Kathy Zhu Portfolio by Kathy Z

Kathy Zhu Portfolio

Landscape Architecture and Urban Design

Table of Contents

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About me

Away from the Noise LevelUP Playscape

Kitchener Downtown Market District Redevelopment Waterloo Warehouse District Redevelopment Vision 42 Design Competition

Limbe Cameroon Subdivision Design Selected Artwork

1 3 13 19 29 35 45 49

About Me I am a first-year Master of Landscape Architecture student at University of Toronto full of creative energy and passion for learning. I love everything from conceptual design to plant selection. My first year has equipped me with a range of skills, including site grading, knowledge of plants, landscape history, visual representation, model making, and conceptual design. I am skilled in Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, AutoCAD, and Sketchup. Furthermore, my enthusiasm for landscape architecture has led to my involvement in the Ground Magazine editorial board, Urban Land Institute student committee, and Graduate Student Union as a class representative. My work experiences comprise of public and private sector co-op positions in urban planning during my undergraduate studies. I studied Urban and Regional Planning at the University of Waterloo, which equipped me with a strong conceptual knowledge base for how and why cities and communities thrive. Furthermore, I developed strong skill in site development, site design, report writing, proposal writing, and conducting planning analysis through my co-op placements with MHBC, York Region, Norfolk County, and Trolleybus Urban Development. At Trolleybus, I created 3D conceptual plans for potential urban infill and large lot sites and became familiar with City of Toronto’s urban design standards. At MHBC, I received an “outstanding” work term evaluation, with comments that I “display an exceptional work ethic and creativity/resourcefulness in [my] work”, and that I “distill complex information, and do it with enthusiasm”. My fundamental strength is my constant pursuit of personal growth. I see every challenge as an opportunity for improvement. I aspire to one day grow into a designer who is sensitive to the earth and people, but bold enough to take on the world.

Away from the Noise My site organization creates a common backyard for the shared core of the residential and community buildings on site. This intimate experience is created through topography, vegetation, and materiality. The spaces transition between flat open plazas and mounded vegetated landscapes. My strategy combines hardscaped, flat landforms with mounded landscapes to create intimate â&#x20AC;&#x153;backyardâ&#x20AC;? spaces for each building. The mounded patterns transition between elevated and sunken. Pedestrians are encouraged to use the mounds as intimate gathering spaces. My storm water management strategy creates drainage basins and bioswales on site, but also interacts with the existing topology of the site. The bioswale connects to the parking lots as well as the ravine, which acts to purify the storm water and bring residents to the ravine.

1:1500 11 55

10 10

20m 20m

Design Characteristics

Design Outcomes

Site Elevation A

1: 800

Site Elevation B

1 1

5 5

10 10

20m 20m

5 5

10 10

20m 20m

1: 800 1 1

Key Area Section A

Key Area Section B

1 1

2 2

5 5m

1:100

Key Area Grading Plan

A 105

B 46

C 341

D 38

E 64

F 89

G 61

H 118

Key Area Planting Plan

Key Area Planting Schedule Planting Schedule Key

Quantity

Common Name

Botanical Name

Height

Spread

Blooms

105

Fennel

Foeniculum vulgare

90-180cm

30-60cm

* Mid Summer * Late Summer

Bishop's Flower

Ammi majus

90-140cm

50cm

* Mid Summer * Early Autumn

341

Bronze Veil

Deschampsia cespitosa

85-100cm

46-60cm

* Mid-Late Summer * Early Fall * Mid Fall

Paperbark Maple

Aser griseum

600-900cm

450-750cm

N/A

Great Masterwort

Astrantia major 'Roma'

60-90cm

45-60cm

* Late Spring * Early-Mid Summer

Purple Sensation

Allium holandicum

70-90cm

30-38 cm

* Late Spring * Early Summer

Blazing Star

Liatris spicata

75-90cm

30-45 cm

118

Variegated Moor Grass

Molinia caerulea

60-75cm

30-60cm

* Mid Summer * Late Summer * Early Fall * Late Summer * Early Fall * Mid Fall

LevelUP Playscape LevelUP Playscape is an integrative playground for children of all ages and adults alike, located at the centre of a proposed community centre and elementary school. This space is intended to be both an urban gathering space and a play space for children of different age groups. My design features a modular kit of parts that creates spaces at different scales for humans of different scales. This system creates both divisions and connections in the landscape, creating a variety of nooks that frame different types of play spaces. These play spaces include play structures, gathering spaces, mini stages, and resting areas. The tree-lined elevated pathway acts as a central spine to integrate site elements. The system of paths and platforms create intimate enclosed spaces, merges fun modular elements, and creates a welcoming destination for children and the community.

Section 3

1:400 11

10m 10m

Section 1

1:200

Section 2

10m

1:200 1

Section 3

10m

1:400 11

10m 10m

Team members: Mike Commerford, Sherry Shi, Amelia Xin, Kathy Zhu

Existing Focus Areas

Existing focus areas

Downtown Market District Redevelopment

Existing Farmerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Market Proposed LRT Station Location

Market Lane Existing Market Square

Existing Problem Areas

Existing challenging features Slope along streetscape

Steep topography

Unattractive built form

Existing Main Streets

Existing main corridors Charles Street

King Street

Opportunities Potential Gateway Development

Potential Gateway Development

Complement to the Downtown Core

5 6 7 8 9

Market Square Redevelopment

Market Lane opportunity for pedestrian connection

Potential Gateway Development

Topography creates attractive view and corridor Victoria Park Clocktower Landmark Kitchener Market situated within food cluster Kitchener Market Site development to create street-level destination HIghest volume of pedestrian

Proposed LRT Route/ Cedar Station

8 9 10 11 12

Opportunity for redevelopment within Cedar Hill Neighbourhood

Underutilized greenspace with potential for attractive viewscape

Opportunity for redevelopment within transition district King Street East

Opportunity for Green Network

OPPORTUNITIES

100

200

400

800

Meters

Site Concept Imagine an LRT trip to a distinctive and vibrant district. Stepping off the LRT stop, you are surrounded by active civic spaces that fl ow into the surrounding station area. The wide tree-lined sidewalks guide you towards a quaint commercial village. Further along the road is a creative hub of live-work artists combined with an event hall, as well as a bustling streetlevel marketplace. A variety of housing options are available to accommodate the needs of diff erent age groups. Compact living, cultural sense of place, and connected nooks of activity attract younger creative class professionals and existing residents alike. We are creating the third place, a place that draws activity from creative and cultural energy; a place that connects the downtown to its residential surroundings by providing an area to live and play.

Existing Open Space

Circulation Diagram 800 m

BIN

N ST

RO Y ST

Existing Building Footprints

EL ST

W EB

ST EA

Phase 1

AV E

G ST

KIN

BR LLS

LANE

AC UB

A AV

DA VI

ND PA

N ST

R ST

N ST RO

SIM

W EB ER

ME CA

WA TE

Demolition

DIA

LE S

400 m JOSE

R ST

UR GEO

RG E

LIN

Station Area Vehicular Movement Bicycle Movement LRT Routes Bus Routes Proposed Bus Routes Major Pedestrian Movement

QU E

KIN

E MA

DIS ON

HI TN

LING

STIR PL

IL M KE

L ST

Proposed Building Footprints

Proposed Open Space

Phase 2

Removed Existing Preserved

Green Space

Existing Altered Removed

Phase 3

Medium Density

Land Use Diagram

office commercial recreational low density residential medium density residential high density residential mixed use retail, live work, service, office mixed use high density residential w. ground floor retail

Our site concept contains heavy intensification and redevelopment. We propose to replace low density residential and service commercial structures with intensified residential and mixed-use structures. The existing street hierarchy will be maintained. Our main intensification corridors will be Charles Street and King Street to capitalize on growth opportunities from the future LRT. In addition, the open spaces we propose will create public realm connections between our site features.

Phase 4

High Density

We be

r St

Eas

tre

ree t

nto

Kin

Cha

rle

s St

et E

ast

Eas

Ced ar

Str eet S

out

ree t

tre

e enu g Av

Sou

lin

Stir

Mixed-Use Event Hall We propose to retrofit the existing Kitchener Market into a private event hall, which will combine with the commercial village to form a connected a corridor of activity. The architectural style of the retrofitted building provides for semi-private patio space due to its existing elevation. The building will also feature offices as well as studios for creative professionals and live-work artists.

Commercial Village The Market Lane area provides for small-scale creative and niche-oriented uses to create a new shopping destination for our site. Our proposal redevelops the existing block into a commercial village. The quaint character of the shops, boutiques, and cafes will be highlighted with shopping enclaves and a classical architectural style.

Street-Level Mixed-Use Marketplace The Kitchener Market is an important existing feature on our site. The former Market Square located on the corner of King St. and Benton St. will be retrofitted to provide a street-level marketplace, which provides an opportunity for market venders to showcase their produce and attract activity from the street. The building will also provide for a mix of residential and office uses on the upper floors.

Slope Staircase Feature In place of the existing retaining wall, we plan to address the slope by activating the Charles Street facade with commercial uses built onto the slope. A public entrance will be sculpted into the landscape and feature rooftop public spaces. Shallow steps will lead to the proposed community centre at the top of the slope. The outdoor stairway feature will create a public space and landmark south of Cedar Station.

Environmental Initiatives

solar powered street lamps

Rain Garden

tion ia eta Med Vegwing bric ne a Groilter F age Fabric mbra e F rain on D cti ﬁng M te o Proterpro eck Wa oof D R

traffic dividing bollards

Green Roof Installation

Bioﬁltration planters & Recycled Rainwater Fountain

LEED Certiﬁed Buildings

expanded stormwater rooting area retention for taller tree canopy

permeable pourous gravel for infiltration sidewalk pavement

Terrain Garden

King Street

Green Wall Recycling & Composting Programs

sidewalk

bike lane bioswale

sidewalk

on-street vehicular lane vehicular lane bike lane parking bollard

bollard

bioswale

Permeable Pavement Concrete Pavers Permeable Joiunt Materja, Open ,graded Bedding course Open ,graded Base Reservoir Open ,graded subbase Reservoir Underdrain Uncompacted Subgrade Soil

Street Furnitures Manufactured from Recycled Materials

Wet Retention Pond

Vortex Filters

Charles Street Household Rainwater Collection Tank

sidewalk

bioswale

2.5

vehicular lane LRT lane station platform LRT lane vehicular lane

sidewalk

bioswale

Green Greenand andGrey Grey Network Network Parks and Open Space

77848 m

lawn

38%

107673 m 2

Increase in Open Space

lawn

Cedar Street 2

sidewalk

bioswale

Parking Plan

vihecular lane

Surface Parking

vihecular lane

bioswale

sidewalk

meter 40304 m 2

26275 m2

35%

Decrease in Surface Parking

The addition of sustainable features is an important consideration for our site design. We believe that best management practices for waste management, stormwater infiltration, energy efficiency should integrated into our site redevelopment as much as possible. Parking is also an important issue for every site development, especially when intensification is planned. Surface parking creates a fragmented built form and wasted development potential. We propose a parking solution that integrates parking structures with mixed-use developments.

Team members: James Elliott, Madeleine Giroux, Courtney Winter, Kathy Zhu, Natalie Zonta

Kitchener Warehouse District Redevelopment What changes can a new Light Rail Transit system bring to an existing urban system? The proposed LRT system in Waterloo Region connects several major nodes within Kitchener-Waterloo, which introduces tremendous potential for growth and revitalization. Our study area combines several unique features. In addition to being the gateway into Downtown Kitchener, the site contains historic warehouse buildings, some of which have been redeveloped into a technology hub. Other major existing uses include the University of Waterloo School of Pharmacy building and the Kauff man lofts. The combined site characteristics create an opportunity to capitalize on the increased pedestrian activity, as well as integrate the area into the surrounding context.

UW School of Pharmacy

Existing Green Space

Technology Cluster

Lang Tannery

Existing Parking

Total Site Parking

Public Private Parking

Parking Lot Usage

Parking Lot

Public Parking Private Parking

Empty lot 1/4 lot 1/2 lot 3/4 lot Full lot

Height Mass Footprint Ratio Height Footprint

School of Pharmacy

Kauffman Lofts

Tannery

Plaza

The composition of built form and open space is a major issue on our site. As shown in the parking composition diagrams, approximately 41% of our site area is composed of parking spaces, many of which are private and underutilized. The ratio of building height to building footprint also shows that patterns of built form are centred towards low density, high mass, â&#x20AC;&#x153;big blockâ&#x20AC;? developments. Therefore, the built form challenges within our site presents opportunities to redevelop under-utilized spaces, as well as to transform the morphology into a walkable, pedestrian friendly, and higher density built environment.

Open Space Composition on Site Study Area: 195412 m

27% 24% 41% 8%

Building Area Right of Way Parking Greenspace

Circulation

Concept Map

N Bus Circulation Major Auto Circulation LRT Circulation Pedestrian Circulation

Form Evolution

Future LRT Station Kauffman Lofts

School of Pharmacy

N Existing Buildings Proposed Buildings

Future McMaster Health Campus

1 - 2 Storeys 3 - 4 Storeys 5 - 6 Storeys 7 + Storeys

Downtown Kitchener Technology Cluster

Historic Warehouse Buildings

Roads Railroad

Charles st. Terminal

Land Use N

Expansion Area Intensification Area Proposed Major Node Existing Focus Area

Cross Section and Land Use 1:500 A Victoria Street Cross Section

1 - 2 Storeys 3 - 4 Storeys 5 - 6 Storeys 7 + Storeys

LRT Corridor Major Auto Corridor Major Pedestrian Corridor

Mixed Use Single Family Residential Multi-Family Residential Office Commercial Institutional Commercial Civic Industrial

A B

B King Street Cross Section

Health Campus

LRT Pedestrian Street We propose to redevelop Charles Street into a fully pedestrian street integrated with the LRT system. Our pedestrian street features decorative paving, street vegetation, and street furniture to create a memorable pedestrian experience. The street integrates pedestrian flows within the site.

Waterloo Regional Health Campus The future development of the DeGroote School of Medicine, the new University of Waterloo School of Pharmacy, and a primary care teaching clinic, will collectively form the new expanded health campus. It is designed to be an enclosed yet integrated campus environment.

Kauffman Loft Redevelopment

LRT Pedestrian Street

Previously an under-utilized parking lot, the redeveloped Kauffman Lofts features townhouse residential developments along Victoria Street, as well as a greenhouse and community garden for adjacent residents.

Mixed-Use Complex We propose to develop a mixed-use commercial, residential, and office complex at the centre of the site. It will serve the commercial needs of the surrounding nodes with active street fronts, internal parking, residential-office upper floors, internal courtyard, and cafe.

Team members: Albert Moreno Escriba, Karen Lai, Courtney Winter, Amelia Xin, Kathy Zhu

Vision 42 Design Competition The Vision 42 design competition challenges designers to create a river-to-river, auto-free light rail boulevard for 42nd Street in New York City. Pedestrian levels are high along 42nd Street because of the presence of NYC’s many subway stations and transportation terminals, including the Port Authority Bus Terminal (the busiest in the world) and the iconic Grand Central Terminal (one of the world’s largest train stations). Concentrations of high-rise residential buildings on both ends of 42nd Street will need a higher quality of surface transit than today’s slower-thanwalking buses, for linking to the heart of the city. Nearly 60% of 42nd Street’s pavement is devoted to moving motor vehicles, while 80% or more of the street users are pedestrians. V1

V10

V12

V13

V11

V20

V21

V23

V24

V22

V29

V30

V12 V1

V2 V3

V7 V8 V9

V14

V10

V13

V11

V17

V25

V28

V27

V23

V18

V20

V21

V24

V22

V31 V30

V29

V4 V26

V32

V14

V15

V18

V16

V17

V25

V19

V26

V27

V31

1st Avenue

2nd Avenue

3rd Avenue

Lexington Avenue

Park Avenue

Madison Avenue

d Broa

way

7th Avenue

8th Avenue

9th Avenue

10th Avenue

11th Avenue

V16 V15

5th Avenue

Avenue of the Americas

V19

V32

V28

History Our design concept focuses on enhancing the historic resonance of the site. Thorough research of 42nd street history reveals a rich diversity of socioeconomic conditions and cultural backgrounds. From Hell’s Kitchen to the Garment district, the site history reveals a diverse working class community entwined with industry and manufacturing. Nicknames for the districts include “hotter than hell”. As the site transitions to Midtown and Murray Hill, the neighbourhoods grow in affluence. European-inspired architectural influences can be seen in residential areas. Business also becomes a strong presence. The goal of our historic understanding is to provide residents and visitors with a snapshot of the past. Echoes of history will feature prominently in all aspects of our design.

Central Business District

Financial Centre

Project Runway

Garment District

International Enclave Immigration

Commerce & Cheap Housing

Wealthy Houseowners Quaker Merchants

Brick and Stone

English Style Architecture

Murray Hill

Businesses

Railroad Tracks

Manufacturing

American Civil War

Working Class

Retail

Turtle Bay

Beekman Mansion

Civil War Draft Riots

Midtown

Rock-bound Cove Small Industries

Television Network

Mills

Victoria Theatre

Skyscrapers

Office

Electric White Bulbs

Real Estate

Hotter than Hell

Culture

The House of Blazes

Battle Row

Whiskey

Gentrification

Hustle&Bustle

Affluent Patrons

Clothing Design

Diversity

Neon Signs

West Side Story

Working Class Character

The Barracks

Flea Market

Theatre District

Hell’s Kitchen

Violence

FDR Drive

1 Ave

2 Ave

3 Ave

Lexington Ave

Park Ave

Madison Ave

5 Ave

Ave of the Americas

7 Ave

Broadway

8 Ave

9 Ave

10 Ave

47 St

11 Ave

12 Ave

General Site Analysis

46 St 45 St 44 St 43 St 42 St 41 St 40 St 39 St 38 St 37 St

Access to Metro

5 min walking distance 1500 ft radius

Metro Noise Influence

1500ft radius

Intersecting Bike Routes Surface/structured parking Open Space Access

2 min walking distance 300ft radius Based on potential

Intersecting Grey Network

pedestrian conflict

Access to Water

5 min walking distance 1500 ft from water

Volume of Traffic N Volume of Traffic Low Subway Volume High Subway Volume Bus Volume

Proximity to Landmarks N High Pedestrian Activity Landmark Parking Structure

Points of Intersection N

Our transportation analysis examines how the new Light Rail Transit will integrate with the overall bus, subway, and pedestrian systems within 42nd Street. We combine volume of traffic, proximity to landmarks, and points of intersection to determine locations of activity generators and areas in need of greater levels of service. Our analysis also identifies areas that would benefit from a harmonized station that combines bus, subway, and LRT stops. The conclusion diagram below shows our proposed stop locations. The varying sizes indicate that certain stations will be emphasized based on demand.

Intersecting Areas Subway Route Bus Route Auto Route

Transportation Hierarchy

N Points of Intersection Focus Area Pedestrian Activity Focus Area Traffic Volume Focus Area Subway Route Bus Route Auto Route LRT Station Hierarchy

Building Footprints

Our land use analysis combines lot coverage, land use clusters, and existing landmarks to examine how much pedestrian activity will be generated by each segment of 42nd street. It will also identify the desination areas that would draw the most tourism.

Lot Coverage N Fully Built Fragmented & High Coverage Fragmented & Low Coverage Unbuilt

Land Use Clusters

Our analysis concludes that the segments leading towards the pier are the â&#x20AC;&#x153;lowest interestâ&#x20AC;? areas of 42nd street. The interest increases as the site approaches the tourist commercial area near Broadway. Grand Central Station will be another major activity generator. The anticipated levels of pedestrian activity will influence key decisions within our site.

N Low Interest Medium Interest High Interest Very High Interest

Levels of Interest

Pedestrian Activity Landmark Point of Interest

Flow Analysis N High Flow Medium Flow Low Flow Green Space Landmark Parking Structure

Levels of Interest N Low Interest Medium Interest High Interest Very High Interest Pedestrian Activity Landmark Point of Interest

Connections and Links N Links and Connections Low Interest Medium Interest High Interest Very High Interest Landmark Green Space Parking Structure

Proposed Spatial Functions

Our proposed spatial design combines analysis of flow potential, levels of interest, and connections between landmarks. Our conclusion diagram identifies optimal areas for flowthrough, engagement, and gathering areas. Our methodology combines each factor to determine areas of high compression (overlapping areas of low flow, high activity) and low compression (high flow, low activity). Engagement areas focus on medium compression and highly linked areas, because it will lead the pedestrians towards the next landmark. Seating and gathering areas are interspersed throughout the site, locating primarily at the periphery of high compression and high engagement areas.

Concept Environment Zone

Dynamic Zone

Community Zone

Our proposed concept for 42nd Street is divided into 3 zones; the environment zone, the dynamic zone, and the community zone. Each zone serves a different function based on overall land use and activity patterns within the site. The environment zone will focus on a larger dispersion of pedestrian flow. This will connect surrounding fragmented public spaces to 42nd Street, forming a green network. The proposed function of the dynamic zone is to provide a flowthrough area for the high compression commercial uses within the zone. In addition, we propose a bold and dynamic design to reflect the character of the zone. The community zone aims to keep pedestrian flow within the street. It has a large existing residential presence that we aim to enhance by creating gathering areas to stimulate a sense of enclosure and social connectiveness.

Site Activities

Rectangular signs with lightbulbs

Steel, brick, glass

Music of the era played at regular time intervals

Water elements

Contemporary

Garment art

Bold, bright colorful

Fashion of the era mural

Reflect the style of Time Square

Garment monument

42nd St. Musical symbol

Business District

Contemporary Theatre District Theatre District

European Village European District Village District

Business District

Red Carpet

Sleek, clean, modern atmosphere

Boulevard centre walkways

Gathering Space

Overhanging decorative element

Monuments

Lighter and monochromatic

Public art mosaic

Fountains

Robert Moses monu ment

Stone plazas

3 Ave

Lexington Ave

ParkAve

Madison Ave

5 Ave

Ave of the Americas

Broadway 7 Ave

8 Ave

9 Ave

10Ave

11Ave

12Ave

Zen rock garden

47 St

Gateway District

FDR Drive

Crate cafes

Garment District

1 Ave

Historic Theatre Historic Theatre District District

2 Ave

Pier District

46 St 45 St 44 St St 42 W erry F

43 St 42 St

2 Theatre Row

Harbourfront 41 St 40 St

Pier District

Historic Theatre 38 St District 39 St

37 St

3 Port Authority

Garment District

4 Broadway

Contemporary Theatre District

5 Bryant Park

6 Grand Central Station

Business District

European Village District

7 Bridge and Harbourfront

Gateway District

Design Details Proposed Light Rail Transit Configuration

Design Sketches

Plan View

Team Members: Sherry Shi, Courtney Winter, Kathy Zhu 45

Limbe Cameroon Subdivision Design This section of my portfolio showcases my design for a 5-hectare subdivision in Limbe, Cameroon on behalf of Options for Homes. I became involved in Options for Homes when I attended a town hall to support affordable housing issues in Toronto. I engaged Michel Labbe (founder of Options for Homes) in discussion and volunteered to help design an affordable housing development in Limbe, Cameroon. Following our meeting, I assembled a team of four to produce materials for the launch in Cameroon, to which I was invited for my role in the preparation. The resilient people of Cameroon moved me, and I learned that passion and dedication builds strength and accomplishment.

Cameroon has a high rate of economic development. Limbe, in particular, has a booming natural resource extraction industry. The resulting general trend is an increasing middle class. However, Cameroon is currently facing a severe housing shortage that is common throughout Africa. The housing market in Africa is extremely polarized. The rich live in personalized mansions at locations of their choice, as land is largely undeveloped in non-urban areas. The available housing stock that remains is in very poor condition, with little else available. There have been efforts in the past to build large-scale subdivisions, but they have been unsuccessful due to a variety of factors. Foreign labour and expertise is always â&#x20AC;&#x153;importedâ&#x20AC;? , and the resulting housing developments are not affordable to middle-income families. Options for Homes presents a new approach, one that uses existing financing, labour, and building practices to stimulate the economy. The resulting housing development will remain affordable to the average family, and true to the culture and customs of Africa.

Limbe I Design

N Single Detached Townhouse Apartment Commercial Amphitheatre Greenspace Road Network

The African context of our site presents unique challenges and opprtunities. From a cultural perspective, the development of a walkable and socially connected site is essential because the average family does not own a car. Instead, our design is favorable to the taxi as the main mode of transportation. We also provide housing choice for a variety of different densities and levels of affordability. Access to the subdivision will be provided through primary and secondary corridors. Site accessibility is encouraged because we do not want a culture of seclusion. We have also provided areas for schools and gathering spaces to foster a sense of community.

Selected Artwork

Pulse

Discovery

Vibrance

Time 49

My collection of artwork throughout the years is connected through their emotional quality. Color is my favorite expressive tool. It can make a piece feel warm and welcoming, or cold and distant. Stroke is another tool that speaks volumes about the emotion of a piece. Stroke can express power, softness, spunk, or whimsy, among countless other qualities. The art pieces I’ve selected are love letters to the concept and significance of “place“. The painting “Pulse” describes place as an isolated moment in time, forever embedded as impressions in our memories. “Discovery” expresses the wonder of discovering and falling in love with a place for the first time. “Vibrance” and “Time” speak to the activity and rhythm that bring life to every area. “Identity” is an exploration of how place influences the development of our identity. Throughout life’s ups and downs, place is a constant presence within our lives.

Identity 50

Goodbye dear viewer, until next time Contact Name

Kathy Zhu

Email kathyyaqian.zhu@mail.utoronto.caPhone

647 778 0275Address

5220 Rome Crescent

Burlington, Ontario L7L7B7