it’s a beautiful day, how are you?
I’m Kelvin!
I’m a recent graduate from Toronto Metropolitan University (formerly Ryerson University). This portfolio serves as a showcase of my best undergraduate work. I hope this collection I’ve curated can serve as a conversation between us.
“How do you like your coffee?”
Modeling & Visualization
Rhinoceros 3D v7
Revit 2024
AutoCAD
Twinmotion
Enscape (+VR)
V-Ray
Midjourney
PromeAI
Post-Production
Illustrator 2024
Lightroom 2024
Photoshop 2024
Premiere Pro 2024
InDesign 2024
Technical
Sketching
Hand drafting
Model Making
3D Printing
Analysis
ClimateStudio
ALFA
Autodesk Forma
Rock Climbing
Photo/Videography
Cooking/Baking
Design Assistant
Supervised by Nicola Casciato / Maryam Madsen|WZMH Architects
• Collaborated with project team to develop multiple architectural designs and masterplans
• Produced detailed drawings and 3D visualizations for presentation
Architectural Intern / Project Coordinator
Supervised by Horhon Chu| Chu Architects Inc.
• Hosted and participated in design and planning meetings with clients to gather project requirements and preferences
• Created detailed architectural plans and details using AutoCAD
• Performed deficiency reviews & site visits with other subconsultants
Research Assistant
Supervised by Dr. Terri Peters | Toronto Metropolitan University
• Conducted research on circadian lighting to understand its impact in residential settings
• Performed daylight simulations in ClimateStudio and ALFA to analyze daylight availability in typical housing units
• Co-authored research paper for PLEA 2022 in Santiago, Chile
Toronto Metropolitan University (formerly Ryerson University)
Bachelor’s of Architectural Science Co-op (B.ArchSc)
CGPA 4.00
Delft University of Technology
Architectural Science Study Abroad Exchange (MArch) - 5mo.
TMU SID Year End Show - Featured Project
Craig Race Passive Sustainability & Norm Li Visualization Award
PLEA 2022 Conference - “Best Paper” & Travel Scholarship
DRF-URO Award - Research Grant
TMU DAS Year End Show - Featured Project
TMU Dean’s List
ICERI 2023: “Reaffirming Design-Builds in Architectural Pedagogy”
PLEA 2022: “Optimisation of Housing Design Options for Human-Centric Lighting”
FTC 2022: “Bridging the Divide Between Design and Reality in Student
Design Builds in Increasing Accessibility to Emerging Technologies”
Archdaily: S’winter Station / Ryerson University
325 Magazine: Station Apartments
Installation Designer & Builder - Lights in Alingsas 2023
Mentor - Architectural Course Union (ACU)
Events Executive & Marketing Subcommittee - arc.soc
temporary city dwelling shelters
academic work location
Site Adaptable - Toronto, ON.
year | duration 2023 | one (1) month
mentors
Kevin Stelzer, BES, BArch, OAA, MRAIC, LEED AP BD+C, BSS, CPHD
software
Rhino, V-Ray, Illustrator, Photoshop, Lightroom, InDesign
conceptual.
manifesto.
With the rise in severity of natural, manmade, and personal disasters, more and more people are being displaced from their homes. Building Blocks is a project in response to the need for temporary, emergency city dwelling shelters. Shelter components can be partially assembled and delivered to site via a flat-bed truck for ease of construction. The dwellings are fixed to grade with the use of screw foundations, limiting damage to the site. Dwelling units can be assembled according to user needs by configuring any number of the three blocks (modular components) together. A typical unit will consist of 3
blocks: rest, utility, and living. Each unit is equipped with an abundance of selfsustaining elements in order to promote healthy living and reduce embodied carbon, including on-site solar electricity, dedicated heat pumps, ample insulation, a water harvesting system, compostable toilets, and recycled or sustainably sourced cladding. In a project of this scale, space is a luxury. Inside the units, transformative furniture and millwork are used to encapsulate all daily needs of the occupant(s) within. A continuous band of millwork rests along the north wall, encompassing all storage needs and allowing for panels to be lifted as desks.
“What’s a NIMBY anyway?”
possible configurations
academic work location
Genoa, Italy
year | duration
2024 | two (2) months
mentors
Alper Alkan, BArch, MArch, PhD
Joran Kuijper, BSc MSc, Johan van Lierop, BA, MSc
software
Rhino, V-Ray, Illustrator, Photoshop, Lightroom, InDesign
manifesto. contextual. conceptual.
POROSO is a project in response to the need for a community-centric space in the Polcevera area of Genoa, Italy. The existing area of the site currently includes a number of infrastructural typologies, such as churches, schools, daycares, and residential housing. Thus, this project aims to bring together these disconnected elements through the deployment of a recreational community centre. The community centre embraces the concept of porosity, creating an open, interconnected environment that fosters interaction, accessibility, and inclusivity. Interconnectivity is most
notably articulated through the “main road” which separates the two main programmatic functions. Two “side streets” branch out from this axis, leading to utilitarian functions and other entrances/exits to the site. POROSO is designed to seamlessly integrate with the proposed Stefano Boeri masterplan, complementing its projected vision of an athletic strip of fields adjacent to this site. However, in the unfortunate event that the masterplan does not become fully realized, this project can operate independently, serving as a beacon of sustainable, communityfocused architecture in Genoa.
“Regenerative
library and communal study
detail callout
1.
wall assembly: ext > int
16mm perforated corten steel panel on galvanized steel purlins
150x150mm HSS steel frame with motor and rollers
16mm ACM cladding panel
40mm airspace
12.5mm cement plasterboard
100mm mineral wool insulation
air barrier - all seams lapped & taped
3-ply clt wall panel
50mm mineral wool insulation
12.5mm cement plasterboard
2.
roof assembly: top > bot gravel ballast waterproofing membrane
3 x 100mm mineral wool insulation (typ. slope) air barrier - all seams lapped & taped 5-ply clt floor slab int (typ.) (12.7mm gypsum wallboard w/ paint finish)
3. 4. 5. 6.
3-pane insulated window mullion insulated spandrel panel 450x600mm glulam column solar photovoltaic (PV) grid
The community centre incorporates the use of an operable, perforated corten steel facade, which can open up or close depending on the daylight conditions of any given day. This further supports the design’s main concept of porosity and permeability, acting as a filter towards the varying conditions of the sun. Corten steel was chosen as a material as a homage to the industrial history of the Polcevera area.
At the level of the detail, the building envelope has been designed to mitigate heat loss and minimize embodied carbon. This has been done through the use of a mass timber building structure. Furthermore, strategies have been deployed, such as solar PV and solar hot water, to generate on-site energy.
academic work location
646 Dufferin St, Toronto, ON.
year | duration 2023 | two (2) months
mentors
Kevin Stelzer, BES, BArch, OAA, MRAIC, LEED AP BD+C, BSS, CPHD
software
Rhino, Revit, V-Ray, Illustrator, Photoshop, Lightroom, InDesign
Natura Domus is a design in response to the need for zero-carbon MURBs in the city. The 9-storey mid-rise building proposal is programmatically split to adhere to the context of the site. On the ground floor, retail is reflected on the Dundas St side and communal library functions are situated on the residential side. Residential apartment units are set back to provide users with a greater level of privacy as well as provide a green terrace on the second floor. The setback of the upper portion of the building also allows for a continuous street frontage to be maintained along the existing buildings residing on the Dundas
St side. Through raising and setting back portions of the building, a formal separation is formed via a continuous band of glazing. To counteract the added glazing (WWR), this project integrates the use of highperformance windows paired with insulated spandrel panels. Other sustainable aspects of this project include clean renewable solar energy, solar hot water, a high-performance building envelope, and high-efficiency active systems. The project also focuses heavily on occupantcentric housing design, maintaining unit aspect ratio of 1:1 or more to allow for proper daylighting in all spaces.
“How do we live lighter?”
wall assembly: ext > int
16mm ceraclad fiber cement panel
40mm airspace
12.5mm cement plasterboard
4 x 50mm mineral wool insulation
air barrier - all seems lapped & taped
3-ply clt wall panel
12.7mm gypsum wallboard w/ paint finish
>
228x304mm glulam column sill block & gasket
triple-glazed sliding door armatherm frr struct. thermal break armatherm z-girt & fiberglass clip raised flooring aluminum flashing
The wall assembly takes into consideration the flows of heat, water, air, and energy. Through detailing the building envelope, energy consumption is minimized and thermal performance is maximized. Some of the design choices made include the lowering of windowto-wall ratio (WWR%) where possible, continuous lines of barriers and insulation, thicker insulation (to a Passive House standard), triple-glazed argonfilled windows, sustainable building materials, and renewable on-site solar energy. These factors contribute to the airtightness and moisture management of the building, ultimately leading to a reduction in heating/cooling loads towards the active systems.
ghana innovation farm
competition entry location
Ghana, Africa.
year | duration 2022 | one (1) month
collaborators
Kevin Hioe, Venessa Chan, Tabitha Dolar software
Rhino, V-Ray, Illustrator, Photoshop, Lightroom, InDesign manifesto.
Located in the centre of cultivated land, ekomakuraa is designed to create interactions and a sense of community for visitors of the innovation farm. The project adopts modularity by creating a “ village ” for the people of Ghana to learn about the process behind farming, harvesting, food preservation, and preparation, specifically for potatoes (as one of the most versatile ingredients for dishes across cultures). As part of the revealing process and to create transparency within the grounds, amenities are easily accessible through the main glazed path of circulation, creating wayfinding for visitors of the
conceptual.
farm. This concept is further explored as fenestration is placed along the rammed earth walls of the mechanical, electrical and food preparation workshops to create views inside the rooms, aiming to spark interest in students. Towards the end of the “village”, a cafeteria space extends into the outdoor civic space providing an area for both gathering and recreational activities to occur. Finally, the three processing and storage buildings are organized in a linear, sequential order to further highlight the procedures behind farming, taking a likeness to that of an exhibition for visitors uninvolved in the production process.
“From starch to structure.”
vocal performance hall
academic work location
80 Bond St, Toronto, ON.
year | duration
2020 | two (2) months
mentors Vincent Hui, BES, MArch, MBA, MRAIC software Rhino, V-Ray, Illustrator, Photoshop, Lightroom, InDesign manifesto. conceptual.
Although appearing to be simple at first, vocal performance is widely complex, consisting of more than singing or choir. There is an entire ecosystem behind the act of vocal performance, including factors such as voice maintenance/ health, recording and production, music theory and composition, and harmonies between all elements. This building serves to make known the complexities of vocal performance through the main concept of transparency and permeability. This is mainly shown through the use of the faceted wooden louver system that not only
envelops the performance hall, but also cascades into the interior, creating reveals throughout and acting as a recurring motif. On the interior, the louver system acts as a permeable veil for the programmatic divide of the building, allowing views into both the theatric spaces (main hall, blackbox theatre, etc.) and the productive spaces (recording studios, music library, cafe). Additionally, the facade acts as a membrane, opening up at moments to form entrances and working collectively with the glazed atrium to frame the St. Michael’s Cathedral in the background.
“Intricacies in everything.”
1. reception/coat check
2. cafe
3. intermission lobby
The sectional perspective highlights the splitting of the building into two programmatic masses, with the facade acting as a veil even within the interior. It aims to create inspiration within its building occupants, creating moments where there are glimpses into adjacent building functions - a curiosity ignited similar to looking through blinds.
left: detail axonometric
bottom: section AA’
wall section: grade to 2nd floor
community aquatic centre
academic work location
77 James St N, Hamilton, ON.
year | duration 2022 | eight (8) months mentors Jennifer Esposito, BAS, MArch, MArch II, OAA, MRAIC
software
Rhino, Revit, V-Ray, Illustrator, Photoshop, Lightroom, InDesign
manifesto.
Existing podia throughout Hamilton’s Jackson Square are uninviting and isolated. As the heart of downtown Hamilton, the existing development fails to address the public realm in a meaningful way. Thus, a repurposing is needed to encourage social activity and breathe new life into the area. We demand architectural spaces that are both inviting and bestow senses of security and community. As an addition to the masterplan below, the aquatic centre is motivated on creating secure and safe communal spaces. It demonstrates this through a delicate interplay between public and private spaces, using
conceptual. site model. masterplan.
architectural elements to denote both. For instance, the building is divided into three main sections, with a constant datum line distinguishing public from private. This treatment is visible through the varying visibility of glass throughout the project (translucent v/s transparent). The architectural language separates those vulnerable on the interior from possible hostilities on the exterior. Notably in the wet aquatics, visual obstructions separate building inhabitants from outsiders. Above the datum line, transparent glass is reintroduced for natural daylight. Sustainable features include PV, water harvesting, and green roofs.
“Let’s go for a swim!”
design-build | pavilion location
Woodbine Beach, Toronto, ON.
year | duration 2022 | four (4) months
mentors Vincent Hui, BES, MArch, MBA, MRAIC collaborators
Ariel Weiss (lead), Alexandra Winslow, Evan Fernandes, Justin Lieberman manifesto. conceptual. iterations.
Held each year in Toronto, Ontario, “Winter Stations” is an international design competition that calls for winter pavilion designs that incorporate existing lifeguard towers. The forces of nature are relentless. Like the falling snow of the sky and the shifting sands of the beach, the pavilion embraces local wind, snow, and sun conditions. Following these directions of force, the pavilion’s wings embody movement by harnessing snow and mitigating strong winds. Recycled beach towels have been upcycled and formed into dynamic concrete panels with varying openings. These panels control the amount
of light and snow allowed to enter, while also creating unique views outwards. Together, the panels and wings protect users and encourage them to engage with their surroundings. Where the lifeguard station, beach towels, and marine ropes are more frequently used in the summer, the pavilion achieves resilience by employing these objects in the winter. The pavilion acts as a shelter for the community where winter conditions are celebrated by harnessing and adapting to natural forces. The project was fully realized in February 2022, alongside several other installations designed and constructed by other firms and students.
“Let’s build this thing!”
isometric diagram
i. towel-casted concrete panels
ii. existing lifeguard tower
iii. egg-crate plywood structure
iv. plywood foundation (+rebar)
panel fabrication & assembly process
panel molds are CNC-milled molds are assembled adhesive-free (dowels)
1 2 3 4
towels cast in quickcrete & cured cured panels fixed to egg-crate form
Orpheus & Eurydice - Set Design
WWF Observation Cabin Competition - rendering BioMesh - bioreceptive concrete cladding (carbon sequestration)
Rotterdam Van Nelle Transit Station (design & render)
YMCA Hamilton physical model photography
