Portfolio 2023

PORTFOLIO PHOTOBOOK

KENNETH KO

(MARCH) Curtin University

(BENVS) Melbourne University

ABOUT ME

As an international student, I have been studying in Melbourne and Perth respectively throughout my university years. With years of Australian and Aborignial culture immersement, combined with my experience working overseas, I believe I could bring different perspectives to local working environments.

EDUCATION

COMMUNICATION SOFTWARE

WORK EXPRERIENCES (OVERSEAS)

Documentation set for Building ApprovalRedesign of Kidogo Arthouse in Fremantle

Design of a Car showroom and Museum for Exhibiton of Barlow Motors

Design for Boathouse Rental Unit and Restaurant in Studley Park

Interior design for a private built project for a small size clinic in Hong Kong

PROJECT 01

THESIS PROJECT

HONG KONG PUBLIC HOUSING

A BLENDED LIFESTYLE

Unlike typical public housing estate in Hong Kong, in this new development system, the urban spaces are scattered around each component of the public housing estate; the spaces are rarely used by residents and merely act as a passage more than an active urban space.

SITE MASTERPLAN

ACTIVATED STREETLIFE

The project aims to create a more lively living environment by utilizing half of the site as urban space, and building up the activities around the urban space as a “walking street”.

Activate the street & bring people together

Build around

Pathway

Point of Interest

VISUAL CONCEPT

The concept of “walking street” is to create more points of interest and destinations for pedestrians. Thus, urban space does not only mean “walkway” to residents, but a space to enjoy and relieve stress.

Creating Destinations for the site

VISUAL

Central Walking Street

LOCAL CULTURE

To emphasize the identity of the site and the housing estate itself in Tin Shui Wai District, it is important to refer to the existing local cultures.

CARPARK

CARPARK CARPARK

RETAIL SOCIAL SERVICE

BACK OF HOUSE

RETAIL RESTAURANT

SUSTAINABLE TECHNOLOGY

Sustainability is one of the major concerns of this thesis project. To achieve a more sustainable model, new technology is the best tool to assist.

FOOD MARKET

The system protects the pavement from damaging by the overgrowth of tree roots, and hence reduces the maintence cost

The soil vault allows healthier tree growth and prevent flooding

Water seeps into pipework underground for greywater collection

Soil Vault System by CityGreen

PROJECT 02

CURTIN UNIVERSITY

SCHOOL OF BUILT ENVIRONMENT

In the recently published future plan for Curtin Bentley Campus, a new School of Built Environment / School of Design will be erected in the proposed development area at North of Campus, which is currently under construction to bring users a brand new experience. Other than bringing international students/ business into the campus, Curtin has also been working to build up the concerns of reserving and promoting the Indigenous Cultures in Perth.

Critical section cut showing the design intent and importatn spaces of the building

TO ACCOMMODATE STUDENTS

DESIGN GOALS

BUILDING FORM

STRUCTURAL DEVELOPMENT

TO ACCOMMODATE BUSINESS

TO ACCOMMODATE USERS

TO ENHANCE CULTURE

TO FACILITATE TECHNOLOGY

STUDIO SPACES

3-Storey discrete studio space dedicated for Architecture Student and Presentation

FLOOR PLANS

ROOF GARDEN

COMMON AREA

CAFE AREA

PROJECT 03

PERTH CONVENTION CENTRE REDEVELOPMENT GROUP

Redeveloping the Iconic Site

The current Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre (PCEC) was opened since 2004, as one of Perth’s major attraction and event venue. However it is frequently critized for the disjointed design of the centre with the city. This redevelopment project of the PCEC precinct is to reinterpret the site to match the future development of Perth shoreline.

Creating Local Community

Community spaces act as a respiratory organs within the Urban fabric of the city, and also promotes social, environmental and health benefits for its users. Community spaces help to bring good functionality, Social Interaction and Aesthetical value to the site.

Our vision was to create a Central communal space connecting Elizabeth Quay and the Swan River, which attracts all the users in or around the site, as the current design lacks interactive spaces.

ABORGINAL CULTURE INSPIRED

Rainbow Serpent is regarded to be very important in the Aboriginal Culture, the Rainbow Serpent is considered to be the Dreamtime creatures who has shaped the earth

Our concept adopted the movement of the Rainbow serpent in the community area, integrating the two major focal points of the site and following the nature to bind the site in one, promoting the community engagement.

PROJECT 04

FREMANTLE ART MUSEUM

As one of the most precious heritage site in Perth, Fremantle has numerous historic footprints. The city centre itself is also designed to encourage walkability.

The main design concept of this project is to emphasize the circulation and permeability within the building. The main central staircase is the major focus of the design.

INTERNAL SPACES

To adapt to the narrow site, the interior spaces of the building and the exhibition space are divided in linear shape to enhance the experience of “walking” in exhibition. Also the central staircase with transparent skin ensures the flow of natural lighting into the whole building.

The front section is to show the distribution of exhibition spaces and utility spaces in the building, which is separated by the main staircase in the centre, leading to all levels of the building.

FRONT SECTION

SECTION A

SECTION B

Section A shows the utility spaces for the museum (Lecture theatre, bookstore, toilets etc.) and also the double height main entrance lobby.

Section B displays the exhibition spaces and the concept of main staircase penetrates through the entire building.

PROJECT 05

DOCUMENTATION FOR BUILDING APPROVAL

Redesign and Expansion of Fremantle Arthouse

PROJECT 06

BARLOW MOTOR MUSEUM

PROJECT 07

STUDLEY PARK BOATHOUSE

OTHER PROJECT

CHINESE MEDICINE CLINIC HONG KONG

Interior Design Work

A built interior design project for a Chinese Medicine Clinic in Hong Kong. To create the feeling of “warmth and hopeful” in the design of the interior of the clinic, so the design decision is to mix a simple renovation with soft-tone colour of the interior furnitures to create an easy-going atmostphere, and thus the patients could feel a warm “home-coming” environment, which the client (which is a Chinese Medicine Doctor) believes it can sooth the patients’ stress and the illness, both physically and mentally.

WAITING AREA AND CORRIDOR

DOCTOR’S ROOM 1

DOCTOR’S ROOM 2