Jinchen Cai | 2022 Architectural Portfolio

2022 SELECTED WORKS

ARCHITECTURE + DESIGN

CONTENTS

ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN

LANDSCAPE

PAVILIONS + INSTALLATIONS

TECHNICAL SKILLS

HEY THERE!

My name is Jinchen Cai. I am currently completing my third year at the University of Waterloo School of Architecture.

As an designer, and self-taught artist and illustrator, I have always been focused on the human interactions and experience with the designed space. I believe that architecture is the practice that creates space in a deliberate manner to shape and empower our communities. My passion is focused in examining these relationships the users and the architecture is creating to improve the urban context. Through these thoughtful considerations, I seek to produce design that will not only contribute to the intersection of art-space-and-experience, but also be sustainable for our planet.

I am an avid learner and I’m always looking to gain new knowledge and experiences to become a better designer. I would love to grow at your office and contribute as a member of your team.

JINCHEN CAI Curriculum Vitae

+39 (351) 569-0498 (Italian)

jinchencai98@gmail.com

QUALIFICATIONS

• Excellent communication and conflict resolution abilities developed throughout previous professional experiences.

• Highly adaptable, fast at learning, and habitually meticulous working habits

• Proficiency in modeling, design, and CAD software from consistence usage.

• Experienced in working collaboratively online and overcoming barriers of remote work

www.linkedin.com/in/jinchen-cai/

SKILLS

Physical Model Making

3D Printing

Laser Cutting

Woodworking

Sketching + Hand Drafting

Photograhy + Project Documentation

CNC Milling

EDUCATION

UNIVERSITY OF WATERLOO SCHOOL OF ARCHITECTURE

09/2018 - Current | Candidate for Bachelor of Architectural Studies Honours, Co-op

• Member of: WASA, F_RMlab, BRDIGE, and Peer Mentors

EXPERIENCE

KOHN PARTNERSHIP ARCHITECTS

Architectural Assistant | 01/2022 - 06/2021 | Toronto, ON, CA.

• Developed perspective renderings of 1640 Kingston Road project for presentation.

• Produced permit sets including reflected ceiling plans(RCP), detail drawings, Building Code drawings, window/door/finish schedules, and floor plan drawings.

• Created and edited elevator and stair models and generated plans, sections, and annotations for Building Code Requirements.

LIVING ARCHITECTURE SYSTEMS GROUP

Microsoft Office Suite

Rhinoceros 3D

Grasshopper (beginner)

Enscape Render

V-Ray Renderw

Adobe Creative Suite:

Photoshop

Illustrator

Lightroom

InDesign

Premiere Pro Audition

After Affects

Bluebeam

Blendr

AutoCAD

Revit

English (Fluent)

Mandarin (Fluent)

French (Intermediate)

Cantonese (Beginner)

Korean (Beginner)

Illustration

Watercolour Painting

Graphic Design

Photography

Experimental Architectural Assistant | 07/2021 - 09/2021 | Toronto, ON, CA.

• Highly involved in designing, prototyping, fabricating, drawing documentation, and hands-on making of final sculptural work of experimental installations.

• Acted as primary designer for creating prototype iterations, fabricating, and assembling instruction manual for “Endless Connections” project.

• Operated the KERN laser cutter, metal cutter, 3D printers, and workshop equipments

Architectural Design Assistant | 09/2020 - 12/12020 | Vancouver, BC, CA.

• Contributed to 5 separate projects in DD, CD, BP, and CA stages of design development for each project remotely, while maintaining high-quality work with great efficiency.

• Maintained effective and clear communication with supervisors and team members on tasks to ensure project progression and meeting client deadlines for project targets.

DIAMOND SCHMITT ARCHITECTS INC

Architectural Assistant | 01/2020 - 04/2020 | Vancouver, BC, CA.

• Focused on 100% CD submission package for Oakridge Residential Development Masterplan Project of 4 Residential Towers in Vancouver

• Responsible for modeling updated designs, creating construction drawings, producing new drawing sets and finish schedules and coordinate walls with MEP.

ELEMENTAL ARCHITECTURE AND INTERIORS

Student Technologist | 05/2019 - 08/2019 | Burnaby, BC, CA.

• Responsible for building the base 3D models and conceptual idea models in Revit and AutoCAD for rehabilitation projects.

• Executed SD Concept model with design options, and produced visualization renderings as schematic 3D drawings in support of Principal Architect.

ACHIEVEMENTS

Architecture49 Inc.

270 - 1075 West Georgia

Vancouver BC

V6E 3C9

T 1.604.736.5329

architecture49.com

December 24, 2020

To whom it may concern:

Re: Reference Letter for Jinchen Cai

It is a pleasure to provide this letter of reference for Jinchen Cai who worked with Architedture49 full time from September 8, 2020 to December 24, 2020. Her time with us was part of her coop work term as a student at the University of Waterloo.

Small assignments she performed included, in no particular order:

1. Marpole Transit Centre, Vancouver, BC: creating massing models in Revit. Utilizing view templates for desired rendering output. Importing photorealistic site map for site context. Created sheets of presentation of 3d models for Client.

2. Rail expansion project, Ontario: creating 3d views utilizing view templates for final renderings. Adding model information to the Revit file. Develop cover sheet for placeholder of 3d rendering. Creating excel document highlighting project compliance requirements for architectural team and weekly model extraction for other disciplines.

3. BC Hydro Modular Office building, Merritt, BC: coordination of submittals to architectural specifications. Reviewing documentation to best assist in RFI’s and coordination with furniture suppliers.

4. BC Transit Facility Upgrade-Physio Room, Langford, BC: producing 3d model in Revit. Utilizing view templates and phasing for drawing package. Completed architectural drawing package for building permit application. Coordination of documentation with disciplines, Client and with the City.

5. IAMI Triumf – assisted with construction administrator during construction.

Jinchen proved that she can complete her assignment in a timely manners without affecting the meticulous results. She is very creative with an eye on details. Computer savvy, fast learner, and a great team player.

In short, we would recommend Jinchen to any future employer seeking an enthusiastic and self-motivated individual with a solid work ethic and positive attitude.

Sincerely, ARCHITECTURE49 INC.

John Freitas, Architectural Technologist, AIBC, CTech. Practice Leader

T: (604) 736-5329

E : john.freitas@architecture49.com

February 23, 2021

Letter of Recommendation

To whom this may concern,

We are pleased to provide this letter of recommendation for Jinchen Cai who was employed by Diamond and Schmitt Architects Inc. from January 6, 2020 to May 1, 2020 as a student Architect.

Jinchen worked as a team member on the Oakridge Building 3 and 4 Residential Towers. She was an exceptionally reliable and conscientious student who was always courteous and co-operative, exhibiting very good interpersonal skills and consistently establishing excellent working relationships with her co-workers. She is a very capable and skilled individual and we are confident that Jinchen would be a positive asset to any firm that hires her.

We wish Jinchen all the best in her future endeavors.

Sincerely, Diamond and Schmitt Architects Inc.

Ana Maria Llanos Principal

Biomimetic Architectural Design

PROJECT: Academic

SUPERVISOR: David Correa

DATE: December, 2021

LOCATION: Xiamen, Fujian, China

COLLABORATOR: Hannah Zhang

Bloom is a facade system that was informed by the research of two plants: the Impatiens Capensis (orange jewelweed) and the Daucus Carota (wild carrot). Both plants have hygroscopic-driven curling movements through turgor pressure. To emulate this, we chose wood for its similar hygroscopic properties and its ability to react to humidity. Petals of varying sizes are cut out of hardwood (the active layer) and laminated to a layer of softwood (the passive layer) to mimic the curling movement. The wood grain is angled at 45 degrees to create a twisting motion. The functioning prototype was made using maple wood veneer laminated to a layer of fibreglass and epoxy resin. When attached to a steel frame structure, the petals provide shade for the building in high humidity.

When the petals are in full bloom, the arrangement pattern of the curved petals is designed to mimic the radial growth pattern of the wild carrot inflorescence compound umbel to maximize area coverage as a shading device and privacy screen. The petals are placed in a double-screen facade system which will protect the building against harsh weather conditions, extend its lifespan and create a semicontrolled and pleasant indoor environment.

Rhino 6 - Rhinoceros 3D

Enscape Render

Adobe Illustrator

Adobe Photoshop

Adobe inDesign

PHASE 2 - BIOMIMETIC TRANSFER (COMBINE PLANTS)

PHASE 3 - HYGROSCOPIC DOUBLE-SKIN FACADE DESIGN

Experiential Render - day time building interior with shades open

Experiential Render - evening time building interior with shades closed

Experiential Render - day time building exterior with shades open

Experiential Render - night time building exterior with shades closed

Kingston Road 02

Perspective Project Exterior Rendering Visualizations

PROJECT: Profession (Co-op)

SUPERVISOR: Marianna de Cola

DATE: February, 2022

LOCATION: Toronto, On, Canada

COLLABORATOR: KPA office

While working at Kohn Partnership Architects (KPA), I was tasked to create exterior renderings of a mixed-use residential building project lead by Marianna de Cola. These 4 building perspective renderings are used for the building materials and elevation set that were presented for a client meeting.

I used Revit to setup the 4 perspective views that were desired, and then setup the BIM wall materials with the appropriate textures to showcase how the building would look like per the materials specs and schedule.

Enscape for Revit

Evergreen Downs

Designing Beautiful New Envelope Using Building Science

PROJECT: Professional (Co-op)

SUPERVISOR: Terra Shimbashi

DATE: July, 2019

LOCATION: Delta, Canada

TYPE: Envelope Rehabilitation

This project was commissioned by Metro Vancouver Housing Services (MVHC) for Evergreen Downs in Delta, BC, Canada. As a rehabilitation-focused project, Elemental Architecture and Interiors Inc (EAII) was to design a full scale process involving demolition and new construction of the exterior envelope. As Delta is part of the Vancouver Lower Mainland, and therefore in a temperate rainforest, the existing cedar siding, and wood-construction building showed signs of mold and decay.

My role in this project was to create all the working drawings needed for the project in Revit 2019, as well as the construction details, the 3D model, and the 3D Renders. In addition, I was also to create all the new proposed design options (4 in total) in the Revit model, and all the working drawings to be sent to contractors based on Principal Architect Terra Shimbashi’s designs.

Renderings of building elevation

Render visualization of the building with proposed rejuvenated envelope

Revit 2019

Revit Cloud Render AutoCAD

Enter-Galatique

Imaginative space to exist in the city of Tomorrow

PROJECT: Academic

SUPERVISOR: Derek Revington and David Correa

DATE: December, 2019

LOCATION: City of Today, Tomorrow (Fictional)

TYPE: Individual

Functioning as both a central site to provoke public curiosity in the seemingly distant galaxies, EnterGalatique presents itself as a research centre dedicated to investigating the possibility for future space explorations. This astronomy centre nests within the three major surround buildings in the city block, existing in the City of Today, Tomorrow (COTT), thus transforming the site into an ideal spot to allow fluid circulation, as well as careful investigation.

The architectural and spatial design of the astronomy centre is inspired by the Spiral Galaxy and the Mobius Strip. It interprets the spiraling and continuous cycle movement to express the intertwined nature of the Galaxies’ forms that became the primary circulation movement of the 3D spiral. This fluid movement is grounded in circular massing and a conical top that allows light to shine into the central gathering space, creating a sense of passage through the sun’s movement.

Rhino6 (Rhinoceros 3D)

V-Ray Render

Adobe Photoshop

Adobe Illustrator

Laser Cutting + 3D Printing

First sketch model for circulation as the parti, became the driving factor of project

Expanded sketch model for final circulation and parti, used this to design the final space research center and public observatory

Celebration and Rejuvenation of the Natural West Coast Rainforest

PROJECT: Academic

SUPERVISOR: Kat Kovalcik

DATE: August, 2020

LOCATION: Burnaby, BC, Canada

TYPE: Individual

Located at the Burnaby Mountain Conservation Area/ Park, the re(Grow) proposal challenges the curated park design on the hillside of Burnaby Mountain for recreational activities. Since 1957, the City of Burnaby have transformed the once flourishing old-growth forest filled with deciduous and coniferous trees into the extremely manicured landscaping maintained by the city workers.

The (re)Grow proposal considers the trees that were logged down to create the urban public park and suggest to “un-build” and blur the harsh line that separates the park from the original growth trees. The reintegration of the new forest to replace manicured elements (such as the rose garden) will blend the highly recreation site with its “wild” elements, Thus, creating a dynamic and evolving relationship between the human interventions and the nature on site.

A cliffwalk on the steep hill drop-off will encourage visitors with the original growth forest’s over canopy. A tree bridge with various height changes will connect from the roof of the new Visitor Centre to the cliffwalk. The new Visitor Centre for conservation and recreation will replace the footprint of the currently closed Horizons Restaurant.

Rhino6 (Rhinoceros 3D)

V-Ray Render

Adobe Photoshop

Adobe Illustrator

SITE AS WILDERNESS, SITE AS RECREATION

The proposed new tree will be composed of locally on site. Here is a lexicon (if present) I identified through the site conditions. The for educating the public these trees but is not limited British Columbia trees are The visitor centre provides directly observe and study public to overlook as an

nursery to replace the rose garden locally found species of trees found lexicon of all the species’ leaves and fruit through my research and analysis of The species to be grown in the nursery public will be composed of a mixture of limited to these species. All local are considered as possible species. provides a space for researchers to study the trees , as well as allowing the an observation space.

Stagnant Flux

2019 CISC Architectural Student Design Competition Finalist

PROJECT: Competition

DATE: May, 2019

LOCATION: Arizona, USA

TYPE: AESS Pavilion, Landmark

COLLABORATOR: Mahara Falif

The Stagnant Flux is a public dynamic pavilion that sits in the valley of the famous Wave in Arizona, that simulates the natural landscape and enriches the hiker’s experience. . Inspired by the natural corrosion of the local Arizonian rock formation, it reanimates the environment’s surfaces and appear as though the waves are in motion. The proposed custom-formed Corten Steel exterior of the pavilion provides a seamless integration with nature. The Corten steel will continue to weather and become one with the environment, thus enriching the vigorous relationship built by the Stagnant Flux.

Although structurally simple, The Stagnant Flux is designed to create three contrasting immersive experiences for hikers. As hikers walks towards The Wave, the pavilion camouflages itself within the contours of the fluid rock formed surfaces. However, “interior” is designed to create a distinctive visual contrast through the usage of rippled stainless-steel sheets. These sheets distorts the reflection, thus activating the “wavy” rock surfaces as hikers enjoy the natural wonder. Finally, turning back after hiking up the wavy to enjoy the iconic view provides visual sensation of the pavilion engulfing and merging with the surrounding surfaces.

Rhino

V-Ray Render

Adobe Photoshop

Adobe Illustrator

Short cross-section

Long cross-section

A-Details: C-Channel bolted connections to the ground, at angle on the walking side

B-Details: C-Channel bolted connections to ground, straight on non-walking side C-Details

C-Details: Structural connections of Corten Steel C-Channels to Structural Flanges using bolted angles

D-Details: Structural connections of Corten Steel C-Channels to the Structural Flanges, and the 2 variations of Corten Stell C-Channels connected using bolted angles

Endless Connections

Workshop 07

at Domaine de Boisbuchet, 2021 Laser

PROJECT: Professional (Co-op)

SUPERVISOR: Philip Beesley and Michael Lancaster

DATE: August, 2021

LOCATION: Lessac, France

For Philip Beesley’s Installation at San Jose Airport, 2021

PROJECT: Professional (Co-op)

SUPERVISOR: Philip Beesley and Stephen Ru

DATE: September, 2021

LOCATION: San Jose Airport, USA

TYPE: Experimental and Interactive Installation Systems

Hangout

2022 CISC Architectural Student Design

PROJECT: Competition

SUPERVISOR: Terri Boake

DATE: May, 2022

LOCATION: Toronto, ON, Canada

COLLABORATOR: Yunhao Yang

TORONTO WATERFRONT PUBLIC SPACE REJUVENATION

Adjacent to the heart of Toronto, Ontario Place is a public outdoor venue for entertainment along the iconic Toronto Waterfront. It features an abundance of public space, attracting visitors of all cultural backgrounds, with an amazing view of the Toronto skyline while hosting landmarks such as Cinesphere Theater and Trillium Park.

The sweeping curves of the (Inteweave) Hangout bridge proposal are delineated to mimic the waves in Lake Ontario, while connecting visitors from the shoreline trail directly to the West Island of Ontario Place. The dedicated cyclist path is offset from the diverging pedestrian path that offers several performative moments. In addition to promoting social gathering, the northern end of the bridge connects to the Bailey Bridge at Lakeshore Boulevard and Martin Goodman Trail for pedestrians and cyclists for additional urban exploration.

Rhino 7 (Rhinocerous

V-Ray Render

Adobe Photoshop

Adobe Illustrator

Adobe inDesign

3D)

1. Mast Column Head

2. Connector to Suspension Cable

3. Cable to Pedestrian Railing

AESS 3

AESS 3

4. Angled Truss Support Connector

5. Concrete Column to Truss Support