End Pieces
Double Stepped
Small End Pieces
Playfully interrupts horizontality of traditional brick system
Underside perforations from gravitational sagging of 3D printing + water redirection
Interior light secured by gasket or flexible material at seams
POCKETS OF SUNSHINE
AUGUST 2022
Type:
Community Kitchen + Garden
Site:
Corktown Park, Hamilton, ON
According to Hamilton Food Share, only 12% of those who are living in poverty in the city are being supported through food bank services, and over 5000 children require food relief each month. This project acknowledges the existing hunger issue and creates a safe space for the community to learn how to grow their own crops, cook inexpensive meals, and bond with each other in the process.
Pockets of Sunshine is located at the bottom west of the Niagara Escarpment that shows the lowest income demographic. It rejuvenates the Escarpment by expanding the landscape into a nearby elementary school, and two small community gardens. It also plays with the thresholds of exterior and interior by pushing and pulling blocks of program to form physical pockets of spatial connection.
From its use of reclaimed materials such as wood chips found in the escarpment, to the dynamic roofing system that leads stormwater into a rock garden for purification and garden planting, this building takes the occupants through a journey of visual learning about sustainability and survival skills.
NearbyCommunityGardens
LoadingPath SITE
ElementarySchool
Rocks Pebbles Fine Sand Charcoal Fabric Filter
Escarpment
Greenhouse Water Collection Solar Panels Living Stone Wall
Clear Tinted Perforated Opaque
Dining
Roof Water Collection
Garden + Greenhouses
Classroom Gardens and Greenhouses
Staff Room
Path to Back
HORTICULTURAL PLANT GROWTH CYCLES
South Asian
Flowers and Trees
Middle Eastern
African Caribbean
HarvestOn-siteCommunity Garden
Possible frozen foods:
• Canned tomatoes
• Dehydrated apples
• Canned beans
• Fermented cabbage
• Frozen carrots
• Frozen corn
Morning
Seniors
Free educa�on on cooking simple and inexpensive meals at community kitchen to be brought home.
Meal plans tailored to dietary condi�ons of customer
Number of truck distributed to each area zone at lower Hamilton
